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20220901

field-real-gdp-purchasing-power-parity-country-comparison

20220901

field-hospital-bed-density

This entry provides the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people; it serves as a general measure of inpatient service availability. Hospital beds include inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In most cases, beds for both acute and chronic care are included. Because the level of inpatient services required for individual countries depends on several factors - such as demographic issues and the burden of disease - there is no global target for the number of hospital beds per country. So, while 2 beds per 1,000 in one country may be sufficient, 2 beds per 1,000 in another may be woefully inadequate because of the number of people hospitalized by disease. Topic: Afghanistan0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Albania2.9 beds/1,000 population (2013) Topic: Algeria1.9 beds/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Andorra2.5 beds/1,000 population Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Argentina5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Armenia4.2 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Australia3.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Austria7.3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Azerbaijan4.8 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Bahamas, The3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bahrain1.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bangladesh0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Barbados6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Belarus10.8 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Belgium5.6 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Belize1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Benin0.5 beds/1,000 population Topic: Bhutan1.7 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Bolivia1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3.5 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Botswana1.8 beds/1,000 population Topic: Brazil2.1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Brunei2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bulgaria7.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Burkina Faso0.4 beds/1,000 population Topic: Burma1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Burundi0.8 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Cabo Verde2.1 beds/1,000 population Topic: Cambodia1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Cameroon1.3 beds/1,000 population Topic: Canada2.5 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Central African Republic1 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Chile2.1 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: China4.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Colombia1.7 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Costa Rica1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Croatia5.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Cuba5.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Cyprus3.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Czechia6.6 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Denmark2.6 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Djibouti1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Dominica3.8 beds/1,000 population Topic: Dominican Republic1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Ecuador1.4 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Egypt1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: El Salvador1.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Eritrea0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Estonia4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Eswatini2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Ethiopia0.3 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Faroe Islands4.2 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Fiji2 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Finland3.6 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: France5.9 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Gabon6.3 beds/1,000 population Topic: Gambia, The1.1 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Gaza Strip1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Georgia2.9 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Germany8 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Ghana0.9 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Greece4.2 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Greenland14 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Grenada3.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Guatemala0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Guinea0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Guyana1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Haiti0.7 beds/1,000 population (2013) Topic: Honduras0.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Hong Kong4.9 beds/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Hungary7 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Iceland2.8 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: India0.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Indonesia1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Iran1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Iraq1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Ireland3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Israel3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Italy3.1 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Jamaica1.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Japan13 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Jordan1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Kazakhstan6.1 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Kiribati1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Korea, South12.4 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Kuwait2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Kyrgyzstan4.4 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Laos1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Latvia5.5 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Lebanon2.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Libya3.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Lithuania6.4 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Luxembourg4.3 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Madagascar0.2 beds/1,000 population Topic: Malawi1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Malaysia1.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Maldives4.3 beds/1,000 population Topic: Mali0.1 beds/1,000 population Topic: Malta4.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Marshall Islands2.7 beds/1,000 population Topic: Mauritius3.7 beds/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Mexico1 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of3.2 beds/1,000 population Topic: Moldova5.7 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Monaco13.8 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Mongolia8 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Montenegro3.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Morocco1 beds/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Namibia2.7 beds/1,000 population Topic: Nepal0.3 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Netherlands3.2 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: New Zealand2.6 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Nicaragua0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Niger0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: North Macedonia4.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Norway3.5 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Oman1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Pakistan0.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Panama2.3 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Paraguay0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Peru1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Philippines1 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Poland6.5 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Portugal3.5 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Qatar1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Romania6.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Russia7.1 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Saint Lucia1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines4.3 beds/1,000 population (2016) Topic: San Marino3.8 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Saudi Arabia2.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Serbia5.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Seychelles3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Singapore2.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Slovakia5.7 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Slovenia4.4 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Solomon Islands1.4 beds/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Somalia0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Spain3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Sri Lanka4.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Sudan0.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Suriname3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Sweden2.1 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Switzerland4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Syria1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Tajikistan4.7 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Tanzania0.7 beds/1,000 population Topic: Togo0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Tunisia2.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)2.9 beds/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Turkmenistan4 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Uganda0.5 beds/1,000 population Topic: Ukraine7.5 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: United Arab Emirates1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: United Kingdom2.5 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: United States2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Uruguay2.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Uzbekistan4 beds/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Venezuela0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Vietnam3.2 beds/1,000 population (2013) Topic: West Bank1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Yemen0.7 beds/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Zambia2 beds/1,000 population Topic: Zimbabwe1.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

20220901

countries-maldives-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Maldives 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 30 days. US Embassy/Consulate: US does not have an embassy in Maldives; US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, is accredited to both countries; US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the Embassy to Sri Lanka +94 (11) 249-8500; US Embassy Colombo, 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka; colomboacs@state.gov; https://lk.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 960 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 102; Fire: 999; Police: 119 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Currency (Code): Rufiyaa (MVR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, G, J, K, L Major Languages: Dhivehi, English Major Religions: Sunni Muslim 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: National Museum; Sultan Park; Tsunami Monument; Republic Square; Rasfannu; Male Waterfront; Friday Mosque; Muleeaage Palace Major Sports: Soccer, tennis, baseball, badminton, basketball, table tennis Cultural Practices: While beachwear is acceptable in resorts, it is typically frowned upon in other locations. Tipping Guidelines: If staying in a hotel for a few days or more and the staff has demonstrated good service, a gratuity of $2 (USD) per day is suggested. Tipping guides $10 (USD) per day is appropriate. Souvenirs: Hand-woven wicker and reed mats, woven baskets, shell and stone jewelry, tree-sap-carved lacquered boxes and other carved wooden items Traditional Cuisine: Garudiya — a clear fish (typically tuna) brothPlease 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-real-gdp-growth-rate

This entry gives a country's real GDP annual growth rate, adjusted for seasonal unemployment and inflation. A country's growth rate is year-over-year, and not compounded. Topic: Afghanistan2.7% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Topic: Albania2.24% (2019 est.) 4.07% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria1.4% (2017 est.) 3.2% (2016 est.) 3.7% (2015 est.) Topic: American Samoa-2.5% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) Topic: Andorra-1.1% (2015 est.) 1.4% (2014 est.) -0.1% (2013 est.) Topic: Angola-2.5% (2017 est.) -2.6% (2016 est.) 0.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Anguilla-8.5% (2009 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.8% (2017 est.) 5.3% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Argentina-2.03% (2019 est.) -2.53% (2018 est.) 2.83% (2017 est.) Topic: Armenia7.5% (2017 est.) 0.3% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Aruba1.2% (2017 est.) -0.1% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Australia1.84% (2019 est.) 2.77% (2018 est.) 2.45% (2017 est.) Topic: Austria1.42% (2019 est.) 2.58% (2018 est.) 2.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan0.1% (2017 est.) -3.1% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The1.4% (2017 est.) -1.7% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Topic: Bahrain2.49% (2019 est.) 13.89% (2018 est.) 3.85% (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladesh7.4% (2017 est.) 7.2% (2016 est.) 6.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Barbados-0.2% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 2.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Belarus1.22% (2019 est.) 3.17% (2018 est.) 2.53% (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium1.41% (2019 est.) 1.49% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Belize0.8% (2017 est.) -0.5% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Benin5.6% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.) 2.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Bermuda-0.1% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.) -0.3% (2014 est.) Topic: Bhutan7.4% (2017 est.) 7.3% (2016 est.) 6.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Bolivia2.22% (2019 est.) 4.23% (2018 est.) 4.19% (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3% (2017 est.) 3.2% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Botswana2.4% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) -1.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Brazil1.13% (2019 est.) 1.2% (2018 est.) 1.62% (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands2% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Brunei1.3% (2017 est.) -2.5% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Bulgaria3.39% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso6.4% (2017 est.) 5.9% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Burma6.8% (2017 est.) 5.9% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Topic: Burundi0% (2017 est.) -1% (2016 est.) -4% (2015 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde4% (2017 est.) 4.7% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Topic: Cambodia6.9% (2017 est.) 7% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Topic: Cameroon3.5% (2017 est.) 4.6% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Canada1.66% (2019 est.) 2.02% (2018 est.) 3.17% (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands1.7% (2014 est.) 1.2% (2013 est.) 1.6% (2012 est.) Topic: Central African Republic4.3% (2017 est.) 4.5% (2016 est.) 4.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Chad-3.1% (2017 est.) -6.4% (2016 est.) 1.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Chile1.03% (2019 est.) 4% (2018 est.) 1.41% (2017 est.) Topic: China6.14% (2019 est.) 6.75% (2018 est.) 6.92% (2017 est.) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands1% (2003) Topic: Colombia3.26% (2019 est.) 2.51% (2018 est.) 1.36% (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros2.7% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the3.4% (2017 est.) 2.4% (2016 est.) 6.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the-3.1% (2017 est.) -2.8% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Cook Islands0.1% (2005 est.) Topic: Costa Rica3.3% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire7.8% (2017 est.) 8.3% (2016 est.) 8.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Croatia2.94% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 3.14% (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba1.6% (2017 est.) 0.5% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Curacao3.6% (2012 est.) 2% (2011 est.) 0.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Cyprus3.08% (2019 est.) 5.25% (2018 est.) 5.16% (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia2.27% (2019 est.) 3.18% (2018 est.) 5.35% (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark2.85% (2019 est.) 2.18% (2018 est.) 2.83% (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti6.7% (2017 est.) 6.5% (2016 est.) 6.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Dominica-4.7% (2017 est.) 2.6% (2016 est.) -3.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic4.6% (2017 est.) 6.6% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Topic: Ecuador0.06% (2019 est.) 1.29% (2018 est.) 2.37% (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt4.2% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.) Topic: El Salvador2.3% (2017 est.) 2.6% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea-3.2% (2017 est.) -8.6% (2016 est.) -9.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Eritrea5% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Estonia5% (2019 est.) 4.36% (2018 est.) 5.51% (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini1.6% (2017 est.) 1.4% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Ethiopia10.9% (2017 est.) 8% (2016 est.) 10.4% (2015 est.) Topic: European Union2.3% (2017 est.) 2% (2016 est.) 2.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)25.5% (2015 est.) -1.8% (2014 est.) -20.4% (2013 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands5.9% (2017 est.) 7.5% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Fiji3% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Finland1.15% (2019 est.) 1.52% (2018 est.) 3.27% (2017 est.) Topic: France1.49% (2019 est.) 1.81% (2018 est.) 2.42% (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia2% (2015 est.) -2.7% (2014 est.) -2.5% (2010 est.) Topic: Gabon0.5% (2017 est.) 2.1% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Gambia, The4.6% (2017 est.) 0.4% (2016 est.) 5.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip-15.2% (2014 est.) 5.6% (2013 est.) 7% (2012 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Topic: Georgia5% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Germany0.59% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 2.91% (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana8.4% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Greece1.87% (2019 est.) 1.91% (2018 est.) 1.44% (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland7.7% (2016 est.) 1.7% (2015 est.) -0.8% (2014 est.) Topic: Grenada5.1% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.) 6.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Guam0.4% (2016 est.) 0.5% (2015 est.) 1.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Guatemala2.8% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Guernsey0.4% (2015 est.) 1.2% (2014 est.) 4.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Guinea8.2% (2017 est.) 10.5% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau5.9% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.) 6.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Guyana2.1% (2017 est.) 3.4% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Haiti1.2% (2017 est.) 1.5% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Honduras4.8% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Hong Kong-1.25% (2019 est.) 2.86% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary4.58% (2019 est.) 5.44% (2018 est.) 4.45% (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland1.94% (2019 est.) 3.88% (2018 est.) 4.57% (2017 est.) Topic: India4.86% (2019 est.) 6.78% (2018 est.) 6.55% (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia5.03% (2019 est.) 5.17% (2018 est.) 5.07% (2017 est.) Topic: Iran3.7% (2017 est.) 12.5% (2016 est.) -1.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Iraq-2.1% (2017 est.) 13.1% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Ireland5.86% (2019 est.) 9.42% (2018 est.) 9.49% (2017 est.) Topic: Isle of Man-8.6% (2015 est.) 17.9% (2014 est.) 2.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Israel-2.6% (2020 est.) 3.28% (2019 est.) 3.69% (2018 est.) Topic: Italy0.34% (2019 est.) 0.83% (2018 est.) 1.73% (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica0.7% (2017 est.) 1.5% (2016 est.) 0.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Japan0.7% (2019 est.) 0.29% (2018 est.) 2.19% (2017 est.) Topic: Jersey1% (2016 est.) 10.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Jordan2% (2019 est.) 1.94% (2018 est.) 2.12% (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan6.13% (2019 est.) 4.41% (2018 est.) 4.38% (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya5.39% (2019 est.) 6.32% (2018 est.) 4.79% (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati3.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) 10.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, North-1.1% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) 1.1% (2013 est.) Topic: Korea, South2.04% (2019 est.) 2.91% (2018 est.) 3.16% (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo3.7% (2017 est.) 4.1% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwait-3.3% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) -1% (2015 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan4.6% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Laos6.9% (2017 est.) 7% (2016 est.) 7.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Latvia2.08% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 3.23% (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon1.5% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) 0.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Lesotho-1.6% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Liberia2.5% (2017 est.) -1.6% (2016 est.) 0% (2015 est.) Topic: Libya64% (2017 est.) -7.4% (2016 est.) -13% (2015 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein1.8% (2012 est.) -0.5% (2011 est.) 3.1% (2007 est.) Topic: Lithuania4.33% (2019 est.) 3.99% (2018 est.) 4.37% (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg2.31% (2019 est.) 3.14% (2018 est.) 1.81% (2017 est.) Topic: Macau9.1% (2017 est.) -0.9% (2016 est.) -21.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Madagascar4.2% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Malawi4% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 3% (2015 est.) Topic: Malaysia4.31% (2019 est.) 4.77% (2018 est.) 5.81% (2017 est.) Topic: Maldives4.8% (2017 est.) 4.5% (2016 est.) 2.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Mali5.4% (2017 est.) 5.8% (2016 est.) 6.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Malta4.94% (2019 est.) 5.17% (2018 est.) 8.03% (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands2.5% (2017 est.) 3.6% (2016 est.) 2% (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritania3.5% (2017 est.) 1.8% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritius3.8% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Mexico-0.3% (2019 est.) 2.19% (2018 est.) 2.34% (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of2% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Moldova4.5% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Monaco5.4% (2015 est.) 7.2% (2014 est.) 9.6% (2013 est.) Topic: Mongolia5.1% (2017 est.) 1.2% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Montenegro4.3% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 3.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Montserrat7.4% (2011 est.) -4.2% (2010 est.) Topic: Morocco2.5% (2019 est.) 2.96% (2018 est.) 3.98% (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambique3.11% (2018 est.) 3.7% (2017 est.) 4.07% (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia-1.56% (2019 est.) 1.13% (2018 est.) -1.02% (2017 est.) Topic: Nauru4% (2017 est.) 10.4% (2016 est.) 2.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Nepal7.9% (2017 est.) 0.6% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Netherlands1.63% (2019 est.) 2.32% (2018 est.) 3.02% (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia2% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) 3.2% (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand2.22% (2019 est.) 3.22% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua4.9% (2017 est.) 4.7% (2016 est.) 4.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Niger4.9% (2017 est.) 4.9% (2016 est.) 4.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Nigeria0.8% (2017 est.) -1.6% (2016 est.) 2.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Niue6.2% (2003 est.) Topic: North Macedonia0% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands28.6% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) 3.5% (2014 est.) Topic: Norway0.86% (2019 est.) 1.36% (2018 est.) 2.75% (2017 est.) Topic: Oman-0.9% (2017 est.) 5% (2016 est.) 4.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Pakistan5.4% (2017 est.) 4.6% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) note: data are for fiscal years Topic: Palau-3.7% (2017 est.) 0% (2016 est.) 10.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Panama5.4% (2017 est.) 5% (2016 est.) 5.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea2.5% (2017 est.) 1.6% (2016 est.) 5.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Paraguay4.8% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Peru2.18% (2019 est.) 3.97% (2018 est.) 2.48% (2017 est.) Topic: Philippines6.04% (2019 est.) 6.34% (2018 est.) 6.94% (2017 est.) Topic: Poland4.55% (2019 est.) 5.36% (2018 est.) 4.83% (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal2.24% (2019 est.) 2.85% (2018 est.) 3.51% (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico-2.4% (2017 est.) -1.3% (2016 est.) -1% (2015 est.) Topic: Qatar1.6% (2017 est.) 2.1% (2016 est.) 3.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Romania4.2% (2019 est.) 4.54% (2018 est.) 7.11% (2017 est.) Topic: Russia1.34% (2019 est.) 2.54% (2018 est.) 1.83% (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda6.1% (2017 est.) 6% (2016 est.) 8.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNANA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis2.1% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 2.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia3% (2017 est.) 3.4% (2016 est.) -0.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNANA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0.7% (2017 est.) 0.8% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Samoa2.5% (2017 est.) 7.1% (2016 est.) 1.6% (2015 est.) Topic: San Marino1.9% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe3.9% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia-0.9% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Senegal7.2% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) 6.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Serbia4.18% (2019 est.) 4.4% (2018 est.) 2.05% (2017 est.) Topic: Seychelles5.3% (2017 est.) 4.5% (2016 est.) 4.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone3.7% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.) -20.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Singapore0.73% (2019 est.) 3.48% (2018 est.) 4.34% (2017 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten3.6% (2014 est.) 4.1% (2013 est.) 1.9% (2012 est.) Topic: Slovakia2.4% (2019 est.) 3.9% (2018 est.) 3.04% (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia2.4% (2019 est.) 4.24% (2018 est.) 5.14% (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands3.5% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Somalia2.3% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Topic: South Africa0.06% (2019 est.) 0.7% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan-5.2% (2017 est.) -13.9% (2016 est.) -0.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Spain1.95% (2019 est.) 2.43% (2018 est.) 2.97% (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka2.29% (2019 est.) 3.32% (2018 est.) 3.58% (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan1.4% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) 1.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Suriname1.9% (2017 est.) -5.1% (2016 est.) -2.6% (2015 est.) Topic: SvalbardNANA Topic: Sweden1.29% (2019 est.) 2.06% (2018 est.) 2.82% (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland1.11% (2019 est.) 3.04% (2018 est.) 1.65% (2017 est.) Topic: Syria-36.5% (2014 est.) -30.9% (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 dollars Topic: Taiwan2.71% (2019 est.) 2.75% (2018 est.) 3.31% (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistan7.1% (2017 est.) 6.9% (2016 est.) 6% (2015 est.) Topic: Tanzania6.98% (2019 est.) 6.95% (2018 est.) 6.78% (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand2.62% (2019 est.) 4.31% (2018 est.) 4.26% (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste-4.6% (2017 est.) 5.3% (2016 est.) 4% (2015 est.) Topic: Togo4.4% (2017 est.) 5.1% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.) Topic: TokelauNANA Topic: Tonga2.5% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-2.6% (2017 est.) -6.1% (2016 est.) 1.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Tunisia2% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)0.98% (2019 est.) 3.04% (2018 est.) 7.54% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan6.5% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) 6.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands5.3% (2018 est.) 4.3% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Tuvalu3.2% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) 9.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Uganda4.8% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Ukraine3.24% (2019 est.) 3.41% (2018 est.) 2.48% (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates0.8% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) 5.1% (2015 est.) Topic: United Kingdom1.26% (2019 est.) 1.25% (2018 est.) 1.74% (2017 est.) Topic: United States2.16% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 2.33% (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay2.7% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan5.3% (2017 est.) 7.8% (2016 est.) 7.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Vanuatu4.2% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) 0.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Venezuela-19.67% (2018 est.) -14% (2017 est.) -15.76% (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam6.8% (2017 est.) 7.16% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands0.9% (2016 est.) 0.3% (2015 est.) -1% (2014 est.) Topic: Wallis and FutunaNANA Topic: West Bank5.3% (2014 est.) 1% (2013 est.) 6% (2012 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Topic: World3.7% (2017 est.) 3.2% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2014 est.) Topic: Yemen-5.9% (2017 est.) -13.6% (2016 est.) -16.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Zambia3.4% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe3.7% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) 1.4% (2015 est.)

20220901

countries-croatia

Topic: Photos of Croatia Topic: Introduction Background: The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics under the strong hand of Marshal Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Yugoslav forces, dominated by Serb officers, were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in April 2009 and the EU in July 2013.The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics under the strong hand of Marshal Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Yugoslav forces, dominated by Serb officers, were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in April 2009 and the EU in July 2013.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 56,594 sq km land: 55,974 sq km water: 620 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 2,237 km border countries (5): Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Hungary 348 km; Montenegro 19 km; Serbia 314 km; Slovenia 600 km Coastline: 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Elevation: highest point: Dinara 1,831 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 331 m Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 23.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 16% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 34.4% (2018 est.) other: 41.9% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 240 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 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: more 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 Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes Geography - note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks Map description: Croatia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea.Croatia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 4,188,853 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Croat(s), Croatian(s) adjective: Croatian note: the French designation of "Croate" to Croatian mercenaries in the 17th century eventually became "Cravate" and later came to be applied to the soldiers' scarves - the cravat; Croatia celebrates Cravat Day every 18 October Ethnic groups: Croat 90.4%, Serb 4.4%, other 4.4% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Romani), unspecified 0.8% (2011 est.) Languages: Croatian (official) 95.6%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3% (including Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and Albanian), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 86.3%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.5%, not religious or atheist 3.8% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.16% (male 308,668/female 289,996) 15-24 years: 10.76% (male 233,602/female 221,495) 25-54 years: 39.77% (male 841,930/female 839,601) 55-64 years: 14.24% (male 290,982/female 310,969) 65 years and over: 21.06% (2020 est.) (male 364,076/female 526,427) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.7 youth dependency ratio: 22.6 elderly dependency ratio: 33.1 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 43.9 years male: 42 years female: 45.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.47% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 8.65 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 12.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: more 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 Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 684,000 ZAGREB (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 29 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.22 years male: 74.1 years female: 80.53 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.45 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: 7% (2019) Physicians density: 3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 5.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 98.4% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 1.6% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,700 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.4% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 36.9% (2020 est.) male: 37.6% (2020 est.) female: 36.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2017 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.3% male: 99.7% female: 98.9% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1% male: 18.7% female: 25% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution improving but still a concern in urban settings and in emissions arriving from neighboring countries; surface water pollution in the Danube River Basin 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 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.03 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 17.49 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.98 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Land use: agricultural land: 23.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 16% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 34.4% (2018 est.) other: 41.9% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 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: 455 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 184 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 76 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 105.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Croatia conventional short form: Croatia local long form: Republika Hrvatska local short form: Hrvatska former: People's Republic of Croatia, Socialist Republic of Croatia etymology: name derives from the Croats, a Slavic tribe who migrated to the Balkans in the 7th century A.D. Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Zagreb geographic coordinates: 45 48 N, 16 00 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 seems to be related to "digging"; archeologists suggest that the original settlement was established beyond a water-filled hole or "graba" and that the name derives from this; "za" in Slavic means "beyond"; the overall meaning may be "beyond the trench (fault, channel, ditch)" Administrative divisions: 20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular) with special county status; Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska (Bjelovar-Bilogora), Brodsko-Posavska (Brod-Posavina), Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka (Karlovac), Koprivnicko-Krizevacka (Koprivnica-Krizevci), Krapinsko-Zagorska (Krapina-Zagorje), Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska (Medimurje), Osjecko-Baranjska (Osijek-Baranja), Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska (Primorje-Gorski Kotar), Sibensko-Kninska (Sibenik-Knin), Sisacko-Moslavacka (Sisak-Moslavina), Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska (Varazdin), Viroviticko-Podravska (Virovitica-Podravina), Vukovarsko-Srijemska (Vukovar-Syrmia), Zadarska (Zadar), Zagreb*, Zagrebacka (Zagreb county) Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia); note - 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia; notable earlier dates: ca. 925 (Kingdom of Croatia established); 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) established) National holiday: Statehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990); note - marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1990 amendments: proposed by at least one fifth of the Assembly membership, by the president of the republic, by the Government of Croatia, or through petition by at least 10% of the total electorate; proceedings to amend require majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; passage by petition requires a majority vote in a referendum and promulgation by the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2014 Legal system: civil law system influenced by legal heritage of Austria-Hungary; note - Croatian law was fully harmonized with the European Community acquis as of the June 2010 completion of EU accession negotiations 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 Croatia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Zoran MILANOVIC (since 18 February 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Andrej PLENKOVIC (since 19 October 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Damir KRSTICEVIC (since 19 October 2016), Predrag STROMAR (since 9 June 2017), Marija Pejcinovic BURIC (since 19 June 2017), and Tomislav TOLUSIC (since 25 May 2018) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 December 2019 with a runoff on 5 January 2020 (next to be held in 2024); the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president and approved by the Assembly election results: 2019: Zoran MILANOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Zoran MILANOVIC (SDP) 52.7%, Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC (HDZ) 47.3% 2015: Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC (HDZ) 50.7%, Ivo JOSIPOVIC (Forward Croatia Progressive Alliance) 49.3% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly or Hrvatski Sabor (151 seats; 140 members in 10 multi-seat constituencies and 3 members in a single constituency for Croatian diaspora directly elected by proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method with a 5% threshold; an additional 8 members elected from a nationwide constituency by simple majority by voters belonging to minorities recognized by Croatia; the Serb minority elects 3 Assembly members, the Hungarian and Italian minorities elect 1 each, the Czech and Slovak minorities elect 1 jointly, and all other minorities elect 2; all members serve 4-year terms elections: early election held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held by 2024) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - HDZ-led coalition 37.3%, Restart coalition 24.9%, DPMS-led coalition 10.9%, MOST 7.4%, Green-Left coalition 7%, P-F-SSIP 4%, HNS-LD 1.3%, NS-R 1%, other 6.2%; number of seats by coalition/party - HDZ-led coalition 66, Restart coalition 41, DPMS-led coalition 16, MOST 8, Green-Left coalition 7, P-F-SSIP 3, HNS-LD 1, NS-R 1, national minorities 8; composition as of January 2021 - men 103, women 48, percent of women 31.8% note: seats by party as of March 2021 - HDZ 62, SDP 33, DP 9, Most 6, Croatian Sovereignists 4, We Can! 4, IDS 3, SDSS 3, HSS 2, HSLS 2, BZH 1, Center 1, FOKUS 1, GLAS 1, HDS 1, HSU 1, NL 1, Reformists 1, SSIP 1, RF 1, independent 12 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president and vice president, 25 civil department justices, and 16 criminal department justices) judge selection and term of office: president of Supreme Court nominated by the president of Croatia and elected by the Sabor for a 4-year term; other Supreme Court justices appointed by the National Judicial Council; all judges serve until age 70 subordinate courts: Administrative Court; county, municipal, and specialized courts; note - there is an 11-member Constitutional Court with jurisdiction limited to constitutional issues but is outside of the judicial system Political parties and leaders: Bloc for Croatia or BLOK or BZH [Zlatko HASANBEGOVIC] The Bridge or Most [Bozo PETROV] (formerly the Bridge of Independent Lists) Center or Centar [Ivica PULJAK] (formerly Pametno and Party with a First and Last Name or SSIP)  Civic Liberal Alliance or GLAS [Ankar Mrak TARITAS] Croatian Demochristian Party or HDS [Goran DODIG] Croatian Democratic Alliance of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB [Branimir GLAVAS] Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Andrej PLENKOVIC] Croatian Democratic Union-led coalition (includes HSLS, HDS, HDSSB) Croatian Party of Pensioners or HSU [Veselko GABRICEVIC] Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Kreso BELJAK] Croatian People's Party - Liberal Democrats or HNS-LD [Stjepan CURAJ] Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Dario HREBAK] Croatian Sovereignists or HS [Marijan PAVLICEK] Focus on the Important or Focus [Davor NADI] Green-Left coalition [collective leadership] (includes MOZEMO!, NL) Homeland Movement or DP [Ivan PENAVA] (also known as Miroslav Škoro Homeland Movement or DPMS) Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Milorad PUPOVAC] Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Dalibor PAUS] New Left or NL [Ivana KEKIN] People's Party - Reformists or NS-R [Radimir CACIC] Restart Coalition (includes SDP, HSS, HSU, GLAS, IDS, NS-R) Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Peda GRBIN] We Can! or Mozemo! [collective leadership] Workers' Front or RF [collective leadership] International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EMU, EU, FAO, G-11, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue - the Pan-Slav colors - superimposed by the Croatian coat of arms; the coat of arms consists of one main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver (white) fields) surmounted by five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield; the five small shields represent five historic regions (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia National symbol(s): red-white checkerboard; national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland) lyrics/music: Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; "Lijepa nasa domovino," whose lyrics were written in 1835, served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 10 (8 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Plitvice Lakes National Park (n); Historic Split (c); Old City of Dubrovnik (c); Euphrasian Basilica; Historic Trogir (c); Šibenik Cathedral (c); Stari Grad Plain (c); Zadar and Fort St. Nikola Venetian Defense Works (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Though still one of the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, Croatia’s economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war. The country's output during that time collapsed, and Croatia missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6%, led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable.   Croatia experienced an abrupt slowdown in the economy in 2008; economic growth was stagnant or negative in each year between 2009 and 2014, but has picked up since the third quarter of 2014, ending 2017 with an average of 2.8% growth. Challenges remain including uneven regional development, a difficult investment climate, an inefficient judiciary, and loss of educated young professionals seeking higher salaries elsewhere in the EU. In 2016, Croatia revised its tax code to stimulate growth from domestic consumption and foreign investment. Income tax reduction began in 2017, and in 2018 various business costs were removed from income tax calculations. At the start of 2018, the government announced its economic reform plan, slated for implementation in 2019.   Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Croatian economy, comprising 19.6% of Croatia’s GDP. Croatia is working to become a regional energy hub, and is undertaking plans to open a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal by the end of 2019 or early in 2020 to import LNG for re-distribution in southeast Europe.   Croatia joined the EU on July 1, 2013, following a decade-long accession process. Croatia has developed a plan for Eurozone accession, and the government projects Croatia will adopt the Euro by 2024. In 2017, the Croatian government decreased public debt to 78% of GDP, from an all-time high of 84% in 2014, and realized a 0.8% budget surplus - the first surplus since independence in 1991. The government has also sought to accelerate privatization of non-strategic assets with mixed success. Croatia’s economic recovery is still somewhat fragile; Croatia’s largest private company narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to a capital infusion from an American investor. Restructuring is ongoing, and projected to finish by mid-July 2018.Though still one of the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, Croatia’s economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war. The country's output during that time collapsed, and Croatia missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6%, led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Croatia experienced an abrupt slowdown in the economy in 2008; economic growth was stagnant or negative in each year between 2009 and 2014, but has picked up since the third quarter of 2014, ending 2017 with an average of 2.8% growth. Challenges remain including uneven regional development, a difficult investment climate, an inefficient judiciary, and loss of educated young professionals seeking higher salaries elsewhere in the EU. In 2016, Croatia revised its tax code to stimulate growth from domestic consumption and foreign investment. Income tax reduction began in 2017, and in 2018 various business costs were removed from income tax calculations. At the start of 2018, the government announced its economic reform plan, slated for implementation in 2019. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Croatian economy, comprising 19.6% of Croatia’s GDP. Croatia is working to become a regional energy hub, and is undertaking plans to open a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal by the end of 2019 or early in 2020 to import LNG for re-distribution in southeast Europe. Croatia joined the EU on July 1, 2013, following a decade-long accession process. Croatia has developed a plan for Eurozone accession, and the government projects Croatia will adopt the Euro by 2024. In 2017, the Croatian government decreased public debt to 78% of GDP, from an all-time high of 84% in 2014, and realized a 0.8% budget surplus - the first surplus since independence in 1991. The government has also sought to accelerate privatization of non-strategic assets with mixed success. Croatia’s economic recovery is still somewhat fragile; Croatia’s largest private company narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to a capital infusion from an American investor. Restructuring is ongoing, and projected to finish by mid-July 2018. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $107.11 billion (2020 est.) $116.89 billion (2019 est.) $113.64 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.94% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 3.14% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $26,500 (2020 est.) $28,800 (2019 est.) $27,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $60.687 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 1.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB- (2019) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3.7% (2017 est.) industry: 26.2% (2017 est.) services: 70.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 51.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -48.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: maize, wheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, pork, grapes, sunflower seed Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum, paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles, shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.656 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.9% industry: 27.3% services: 70.8% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.07% (2019 est.) 9.86% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1% male: 18.7% female: 25% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 18.3% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 30.4 (2017 est.) 32.1 (2014 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 23% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 25.24 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 24.83 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 77.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 82.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 46.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $1.597 billion (2019 est.) $1 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $23.66 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $31.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $30.71 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Italy 13%, Germany 13%, Slovenia 10%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 9%, Austria 6%, Serbia 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, medical cultures/vaccines, lumber (2019) Imports: $27.59 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $31.39 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $31.32 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Italy 14%, Germany 14%, Slovenia 11%, Hungary 7%, Austria 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, electricity (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.82 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $14.24 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $48.263 billion (2019 est.) $51.176 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: kuna (HRK) per US dollar - 6.2474 (2020 est.) 6.72075 (2019 est.) 6.48905 (2018 est.) 6.8583 (2014 est.) 5.7482 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.94 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 16,790,680,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 5.852 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 10.491 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.659 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 41% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 16.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 31.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 9.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 643,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 644,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 12,200 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 71,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 65,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 71 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 74,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 40,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 35,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 851.005 million cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 3,009,113,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 34.462 million cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 2,131,802,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 24.919 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 16.752 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.674 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 9.4 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 5.678 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 89.733 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,299,329 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,375,699 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Croatia’s telecom market is dominated by the incumbent telco Hrvatski Telekom and the local units of United Group and Telekom Austria, there is effective competition from a number of smaller operators; the regulator has helped promote competition via measures encouraging network access, as well as regional licensing; this has been seen most recently with two 5G licenses having been reserved for regional rather than national operations; the mobile market is served by three MNOs, supplemented by a number of MVNOs; the network operators have focused on improving ARPU by encouraging prepaid subscribers to migrate to postpaid plans, and on developing revenue from mobile data services; 5G services are widely available, though the sector will only show its full potential later in 2021 following the award of licenses in several bands; this will contribute towards the government’s national broadband plan to 2027, which is tied to the EC’s two allied projects aimed at providing gigabit connectivity by the end of 2025; the broadband sector benefits from effective competition between the DSL and cable platforms, while there are also numerous fiber deployments in urban areas; the number of FttP subscribers broached 134,000 in March 2021. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity has dropped somewhat to about 32 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions are about 107 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 385;  the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik (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 national state-owned public broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision, operates 4 terrestrial TV networks, a satellite channel that rebroadcasts programs for Croatians living abroad, and 6 regional TV centers; 2 private broadcasters operate national terrestrial networks; 29 privately owned regional TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; state-owned public broadcaster operates 4 national radio networks and 23 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks and 117 local radio stations (2019) Internet country code: .hr Internet users: total: 3,157,190 (2020 est.) percent of population: 78% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,030,973 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 18 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,093,577 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 530,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9A Airports: total: 69 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 10 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 38 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 2,410 km gas, 610 km oil (2011) Railways: total: 2,722 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,722 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (980 km electrified) Roadways: total: 26,958 km (2015) (includes 1,416 km of expressways) Waterways: 4,714 km (2022) Danube 2,859 km, Sava 562 km, Drava 505 km, Neretva 20 km, Bosut 151 km, Kupa 296 km, Mura 53 km, Korana 134 km, Lonja 134 km Merchant marine: total: 354 by type: bulk carrier 14, general cargo 32, oil tanker 16, other 292 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split oil terminal(s): Omisalj LNG terminal(s) (import): Krk Island river port(s): Vukovar (Danube) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH): Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM; includes Coast Guard), Air Force and Air Defense Forces; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2022) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2020) 1.6% of GDP (2019) (approximately $1.62 billion) 1.6% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.52 billion) 1.7% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.5 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 15,000 active duty personnel (10,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 1,500 Air force; 2,000 joint/other) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Croatian Armed Forces consists mostly of Soviet-era equipment, although in recent years, it has acquired a limited amount of more modern weapon systems from Western suppliers, including Finland, Germany, and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 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 Military deployments: 130 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Military - note: Croatia joined NATO in 2009 Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: dispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Piranski Bay and four villages, and Slovenia has objected to Croatia's claim of an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea; in 2009, however Croatia and Slovenia signed a binding international arbitration agreement to define their disputed land and maritime borders, which led to Slovenia lifting its objections to Croatia joining the EU; Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirementsdispute remains with Bosnia and Herzegovina over several small sections of the boundary related to maritime access that hinders ratification of the 1999 border agreement; since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Piranski Bay and four villages, and Slovenia has objected to Croatia's claim of an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea; in 2009, however Croatia and Slovenia signed a binding international arbitration agreement to define their disputed land and maritime borders, which led to Slovenia lifting its objections to Croatia joining the EU; Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirements Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 16,829 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 2,910 (mid-year 2021) note: 745,541 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022) Illicit drugs: drug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets  drug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets 

20220901

countries-mali-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Mali due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. 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. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [223] 2070-2300 or [223]-6675-2860; US Embassy in Bamako, ACI 2000, Rue 243, (located off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge west of the Bamako central district), Porte 297, Bamako, Mali; ACSBamako@state.gov; https://ml.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 223 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 15; Fire: 17; Police: 18 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Currency (Code): Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E Major Languages: French, Bambara, Peul, Dogon, Maraka, Malinke, Sonrhai/Djerma, Minianka, Tamacheq, Senoufo, Bobo note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to French Major Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist .7%, none 2.5% 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: Timbuktu; Bamako; Grand Mosque of Djenne; Mopti; Mount Hombori; Tomb of Askia in Gao Major Sports: Soccer, basketball Cultural Practices: Pointing at people with the index finger is considered rude. Use the whole hand to gesture instead. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping porters $1 (USD) per bag and hotel staff $1-2 (USD) per day is appropriate. Professional guides and/or drivers who accompany you throughout a visit should be tipped $10 (USD) per day.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022

20220901

field-public-debt-country-comparison

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

countries-johnston-atoll

20220901

field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions

This entry gives the total number of fixed-broadband subscriptions, as well as the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Fixed broadband is a physical wired connection to the Internet (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber) at speeds equal to or greater than 256 kilobits/second (256 kbit/s). Topic: Afghanistantotal: 26,570 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.07 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Albaniatotal: 508,937 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Algeriatotal: 3,790,459 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Andorratotal: 37,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.) Topic: Angolatotal: 230,610 (2020 est.) This year we included fixed wireless technologies. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.7 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Anguillatotal: 5,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2018 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 8,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal: 9,571,562 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal: 430,407 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Arubatotal: 19,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Australiatotal: 9,099,619 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Austriatotal: 2.606 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 1,995,474 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 83,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahraintotal: 148,928 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 10,052,819 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal: 128,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.) Topic: Belarustotal: 3,255,552 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 4,734,210 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Belizetotal: 36,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Benintotal: 29,981 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.3 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Bermudatotal: 23,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Bhutantotal: 3,189 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.4 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Boliviatotal: 931,918 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 770,424 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal: 259,525 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Braziltotal: 36,344,670 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 6,738 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Bruneitotal: 71,078 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Bulgariatotal: 2,115,053 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 13,979 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Burmatotal: 688,185 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Burunditotal: 4,230 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.04 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 24,839 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodiatotal: 233,732 (2020 est.) Slowly increase as focus is on mobile internet subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Cameroontotal: 722,579 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Canadatotal: 15,825,813 (2020 est.) Retail high-speed Internet access subs subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 3,200 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2020 est.) Topic: Central African Republictotal: 499 (2019 est.) Data available for 2019 only. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.01 (2019 est.) less than 1 Topic: Chadtotal: 0 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Chiletotal: 3,763,826 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Chinatotal: 483,549,500 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Topic: Colombiatotal: 7,764,772 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Comorostotal: 1,066 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.12 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 31,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.03 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.02 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.) Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 992,725 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 260,097 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.99 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Croatiatotal: 1,030,973 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Cubatotal: 231,654 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Curacaototal: 55,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal: 332,080 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Czechiatotal: 3,845,426 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal: 2,590,282 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 25,053 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Dominicatotal: 16,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 1,031,858 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadortotal: 2,371,297 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Egypttotal: 9,349,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 586,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.07 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Eritreatotal: 5,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.14 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Estoniatotal: 415,610 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal: 12,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 212,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.18 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: European Uniontotal: 163,772,540 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 18,443 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.) Topic: Fijitotal: 23,062 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal: 1.846 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Francetotal: 30.627 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 64,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Gabontotal: 44,607 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 5,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.21 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 376,911 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank note: includes West Bank Topic: Georgiatotal: 972,162 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: Germanytotal: 36,215,303 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal: 78,371 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.25 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Gibraltartotal: 21,009 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2020 est.) Topic: Greecetotal: 4,257,026 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Greenlandtotal: 15,649 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.) Topic: Grenadatotal: 32,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.) Topic: Guamtotal: 3,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal: 612,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Guernseytotal: 25,336 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.) Topic: Guineatotal: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.01 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 2,383 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.12 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Guyanatotal: 95,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Haititotal: 31,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.27 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Hondurastotal: 396,916 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 2,885,586 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2020 est.) Topic: Hungarytotal: 3,265,308 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal: 141,816 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.) Topic: Indiatotal: 22.95 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 11,722,218 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Irantotal: 9,564,195 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqtotal: 6,254,099 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Irelandtotal: 1,516,473 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Israeltotal: 2,602,079 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.) Topic: Italytotal: 18,128,787 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal: 385,603 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Japantotal: 44,000,791 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Jerseytotal: 39,699 (2020 est.) NA subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) NA Topic: Jordantotal: 630,545 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 2,620,400 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal: 674,191 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Kiribatitotal: 185 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 22,327,182 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.) Topic: Kuwaittotal: 73,948 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 289,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Laostotal: 128,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Latviatotal: 490,569 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal: 432,070 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Lesothototal: 5,060 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.24 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Liberiatotal: 13,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.26 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Libyatotal: 332,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 18,050 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 796,814 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 235,155 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.) Topic: Macautotal: 208,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal: 32,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.12 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Malawitotal: 12,255 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.06 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Malaysiatotal: 3,358,800 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal: 63,685 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Malitotal: 243,806 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Maltatotal: 213,419 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 18,457 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.4 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Mauritiustotal: 323,200 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Mexicototal: 21,936,131 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Moldovatotal: 719,001 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Monacototal: 20,877 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 53 (2020 est.) Topic: Mongoliatotal: 307,166 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegrototal: 184,176 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.) Topic: Montserrattotal: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (2018 est.) Topic: Moroccototal: 2,102,434 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 70,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.22 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Namibiatotal: 71,063 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Naurutotal: 950 (2010 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2010 est.) Topic: Nepaltotal: 1.27 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal: 7,525,016 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 55,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 1,764,984 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 290,351 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Nigertotal: 12,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.05 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Nigeriatotal: 65,313 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.03 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 475,569 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Norwaytotal: 2,387,661 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.) Topic: Omantotal: 508,949 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Pakistantotal: 2,523,027 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Palautotal: 1,224 (2015 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2015 est.) Topic: Panamatotal: 562,413 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 21,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.23 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Paraguaytotal: 562,369 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Perutotal: 3.044 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal: 7,936,574 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Polandtotal: 8,369,218 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal: 4,160,795 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 671,284 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: Qatartotal: 296,126 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal: 5,684,782 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.) Topic: Russiatotal: 33,893,305 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal: 17,685 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.14 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 1,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 30,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 56 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 33,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 24,733 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Samoatotal: 1,692 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.85 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: San Marinototal: 11,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 2,512 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.15 (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 7,890,261 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal: 153,813 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.92 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Serbiatotal: 1,730,496 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Seychellestotal: 34,966 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Singaporetotal: 1,509,700 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2020 est.) Topic: Slovakiatotal: 1,701,561 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal: 651,604 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.15 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Somaliatotal: 119,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.75 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: South Africatotal: 1,303,057 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: South Sudantotal: 200 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2019 est.) Topic: Spaintotal: 16,188,502 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 1,781,530 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Sudantotal: 28,782 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.07 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Surinametotal: 92,270 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Swedentotal: 4,179,574 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 4,028,238 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Syriatotal: 1,549,356 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Taiwantotal: 5,831,470 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2019 est.) Topic: Tajikistantotal: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.06 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 1,135,608 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal: 11,478,265 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 75 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.01 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Togototal: 52,706 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.64 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Tongatotal: 5,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 376,771 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal: 1,334,059 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total: 16,734,853 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 10,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.17 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Tuvalutotal: 450 (2017 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2017 est.) Topic: Ugandatotal: 58,594 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.13 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Ukrainetotal: 7,769,401 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 3,245,123 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 27,330,297 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.) Topic: United Statestotal: 121.176 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Uruguaytotal: 1,063,701 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 4,820,009 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal: 2,785 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.9 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Venezuelatotal: 2,561,556 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnamtotal: 16,699,249 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: West Banktotal: 373,050 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Worldtotal: 1.23 billion (2020 est.) the number of fixed broadband subscriptions has been higher than that of fixed telephony since 2017. subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2021 est.) Topic: Yementotal: 391,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal: 82,317 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.5 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 203,461 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.4 (2020 est.)

20220901

field-area-comparative

This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres). Topic: Afghanistanalmost six times the size of Virginia; slightly smaller than Texas Topic: Akrotiriabout 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Albaniaslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Algeriaslightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas Topic: American Samoaslightly larger than Washington, DC Topic: Andorra2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Angolaabout eight times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: Anguillaabout one-half the size of Washington, DC Topic: Antarcticaslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Arctic Oceanslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Topic: Argentinaslightly less than three-tenths the size of the US Topic: Armeniaslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Arubaslightly larger than Washington, DC Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsabout eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Atlantic Oceanabout 7.5 times the size of the US Topic: Australiaslightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Topic: Austriaabout the size of South Carolina; slightly more than two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania Topic: Azerbaijanabout three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Maine Topic: Bahamas, Theslightly smaller than Connecticut Topic: Bahrain3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Bangladeshslightly larger than Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined; slightly smaller than Iowa Topic: Barbados2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Belarusslightly less than twice the size of Kentucky; slightly smaller than Kansas Topic: Belgiumabout the size of Maryland Topic: Belizeslightly smaller than Massachusetts Topic: Beninslightly smaller than Pennsylvania Topic: Bermudaabout one-third the size of Washington, DC Topic: Bhutanslightly larger than Maryland; about one-half the size of Indiana Topic: Boliviaslightly less than three times the size of Montana Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaslightly smaller than West Virginia Topic: Botswanaslightly smaller than Texas; almost four times the size of Illinois Topic: Bouvet Islandabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Brazilslightly smaller than the US Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryland area is about one-third the size of Washington, DC Topic: British Virgin Islandsabout 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Bruneislightly smaller than Delaware Topic: Bulgariaalmost identical in size to Virginia; slightly larger than Tennessee Topic: Burkina Fasoslightly larger than Colorado Topic: Burmaslightly smaller than Texas Topic: Burundislightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Cabo Verdeslightly larger than Rhode Island Topic: Cambodiaone and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma Topic: Cameroonslightly larger than California; about four times the size of Pennsylvania Topic: Canadaslightly larger than the US Topic: Cayman Islands1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Central African Republicslightly smaller than Texas; about four times the size of Georgia Topic: Chadalmost nine times the size of New York state; slightly more than three times the size of California Topic: Chileslightly smaller than twice the size of Montana Topic: Chinaslightly smaller than the US Topic: Christmas Islandabout three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Topic: Clipperton Islandabout 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsabout 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Colombiaslightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: Comorosslightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theslightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Topic: Congo, Republic of theslightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida Topic: Cook Islands1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Coral Sea Islandsabout four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Costa Ricaslightly smaller than West Virginia Topic: Cote d'Ivoireslightly larger than New Mexico Topic: Croatiaslightly smaller than West Virginia Topic: Cubaslightly smaller than Pennsylvania Topic: Curacaomore than twice the size of Washington, DCmore than twice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Cyprusabout 0.6 times the size of Connecticut Topic: Czechiaabout two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than South Carolina Topic: Denmarkslightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts; about two-thirds the size of West Virginia Topic: Dhekeliaabout three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Topic: Djiboutislightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: Dominicaslightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Dominican Republicslightly more than twice the size of New Jersey Topic: Ecuadorslightly smaller than Nevada Topic: Egyptmore than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Topic: El Salvadorabout the same size as New Jersey Topic: Equatorial Guineaslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Eritreaslightly smaller than Pennsylvania Topic: Estoniaabout twice the size of New Jersey Topic: Eswatinislightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: Ethiopiaslightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: European Unionless than one-half the size of the US Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)slightly smaller than Connecticut Topic: Faroe Islandseight times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Fijislightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: Finlandslightly more than two times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Montana Topic: Franceslightly more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than the size of Texas Topic: French Polynesiaslightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC; Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DCIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC; Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Gabonslightly smaller than Colorado Topic: Gambia, Theslightly less than twice the size of Delaware Topic: Gaza Stripslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Georgiaslightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia Topic: Germanythree times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana Topic: Ghanaslightly smaller than Oregon Topic: Gibraltarmore than 10 times the size of The National Mall in Washington, D.C. Topic: Greeceslightly smaller than Alabama Topic: Greenlandslightly more than three times the size of Texas Topic: Grenadatwice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Guamthree times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Guatemalaslightly smaller than Pennsylvania Topic: Guernseyabout one-half the size of Washington, DC Topic: Guineaslightly smaller than Oregon; slightly larger than twice the size of Pennsylvania Topic: Guinea-Bissauslightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Topic: Guyanaslightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee Topic: Haitislightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsslightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Hondurasslightly larger than Tennessee Topic: Hong Kongsix times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Hungaryslightly smaller than Virginia; about the same size as Indiana Topic: Icelandslightly smaller than Pennsylvania; about the same size as Kentucky Topic: Indiaslightly more than one-third the size of the US Topic: Indian Oceanalmost 7 times the size of the US Topic: Indonesiaslightly less than three times the size of Texas Topic: Iranalmost 2.5 times the size of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska Topic: Iraqslightly more than three times the size of New York state Topic: Irelandslightly larger than West Virginia Topic: Isle of Manslightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Israelslightly larger than New Jersey Topic: Italyalmost twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona Topic: Jamaicaabout half the size of New Jersey; slightly smaller than Connecticut Topic: Jan Mayenslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Japanslightly smaller than California Topic: Jerseyabout two-thirds the size of Washington, DC Topic: Jordanabout three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Indiana Topic: Kazakhstanslightly less than four times the size of Texas Topic: Kenyafive times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Topic: Kiribatifour times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Korea, Northslightly larger than Virginia; slightly smaller than Mississippi Topic: Korea, Southslightly smaller than Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Indiana Topic: Kosovoslightly larger than Delaware Topic: Kuwaitslightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: Kyrgyzstanslightly smaller than South Dakota Topic: Laosabout twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah Topic: Latviaslightly larger than West Virginia Topic: Lebanonabout one-third the size of Maryland Topic: Lesothoslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Liberiaslightly larger than Virginia Topic: Libyaabout 2.5 times the size of Texas; slightly larger than Alaska Topic: Liechtensteinabout 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Lithuaniaslightly larger than West Virginia Topic: Luxembourgslightly smaller than Rhode Island; about half the size of Delaware Topic: Macauless than one-sixth the size of Washington, DC Topic: Madagascaralmost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Topic: Malawislightly smaller than Pennsylvania Topic: Malaysiaslightly larger than New Mexico Topic: Maldivesabout 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Malislightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: Maltaslightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Marshall Islandsabout the size of Washington, DC Topic: Mauritaniaslightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico; about six times the size of Florida Topic: Mauritiusalmost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Mexicoslightly less than three times the size of Texas Topic: Micronesia, Federated States offour times the size of Washington, DC (land area only) Topic: Moldovaslightly larger than Maryland Topic: Monacoabout three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Mongoliaslightly smaller than Alaska; more than twice the size of Texas Topic: Montenegroslightly smaller than Connecticut; slightly larger than twice the size of Delaware Topic: Montserratabout 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Moroccoslightly larger than twice the size of California Topic: Mozambiqueslightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California Topic: Namibiaalmost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska Topic: Nauruabout 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Navassa Islandabout nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Nepalslightly larger than New York state Topic: Netherlandsslightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Topic: New Caledoniaslightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: New Zealandalmost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado Topic: Nicaraguaslightly larger than Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than New York state Topic: Nigerslightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: Nigeriaabout six times the size of Georgia; slightly more than twice the size of California Topic: Niue1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Norfolk Islandabout 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: North Macedoniaslightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware Topic: Northern Mariana Islands2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Norwayslightly larger than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than New Mexico Topic: Omantwice the size of Georgia Topic: Pacific Oceanabout 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world Topic: Pakistanslightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California Topic: Palauslightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Panamaslightly smaller than South Carolina Topic: Papua New Guineaslightly larger than California Topic: Paracel Islandsland area is about 13 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Paraguayabout three times the size of New York state; slightly smaller than California Topic: Perualmost twice the size of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska Topic: Philippinesslightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona Topic: Pitcairn Islandsabout three-tenths the size of Washington, DC Topic: Polandabout twice the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than New Mexico Topic: Portugalslightly smaller than Virginia Topic: Puerto Ricoslightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island Topic: Qataralmost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut Topic: Romaniatwice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon Topic: Russiaapproximately 1.8 times the size of the US Topic: Rwandaslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Saint Barthelemyless than one-eighth the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Luciathree and a half times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Martinmore than one-third the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonone and half times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestwice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Samoaslightly smaller than Rhode Island Topic: San Marinoabout one-third the size of Washington, DC Topic: Sao Tome and Principemore than five times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Saudi Arabiaslightly more than one-fifth the size of the US Topic: Senegalslightly smaller than South Dakota; slightly larger than twice the size of Indiana Topic: Serbiaslightly smaller than South Carolina Topic: Seychelles2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Sierra Leoneslightly smaller than South Carolina Topic: Singaporeslightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Sint Maartenone-fifth the size of Washington, DCone-fifth the size of Washington, DC Topic: Slovakiaabout one and a half times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire Topic: Sloveniaslightly smaller than New Jersey Topic: Solomon Islandsslightly smaller than Maryland Topic: Somaliaalmost five times the size of Alabama; slightly smaller than Texas Topic: South Africaslightly less than twice the size of Texas Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsslightly larger than Rhode Island Topic: South Sudanmore than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas Topic: Southern Oceanslightly more than twice the size of the US Topic: Spainalmost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon Topic: Spratly Islandsland area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Sri Lankaslightly larger than West Virginia Topic: Sudanslightly less than one-fifth the size of the US Topic: Surinameslightly larger than Georgia Topic: Svalbardslightly smaller than West Virginia Topic: Swedenalmost three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California Topic: Switzerlandslightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Topic: Syriaslightly more than 1.5 times the size of Pennsylvania Topic: Taiwanslightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Topic: Tajikistanslightly smaller than Wisconsin Topic: Tanzaniamore than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California Topic: Thailandabout three times the size of Florida; slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Topic: Timor-Lesteslightly larger than Connecticut; almost half the size of Maryland Topic: Togoslightly smaller than West Virginia Topic: Tokelauabout 17 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Tongafour times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoslightly smaller than Delaware Topic: Tunisiaslightly larger than Georgia Topic: Turkeyslightly larger than Texas Topic: Turkmenistanslightly more than three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Tuvalu0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: Ugandaslightly more than two times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon Topic: Ukrainealmost four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas Topic: United Arab Emiratesslightly larger than South Carolina; slightly smaller than Maine Topic: United Kingdomtwice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon Topic: United Statesabout 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 Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DCBaker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Uruguayabout the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington Topic: Uzbekistanabout four times the size of Virginia; slightly larger than California Topic: Vanuatuslightly larger than Connecticut Topic: Venezuelaalmost six times the size of Georgia; slightly more than twice the size of California Topic: Vietnamabout three times the size of Tennessee; slightly larger than New Mexico Topic: Virgin Islandstwice the size of Washington, DC Topic: Wake Islandabout 11 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Topic: Wallis and Futuna1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Topic: West Bankslightly smaller than Delaware Topic: Worldland area about 16 times the size of the USland area about 16 times the size of the US Topic: Yemenalmost four times the size of Alabama; slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming Topic: Zambiaalmost five times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Texas Topic: Zimbabweabout four times the size of Indiana; slightly larger than Montana

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-gdp-official-exchange-rate

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

countries-guyana-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Guyana 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. US Embassy/Consulate: +(592) 225-4900/9; EMER: +(592) 623-1992; US Embassy Georgetown, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown, Guyana; acsgeorge@state.gov; https://gy.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 592 Local Emergency Phone: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Currency (Code): Guyanese dollars (GYD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V, 240 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, D, G Major Languages: English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani), Chinese Major Religions: Protestant 34.8%, Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Kaieteur Falls; Canopy Walkway; Marshall Falls; Saint George's Cathedral; Orinduik Falls; Shell Beach Major Sports: Cricket, soccer, field hockey, rounders (similar to baseball) Cultural Practices: Direct eye contact is appreciated in Guyana, and refusal to meet someone's gaze can be seen as suspicious. Tipping Guidelines: In restaurants, 10-15% of the bill is conventional. A tip of $2-10 (USD) a day for your guide and $1-3 (USD) for your driver is acceptable.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, April 25, 2022

20220901

field-military-deployments

This entry lists military forces deployed to other countries or territories abroad. The World Factbook defines deployed as a permanently stationed force or a temporary deployment of greater than six months.  Deployments smaller than 100 personnel or paramilitaries, police, contractors, mercenaries, or proxy forces are not included. Numbers provided are estimates only and should be considered paper strengths, not necessarily the current number of troops on the ground.  In addition, some estimates, such as those by the US military, are significantly influenced by deployment policies, contingencies, or world events and may change suddenly. Where available, the organization or mission that at least some of the forces are deployed under is listed. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:  AMISOM - Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia; UN-supported, AU-operated peacekeeping mission BATUS - British Army Training Unit Suffield, Canada BATUK - British Army Training Unit, Kenya CSTO - Collective Security Treaty Organization ECOMIG - ECOWUS Mission in The Gambia; Africa Union-European Union peacekeeping, stabilization, and training mission in Gambia EUTM - European Union Training Mission EUFOR - European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (also known as Operation Althea) EuroCorps - European multi-national corps headquartered in Strasbourg, France, consisting of troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain; Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Turkey are Associated Nations of EuroCorps G5 Joint Force - G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force comprised of troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger KFOR - the Kosovo Force; a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo MFO - Multinational Force & Observers Sinai, headquartered in Rome MINUSCA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic MINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali MNJTF - Multinational Joint Task Force Against Boko Haram comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria with the mission of fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin MONUSCO - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo NATO - North American Treaty Organization, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium Operation Barkhane - French-led counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel alongside the G5 Joint Force; headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad and supported by Canada, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the US Operation Inherent Resolve - US-led coalition to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and provide assistance and training to Iraqi security forces UNAFIL - United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNAMID - African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, Sudan UNDOF - United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Golan (Israel-Syria border) UNFICYP - United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNISFA - United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Sudan-South Sudan border) UNMISS - United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan UNSOM - United Nations Assistance Mission in SomaliaThis entry lists military forces deployed to other countries or territories abroad. The World Factbook defines deployed as a permanently stationed force or a temporary deployment of greater than six months.  Deployments smaller than 100 personnel or paramilitaries, police, contractors, mercenaries, or proxy forces are not included. Numbers provided are estimates only and should be considered paper strengths, not necessarily the current number of troops on the ground.  In addition, some estimates, such as those by the US military, are significantly influenced by deployment policies, contingencies, or world events and may change suddenly. Where available, the organization or mission that at least some of the forces are deployed under is listed. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: AMISOM - Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia; UN-supported, AU-operated peacekeeping missionBATUS - British Army Training Unit Suffield, CanadaBATUK - British Army Training Unit, KenyaCSTO - Collective Security Treaty OrganizationECOMIG - ECOWUS Mission in The Gambia; Africa Union-European Union peacekeeping, stabilization, and training mission in GambiaEUTM - European Union Training MissionEUFOR - European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (also known as Operation Althea)EuroCorps - European multi-national corps headquartered in Strasbourg, France, consisting of troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain; Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Turkey are Associated Nations of EuroCorpsG5 Joint Force - G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force comprised of troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and NigerKFOR - the Kosovo Force; a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in KosovoMFO - Multinational Force & Observers Sinai, headquartered in RomeMINUSCA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African RepublicMINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MaliMNJTF - Multinational Joint Task Force Against Boko Haram comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria with the mission of fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin MONUSCO - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the CongoNATO - North American Treaty Organization, headquartered in Brussels, BelgiumOperation Barkhane - French-led counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel alongside the G5 Joint Force; headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad and supported by Canada, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the USOperation Inherent Resolve - US-led coalition to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and provide assistance and training to Iraqi security forcesUNAFIL - United Nations Interim Force in LebanonUNAMID - African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, SudanUNDOF - United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Golan (Israel-Syria border)UNFICYP - United Nations Peacekeeping Force in CyprusUNISFA - United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Sudan-South Sudan border)UNMISS - United Nations Mission in the Republic of South SudanUNSOM - United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia Topic: Argentina250 Cyprus (UNFICYP) (May 2022) Topic: Australianote: since the 1990s, Australia has deployed more than 30,000 personnel on nearly 100 UN peacekeeping and coalition military operations, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, the Solomon Islands, Somalia, and East Timor Topic: Austria170 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 300 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 200 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (Aug 2022) Topic: Bangladesh1,375 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,625 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO; plus about 190 police); 120 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,100 Mali (MINUSMA; plus about 280 police); 1,600 South Sudan (UNMISS); 180 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Topic: Belgium125 France (contributing member of EuroCorps); 250 Romania (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Belgium, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Benin260 (plus about 160 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Burkina Faso650 (plus about 180 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) note: Burkina Faso is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US Topic: Burundi760 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 5,400 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022) Topic: Cambodia225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 180 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 290 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Cameroon750 (plus about 350 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022) note: Cameroon has committed approximately 2,000-2,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations occur occasionally Topic: Canadathe CAF has nearly 1,400 military personnel forward deployed for NATO air, land, and sea missions in the European theater, including up to 650 troops in Latvia and 140 in Romania (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Canada, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe  Topic: Chad1,450 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) note 1: Chad has committed approximately 1,000-1,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically; in 2019, Chad sent more than 1,000 troops to Nigeria’s Borno State to fight Boko Haram as part of the MNJTF mission note 2: Chad is also part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US Topic: China425 Mali (MINUSMA); 225 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 420 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,050 South Sudan (UNMISS); up to 2,000 Djibouti (May 2022) Topic: Colombia275 Egypt (MFO) (2022) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire850 Mali (MINUSMA) (2022) Topic: Croatia130 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Czechiaup 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 Topic: Denmarkapproximately 220 Estonia (NATO); approximately 100 Middle East/Iraq (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Denmark, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Djibouti960 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022) Topic: Egypt1,000 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,075 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: El Salvador175 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Ethiopia5-10,000 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) Topic: European Unionsince 2003, the EU has launched more than 30 civilian and military crisis-management, advisory, and training missions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and a naval operation in the Mediterranean to disrupt human smuggling and trafficking networks and prevent the loss of life at sea (2022) Topic: Fiji170 Egypt (MFO); 165 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2022) Topic: Finland160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Franceapproximately 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 Topic: Germanyup 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 Topic: Ghana140 Mali (MINUSMA); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 725 (plus about 275 police) South Sudan (UNMISS); 650 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Topic: Greeceapproximately 1,000 Cyprus; 100 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2022) Topic: Guatemala155 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Topic: Guinea670 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Hungary160 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 150 Iraq (NATO); 470 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2022) Topic: India1,900 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 110 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 900 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 2,350 South Sudan (UNMISS); 310 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Topic: Indonesia225 (plus about 140 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,025 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 1,225 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Iranestimated 1-3,000 Syria (2022) note: Iran has recruited, trained, and funded thousands of Syrian and foreign fighters to support the ASAD regime during the Syrian civil war Topic: Ireland130 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 320 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Italy120 Djibouti; 900 Middle East/Iraq/Kuwait (NATO, European Assistance Mission Iraq); 640 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 250 Latvia (NATO); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 400 Libya; 290 Niger; 250 Romania (NATO); 150 Somalia (EUTM) (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 Topic: Japanapproximately 180 Djibouti (2022) Topic: Jordan330 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Kenya260 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 3,650 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022) Topic: Korea, South250 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 280 South Sudan (UNMISS); 170 United Arab Emirates; note - since 2009, South Korea has kept a naval flotilla with approximately 300 personnel in the waters off of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (2022) Topic: Latvia130 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2022) Topic: Liberia160 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Lithuanianote: contributes about 350-550 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 Topic: Malawi750 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Topic: Malaysia830 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Malinote: 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 Topic: Mauritania470 (plus about 320 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022) note: Mauritania is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US Topic: Mongolia860 South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022) note: from 2003 to July 2021, some 3,300 Mongolian troops served in Afghanistan, including about 1,300 under the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (2015 to 2021); since 2002, Mongolia has deployed more than 19,000 peacekeepers and observers to UN operations in more than a dozen countries Topic: Morocco775 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 925 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Topic: Nepal790 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 870 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 235 Liberia (UNSMIL); 175 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,750 (plus about 220 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022) Topic: Netherlands270 Lithuania (NATO); 125 Slovakia (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including the Netherlands, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: New Zealandup to 220 Antarctica (summer season only) (2022) Topic: Niger875 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) note 1: Niger is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 (now G4) Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), and Mauritania; it has committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force; as of 2022, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US note 2: Niger also has about 1,000 troops committed to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically Topic: Nigeria200 Ghana (ECOMIG) (2022) note: Nigeria has committed an Army combat brigade (approximately 3,000 troops) to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional counter-terrorism force comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; MNJTF conducts operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically Topic: Norwayup to 190 Lithuania (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Norway, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Pakistan1,300 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,970 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 220 Mali (MINUSMA); 290 South Sudan (UNMISS); 220 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Topic: Peru215 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022) Topic: Poland250 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); up to 180 Latvia (NATO); 190 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 230 Romania (NATO) (2022) note 1: Poland contributes about 2,500 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 note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Poland, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Portugal200 Central African Republic (MINUSCA/EUTM); up to 120 Lithuania (NATO) (2022) note 1: in 2021, Portugal deployed about 80 troops to Mozambique to assist with the EU training mission note 2: NATO troop deployment numbers in eastern Europe are as of February 2022; in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Portugal, have sent additional troops to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Romaniaup to 120 Poland (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Russiainformation varies; approximately 3,000-4,000 Armenia; approximately 2,000 Azerbaijan (peacekeepers for Nagorno-Karabakh); estimated 3,000-5,000 Belarus; approximately 7,000-10,000 Georgia; approximately 500 Kyrgyzstan; approximately 1,500 Moldova (Transnistria); estimated 3,000-5,000 Syria; approximately 5,000-7,000 Tajikistan (February 2022) note 1: in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with an estimated 150,000 troops; prior to the invasion, it maintained an estimated 30,000 troops in areas of Ukraine occupied since 2014 note 2: prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was assessed to have about 3,000-5,000 private military contractors conducting military and security operations in Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, and Sudan Topic: Rwanda2,450 (plus about 500 police) Central African Republic (approximately 1,700 for MINUSCA; an additional 750 troops sent separately under a bilateral agreement with CAR in August, 2021); up to 2,000 Mozambique (deployed mid-2021 under a bi-lateral agreement to assist with combating insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 400 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022) Topic: Saudi Arabiaestimated 2,500-5,000 Yemen (varies depending on operations) (2022) Topic: Senegal750 Gambia (ECOMIG); 970 Mali (MINUSMA); note - Senegal also has about 1,100 police deployed on various UN peacekeeping missions (2022) Topic: Serbia175 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Singaporemaintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2022) Topic: Slovakia240 Cyprus (UNFICYP); up to 150 Latvia (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovakia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Slovenia200 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Slovakia (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovenia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: South Africa1,150 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) Topic: Spainapproximately 200 Iraq (NATO/EU training assistance); up to 600 Latvia (NATO); 650 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 500 Mali (EUTM); 150 Turkey (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Spain, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: Sri Lanka110 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 240 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: SudanSudan joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015, reportedly providing as many as 40,000 troops during the peak of the war in 2016-17, mostly from the Rapid Support Forces; by 2021, Sudan had reduced the size of the force to about a brigade (approximately 2-3,000 troops) (2022) Topic: Swedenapproximately 200 Mali (MINUSMA) (2022) Topic: Switzerlandup to 165 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2022) Topic: Tanzania450 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 850 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Topic: Thailand280 South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022) Topic: Togo730 (plus about 300 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Tunisia325 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 100 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)approximately 150 (Azerbaijan; monitoring cease-fire, clearing mines); 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30,000 Cyprus; estimated 5,000 Iraq; 300 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 110 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; approximately 3,000 Qatar; approximately 200 Somalia (training mission); estimated 5,000-10,000 Syria (2022) note 1: between 2016 and 2020, Turkey conducted four major military campaigns in northern Syria; Turkey also has deployed troops into northern Iraq on numerous occasions to combat the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), including large operations involving thousands of troops in 2007, 2011, and 2018, and smaller-scale incursions in 2021 and 2022; in October of 2021, Turkey’s parliament extended the military’s mandate to launch cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria by two more years note 2: in 2020, Turkey deployed hundreds of Turkish troops and as many as 5,000 Syrian fighters to Libya to support the Libyan Government of National Accord Topic: Uganda6,800 Somalia (6,200 ATMIS; 625 UNSOM); 250 Equatorial Guinea (training mission) (2022) Topic: Ukrainenote: 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 Topic: United Arab Emiratesestimates vary; reportedly a few hundred remain in Yemen; maintains military bases in Eritrea and Somalia (2022) Topic: United Kingdomapproximately 1,000 Brunei; approximately 400 Canada (BATUS); approximately 2,500 Cyprus (250 for UNFICYP); approximately 1,000 Estonia (NATO); approximately 1,200 Falkland Islands; approximately 200 Germany; 570 Gibraltar; approximately 1,400 Middle East (including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE); up to 350 Kenya (BATUK); approximately 350 Mali (EUTM, MINUSMA); 150 Poland (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including the UK, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Topic: United States5,000 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 Topic: Uruguay830 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 210 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (May 2022) Topic: Worldas of early 2022, there were about 75,000 UN peacekeepers deployed worldwide Topic: Zambia930 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022)

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

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-sri-lanka

Topic: Photos of Sri Lanka Topic: Introduction Background: The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009. During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009.During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 65,610 sq km land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,340 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 monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Elevation: highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 228 m Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 43.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.) forest: 29.4% (2018 est.) other: 27.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 5,700 sq km (2012) Population distribution: the 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 Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes; Adam's Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka; geological evidence suggests that this 50-km long Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka; ancient records seem to indicate that a foot passage was possible between the two land masses until the 15th century when the land bridge broke up in a cyclone Map description: Sri Lanka map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean.Sri Lanka map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 23,187,516 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.) Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 87%, Tamil (official and national language) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.) note: data represent main languages spoken by the population aged 10 years and older; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; English is commonly used in government and is referred to as the "link language" in the constitution Religions: Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.11% (male 2,696,379/female 2,592,450) 15-24 years: 14.58% (male 1,700,442/female 1,636,401) 25-54 years: 41.2% (male 4,641,842/female 4,789,101) 55-64 years: 10.48% (male 1,110,481/female 1,288,056) 65 years and over: 10.63% (2020 est.) (male 1,023,315/female 1,410,734) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.7 youth dependency ratio: 36.4 elderly dependency ratio: 17.3 potential support ratio: 5.8 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 33.7 years male: 32.3 years female: 35.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.61% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 13.8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the 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 Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 626,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.6 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 30-34 Maternal mortality ratio: 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78 years male: 74.57 years female: 81.56 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 64.6% (2016) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 91.2% of population total: 92.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 8.8% of population total: 7.2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.1% (2019) Physicians density: 1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 4.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.6% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 97.6% of population unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 2.4% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,700 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 22% (2020 est.) male: 41.4% (2020 est.) female: 2.6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 20.5% (2016) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9% women married by age 18: 9.8% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.3% male: 93% female: 91.6% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1% male: 16.6% female: 29.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; coral reef destruction; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 23.36 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.95 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Land use: agricultural land: 43.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.) forest: 29.4% (2018 est.) other: 27.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis animal contact diseases: rabies Food insecurity: widespread 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 Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 805 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 831 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 11.31 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 52.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka local long form: Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala)/ Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu (Tamil) local short form: Shri Lanka (Sinhala)/ Ilankai (Tamil) former: Serendib, Ceylon etymology: the name means "resplendent island" in Sanskrit Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 79 50 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Colombo may derive from the Sinhala "kolon thota," meaning "port on the river" (referring to the Kelani River that empties into the Indian Ocean at Colombo); alternatively, the name may derive from the Sinhala "kola amba thota" meaning "harbor with mango trees"; it is also possible that the Portuguese named the city after Christopher COLUMBUS, who lived in Portugal for many years (as Cristovao COLOMBO) before discovering the Americas for the Spanish crown in 1492 - not long before the Portuguese made their way to Sri Lanka in 1505; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte translates as "Resplendent City of Growing Victory" in Sinhala Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western Independence: 4 February 1948 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government; prime minister (vacant) head of government: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 16 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of Parliament for a 5-year term) election results: Ranil WICKREMESINGHE elected president by Parliament on 20 July 2022; WICKREMESINGH 134 votes, Dullas ALAHAPPERUNA 82 votes Note: amid public protests which began in March 2022, President Gotabaya RAJAPAKSE fled the country on 13 July and Ranil WICKREMESINGHE became acting president; RAJAPAKSE announced his resignation on the 14th, which was accepted by the speaker of Parliament the following day; Parliament on 20 July elected WICKREMESINGHE as president; vote - Ranil WICKREMESINGHE - 134,  Dullas ALAHAPPERUMA - 82 Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat district constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats, referred to as the "national list" are allocated by each party secretary according to the island wide proportional vote the party obtains; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 17 August 2015 (next originally scheduled for 25 April 2020 but postponed to due to the COVID-19 pandemic) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - SLFPA 59.1%, SJB 23.9%, JVP 3.8%, TNA 2.8%, UNP 2.2%, TNPF 0.6%, EPDP 0.5%,  other 7.1%; seats by coalition/party - SLFPA 145, SJB 54, TNA 10, JVP 3, other 13; composition - NA Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 9 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation judge selection and term of office: chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65 subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts Political parties and leaders: Crusaders for Democracy [Ganeshalingam CHANDRALINGAM] Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA] Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN] Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE] Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU [Karunarathna PARANAWITHANA, Ven. Hadigalle Wimalasara THERO] National Peoples Power or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE] Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB [Sajith PREMADASA] Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Maithripala SIRISENA] Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM] Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA] Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna or SLPP [G. L. PEIRIS] Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Rajavarothiam SAMPANTHAN] (alliance includes Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi [Mavai SENATHIRAJAH], People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam [D. SIDDARTHAN], Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization [Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN]) Tamil National People's Front [Gajendrakumar PONNAMBALAM] United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] (coalition includes JHU, UNP) United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] United People's Freedom Alliance or UPFA [Maithripala SIRISENA] (coalition includes SLFP) International organization participation: ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a maroon rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green Sri Lankan Moors, and maroon the Sinhalese majority; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag National symbol(s): lion, water lily; national colors: maroon, yellow National anthem: name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka) lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE note: adopted 1951 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 8 (6 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Sri Lanka’s economy has historically relied upon government-guided market investments, and since 2009, several sectors have been excluded from any privatization efforts. Major infrastructure development of rural and civil war-impacted areas remains a major focus, as does small business development. Sri Lanka’s longstanding high debt and large civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits and remain a concern. Sri Lankan tourism soared since the end of conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but the 2018 constitutional crisis, the 2019 Easter bombings, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have since destabilized this key industry, leading Sri Lanka to nearly expend all foreign currency reserves. Regionally, Sri Lanka has engaged China on major infrastructure projects and currently owes $6.5 billion, which may soon be restructured. Fiscally, Sri Lanka’s focus on domestic goods—instead of export growth—further increased Sri Lanka’s trade imbalance, despite its EU preferential trade status allowing tax-free garment and gem exports to the EU. From 2019 until its repeal in 2021, Sri Lanka’s agricultural import ban on chemical fertilizers resulted in disastrous reductions in rice, tea, and rubber yields, increasing Sri Lanka’s import dependencies for these goods. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has also decreased fuel supplies and significantly increased prices. India is providing both direct fertilizer and fuel aid to offset these shortages. Power shortages plague business climates, and further stoke existing labor shortages. Additionally Sri Lanka is also considering privatizing several state-owned entities to try to spur industrial and service sectors’ growth. Monetarily, Sri Lanka remains in a dire position, further exacerbated by the 2019 tax cuts that contributed to the country’s ongoing economic calamity. Already one of the highest indebted emerging markets, Sri Lanka defaulted on its current public debt payments in May 2022, and its ongoing currency crisis has crippled domestic revenues, tax collections, and economic activity, ushering in the country’s worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. As a result, inflation is skyrocketing (nearing 40%), and food, fuel, and medicine shortages have led to widespread unrest and economic collapse. Sri Lanka currently seeks an immediate $3 million IMF bridge loan and $75 million in foreign currency to pay for essential goods and fuel.The World Bank, India, and the G7 countries have agreed to aid Sri Lanka in securing debt relief, but the IMF maintains that Sri Lanka must raise interest rates and taxes to secure any loan. Current Sri Lankan priorities focus on the following goals: Securing a bridge loan from the IMF; Improving its foreign currency reserves through continued promotion of tourism and privatization of state enterprises; Recovering from COVID-19 pandemic-related economic disruptions and demand shocks; Identifying alternative fuel supply chains; and Restructuring preexisting infrastructure debts to China. Sri Lanka’s economy has historically relied upon government-guided market investments, and since 2009, several sectors have been excluded from any privatization efforts. Major infrastructure development of rural and civil war-impacted areas remains a major focus, as does small business development. Sri Lanka’s longstanding high debt and large civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits and remain a concern. Sri Lankan tourism soared since the end of conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but the 2018 constitutional crisis, the 2019 Easter bombings, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have since destabilized this key industry, leading Sri Lanka to nearly expend all foreign currency reserves. Regionally, Sri Lanka has engaged China on major infrastructure projects and currently owes $6.5 billion, which may soon be restructured.Fiscally, Sri Lanka’s focus on domestic goods—instead of export growth—further increased Sri Lanka’s trade imbalance, despite its EU preferential trade status allowing tax-free garment and gem exports to the EU. From 2019 until its repeal in 2021, Sri Lanka’s agricultural import ban on chemical fertilizers resulted in disastrous reductions in rice, tea, and rubber yields, increasing Sri Lanka’s import dependencies for these goods. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has also decreased fuel supplies and significantly increased prices. India is providing both direct fertilizer and fuel aid to offset these shortages. Power shortages plague business climates, and further stoke existing labor shortages. Additionally Sri Lanka is also considering privatizing several state-owned entities to try to spur industrial and service sectors’ growth.Monetarily, Sri Lanka remains in a dire position, further exacerbated by the 2019 tax cuts that contributed to the country’s ongoing economic calamity. Already one of the highest indebted emerging markets, Sri Lanka defaulted on its current public debt payments in May 2022, and its ongoing currency crisis has crippled domestic revenues, tax collections, and economic activity, ushering in the country’s worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. As a result, inflation is skyrocketing (nearing 40%), and food, fuel, and medicine shortages have led to widespread unrest and economic collapse. Sri Lanka currently seeks an immediate $3 million IMF bridge loan and $75 million in foreign currency to pay for essential goods and fuel.The World Bank, India, and the G7 countries have agreed to aid Sri Lanka in securing debt relief, but the IMF maintains that Sri Lanka must raise interest rates and taxes to secure any loan.Current Sri Lankan priorities focus on the following goals: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $274.8 billion (2020 est.) $284.97 billion (2019 est.) $278.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.29% (2019 est.) 3.32% (2018 est.) 3.58% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,500 (2020 est.) $13,100 (2019 est.) $12,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $84.016 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.8% (2017 est.) industry: 30.5% (2017 est.) services: 61.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 10.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.1% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: rice, coconuts, sugar cane, plantains, milk, tea, cassava, maize, poultry, coir Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; tourism, shipping; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services, construction Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 8 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 27% industry: 26% services: 47% (31 December 2016) Unemployment rate: 4.83% (2019 est.) 4.44% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1% male: 16.6% female: 29.4% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 4.1% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.8 (2016 est.) 46 (1995) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.) Budget: revenues: 12.07 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 16.88 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 79.1% 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 Taxes and other revenues: 13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$10 million (2019 est.) -$17 million (2018 est.) Exports: $19.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.26 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $15.166 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: United States 24%, India 8%, United Kingdom 7%, Germany 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: clothing and apparel, tea, used tires, rubber products, precious stones, cinnamon (2019) Imports: $24.56 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $26.84 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $26.063 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: India 24%, China 23%, Singapore 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Malaysia 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, textiles, gold, cars, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.959 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.019 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $55.332 billion (2019 est.) $52.567 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 185.8 (2020 est.) 181.2 (2019 est.) 178.545 (2018 est.) 135.86 (2014 est.) 130.57 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.527 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 13,991,420,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.337 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 64% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 32.2% 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: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 2.237 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.586 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 131,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 35,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 34,210 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,871 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 66,280 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: 23.939 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.546 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 18.393 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 17.268 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,607,868 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 30,778,600 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Sri Lanka’s fixed-line telephony market was one of the very few in the world to experience a significant upsurge in subscriptions in 2020; while the country suffers from a relatively poor fixed-line infrastructure and a correspondingly strong mobile sector, demand for traditional phone services increased 14% in 2020; preliminary results suggest a further jump of up to 13% can also be expected in 2021; this will take Sri Lanka’s fixed-line penetration to levels not seen since 2013; the most reason behind the market’s reversal of fortunes is the Covid-19 crisis and Sri Lanka’s ensuring lock downs; these forced much of the population back inside and reverting to ‘traditional’ methods of communication for both voice and data services; the fixed broadband market was equally robust, growing 20% in 2020 alone; Sri Lanka possesses a relatively low number of computers per household so the fixed broadband market’s success comes off a small base; the one area of the telecommunications market that experienced a fall was the mobile segment; up until the start of the pandemic, Sri Lanka had a very high mobile penetration rate of 155%; this near-saturation level reflected the preponderance for subscribers to carry multiple SIM cards to take advantage of cheaper on-net call rates; the reduction in demand and traffic because of the pandemic led to a sharp drop in the number of active subscriptions, down to just 135% – a 17% decline in just one year; the market is expected to bounce back quickly, as soon as the country eases back on its lock down measures and reduces travel restrictions; it will also be boosted, come 2022, by the anticipated launch of commercial 5G mobile services. (2021) domestic: fixed-line roughly 11 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 139 per 100; national trunk network consists of digital microwave radio relay and fiber-optic links; fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing (2020) international: country code - 94; landing points for the SeaMeWe -3,-5,  Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Network, WARF Submarine Cable, Bharat Lanka Cable System and the Bay of Bengal Gateway submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian 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 operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations Internet country code: .lk Internet users: total: 7,671,650 (2020 est.) percent of population: 35% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,781,530 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 34 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,882,376 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 436.2 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 4R Airports: total: 18 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 7 km refined products Railways: total: 1,562 km (2016) broad gauge: 1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge Roadways: total: 114,093 km (2010) paved: 16,977 km (2010) unpaved: 97,116 km (2010) Waterways: 160 km (2012) (primarily on rivers in southwest) Merchant marine: total: 90 by type: bulk carrier 6, general cargo 13, oil tanker 11, other 60 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Colombo container port(s) (TEUs): Colombo (7,228,337) (2019) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Sri Lanka Army (includes National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard); Sri Lanka National Police: Special Task Force (a paramilitary unit responsible for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations) (2022) Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.) 2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $5.9 billion) 1.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $5.6 billion) 2.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $6.07 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 240,000 total personnel (170,000 Army; 40,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force); approximately 11,000 Special Task Force personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Sri Lankan military inventory consists mostly of Chinese and Russian-origin equipment; since 2010, China, India, and the US have been the leading suppliers of arms to Sri Lanka (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2022) Military deployments: 110 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 240 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: Sri Lanka traditionally has had close security ties to India; India participated in the counter-insurgency war against the LTTE from 1987-1991, losing over 1,000 soldiers in the conflict; the Sri Lankan and Indian militaries continue to conduct exercises together, and India trains over 1,000 Sri Lankan soldiers per year; however, since the end of the war with LTTE, Sri Lanka has also increased military ties with China, including acquiring military equipment, hosting naval port calls, and sending personnel to China for training since the end of the war with LTTE, the Sri Lankan military has increased its role in a range of commercial sectors including agriculture, hotels, leisure, and restaurants; this expansion has been particularly discernible in the majority Tamil-populated northern and eastern provinces where a large portion of the Army reportedly remained deployed as of 2021 (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 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 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 12,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 480,000 IDPs registered as returnees have not reached durable solutions) (2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking cases involve traffickers forcing Sri Lankan workers into labor overseas; men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States in construction, garment manufacturing, and domestic service; authorities have identified labor trafficking victims among Sri Lankan female migrant workers who seek employment in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Japan, and South Korea; traffickers force children, individuals with physical deformities, and those from socially vulnerable groups to beg or engage in criminal activity in Sri Lanka’s largest cities tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Sri Lanka does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include convicting traffickers under its trafficking statute, identifying victims, and working on anti-trafficking training and raising awareness; however, some officials reportedly complicit in trafficking are inadequately investigated; fewer victims were identified in country and abroad; social and legal assistance for victims remained inadequate and inconsistent; the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment did not refer potential trafficking cases to police for criminal investigation; police continued to arrest  trafficking victims for prostitution, vagrancy, and immigration offenses; child sex trafficking victims remained in government detention centers (2020)

20220901

field-administrative-divisions

This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Geographic names conform to spellings approved by the BGN with the exception of the omission of diacritical marks and special characters. Topic: Afghanistan34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul Topic: Albania12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore Topic: Algeria58 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Beni Abbes, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djanet, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Meghaier, El Meniaa, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, In Guezzam, In Salah, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Ouled Djellal, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Timimoun, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen, Touggourt Topic: American Samoanone (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts and 2 islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Topic: Andorra7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria Topic: Angola18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza-Norte, Cuanza-Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda-Norte, Lunda-Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire Topic: Anguillanone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip Topic: Argentina23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city*; Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires*, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur (Tierra del Fuego - Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands), Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Topic: Armenia11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Topic: Arubanone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: Aruba is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Curacao, and Sint Maarten Topic: Australia6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Topic: Austria9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich (Lower Austria), Oberoesterreich (Upper Austria), Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol (Tyrol), Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna) Topic: Azerbaijan66 districts (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular); rayons: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab cities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax66 districts (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular);rayons: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardabcities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax Topic: Bahamas, The31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama Topic: Bahrain4 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asimah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern) note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor Topic: Bangladesh8 divisions; Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet Topic: Barbados11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas Topic: Belarus6 regions (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel' (Gomel'), Horad Minsk* (Minsk City), Hrodna (Grodno), Mahilyow (Mogilev), Minsk, Vitsyebsk (Vitebsk) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; Russian spelling provided for reference when different from Belarusian Topic: Belgium3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities Topic: Belize6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Topic: Benin12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Topic: Bermuda9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick Topic: Bhutan20 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Dagana, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatshel, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang, Thimphu, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Trongsa, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, Zhemgang Topic: Bolivia9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3 first-order administrative divisions - Brcko District (Brcko Distrikt) (ethnically mixed), Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine) (predominantly Bosniak-Croat), Republika Srpska (predominantly Serb) Topic: Botswana10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town* Topic: Brazil26 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 Topic: British Virgin Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Brunei4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong Topic: Bulgaria28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Sofia-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol Topic: Burkina Faso13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest Topic: Burma7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon) states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan union territory: Nay Pyi Taw7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territoryregions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shanunion territory: Nay Pyi Taw Topic: Burundi18 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rumonge, Rutana, Ruyigi Topic: Cabo Verde22 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 Topic: Cambodia24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmummunicipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh) Topic: Cameroon10 regions (regions, singular - region); Adamaoua, Centre, East (Est), Far North (Extreme-Nord), Littoral, North (Nord), North-West (Nord-Ouest), West (Ouest), South (Sud), South-West (Sud-Ouest) Topic: Canada10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon* Topic: Cayman Islands6 districts; Bodden Town, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, East End, George Town, North Side, West Bay Topic: Central African Republic14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga Topic: Chad23 provinces (provinces, singular - province); Barh-El-Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi-Est, Mayo-Kebbi-Ouest, Moyen-Chari, N'Djamena, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Wadi-Fira Topic: Chile16 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aysen, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena (Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica), Maule, Nuble, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Topic: China23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural), and two special administrative regions (tebie xingzhengqu, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin special administrative regions: Hong Kong, Macau note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural), and two special administrative regions (tebie xingzhengqu, singular and plural)provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan)autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Xizang (Tibet)municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin special administrative regions: Hong Kong, Macau Topic: Christmas Islandnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Colombia32 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 Topic: Comoros3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the26 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 Topic: Congo, Republic of the12 departments (departments, singular - department); Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha Topic: Cook Islandsnone Topic: Costa Rica7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Topic: Cote d'Ivoire12 districts and 2 autonomous districts*; Abidjan*, Bas-Sassandra, Comoe, Denguele, Goh-Djiboua, Lacs, Lagunes, Montagnes, Sassandra-Marahoue, Savanes, Vallee du Bandama, Woroba, Yamoussoukro*, Zanzan Topic: Croatia20 counties (zupanije, zupanija - singular) and 1 city* (grad - singular) with special county status; Bjelovarsko-Bilogorska (Bjelovar-Bilogora), Brodsko-Posavska (Brod-Posavina), Dubrovacko-Neretvanska (Dubrovnik-Neretva), Istarska (Istria), Karlovacka (Karlovac), Koprivnicko-Krizevacka (Koprivnica-Krizevci), Krapinsko-Zagorska (Krapina-Zagorje), Licko-Senjska (Lika-Senj), Medimurska (Medimurje), Osjecko-Baranjska (Osijek-Baranja), Pozesko-Slavonska (Pozega-Slavonia), Primorsko-Goranska (Primorje-Gorski Kotar), Sibensko-Kninska (Sibenik-Knin), Sisacko-Moslavacka (Sisak-Moslavina), Splitsko-Dalmatinska (Split-Dalmatia), Varazdinska (Varazdin), Viroviticko-Podravska (Virovitica-Podravina), Vukovarsko-Srijemska (Vukovar-Syrmia), Zadarska (Zadar), Zagreb*, Zagrebacka (Zagreb county) Topic: Cuba15 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Artemisa, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Topic: Curacaonone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: Curacao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maartennone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Topic: Cyprus6 districts; Ammochostos (Famagusta; all but a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Keryneia (Kyrenia; the only district located entirely in the Turkish Cypriot community), Larnaka (Larnaca; with a small part located in the Turkish Cypriot community), Lefkosia (Nicosia; a small part administered by Turkish Cypriots), Lemesos (Limassol), Pafos (Paphos); note - the 5 "districts" of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" are Gazimagusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Guzelyurt (Morphou), Iskele (Trikomo), Lefkosa (Nicosia) Topic: Czechia13 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) Topic: Denmarkmetropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden (Capital), Midtjylland (Central Jutland), Nordjylland (North Jutland), Sjaelland (Zealand), Syddanmark (Southern Denmark) Topic: Djibouti6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah Topic: Dominica10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter Topic: Dominican Republic10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma Topic: Ecuador24 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Santa Elena, Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe Topic: Egypt27 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 Topic: El Salvador14 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 Topic: Equatorial Guinea8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Topic: Eritrea6 regions (zobatat, singular - zoba); 'Anseba, Debub (South), Debubawi K'eyyih Bahri (Southern Red Sea), Gash-Barka, Ma'ikel (Central), Semienawi K'eyyih Bahri (Northern Red Sea) Topic: Estonia15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald) urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru Topic: Eswatini4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Topic: Ethiopia11 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) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Topic: Faroe Islandspart of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi Topic: Fiji14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu Topic: Finland19 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland] Topic: France18 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) Topic: French Polynesia5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, singular - subdivision administrative): Iles Australes (Austral Islands), Iles du Vent (Windward Islands), Iles Marquises (Marquesas Islands), Iles Sous-le-Vent (Leeward Islands), Iles Tuamotu-Gambier; note - the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands together make up the Society Islands (Iles de la Societe) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsnone (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Topic: Gabon9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Topic: Gambia, The5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast Topic: Georgia9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeticity: Tbilisiautonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) Topic: Germany16 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) Topic: Ghana16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Western North Topic: Gibraltarnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Greece13 regions (perifereies, singular - perifereia) and 1 autonomous monastic state* (aftonomi monastiki politeia); Agion Oros* (Mount Athos), Anatoliki Makedonia kai Thraki (East Macedonia and Thrace), Attiki (Attica), Dytiki Ellada (West Greece), Dytiki Makedonia (West Macedonia), Ionia Nisia (Ionian Islands), Ipeiros (Epirus), Kentriki Makedonia (Central Macedonia), Kriti (Crete), Notio Aigaio (South Aegean), Peloponnisos (Peloponnese), Sterea Ellada (Central Greece), Thessalia (Thessaly), Voreio Aigaio (North Aegean) Topic: Greenland5 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq note: Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni Nuna Eqqissisimatitaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly Topic: Grenada6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick Topic: Guamnone (territory of the US) Topic: Guatemala22 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 Topic: Guernseynone (British Crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes: Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale note: two additional parishes for Guernsey are sometimes listed - Saint Anne on the island of Alderney and Saint Peter on the island of Sark - but they are generally not included in the enumeration of parishes Topic: Guinea7 regions administrative (administrative regions) and 1 gouvenorat (governorate)*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore Topic: Guinea-Bissau9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama/Bijagos, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali Topic: Guyana10 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 Topic: Haiti10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)none Topic: Honduras18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro Topic: Hong Kongnone (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China) Topic: Hungary19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 cities with county rights (megyei jogu varosok, singular - megyei jogu varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros) counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad-Csanad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala cities with county rights: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg capital city: Budapest19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 23 cities with county rights (megyei jogu varosok, singular - megyei jogu varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad-Csanad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zalacities with county rights: Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszegcapital city: Budapest Topic: Iceland69 municipalities (sveitarfelog, singular - sveitarfelagidh); Akrahreppur, Akranes, Akureyri, Arneshreppur, Asahreppur, Blaskogabyggdh, Blonduosbaer, Bolungarvik, Borgarbyggdh, Dalabyggdh, Dalvikurbyggdh, Eyjafjardharsveit, Eyja-og Miklaholtshreppur, Fjallabyggdh, Fjardhabyggdh, Fljotsdalshreppur, Floahreppur, Gardhabaer, Grimsnes-og Grafningshreppur, Grindavikurbaer, Grundarfjardharbaer, Grytubakkahreppur, Hafnarfjordhur, Helgafellssveit, Horgarsveit, Hrunamannahreppur, Hunathing Vestra, Hunavatnshreppur, Hvalfjardharsveit, Hveragerdhi, Isafjardharbaer, Kaldrananeshreppur, Kjosarhreppur, Kopavogur, Langanesbyggdh, Mosfellsbaer, Mulathing, Myrdalshreppur, Nordhurthing, Rangarthing Eystra, Rangarthing Ytra, Reykholahreppur, Reykjanesbaer, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes, Skaftarhreppur, Skagabyggdh, Skeidha-og Gnupverjahreppur, Skorradalshreppur, Skutustadhahreppur, Snaefellsbaer, Strandabyggdh, Stykkisholmur, Sudhavikurhreppur, Sudhurnesjabaer, Svalbardhshreppur, Svalbardhsstrandarhreppur, Sveitarfelagidh Arborg, Sveitarfelagidh Hornafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Olfus, Sveitarfelagidh Skagafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Skagastrond, Sveitarfelagidh Vogar, Talknafjardharhreppur, Thingeyjarsveit, Tjorneshreppur, Vestmannaeyjar, Vesturbyggdh, Vopnafjardharhreppur Topic: India28 states and 8 union territories*; Andaman and Nicobar Islands*, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh*, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu*, Delhi*, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir*, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Ladakh*, Lakshadweep*, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry*, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal note: although its status is that of a union territory, the official name of Delhi is National Capital Territory of Delhi Topic: Indonesia31 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 1 autonomous province*, 1 special region** (daerah-daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1 national capital district*** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta***, Jambi, Jawa Barat (West Java), Jawa Tengah (Central Java), Jawa Timur (East Java), Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan), Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan), Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan), Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), Kalimantan Utara (North Kalimantan), Kepulauan Bangka Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), Kepulauan Riau (Riau Islands), Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara (North Maluku), Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara), Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara), Papua, Papua Barat (West Papua), Riau, Sulawesi Barat (West Sulawesi), Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tengah (Central Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi), Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi), Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra), Sumatera Selatan (South Sumatra), Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Yogyakarta** note: following the implementation of decentralization beginning on 1 January 2001, regencies and municipalities have become the key administrative units responsible for providing most government services Topic: Iran31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan Topic: Iraq18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)) and 1 region*; 'Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala'; Kirkuk; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit note: Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government administers Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah (as Hewler, Dihok, and Slemani respectively) Topic: Ireland28 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 Topic: Isle of Mannone; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each with its own elections Topic: Israel6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Topic: Italy15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma) regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto autonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallee d'Aoste (French)15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Venetoautonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallee d'Aoste (French) Topic: Jamaica14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation Topic: Japan47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi Topic: Jerseynone (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes; Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, Trinity Topic: Jordan12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); 'Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Al ‘Asimah (Amman), At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Topic: Kazakhstan14 provinces (oblyslar, singular - oblys) and 4 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty (Taldyqorghan), Almaty*, Aqmola (Kokshetau), Aqtobe, Atyrau, Batys Qazaqstan [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Bayqongyr*, Mangghystau (Aqtau), Nur-Sultan*, Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, Qostanay, Qyzylorda, Shyghys Qazaqstan [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Shymkent*, Soltustik Qazaqstan [North Kazakhstan] (Petropavl), Turkistan, Zhambyl (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baikonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baikonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the lease to 2050 Topic: Kenya47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita/Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir, West Pokot Topic: Kiribati3 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) Topic: Korea, North9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason note: P'yongyang is identified as a directly controlled city, while Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural)provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggangspecial administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason Topic: Korea, South9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi) provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla) metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan special city: Seoul special self-governing city: Sejong9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla)metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsanspecial city: Seoulspecial self-governing city: Sejong Topic: Kosovo38 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna (Albanian); opstine, singular - opstina (Serbian)); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc (Glogovac), Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani i Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Kllokot (Klokot), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice e Jugut (Juzna Mitrovica) [South Mitrovica], Mitrovice e Veriut (Severna Mitrovica) [North Mitrovica], Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Partesh (Partes), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Ranillug (Ranilug), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan Topic: Kuwait6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir Topic: Kyrgyzstan7 provinces (oblustar, singular - oblus) and 2 cities* (shaarlar, singular - shaar); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Topic: Laos17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang Topic: Latvia36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular valstspilsetas pasvaldiba) municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspilscities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils Topic: Lebanon8 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Aakkar, Baalbek-Hermel, Beqaa (Bekaa), Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord (North Lebanon), Liban-Sud (South Lebanon), Mont-Liban (Mount Lebanon), Nabatiye Topic: Lesotho10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Topic: Liberia15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Topic: Libya22 governorates (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat); Al Butnan, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Al Jafarah, Al Jufrah, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Al Marqab, Al Wahat, An Nuqat al Khams, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi (Benghazi), Darnah, Ghat, Misratah, Murzuq, Nalut, Sabha, Surt, Tarabulus (Tripoli), Wadi al Hayat, Wadi ash Shati Topic: Liechtenstein11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Topic: Lithuania60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Anksciai, Birstonas, Birzai, Druskininkai, Elektrenai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joniskis, Jurbarkas, Kaisiadorys, Kalvarija, Kauno Miestas, Kaunas, Kazlu Rudos, Kedainiai, Kelme, Klaipedos Miestas, Klaipeda, Kretinga, Kupiskis, Lazdijai, Marijampole, Mazeikiai, Moletai, Neringa, Pagegiai, Pakruojis, Palangos Miestas, Panevezio Miestas, Panevezys, Pasvalys, Plunge, Prienai, Radviliskis, Raseiniai, Rietavas, Rokiskis, Sakiai, Salcininkai, Siauliu Miestas, Siauliai, Silale, Silute, Sirvintos, Skuodas, Svencionys, Taurage, Telsiai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkaviskis, Vilniaus Miestas, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai Topic: Luxembourg12 cantons (cantons, singular - canton); Capellen, Clervaux, Diekirch, Echternach, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg, Mersch, Redange, Remich, Vianden, Wiltz Topic: Macaunone (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China) Topic: Madagascar6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Topic: Malawi28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Topic: Malaysia13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya Topic: Maldives21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi) Topic: Mali10 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 Topic: Malta68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq Topic: Marshall Islands24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje Topic: Mauritania15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza Topic: Mauritius9 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 Topic: Mexico32 states (estados, singular - estado); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Cuidad de Mexico, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap Topic: Moldova32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Unghenimunicipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinauautonomous territorial unit: Gagauziaterritorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria) Topic: Monaconone; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo; note - Moneghetti, a part of La Condamine, is sometimes called the 5th quarter of Monaco Topic: Mongolia21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Topic: Montenegro24 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Gusinje, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Petnijica, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Tuzi, Ulcinj, Zabljak Topic: Montserrat3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Topic: Morocco12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima note: effective 10 December 2020, the US Government recognizes the sovereignty of Morocco over all of the territory of former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), 1 city (cidade)*; Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Cidade de Maputo*, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Topic: Namibia14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi; note - the Karas Region was renamed //Karas in September 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language Topic: Nauru14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Topic: Nepal7 provinces (pradesh, singular - pradesh); Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, Lumbini, Province No. One, Province No. Two, Sudurpashchim Topic: Netherlands12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie), 3 public entities* (openbare lichamen, singular - openbaar lichaam (Dutch); entidatnan publiko, singular - entidat publiko (Papiamento)); Bonaire*, Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Saba*, Sint Eustatius*, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland) note 1: the Netherlands is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three, Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten, are all islands in the Caribbean; while all four parts are considered equal partners, in practice, most of the Kingdom's affairs are administered by the Netherlands, which makes up about 98% of the Kingdom's total land area and population note 2: although Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are officially incorporated into the country of the Netherlands under the broad designation of "public entities," Dutch Government sources regularly apply to them the more descriptive term of "special municipalities"; Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are collectively referred to as the Caribbean Netherlands Topic: New Caledonia3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province) Topic: New Zealand16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast Topic: Nicaragua15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Costa Caribe Norte*, Costa Caribe Sur*, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Topic: Niger7 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district* (communaute urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Topic: Nigeria36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Topic: Niuenone; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order Topic: Norfolk Islandnone (territory of Australia) Topic: North Macedonia70 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsnone (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian Topic: Norway18 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Telemark, Troms, Trondelag, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Topic: Oman11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafaza); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar) Topic: Pakistan4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**; Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh Topic: Palau16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol Topic: Panama10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 4 indigenous regions* (comarcas); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Embera-Wounaan*, Guna Yala*, Herrera, Los Santos, Naso Tjer Di*, Ngabe-Bugle*, Panama, Panama Oeste, Veraguas Topic: Papua New Guinea20 provinces, 1 autonomous region*, and 1 district**; Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Hela, Jiwaka, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain, West Sepik Topic: Paraguay17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Topic: Peru25 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 Topic: Philippines81 provinces and 38 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay; chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga81 provinces and 38 chartered citiesprovinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay;chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga Topic: Pitcairn Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Poland16 voivodships [provinces] (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie (Lower Silesia), Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Kuyavia-Pomerania), Lodzkie (Lodz), Lubelskie (Lublin), Lubuskie (Lubusz), Malopolskie (Lesser Poland), Mazowieckie (Masovia), Opolskie (Opole), Podkarpackie (Subcarpathia), Podlaskie, Pomorskie (Pomerania), Slaskie (Silesia), Swietokrzyskie (Holy Cross), Warminsko-Mazurskie (Warmia-Masuria), Wielkopolskie (Greater Poland), Zachodniopomorskie (West Pomerania) Topic: Portugal18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu Topic: Puerto Riconone (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco Topic: Qatar8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal Topic: Romania41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dambovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Valcea, Vrancea Topic: Russia46 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respubliki, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnyye okrugi, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (kraya, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast') oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan, Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver, Tyumen, Ulyanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk) autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi-Yugra (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard) krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol, Zabaykalsk [Transbaikal] (Chita) federal cities: Moscow [Moskva], Saint Petersburg [Sankt-Peterburg] autonomous oblast: Yevreyskaya [Jewish] (Birobidzhan) note 1: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) note 2: the United States does not recognize Russia's 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"46 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respubliki, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnyye okrugi, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (kraya, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast')oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan, Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver, Tyumen, Ulyanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavlrepublics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi-Yugra (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard)krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm, Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol, Zabaykalsk [Transbaikal] (Chita)federal cities: Moscow [Moskva], Saint Petersburg [Sankt-Peterburg] Topic: Rwanda4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha3 administrative areas; Ascension, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis14 parishes; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Topic: Saint Lucia10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonnone (territorial overseas collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 2 communes at the second order - Saint Pierre, Miquelon Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Topic: Samoa11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Topic: San Marino9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle Topic: Sao Tome and Principe6 districts (distritos, singular - distrito), 1 autonomous region* (regiao autonoma); Agua Grande, Cantagalo, Caue, Lemba, Lobata, Me-Zochi, Principe* Topic: Saudi Arabia13 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah al Munawwarah (Medina), Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jazan, Makkah al Mukarramah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk Topic: Senegal14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Topic: Serbia119 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 26 cities (gradovi, singular - grad) municipalities: Ada*, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar*, Apatin*, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac*, Backa Palanka*, Backa Topola*, Backi Petrovac*, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej*, Bela Crkva*, Bela Palanka, Beocin*, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bor, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka*, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija*, Irig*, Ivanjica, Kanjiza*, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica*, Kovin*, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula*, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos*, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja*, Nova Varos, Novi Becej*, Novi Knezevac*, Odzaci*, Opovo*, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci*, Petrovac na Mlavi, Plandiste*, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Prokuplje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma*, Secanj*, Senta*, Sid*, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran*, Sremski Karlovci*, Stara Pazova*, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin*, Titel*, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas*, Vrnjacka Banja, Zabalj*, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste*, Zitorada cities: Beograd, Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda*, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad*, Pancevo*, Pirot, Pozarevac, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor*, Sremska Mitrovica*, Subotica*, Uzice, Valjevo, Vranje, Vrsac*, Zajecar, Zrenjanin* note: the northern 37 municipalities and 8 cities - about 28% of Serbia's area - compose the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and are indicated with *119 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 26 cities (gradovi, singular - grad)municipalities: Ada*, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar*, Apatin*, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac*, Backa Palanka*, Backa Topola*, Backi Petrovac*, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej*, Bela Crkva*, Bela Palanka, Beocin*, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bor, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka*, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija*, Irig*, Ivanjica, Kanjiza*, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica*, Kovin*, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula*, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos*, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja*, Nova Varos, Novi Becej*, Novi Knezevac*, Odzaci*, Opovo*, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci*, Petrovac na Mlavi, Plandiste*, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Prokuplje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma*, Secanj*, Senta*, Sid*, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran*, Sremski Karlovci*, Stara Pazova*, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin*, Titel*, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas*, Vrnjacka Banja, Zabalj*, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste*, Zitoradacities: Beograd, Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda*, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad*, Pancevo*, Pirot, Pozarevac, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor*, Sremska Mitrovica*, Subotica*, Uzice, Valjevo, Vranje, Vrsac*, Zajecar, Zrenjanin* Topic: Seychelles27 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Ile Perseverance I, Ile Perseverance II, La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka Topic: Sierra Leone4 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, Western* Topic: Singaporeno first order administrative divisions; there are five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019) Topic: Sint Maartennone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: Sint Maarten is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curacaonone (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Topic: Slovakia8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banska Bystrica, Bratislava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Trencin, Trnava, Zilina Topic: Slovenia201 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina) municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje201 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberkurban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje Topic: Solomon Islands9 provinces and 1 city*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Topic: Somalia18 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 Topic: South Africa9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape Topic: South Sudan10 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 Topic: Spain17 autonomous communities (comunidades autonomas, singular - comunidad autonoma) and 2 autonomous cities* (ciudades autonomas, singular - ciudad autonoma); Andalucia; Aragon; Asturias; Canarias (Canary Islands); Cantabria; Castilla-La Mancha; Castilla-Leon; Cataluna (Castilian), Catalunya (Catalan), Catalonha (Aranese) [Catalonia]; Ceuta*; Comunidad Valenciana (Castilian), Comunitat Valenciana (Valencian) [Valencian Community]; Extremadura; Galicia; Illes Baleares (Balearic Islands); La Rioja; Madrid; Melilla*; Murcia; Navarra (Castilian), Nafarroa (Basque) [Navarre]; Pais Vasco (Castilian), Euskadi (Basque) [Basque Country] note: the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla plus three small islands of Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, administered directly by the Spanish central government, are all along the coast of Morocco and are collectively referred to as Places of Sovereignty (Plazas de Soberania) Topic: Sri Lanka9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western Topic: Sudan18 states (wilayat, singular - wilayah); Blue Nile, Central Darfur, East Darfur, Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala, Khartoum, North Darfur, North Kordofan, Northern, Red Sea, River Nile, Sennar, South Darfur, South Kordofan, West Darfur, West Kordofan, White Nile note: the peace Agreement signed in October 2020 included a provision to establish a system of governance that will likely restructure the country's current 18 provinces/states into regions Topic: Suriname10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Topic: Sweden21 counties (lan, singular and plural); Blekinge, Dalarna, Gavleborg, Gotland, Halland, Jamtland, Jonkoping, Kalmar, Kronoberg, Norrbotten, Orebro, Ostergotland, Skane, Sodermanland, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmland, Vasterbotten, Vasternorrland, Vastmanland, Vastra Gotaland Topic: Switzerland26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve (Geneva), Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern (Lucerne), Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich note: the canton names are in the official language(s) of the canton with the exception of Geneve and Luzern, where the conventional names (Geneva and Lucerne) have been added in parentheses; 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member (instead of two) to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these 6 cantons only have a half vote Topic: Syria14 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 Topic: Taiwanincludes 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) Topic: Tajikistan2 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 Topic: Tanzania31 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 Topic: Thailand76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep* (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Topic: Timor-Leste12 municipalities (municipios, singular municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Topic: Togo5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes Topic: Tokelaunone (territory of New Zealand) Topic: Tonga5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u Topic: Trinidad and Tobago9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward regions: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco borough: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin cities: Port of Spain, San Fernando ward: Tobago9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 wardregions: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarcoborough: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortincities: Port of Spain, San Fernandoward: Tobago Topic: Tunisia24 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) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)81 provinces (iller, singular - ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak Topic: Turkmenistan5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dasoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Tuvalu7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu Topic: Uganda134 districts and 1 capital city*; Abim, Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amudat, Amuria, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bugweri, Buhweju, Buikwe, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Bushenyi, Busia, Butaleja, Butambala, Butebo, Buvuma, Buyende, Dokolo, Gomba, Gulu, Hoima, Ibanda, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaberamaido, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kalaki, Kalangala, Kaliro, Kalungu, Kampala*, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kapelebyong, Karenga, Kasese, Kasanda, Katakwi, Kayunga, Kazo, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kikuube, Kiruhura, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitagwenda, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kotido, Kumi, Kwania, Kween, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Kyotera, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Luwero, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Madi-Okollo, Manafwa, Maracha, Masaka, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Mbarara, Mitooma, Mityana, Moroto, Moyo, Mpigi, Mubende, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Namayingo, Namisindwa, Namutumba, Napak, Nebbi, Ngora, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Obongi, Omoro, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pakwach, Pallisa, Rakai, Rubanda, Rubirizi, Rukiga, Rukungiri, Rwampara, Sembabule, Serere, Sheema, Sironko, Soroti, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo Topic: Ukraine24 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" Topic: United Arab Emirates7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn Topic: United KingdomEngland: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*); two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Worcestershire London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster metropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; York Northern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils; borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrim district councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Down city councils: Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh Scotland: 32 council areas; council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian Wales: 22 unitary authorities; unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, WrexhamEngland: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*);two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, WorcestershireLondon boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminstermetropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhamptonunitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; YorkNorthern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils;borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrimdistrict councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Downcity councils: Belfast; Lisburn and CastlereaghScotland: 32 council areas;council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West LothianWales: 22 unitary authorities;unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, Wrexham Topic: United States50 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 Topic: Uruguay19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Topic: Uzbekistan12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonom respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati [Bukhara Province], Farg'ona Viloyati [Fergana Province], Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati [Samarkand Province], Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City]**, Toshkent Viloyati [Tashkent Province], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) Topic: Vanuatu6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba Topic: Venezuela23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales (Federal Dependencies)**, Distrito Capital (Capital District)*, Falcon, Guarico, La Guaira, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands Topic: Vietnam58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Baimunicipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Topic: Virgin Islandsnone (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas Topic: Wallis and Futuna3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea Topic: World195 countries, 71 dependent areas and other entities Topic: Yemen22 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Abyan, 'Adan (Aden), Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, Amanat al 'Asimah (Sanaa City), 'Amran, Arkhabil Suqutra (Socotra Archipelago), Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Raymah, Sa'dah, San'a' (Sanaa), Shabwah, Ta'izz Topic: Zambia10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Topic: Zimbabwe8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands

20220901

north-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

countries-antigua-and-barbuda-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Antigua and Barbuda. 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: US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda; 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: 268 Local Emergency Phone: 999, 911 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Currency (Code): Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: English (official), Antiguan creole Major Religions: Protestant 68.3%, Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: 17-Mile Beach; Nelson's Dockyard National Park; Dickenson Bay; Saint John's; Indian Town National Park (includes Devil's Bridge); Museum of Antigua and Barbuda Major Sports: Soccer, cricket Cultural Practices: Greet people when entering a shop or business; otherwise expect slow service or you might be ignored. Tipping Guidelines: If the service charge is not automatically added to the bill, tip 10 - 15% in restaurants. Tip bellhops $1-2 (USD) per bag and the same per day for housekeeping. Taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare. Souvenirs: Lavender jade/precious-gem jewelry, pottery, woven baskets, scrimshaw art, rum Traditional Cuisine: Fungee — a cornmeal breadball or patty eaten with vegetable mash and a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, and salted codfishPlease 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-terrorist-groups

This entry provides a list of US State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) that are assessed to maintain a presence in each country.  This includes cases where sympathizers, supporters, or associates of designated FTOs have carried out attacks or been arrested by security forces for terrorist-type activities in the country. See Appendix T for details on each FTO.This entry provides a list of US State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) that are assessed to maintain a presence in each country.  This includes cases where sympathizers, supporters, or associates of designated FTOs have carried out attacks or been arrested by security forces for terrorist-type activities in the country. See Appendix T for details on each FTO. Topic: AfghanistanHaqqani Taliban Network; Harakat ul-Mujahidin; Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami; Islamic Jihad Union; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Jaish-e-Mohammed; Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Lashkar i Jhangvi; Lashkar-e Tayyiba; al-Qa’ida; al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS); Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) note 1:  as of mid-2022, TTP was reportedly the largest component of foreign terrorist fighters in Afghanistan, with an estimated 3-4,000 armed fighters operating primarily along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border note 2: 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: AlbaniaIslamic 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: Algeriaal-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) – Algeria; 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: ArgentinaHizballah 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: AustraliaIslamic 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: AustriaIslamic 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: AzerbaijanIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); 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: Bahrainal-Ashtar Brigades; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force note 1: 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 note 2: in addition to the al-Ashtar Brigades and the IRGC/Qods Force, Saraya al-Mukhtar (aka The Mukhtar Brigade) is an Iran-backed terrorist organization based in Bahrain, reportedly receiving financial and logistic support from the IRGC; Saraya al-Mukhtar's self-described goal is to depose the Bahraini Government with the intention of paving the way for Iran to exert greater influence in Bahrain; the group was designated by the US as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in Dec 2020 Topic: BangladeshHarakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in Bangladesh (ISB); al-Qa'ida; al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: BelgiumIslamic 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: Beninal-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: Bosnia and HerzegovinaIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/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: BrazilHizballah (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: BulgariaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/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: Burkina FasoAnsarul Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) 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: CameroonBoko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa 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: CanadaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Hizballah 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: ChadBoko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - West Africa (ISIS-WA) 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: ColombiaNational 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: Congo, Democratic Republic of theIslamic 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: Cote d'Ivoireal-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) 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: CyprusIslamic 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: DenmarkIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/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: Djiboutial-Shabaab note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: EgyptArmy 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: Ethiopiaal-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: European Unionsee individual EU member states Topic: FranceIslamic 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: Gaza StripArmy of Islam; Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ); 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: GermanyIslamic 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: GreeceIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Revolutionary Struggle; Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) 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: HungaryIslamic 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: IndiaHarakat ul-Mujahidin; Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami; Hizbul Mujahideen; Indian Mujahedeen; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – India; Jaish-e-Mohammed; Lashkar-e Tayyiba; al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent; 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: IndonesiaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (aka Jemaah Anshorut Daulah); Jemaah Islamiyah 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: IranIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); 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: IraqAnsar al-Islam; Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi; Kata'ib Hizballah; Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) 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: IrelandContinuity 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: IsraelIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian Islamic Jihad 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: ItalyIslamic 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: JordanIslamic 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: Kenyaal-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: KosovoIslamic 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: LebanonAbdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; Asbat al-Ansar; HAMAS; Hizballah; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham); 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: LibyaAnsar al-Sharia groups; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Libya (ISIS-L); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun); al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) 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: MalaysiaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jemaah Islamiyah (JI); Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) 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: MaldivesIslamic 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: MaliAnsar 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: MauritaniaAl-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Topic: MoroccoIslamic 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: MozambiqueIslamic 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: NepalIndian Mujahedeen 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: NetherlandsIslamic 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: New ZealandIslamic 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: NigerBoko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa (ISIS-WA); 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: NigeriaBoko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa; Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis-Sudan (Ansaru) 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: North MacedoniaIslamic 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: PakistanHaqqani Network; Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami; Harakat ul-Mujahidin; Hizbul Mujahideen; Indian Mujahedeen; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K); Islamic State of ash-Sham – India; Islamic State of ash-Sham – Pakistan; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Jaish-e-Mohammed; Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Lashkar i Jhangvi; Lashkar-e Tayyiba; Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: ParaguayHizballah (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: PeruShining 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: PhilippinesAbu Sayyaf Group; Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – East Asia (ISIS-EA) in the Philippines 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: PolandIslamic 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: PortugalIslamic 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: RomaniaIslamic 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: RussiaIslamic 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: Saudi ArabiaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) 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: SenegalJama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) Topic: Somaliaal-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: South AfricaIslamic 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: SpainIslamic 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: Sri LankaIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 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: SudanIslamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa’ida; Harakat Sawa’d Misr 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: SwedenIslamic 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: SwitzerlandIslamic 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: SyriaAbdallah 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: TajikistanIslamic 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: TanzaniaIslamic 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: TogoJama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) 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: TunisiaAnsar 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: Turkey (Turkiye)Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); al-Qa'ida; Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) 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: Ugandaal-Shabaab; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Democratic Republic of 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: United KingdomContinuity Irish Republican Army; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); New Irish Republican Army; 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: United StatesHizballah; 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: UzbekistanIslamic Jihad Union; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Khorasan (ISIS-K) 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: VenezuelaNational Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) 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: West BankAl-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Kahane Chai; Palestine Islamic Jihad; Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: YemenIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Yemen; al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) 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

20220901

countries-lesotho

Topic: Photos of Lesotho Topic: Introduction Background: Paramount chief MOSHOESHOE I consolidated what would become Basutoland in the early 19th century and made himself king in 1822. Continuing encroachments by Dutch settlers from the neighboring Orange Free State caused the king to enter into an 1868 agreement with the UK by which Basutoland became a British protectorate, and after 1884, a crown colony. Upon independence in 1966, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Basotho National Party ruled the country during its first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE II was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995 and subsequently succeeded by his son, King LETSIE III, in 1996. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Batswana military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections in 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties disputed how the electoral law was applied to award proportional seats in the Assembly. In 2012, competitive elections involving 18 parties saw Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas THABANE form a coalition government - the first in the country's history - that ousted the 14-year incumbent, Pakalitha MOSISILI, who peacefully transferred power the following month. MOSISILI returned to power in snap elections in February 2015 after the collapse of THABANE’s coalition government and an alleged attempted military coup. In June 2017, THABANE returned to become prime minister.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 30,355 sq km land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,106 km border countries (1): South Africa 1,106 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Elevation: highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m mean elevation: 2,161 m Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone Land use: agricultural land: 76.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 65.9% (2018 est.) forest: 1.5% (2018 est.) other: 22.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 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) Population distribution: relatively 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 Natural hazards: periodic droughts Geography - note: landlocked, an enclave of (completely surrounded by) South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level Map description: Lesotho map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by South Africa.Lesotho map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by South Africa. Topic: People and Society Population: 2,193,970 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3% Languages: Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Religions: Protestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.) Demographic profile: Lesotho faces great socioeconomic challenges. More than half of its population lives below the property line, and the country’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the second highest in the world. In addition, Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with little arable land, leaving its population vulnerable to food shortages and reliant on remittances. Lesotho’s persistently high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been increasing during the last decade, according to the last two Demographic and Health Surveys. Despite these significant shortcomings, Lesotho has made good progress in education; it is on-track to achieve universal primary education and has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.Lesotho’s migration history is linked to its unique geography; it is surrounded by South Africa with which it shares linguistic and cultural traits. Lesotho at one time had more of its workforce employed outside its borders than any other country. Today remittances equal about 17% of its GDP. With few job options at home, a high rate of poverty, and higher wages available across the border, labor migration to South Africa replaced agriculture as the prevailing Basotho source of income decades ago. The majority of Basotho migrants were single men contracted to work as gold miners in South Africa. However, migration trends changed in the 1990s, and fewer men found mining jobs in South Africa because of declining gold prices, stricter immigration policies, and a preference for South African workers.Although men still dominate cross-border labor migration, more women are working in South Africa, mostly as domestics, because they are widows or their husbands are unemployed. Internal rural-urban flows have also become more frequent, with more women migrating within the country to take up jobs in the garment industry or moving to care for loved ones with HIV/AIDS. Lesotho’s small population of immigrants is increasingly composed of Taiwanese and Chinese migrants who are involved in the textile industry and small retail businesses.Lesotho faces great socioeconomic challenges. More than half of its population lives below the property line, and the country’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the second highest in the world. In addition, Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with little arable land, leaving its population vulnerable to food shortages and reliant on remittances. Lesotho’s persistently high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been increasing during the last decade, according to the last two Demographic and Health Surveys. Despite these significant shortcomings, Lesotho has made good progress in education; it is on-track to achieve universal primary education and has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.Lesotho’s migration history is linked to its unique geography; it is surrounded by South Africa with which it shares linguistic and cultural traits. Lesotho at one time had more of its workforce employed outside its borders than any other country. Today remittances equal about 17% of its GDP. With few job options at home, a high rate of poverty, and higher wages available across the border, labor migration to South Africa replaced agriculture as the prevailing Basotho source of income decades ago. The majority of Basotho migrants were single men contracted to work as gold miners in South Africa. However, migration trends changed in the 1990s, and fewer men found mining jobs in South Africa because of declining gold prices, stricter immigration policies, and a preference for South African workers.Although men still dominate cross-border labor migration, more women are working in South Africa, mostly as domestics, because they are widows or their husbands are unemployed. Internal rural-urban flows have also become more frequent, with more women migrating within the country to take up jobs in the garment industry or moving to care for loved ones with HIV/AIDS. Lesotho’s small population of immigrants is increasingly composed of Taiwanese and Chinese migrants who are involved in the textile industry and small retail businesses. Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.3% (male 309,991/female 306,321) 15-24 years: 19.26% (male 181,874/female 197,452) 25-54 years: 38.86% (male 373,323/female 391,901) 55-64 years: 4.98% (male 52,441/female 45,726) 65 years and over: 5.6% (2020 est.) (male 57,030/female 53,275) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 59.2 youth dependency ratio: 51.3 elderly dependency ratio: 7.9 potential support ratio: 12.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 24.7 years male: 24.7 years female: 24.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.76% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 23.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 11.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: relatively 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 Urbanization: urban population: 29.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 202,000 MASERU (capital) (2018) 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: 1.02 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.9 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 544 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 48.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.57 years male: 57.57 years female: 61.64 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 64.9% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.7% of population rural: 77.2% of population total: 82.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.3% of population rural: 22.8% of population total: 17.4% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 11.3% (2019) Physicians density: 0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 93.6% of population rural: 62.4% of population total: 71.4% of population unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population rural: 37.6% of population total: 28.6% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 21.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 280,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,700 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 16.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 24.3% (2020 est.) male: 43.1% (2020 est.) female: 5.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 10.5% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1% women married by age 18: 16.4% men married by age 18: 1.9% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 7.4% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.4% male: 70.1% female: 88.3% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35.5% male: 31.2% NA female: 41.5% (2019 est.) NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 27.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.51 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.56 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Land use: agricultural land: 76.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 65.9% (2018 est.) forest: 1.5% (2018 est.) other: 22.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 29.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 3.34% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Food insecurity: severe 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) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 73,457 tons (2006 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 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) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 3.022 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho local short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland etymology: the name translates as "Land of the Sesotho Speakers" Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Maseru geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: in the Sesotho language the name means "[place of] red sandstones" Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Constitution: history: previous 1959, 1967; latest adopted 2 April 1993 (effectively restoring the 1967 version) amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions, including fundamental rights and freedoms, sovereignty of the kingdom, the office of the king, and powers of Parliament, requires a majority vote by the National Assembly, approval by the Senate, approval in a referendum by a majority of qualified voters, and assent of the king; passage of amendments other than those specified provisions requires at least a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament; amended several times, last in 2011 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal 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: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile head of government: Prime Minister Moeketsi MAJORO (since 20 May 2020); note - Prime Minister Thomas THABANE resigned on 19 May 2020 cabinet: consists of the prime minister, appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State, the deputy prime minister, and 26 other ministers elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary, but under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law, the College of Chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, to determine next in line of succession, or to serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last nominated by the king on 11 July 2017 (next in late July 2022) National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held on 30 September 2022) election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 26, women 7, percent of women 21.2% National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 51, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5; composition - men 87, women 28, percent of women 23.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.9% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, such number of justices of appeal as set by Parliament, and the Chief Justice and the puisne judges of the High Court ex officio); High Court (consists of the chief justice and such number of puisne judges as set by Parliament); note - both the Court of Appeal and the High Court have jurisdiction in constitutional issues judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and High Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; puisne judges appointed by the monarch on advice of the Judicial Service Commission, an independent body of judicial officers and officials designated by the monarch; judges of both courts can serve until age 75 subordinate courts: Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional courts; military courts Political parties and leaders: All Basotho Convention or ABC [Moeketsi MAJORO] Alliance of Democrats or AD [Monyane MOLELEKI] Basotho Action Party or BAP [Ngosa MAHAO] Basotho National Party or BNP [Thesele MASERIBANE] Democratic Congress or DC [Mathibeli MOKHOTHU] Democratic Party of Lesotho or DPL [Limpho TAU] Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Mothetjoa METSING] Movement of Economic Change or MEC [Selibe MOCHOBOROANE] National Independent Party or NIP [Kimetso MATHABA] Popular Front for Democracy of PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE] Reformed Congress of Lesotho or RCL [Keketso RANTSO] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Masopha Phoofolo Moses KAO, 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/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence National symbol(s): mokorotio (Basotho hat); national colors: blue, white, green, black National anthem: name: "Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers) lyrics/music: Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR note: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Maloti-Drakensberg Park Topic: Economy Economic overview: Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue. About three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in animal herding and subsistence agriculture, although Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability.   Lesotho relies on South Africa for much of its economic activity; Lesotho imports 85% of the goods it consumes from South Africa, including most agricultural inputs. Households depend heavily on remittances from family members working in South Africa in mines, on farms, and as domestic workers, though mining employment has declined substantially since the 1990s. Lesotho is a member of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), and revenues from SACU accounted for roughly 26% of total GDP in 2016; however, SACU revenues are volatile and expected to decline over the next 5 years. Lesotho also gains royalties from the South African Government for water transferred to South Africa from a dam and reservoir system in Lesotho. However, the government continues to strengthen its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties and other transfers.   The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for about 26% of GDP in 2017. The government remains Lesotho's largest employer; in 2016, the government wage bill rose to 23% of GDP – the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lesotho's largest private employer is the textile and garment industry - approximately 36,000 Basotho, mainly women, work in factories producing garments for export to South Africa and the US. Diamond mining in Lesotho has grown in recent years and accounted for nearly 35% of total exports in 2015. Lesotho managed steady GDP growth at an average of 4.5% from 2010 to 2014, dropping to about 2.5% in 2015-16, but poverty remains widespread around 57% of the total population.Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue. About three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in animal herding and subsistence agriculture, although Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability. Lesotho relies on South Africa for much of its economic activity; Lesotho imports 85% of the goods it consumes from South Africa, including most agricultural inputs. Households depend heavily on remittances from family members working in South Africa in mines, on farms, and as domestic workers, though mining employment has declined substantially since the 1990s. Lesotho is a member of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), and revenues from SACU accounted for roughly 26% of total GDP in 2016; however, SACU revenues are volatile and expected to decline over the next 5 years. Lesotho also gains royalties from the South African Government for water transferred to South Africa from a dam and reservoir system in Lesotho. However, the government continues to strengthen its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties and other transfers. The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for about 26% of GDP in 2017. The government remains Lesotho's largest employer; in 2016, the government wage bill rose to 23% of GDP – the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lesotho's largest private employer is the textile and garment industry - approximately 36,000 Basotho, mainly women, work in factories producing garments for export to South Africa and the US. Diamond mining in Lesotho has grown in recent years and accounted for nearly 35% of total exports in 2015. Lesotho managed steady GDP growth at an average of 4.5% from 2010 to 2014, dropping to about 2.5% in 2015-16, but poverty remains widespread around 57% of the total population. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.88 billion (2020 est.) $5.49 billion (2019 est.) $5.51 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -1.6% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,300 (2020 est.) $2,600 (2019 est.) $2,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.462 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2019 est.) 3.8% (2018 est.) 5.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.8% (2016 est.) industry: 39.2% (2016 est.) services: 54.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 69.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 31.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -13.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 40.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -54.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruit, beef, game meat, mutton, beans, wool Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 12.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 930,800 (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 86% industry and services: 14% (2002 est.) note: most of the resident population is engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa Unemployment rate: 28.1% (2014 est.) 25% (2008 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35.5% male: 31.2% NA female: 41.5% (2019 est.) NA Population below poverty line: 49.7% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.9 (2017 est.) 56 (1986-87) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 39.4% (2003) Budget: revenues: 1.09 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.255 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 33.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 39.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$102 million (2017 est.) -$201 million (2016 est.) Exports: $900 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.09 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.25 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 29%, Belgium 26%, South Africa 25%, Switzerland 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: diamonds, clothing and apparel, low-voltage protection equipment, wheat products, footwear (2019) Imports: $1.96 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.2 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: South Africa 85%, China 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, poultry meats (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $657.7 million (31 December 2017 est.) $925.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $868 million (2019 est.) $834 million (2018 est.) Exchange rates: maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 14.48 (2017 est.) 14.71 (2016 est.) 14.71 (2015 est.) 12.76 (2014 est.) 10.85 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 36% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 63% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 26% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 74,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 912.8 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 541.7 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 129.9 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 99.8% 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% 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: 5,100 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: 5,118 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: 736,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 736,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 7.823 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 11,574 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1,562,648 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: until late 2020, Lesotho’s telecom regulator maintained a market duopoly between the privatized national operator, Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL), which is focused on fixed-line services, and Vodacom Lesotho, which dominates the mobile sector; competition between the two was insufficient to promote effective price reductions for consumers, while the regulator had no mechanisms in place to monitor the telcos to ensure quality of service and fair pricing for consumers; the small size of the country’s population provided little incentive for new players to enter the market; legal wrangling between the regulator and the telcos are ongoing; both telcos were fined in late 2020, though Vodacom has the more troubled relationship with the regulator; this culminated in the regulator having attempted to revoke Vodacom Lesotho’s operating license, a process which was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Court after the company appealed; a positive outcome for consumers was the deployment in early 2021 of a service to monitor traffic and billing; this ended the practice whereby the regulator was dependent on telcos submitting data about their performance, billing, and other matters; the regulator has also turned its attention to addressing multiple SIM ownership and stem incidences of crimes committed using unregistered SIMs; in May 2022, it instructed the country’s MNOs to begin registering SIM cards on their networks from the following month; Vodacom was the first operator to introduce mobile broadband services in the country, supplemented with a WiMAX network; this was followed by fixed-wireless 5G trials in early 2019 based on a trial 3.5GHz license. Vodacom Lesotho was among the first network operators in the region to conduct such trials; the crucial nature of telecom services. (2022) domestic: fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 subscriptions; mobile-cellular service subscribership nearly 73 per 100 persons; rudimentary system consisting of a modest number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system (2020) international: country code - 266; Internet accessibility has improved with several submarine fiber optic cables that land on African east and west coasts, but the country's land locked position makes access prices expensive; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV station and 2 state-owned radio stations; government controls most private broadcast media; satellite TV subscription service available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters obtainable (2019) Internet country code: .ls Internet users: total: 921,168 (2020 est.) percent of population: 43% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5,060 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 7P Airports: total: 24 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 16 (2021) Roadways: total: 5,940 km (2011) paved: 1,069 km (2011) unpaved: 4,871 km (2011) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2022) note: the Lesotho Mounted Police Service is responsible for internal security and reports to the Minister of Police and Public Safety Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $60 million) 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $65 million) 2.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $70 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the LDF has a small inventory of older equipment from a variety of countries; since 2010, it has received only small quantities of second hand equipment from France (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women can serve as commissioned officers (2021) Military - note: Lesotho's declared policy for its military is the maintenance of the country's sovereignty and the preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Lesotho-South Africa: 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  Lesotho-South Africa: 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  Trafficking in persons: current situation: Lesotho is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and for men subjected to forced labor; Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude and children, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation within Lesotho and South Africa; some Basotho women willingly migrate to South Africa seeking work in domestic service only to be forced into prostitution; some Basotho men who voluntarily migrate to South Africa for work become victims of forced labor in agriculture and mining or are coerced into committing crimes tier rating: Tier 3 — Lesotho does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore it was downgraded to Tier 3; positive steps included partnering with an NGO and an international organization in awareness-raising activities, participating in a regional data collection tool, and training 27 diplomats on trafficking in persons; however, authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any traffickers or officials complicit in trafficking and did not investigate concerns of official complicity in trafficking crimes restricted law enforcement actions; fewer victims were identified and received no protective services; no standard operating procedures for victim identification or implementation of the national referral mechanism; the government did not finance  the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund or the Child and Gender Protection Unit; front-line responders to trafficking crimes are inadequately trained; penalties for human trafficking are not stringent enough to serve as a deterrent (2020)

20220901

countries-dhekelia

Topic: Photos of Dhekelia Topic: Introduction Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta Geographic coordinates: 34 59 N, 33 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 131 sq km note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves Area - comparative: about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 108 km border countries (1): Cyprus 108 km Coastline: 27.5 km Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Sovereign Base Area (SBA); of the SBA land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land Map description: Dhekelia map showing the UK Sovereign Base Area as well as the adjacent part of southeast Cyprus.Dhekelia map showing the UK Sovereign Base Area as well as the adjacent part of southeast Cyprus. Topic: People and Society Population: approximately 15,500 on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 9,700 Cypriots and 5,800 Service and UK-based contract personnel and dependents Languages: English, Greek major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Dhekelia Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 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: "Episkopi" means "episcopal" in Greek and stems from the fact that the site previously served as the bishop's seat of an Orthodox diocese Constitution: history: presented 3 August 1960, effective 16 August 1960 (The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, serves as a basic legal document); amended 1966 (2021) Legal system: laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus; note - the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Robert J. THOMSON (since 25 September 2019); note - administrator reports to the British Ministry of Defense; the chief officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the civil government of the Sovereign Bases elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Ministry of Defense Judicial branch: highest courts: Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales) judge selection and term of office: see entry for United Kingdom subordinate courts: Resident Judges' Court; military courts Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: the flag of the UK is used National anthem: note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Industries: none Exchange rates: note: uses the euronote: uses the euro Topic: Communications Broadcast media: British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense of Dhekelia (aka Eastern Sovereign Base Area) is the responsibility of the UK; includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway

20220901

countries-saint-lucia

Topic: Photos of Saint Lucia Topic: Introduction Background: The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry, was contested by England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 616 sq km land: 606 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: three and a half times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 158 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, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys Elevation: highest point: Mount Gimie 948 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 11.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.) forest: 77% (2018 est.) other: 5.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries Natural hazards: hurricanesvolcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southhurricanesvolcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south Geography - note: the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean Map description: Saint Lucia map showing major population centers on this island in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Lucia map showing major population centers on this island in the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 167,122 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Ethnic groups: Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.) Languages: English (official), Saint Lucian Creole Religions: Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.24% (male 16,484/female 15,546) 15-24 years: 13.6% (male 11,475/female 11,165) 25-54 years: 42.83% (male 34,436/female 36,868) 55-64 years: 11.23% (male 8,624/female 10,075) 65 years and over: 13.1% (2020 est.) (male 9,894/female 11,920) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.4 youth dependency ratio: 25 elderly dependency ratio: 14.4 potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 36.9 years male: 35.7 years female: 38 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.29% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.02 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 117 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.95 years male: 76.21 years female: 81.84 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 55.5% (2011/12) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 98.5% of population total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 1.5% of population total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.3% (2019) Physicians density: 0.64 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.6% of population rural: 92.9% of population total: 93.8% of population unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population rural: 7.1% of population total: 6.2% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2018 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018) <1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 19.7% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.8% (2012) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.2% male: 39.6% female: 34.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.22 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.41 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.27 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 11.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.) forest: 77% (2018 est.) other: 5.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.98% 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: 77,616 tons (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 12.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 30.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia etymology: named after Saint LUCY of Syracuse by French sailors who were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December 1502, the saint's feast day; Saint Lucia is the only country named specifically after a woman note: pronounced saynt-looshuh Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Castries geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 61 00 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: in 1785, the village of Carenage was renamed Castries, after Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de Castries (1727-1801), who was then the French Minister of the Navy and Colonies Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: history: previous 1958, 1960 (preindependence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Assembly membership in the final reading and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to various constitutional sections, such as those on fundamental rights and freedoms, government finances, the judiciary, and procedures for amending the constitution, require at least three-quarters majority vote by the House and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments approved by the House but rejected by the Senate require a majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2008 Legal system: English common law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Acting Governor General Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Philip J. PIERRE (since 28 July 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general Legislative branch: description: bicameral Houses of Parliament consists of: Senate (11 seats; all members appointed by the governor general; 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 upon consultation with religious, economic, and social groups; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the speaker, designated from outside the Parliament; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 17 August 2021 (next in 2026) House of Assembly - last held on 26 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 6, women 5, percent of women 45.5% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 50.1%, UWP 42.9%, other o.3%, independent 6.6%; seats by party - SLP 13, UWP 2, independent 2; composition (including the speaker) - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.1% Judicial branch: highest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, traveling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states with 4 on Saint Lucia; Saint Lucia is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 subordinate courts: magistrate's court Political parties and leaders: Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Philip J. PIERRE] United Workers Party or UWP [Allen CHASTANET] International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Flag description: cerulean blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border; the blue color represents the sky and sea, gold stands for sunshine and prosperity, and white and black the racial composition of the island (with the latter being dominant); the two major triangles invoke the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), cone-shaped volcanic plugs that are a symbol of the island National symbol(s): twin pitons (volcanic peaks), Saint Lucia parrot; national colors: cerulean blue, gold, black, white National anthem: name: "Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia" lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS note: adopted 1967 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Pitons Management Area Topic: Economy Economic overview: The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. Tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area. Crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, but St. Lucia's once solid banana industry has been devastated by strong competition.   Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks, including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. Furthermore, high public debt - 77% of GDP in 2012 - and high debt servicing obligations constrain the CHASTANET administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks.   St. Lucia has experienced anemic growth since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, largely because of a slowdown in tourism - airlines cut back on their routes to St. Lucia in 2012. Also, St. Lucia introduced a value added tax in 2012 of 15%, becoming the last country in the Eastern Caribbean to do so. In 2013, the government introduced a National Competitiveness and Productivity Council to address St. Lucia's high public wages and lack of productivity.The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. Tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area. Crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, but St. Lucia's once solid banana industry has been devastated by strong competition. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks, including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. Furthermore, high public debt - 77% of GDP in 2012 - and high debt servicing obligations constrain the CHASTANET administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. St. Lucia has experienced anemic growth since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, largely because of a slowdown in tourism - airlines cut back on their routes to St. Lucia in 2012. Also, St. Lucia introduced a value added tax in 2012 of 15%, becoming the last country in the Eastern Caribbean to do so. In 2013, the government introduced a National Competitiveness and Productivity Council to address St. Lucia's high public wages and lack of productivity. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.25 billion (2020 est.) $2.82 billion (2019 est.) $2.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) 3.4% (2016 est.) -0.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2020 est.) $15,400 (2019 est.) $15,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.686 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.1% (2017 est.) -3.1% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.9% (2017 est.) industry: 14.2% (2017 est.) services: 82.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -56.9% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, fruit, tropical fruit, plantains, roots/tubers, cassava, poultry, vegetables, mangoes/guavas Industries: tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 79,700 (2012 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.7% industry: 24.7% services: 53.6% (2002 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (2003 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.2% male: 39.6% female: 34.3% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 25% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 51.2 (2016 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 398.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 392.8 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 70.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 69.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $21 million (2017 est.) -$31 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.22 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $188.2 million (2016 est.) Exports - partners: United States 29%, Uruguay 16%, Barbados 8%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.5%, United Kingdom 6%, Dominica 6%, Guyana 5%, France 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, beer, jewelry, bananas, refined petroleum, rum (2019) Imports: $1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $575.9 million (2016 est.) Imports - partners: Colombia 46%, United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, poultry meats, natural gas (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $321.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $320.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $570.6 million (31 December 2017 est.) $529 million (31 December 2015 est.) Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2017 est.) 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.5% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 97.5% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 99.9% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 92,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 322.506 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 27.568 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.1% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 4,500 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: 3,113 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: 659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 50.872 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 38,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 203,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: an adequate system that is automatically switched; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 20 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 102 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 1-758; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to numerous Caribbean islands; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados (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: 3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station operating on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; a mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate nearly 25 radio stations including repeater transmission stations (2019) Internet country code: .lc Internet users: total: 97,323 (2020 est.) percent of population: 53% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 33,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J6 Airports: total: 2 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 1,210 km (2011) paved: 847 km (2011) unpaved: 363 km (2011) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Marine Unit) (2022) Military - note: Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Saint Lucia-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean SeaSaint Lucia-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbeana transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean

20220901

field-budget-surplus-or-deficit

This entry records the difference between national government revenues and expenditures, expressed as a percent of GDP. A positive (+) number indicates that revenues exceeded expenditures (a budget surplus), while a negative (-) number indicates the reverse (a budget deficit). Normalizing the data, by dividing the budget balance by GDP, enables easy comparisons across countries and indicates whether a national government saves or borrows money. Countries with high budget deficits (relative to their GDPs) generally have more difficulty raising funds to finance expenditures, than those with lower deficits. Topic: Afghanistan-15.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Albania-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria-9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: American Samoa-2.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Andorra-6.9% (of GDP) (2016) Topic: Angola-6.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Anguilla0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda-2.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Argentina-6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Armenia-4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Aruba-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Australia-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Austria-0.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The-2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrain-10.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladesh-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Barbados-4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belarus2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belize-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Benin-6.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bermuda-2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia-7.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina2.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Botswana-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Brazil-1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands0% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Brunei-17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgaria1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso-7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burma-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi-5.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodia-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroon-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Canada-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Chad-1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Chile-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: China-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Colombia-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros-6.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the-7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cook Islands3% (of GDP) (2010 est.) Topic: Costa Rica-6.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire-4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba-10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Curacao-0.4% (of GDP) (2012 est.) Topic: Cyprus1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti-9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Dominica-5.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuador-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt-8.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador-2.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea-3.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrea-9.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Estonia-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini-8.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopia-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: European Union-3% (of GDP) (2014) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)-4% (of GDP) (FY09/10) Topic: Faroe Islands-1.7% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Topic: Fiji-4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Finland-0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: France-2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia1.2% (of GDP) (2012) Topic: Gabon-1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The-2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Georgia-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Germany1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana-6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Gibraltar1.1% (of GDP) (2008 est.) Topic: Greece0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland5.6% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Grenada3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guam-1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Guatemala-1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guernsey1.2% (of GDP) (2005) Topic: Guinea-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau-1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guyana-4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Haiti-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Kong5.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) note: Hungary has been under the EU Excessive Deficit Procedure since it joined the EU in 2004; in March 2012, the EU elevated its Excessive Deficit Procedure against Hungary and proposed freezing 30% of the country's Cohesion Funds because 2011 deficit reductions were not achieved in a sustainable manner; in June 2012, the EU lifted the freeze, recognizing that steps had been taken to reduce the deficit; the Hungarian deficit increased above 3% both in 2013 and in 2014 due to sluggish growth and the government's fiscal tightening Topic: Iceland1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: India-3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Iran-2.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Iraq-4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ireland-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Isle of Man0.3% (of GDP) (FY05/06 est.) Topic: Israel-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Italy-2.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Japan-3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Jersey-0.4% (of GDP) (2005) Topic: Jordan-5.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya-6.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati-64.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, North-0.4% (of GDP) (2007 est.) Topic: Korea, South1.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo-2.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwait-10% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan-3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Laos-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Latvia-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon-6.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Lesotho-6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia-4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Libya-25.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein1.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.) Topic: Lithuania0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Macau10% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascar-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malawi-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysia-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Maldives-10.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Mali-2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malta3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands1.3% (of GDP) (2013 est.) Topic: Mauritania-0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritius-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico-1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of6.6% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.) Topic: Moldova-0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Monaco-1% (of GDP) (2011 est.) Topic: Mongolia-6.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegro-5.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Morocco-3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambique-5.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nauru-9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nepal-0.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlands1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia0% (of GDP) (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua-2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Niger-5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeria-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Niue-12.6% (of GDP) (FY04/05) Topic: North Macedonia-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands3.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Norway4.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Oman-13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan-5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Palau8.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Panama-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea-4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguay-1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Peru-3.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Philippines-2.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Poland-1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal-3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico-0.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Qatar-5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Romania-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Russia-1.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda-4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon3.8% (of GDP) (1996 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Samoa-4.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: San Marino-2.9% (of GDP) (2011 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe-2.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia-8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Senegal-3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Serbia0.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Seychelles-0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone-7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore-0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakia-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia0% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands-2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Somalia-0.1% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Topic: South Africa-4.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan-1.3% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.) Topic: Spain-3.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan-10.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Suriname-7.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Syria-8.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Taiwan-0.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistan-1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand-3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste-75.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Togo-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tonga0% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-8.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisia-5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)-1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan-2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tuvalu25.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.) Topic: Uganda-4.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ukraine-1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates-0.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom-1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United States-3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay-3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuatu-0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuela-46.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam-6.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands-0.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna-0.8% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA Topic: West Bank0.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: World-3% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Yemen-5.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Zambia-7.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe-9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

20220901

field-total-fertility-rate

This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate for a population, resulting in relative stability in terms of total numbers. Rates above two children indicate populations growing in size and whose median age is declining. Higher rates may also indicate difficulties for families, in some situations, to feed and educate their children and for women to enter the labor force. Rates below two children indicate populations decreasing in size and growing older. Global fertility rates are in general decline and this trend is most pronounced in industrialized countries, especially Western Europe, where populations are projected to decline dramatically over the next 50 years. Topic: Afghanistan4.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Albania1.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Algeria2.51 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoa2.21 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Andorra1.45 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Angola5.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Anguilla1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Argentina2.18 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Armenia1.65 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Aruba1.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Australia1.73 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Austria1.51 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bahrain1.67 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladesh2.09 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Barbados1.7 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Belarus1.51 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Belgium1.77 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Belize2.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Benin5.43 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bermuda1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutan1.79 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bolivia2.33 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina1.36 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Botswana2.39 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Brazil1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands1.35 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Brunei1.74 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Bulgaria1.5 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso4.27 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Burma2.02 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Burundi5.03 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde2.13 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodia2.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cameroon4.55 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Canada1.57 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands1.82 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republic4.04 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Chad5.46 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Chile1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: China1.45 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands(2021 est.) NA Topic: Colombia1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Comoros2.78 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the5.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the4.36 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islands2.07 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Rica1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire3.53 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Croatia1.45 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cuba1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Curacao1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprus1.48 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Czechia1.49 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Denmark1.77 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Djibouti2.15 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Dominica2.02 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic2.21 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Ecuador2.04 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Egypt2.88 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvador2.05 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea4.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Eritrea3.58 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Estonia1.61 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatini2.44 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopia3.99 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: European Union(2021 est.) 1.62 children born/woman Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe Islands2.29 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Fiji2.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Finland1.74 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: France2.03 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: French Polynesia1.81 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Gabon3.31 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, The3.79 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip3.44 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Georgia1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Germany1.57 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Ghana3.66 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltar1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Greece1.4 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Greenland1.91 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Grenada1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guam2.78 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemala2.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guernsey1.58 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea4.85 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau4.69 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Guyana2.06 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Haiti2.43 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Honduras2.01 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kong1.22 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Hungary1.48 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Iceland1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: India2.1 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesia2.01 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Iran1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Iraq3.25 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Ireland1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Man1.89 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Israel2.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Italy1.22 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaica2.06 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Japan1.38 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Jersey1.66 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Jordan2.96 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan2.11 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kenya3.29 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kiribati2.2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, North1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, South1.1 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovo1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwait2.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan2.5 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Laos2.35 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Latvia1.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanon1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Lesotho2.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Liberia4.79 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Libya3.09 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein1.69 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuania1.61 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourg1.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Macau1.22 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascar3.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Malawi3.4 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Malaysia1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Maldives1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Mali5.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Malta1.5 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands2.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritania3.53 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritius1.35 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Mexico1.68 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of2.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Moldova1.59 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Monaco1.53 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Mongolia1.91 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegro1.81 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrat1.32 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Morocco2.29 children born/woman (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique4.81 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Namibia2.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Nauru2.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Nepal1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlands1.78 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledonia1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealand1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaragua1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Niger6.82 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeria4.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Niue(2021 est.) NA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia1.51 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands2.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Norway1.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Oman2.7 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistan3.46 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Palau1.7 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Panama2.39 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea3.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Paraguay1.89 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Peru2.2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Philippines2.78 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland1.4 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Portugal1.43 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico1.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Qatar1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Romania1.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Russia1.6 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Rwanda3.33 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemy1.64 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha1.6 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martin1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon1.59 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Samoa2.42 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: San Marino1.53 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe3.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Senegal4.27 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Serbia1.46 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Seychelles1.82 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone3.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Singapore1.16 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten1.99 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakia1.46 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Slovenia1.6 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands2.87 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Somalia5.31 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: South Africa2.18 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: South Sudan5.32 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Spain1.27 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Sudan4.6 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Suriname1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Svalbard(2021 est.) NA Topic: Sweden1.67 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerland1.58 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Syria2.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Taiwan1.08 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistan2.45 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzania4.39 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Thailand1.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste4.21 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Togo4.23 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Tokelau(2021 est.) NA Topic: Tonga2.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago1.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisia2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Turkey1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan2.03 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands1.7 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvalu2.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Uganda5.36 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Ukraine1.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates1.64 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdom1.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: United States1.84 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguay1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan1.73 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatu2.66 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuela2.22 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnam2.05 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: West Bank2.96 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: World2.42 children born/woman (2020 est.) Topic: Yemen3.01 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Zambia4.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe3.89 children born/woman (2022 est.)

20220901

field-merchant-marine

This entry provides the total and the number of each type of privately or publicly owned commercial ship for each country; military ships are not included; the five ships by type include: bulk carrier - for cargo such as coal, grain, cement, ores, and gravel; container ship - for loads in truck-size containers, a transportation system called containerization; general cargo - also referred to as break-bulk containers - for a wide variety of packaged merchandise, such as textiles, furniture and machinery; oil tanker - for crude oil and petroleum products; other - includes chemical carriers, dredgers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, refrigerated cargo ships called reefers, tugboats, passenger vessels (cruise and ferry), and offshore supply ships  Topic: Albaniatotal: 70 by type: general cargo 47, oil tanker 1, other 22 (2021) Topic: Algeriatotal: 114 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 2, general cargo 11, oil tanker 11, other 89 (2021) Topic: Angolatotal: 54 by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 8, other 33 (2021) Topic: Anguillatotal: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 677 by type: bulk carrier 24, container ship 123, general cargo 473, oil tanker 2, other 55 (2021) Topic: Argentinatotal: 202 by type: container ship 1,bulk carrier 1 general cargo 8, oil tanker 33, other 159 (2021) Topic: Arubatotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Australiatotal: 581 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 76, oil tanker 7, other 496 (2021) Topic: Austriatotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 305 by type: general cargo 38, oil tanker 43, other 224 (2021) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 1,323 by type: bulk carrier 333, container ship 45, general cargo 64, oil tanker 224, other 657 (2021) Topic: Bahraintotal: 205 by type: general cargo 12, oil tanker 4, other 189 (2021) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 468 by type: bulk carrier 48, container ship 6, general cargo 140, oil tanker 144, other 130 (2021) Topic: Barbadostotal: 165 by type: bulk carrier 46, general cargo 103, other 16 (2021) Topic: Belarustotal: 4 by type: other 4 (2021) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 201 by type: bulk carrier 19, container ship 7, general cargo 16, oil tanker 21, other 138 (2021) Topic: Belizetotal: 813 by type: bulk carrier 54, container ship 1, general cargo 428, oil tanker 70, other 260 (2021) Topic: Benintotal: 6 by type: other 6 (2021) Topic: Bermudatotal: 147 by type: container ship 12, oil tanker 18, other 117 (2021) Topic: Boliviatotal: 45 by type: general cargo 29, oil tanker 2, other 14 (2021) Topic: Braziltotal: 864 by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 19, general cargo 42, oil tanker 31, other 761 (2021) Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 30 by type: general cargo 3, other 27 (2021) Topic: Bruneitotal: 96 by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 3, other 75 (2021) Topic: Bulgariatotal: 79 by type: bulk carrier 4, general cargo 14, oil tanker 8, other 53 (2021) Topic: Burmatotal: 95 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 39, oil tanker 5, other 49 (2021) Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 46 by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 3, other 27 (2021) Topic: Cambodiatotal: 245 by type: container ship 2, general cargo 162, oil tanker 18, other 63 (2021) Topic: Cameroontotal: 94 by type: bulk carrier 3, container ship 1,general cargo 35, oil tanker 24, other 31 (2021) Topic: Canadatotal: 679 by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 66, oil tanker 15, other 575 (2021) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 160 by type: bulk carrier 32, container ship 1, general cargo 1, oil tanker 23, other 103 (2021) Topic: Chiletotal: 231 by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 5, general cargo 58, oil tanker 14, other 148 (2021) Topic: Chinatotal: 6,662 by type: bulk carrier 1,558, container ship 341, general cargo 957, oil tanker 1,061, other 2,745 (2021) Topic: Colombiatotal: 122 by type: general cargo 23, oil tanker 7, other 92 (2021) Topic: Comorostotal: 236 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 7, general cargo 112, oil tanker 31, other 78 (2021) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 22 by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 2, other 16 (2021) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 11 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 9 (2021) Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 194 by type: bulk carrier 19, container ship 1, general cargo 57, oil tanker 54, other 63 (2021) Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 11 by type: other 11 (2021) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 25 by type: oil tanker 2, other 23 (2021) Topic: Croatiatotal: 354 by type: bulk carrier 14, general cargo 32, oil tanker 16, other 292 (2021) Topic: Cubatotal: 59 by type: general cargo 12, oil tanker 7, other 40 (2021) Topic: Curacaototal: 63 by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 1, other 56 (2021) Topic: Cyprustotal: 1,051 by type: bulk carrier 269, container ship 182, general cargo 197, oil tanker 59, other 344 (2021) Topic: Denmarktotal: 717 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 148, general cargo 68, oil tanker 105, other 388 (2021) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 33 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 8, other 21 (2021) Topic: Dominicatotal: 93 by type: general cargo 30, oil tanker 19, other 44 (2021) Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 38 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 1, other 34 (2021) Topic: Ecuadortotal: 145 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 7, oil tanker 27, other 110 (2021) Topic: Egypttotal: 421 by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 8, general cargo 27, oil tanker 40, other 332 (2021) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 42 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 6, other 27 (2021) Topic: Eritreatotal: 9 by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 1, other 4 (2021) Topic: Estoniatotal: 68 by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 62 (2021) Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 11 by type: general cargo 9, oil tanker 2 (2020) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 2 by type: general cargo 1, other 1 (2021) Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 101 by type: container ships 6, general cargo 48, oil tanker 1, other 46 (2021) Topic: Fijitotal: 73 by type: general cargo 20, oil tanker 4, other 49 (2021) Topic: Finlandtotal: 272 by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 1, general cargo 74, oil tanker 4, other 184 (2021) Topic: Francetotal: 548 by type: container ship 29, general cargo 50, oil tanker 28, other 441 (2021) note: includes Monaco Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 24 by type: general cargo 14, other 10 (2021) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landstotal: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Topic: Gabontotal: 62 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 17, oil tanker 17, other 27 (2021) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 8 by type: other 8 (2021) Topic: Georgiatotal: 25 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 3, other 20 (2021) Topic: Germanytotal: 599 by type: container ship 77, general cargo 85, oil tanker 36, other 401 (2021) Topic: Ghanatotal: 51 by type: general cargo 7, oil tanker 3, other 41 (2021) Topic: Gibraltartotal: 202 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 19, general cargo 55, oil tanker 20, other 100 (2021) Topic: Greecetotal: 1,236 by type: bulk carrier 158, container ship 5, general cargo 89, oil tanker 337, other 647 (2021) Topic: Greenlandtotal: 8 by type: other 8 (2021) Topic: Grenadatotal: 6 by type: general cargo 3, other 3 (2021) Topic: Guamtotal: 3 by type: other 3 (2021) Topic: Guatemalatotal: 9 by type: oil tanker 1, other 8 (2021) Topic: Guineatotal: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 8 by type: general cargo 5, other 3 (2021) Topic: Guyanatotal: 56 by type: general cargo 26, oil tanker 7, other 23 (2021) Topic: Haititotal: 4 by type: general cargo 3, other 1 (2021) Topic: Hondurastotal: 505 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 244, oil tanker 82, other 178 (2021) Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 2,718 by type: bulk carrier 1,158, container ship 558, general cargo 184, oil tanker 388, other 430 (2021) Topic: Hungarytotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Icelandtotal: 41 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 34 (2021) Topic: Indiatotal: 1,801 by type: bulk carrier 63, container ship 22, general cargo 587, oil tanker 136, other 993 (2021) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 10,427 by type: bulk carrier 148, container ship 226, general cargo 2,238, oil tanker 676, other 7,139 (2021) Topic: Irantotal: 893 by type: bulk carrier 32, container ship 31, general cargo 371, oil tanker 84, other 375 (2021) Topic: Iraqtotal: 68 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 61 (2021) Topic: Irelandtotal: 96 by type: bulk carrier 12, general cargo 36, oil tanker 1, other 47 (2021) Topic: Israeltotal: 41 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 29 (2021) Topic: Italytotal: 1,296 by type: bulk carrier 36, container ship 7, general cargo 111, oil tanker 103, other 1,039 (2021) Topic: Jamaicatotal: 43 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 5, general cargo 9, oil tanker 1, other 27 (2021) Topic: Japantotal: 5,201 by type: bulk carrier 148, container ship 45, general cargo 1,900, oil tanker 666, other 2,442 (2021) Topic: Jordantotal: 35 by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 1, other 28 (2021) Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 119 by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 7, other 109 (2021) Topic: Kenyatotal: 26 by type: oil tanker 3, other 23 (2021) Topic: Kiribatitotal: 88 by type: bulk carrier 3, general cargo 35, oil tanker 12, other 38 (2021) Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 264 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 5, general cargo 189, oil tanker 33, other 29 (2021) Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 1,904 by type: bulk carrier 78, container ship 91, general cargo 360, oil tanker 184, other 1,191 (2021) Topic: Kuwaittotal: 165 by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 28, other 122 (2021) Topic: Laostotal: 1 by type: general cargo 1 (2021) Topic: Latviatotal: 70 by type: general cargo 22, oil tanker 9, other 39 (2021) Topic: Lebanontotal: 48 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 31, oil tanker 1, other 14 (2021) Topic: Liberiatotal: 3,942 by type: bulk carrier 1,487, container ship 878, general cargo 131, oil tanker 851, other 595 (2021) Topic: Libyatotal: 94 by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 12, other 80 (2021) Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 20 by type: bulk carrier 16, general cargo 1, other 3 (includes Switzerland) (2021) Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 64 by type: container ship 4, general cargo 24, oil tanker 2, other 34 (2021) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 153 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 1, general cargo 23, oil tanker 3, other 122 (2021) Topic: Macautotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Madagascartotal: 27 by type: general cargo 14, oil tanker 2, other 11 (2021) Topic: Malaysiatotal: 1,769 by type: bulk carrier 16, container ship 28, general cargo 174, oil tanker 153, other 1,398 (2021) Topic: Maldivestotal: 68 by type: general cargo 21, oil tanker 19, other 28 (2021) Topic: Maltatotal: 2,137 by type: bulk carrier 601, container ship 310, general cargo 218, oil tanker 412, other 596 (2021) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 3,817 by type: bulk carrier 1,733, container ship 248, general cargo 66, oil tanker 970, other 800 (2021) Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 5 by type: general cargo 2, other 3 (2021) Topic: Mauritiustotal: 29 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 4, other 24 (2021) Topic: Mexicototal: 671 by type: container ship 1, bulk carrier 4, general cargo 11, oil tanker 31, other 624 (2021) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 38 by type: general cargo 19, oil tanker 4, other 15 (2021) Topic: Moldovatotal: 147 by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 5, general cargo 97, oil tanker 7, other 33 (2021) Topic: Mongoliatotal: 302 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 7, general cargo 131, oil tanker 64, other 96 (2021) Topic: Montenegrototal: 17 by type: bulk carrier 4, other 13 (2021) Topic: Moroccototal: 93 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 80 (2021) Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 30 by type: general cargo 9, other 21 (2021) Topic: Namibiatotal: 14 by type: general cargo 1, other 13 (2021) Topic: Naurutotal: 3 by type: oil tanker 1, other 2 (2021) Topic: Netherlandstotal: 1,199 by type: bulk carrier 10, container ship 40, general cargo 559, oil tanker 26, other 564 (2021) Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 24 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 18 (2021) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 115 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 12, oil tanker 4, other 98 (2021) Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 5 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 3 (2021) Topic: Nigertotal: 1 by type: general cargo 1 (2021) Topic: Nigeriatotal: 791 by type: general cargo 14, oil tanker 110, other 667 (2021) Topic: Niuetotal: 69 by type: bulk carrier 3, container ship 2, general cargo 25, oil tanker 7, other 32 (2021) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2019) Topic: Norwaytotal: 1,644 by type: bulk carrier 109, container ship 1, general cargo 242, oil tanker 96, other 1,196 (2021) Topic: Omantotal: 57 by type: general cargo 10, other 47 (2021) Topic: Pakistantotal: 57 by type: bulk carrier 5, oil tanker 7, other 45 (2021) Topic: Palautotal: 264 by type: bulk carrier 16, container ship 7, general cargo 107, oil tanker 40, other 94 (2021) Topic: Panamatotal: 7,980 by type: bulk carrier 2,697, container ship 643, general cargo 1,381, oil tanker 771, other 2,488 (2021) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 177 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 81, oil tanker 3, other 87 (2021) Topic: Paraguaytotal: 110 by type: container ship 3, general cargo 25, oil tanker 5, other 77 (2021) note: as of 2017, Paraguay registered 2,012 fluvial vessels of which 1,741 were commercial barges Topic: Perutotal: 98 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 8, other 89 (2021) Topic: Philippinestotal: 1,805 by type: bulk carrier 62, container ship 44, general cargo 716, oil tanker 205, other 778 (2021) Topic: Polandtotal: 143 by type: general cargo 7, oil tanker 6, other 130 (2021) Topic: Portugaltotal: 726 by type: bulk carrier 86, container ship 267, general cargo 137, oil tanker 27, other 209 (2021) Topic: Qatartotal: 129 by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 5, other 107 (2021) Topic: Romaniatotal: 121 by type: general cargo 11, oil tanker 6, other 104 (2021) Topic: Russiatotal: 2,873 by type: bulk carrier 13, container ship 17, general cargo 946, oil tanker 406, other 1,491 (2021) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 244 by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 7, general cargo 45, oil tanker 53, other 133 (2021) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 792 by type: bulk carrier 27, container ship 17, general cargo 155, oil tanker 16, other 577 (2021) Topic: Samoatotal: 12 by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 6 (2021) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 22 by type: general cargo 13, oil tanker 2, other 7 (2021) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 392 by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 1, general cargo 21, oil tanker 58, other 307 (2021) Topic: Senegaltotal: 35 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 29 (2021) Topic: Seychellestotal: 27 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 6, other 16 (2021) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 591 by type: bulk carrier 30, container ship 9, general cargo 319, oil tanker 108, other 125 (2021) Topic: Singaporetotal: 3,321 by type: bulk carrier 576, container ship 514, general cargo 113, oil tanker 699, other 1,419 (2021) Topic: Sloveniatotal: 9 by type: other 9 (2021) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 24 by type: general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 15 (2021) Topic: Somaliatotal: 4 by type: general cargo 1, other 3 (2021) Topic: South Africatotal: 105 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 1, oil tanker 7, other 95 (2021) Topic: Spaintotal: 478 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 36, oil tanker 24, other 417 (2021) Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 90 by type: bulk carrier 6, general cargo 13, oil tanker 11, other 60 (2021) Topic: Sudantotal: 15 by type: other 15 (2021) Topic: Surinametotal: 10 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 3, other 2 (2021) Topic: Swedentotal: 370 by type: general cargo 49, oil tanker 22, other 299 (2021) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 20 by type: bulk carrier 16, general cargo 1, other 3 (includes Liechtenstein) (2021) Topic: Syriatotal: 28 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 11, other 16 (2021) Topic: Taiwantotal: 429 by type: bulk carrier 37, container ship 49, general cargo 57, oil tanker 33, other 253 (2021) Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 314 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 6, general cargo 144, oil tanker 49, other 111 (2021) Topic: Thailandtotal: 839 by type: bulk carrier 26, container ship 27, general cargo 94, oil tanker 251, other 441 (2021) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Togototal: 411 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 9, general cargo 265, oil tanker 56, other 80 (2021) Topic: Tongatotal: 32 by type: container ship 4, general cargo 13, oil tanker 1, other 14 (2021) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 105 by type: general cargo 1, other 104 (2021) Topic: Tunisiatotal: 71 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 8 oil tanker 1, other 61 (2021) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total: 1,217 by type: bulk carrier 39, container ship 41, general cargo 317, oil tanker 126, other 694 (2021) Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 73 by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 8, other 59 (2021) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 3 by type: general cargo 1, other 2 (2021) Topic: Tuvalutotal: 245 by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 3, general cargo 32, oil tanker 21, other 167 (2021) Topic: Ukrainetotal: 409 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 84, oil tanker 15, other 308 (2021) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 623 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 3, general cargo 117, oil tanker 19, other 483 (2021) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 1,249 by type: bulk carrier 140, container ship 59, general cargo 109, oil tanker 84, other 857 (2021) Topic: United Statestotal: 3,627 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 60, general cargo 103, oil tanker 69, other 3,391 (2021) Topic: Uruguaytotal: 61 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 4, oil tanker 4, other 52 (2021) Topic: Vanuatutotal: 306 by type: bulk carrier 18, container ship 2, general cargo 55, oil tanker 2, other 229 (2021) Topic: Venezuelatotal: 281 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 1, general cargo 26, oil tanker 18, other 232 (2021) Topic: Vietnamtotal: 1,926 by type: bulk carrier 116, container ship 41, general cargo 1,193, oil tanker 125, other 451 (2021) Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 1,868 by type: bulk carrier 91, container ship 39, general cargo 1,205, oil tanker 118, other 415 (2019) Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Topic: Worldtotal: 98,202 by type: bulk carrier 12,319, container ship 5,428, general cargo 18,993, oil tanker 11,243, other 50,219 (2021) Topic: Yementotal: 34 by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 28 (2021) Topic: Zambiatotal: 2 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (2021)

20220901

field-railways

This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge, which is the measure of the distance between the inner sides of the load-bearing rails. The four typical types of gauges are: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed in a note. Some 60% of the world's railways use the standard gauge of 1.4 m (4.7 ft). Gauges vary by country and sometimes within countries. The choice of gauge during initial construction was mainly in response to local conditions and the intent of the builder. Narrow-gauge railways were cheaper to build and could negotiate sharper curves, broad-gauge railways gave greater stability and permitted higher speeds. Standard-gauge railways were a compromise between narrow and broad gauges. Topic: Albaniatotal: 677 km (2015) (447 km of major railway lines and 230 km of secondary lines) standard gauge: 677 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Algeriatotal: 3,973 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,888 km (2014) 1.432-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km (2014) 1.055-m gauge Topic: Angolatotal: 2,852 km (2014) narrow gauge: 2,729 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge 123 km 0.600-m gauge Topic: Argentinatotal: 36,917 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,745.1 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (41.1 km electrified) narrow gauge: 7,523.3 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 26,391 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge (149 km electrified) 258 km 0.750-m gauge Topic: Armeniatotal: 780 km (2014) broad gauge: 780 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (780 km electrified) note: 726 km operational Topic: Australiatotal: 33,343 km (2015) standard gauge: 17,446 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified) narrow gauge: 12,318 km (2015) 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) broad gauge: 3,247 km (2015) 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified) Topic: Austriatotal: 5,800 km (2017) standard gauge: 5,300 km 1.435-m gauge (3,826 km electrified) (2016) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 2,944 km (2017) broad gauge: 2,944.3 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge (approx. 1,767 km electrified) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 2,460 km (2014) narrow gauge: 1,801 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 659 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge Topic: Belarustotal: 5,528 km (2014) standard gauge: 25 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge broad gauge: 5,503 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 3,592 km (2014) standard gauge: 3,592 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) Topic: Benintotal: 438 km (2014) narrow gauge: 438 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Boliviatotal: 3,960 km (2019) narrow gauge: 3,960 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 965 km (2014) standard gauge: 965 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (565 km electrified) Topic: Botswanatotal: 888 km (2014) narrow gauge: 888 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Braziltotal: 29,850 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 Topic: Bulgariatotal: 5,114 km (2014) standard gauge: 4,989 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified) narrow gauge: 125 km (2014) 0.760-m gauge Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 622 km (2014) narrow gauge: 622 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire Topic: Burmatotal: 5,031 km (2008) narrow gauge: 5,031 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Cambodiatotal: 642 km (2014) narrow gauge: 642 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: under restoration Topic: Cameroontotal: 987 km (2014) narrow gauge: 987 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: railway connections generally efficient but limited; rail lines connect major cities of Douala, Yaounde, Ngaoundere, and Garoua; passenger and freight service provided by CAMRAIL Topic: Canadatotal: 49,422 km (2021) note: 129 km electrified (2021) standard gauge: 49,422 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Chiletotal: 7,282 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,853.5 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 3,428 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge (1,691 km electrified) Topic: Chinatotal: 150,000 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge (100,000 km electrified); 104,0000 traditional, 40,000 high-speed Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: 18 km (2017) standard gauge: 18 km (2017) 1.435-m (not in operation) note: the 18-km Christmas Island Phosphate Company Railway between Flying Fish Cove and South Point was decommissioned in 1987; some tracks and scrap remain in place Topic: Colombiatotal: 3,528 km (2019) standard gauge: 150 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,991 km (2019) 0.914-m gauge Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 4,007 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,882 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified) 125 1.000-m gauge Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 510 km (2014) narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 278 km (2014) narrow gauge: 278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 660 km (2008) narrow gauge: 660 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso Topic: Croatiatotal: 2,722 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,722 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (980 km electrified) Topic: Cubatotal: 8,125 km (2017) standard gauge: 8,195 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (124 km electrified) narrow gauge: 172 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge note: As of 2013, 70 km of standard gauge and 12 km of narrow gauge track were not for public use Topic: Czechiatotal: 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 Topic: Denmarktotal: 3,476 km (2017) standard gauge: 3,476 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (1,756 km electrified) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 97 km (2017) (Djibouti segment of the 756 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) standard gauge: 97 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 496 km (2014) standard gauge: 354 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 142 km (2014) 0.762-m gauge Topic: Ecuadortotal: 965 km (2022) narrow gauge: 965 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge note: passenger service limited to certain sections of track, mostly for tourist trains Topic: Egypttotal: 5,085 km (2014) standard gauge: 5,085 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 13 km (2014) narrow gauge: 12.5 km (2014) 0.914-m gauge Topic: Eritreatotal: 306 km (2018) narrow gauge: 306 km (2018) 0.950-m gauge Topic: Estoniatotal: 2,146 km (2016) broad gauge: 2,146 km (2016) 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway Topic: Eswatinitotal: 301 km (2014) narrow gauge: 301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 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 Topic: European Uniontotal: (2013) 230,548 km Topic: Fijitotal: 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 Topic: Finlandtotal: 5,926 km (2016) broad gauge: 5,926 km (2016) 1.524-m gauge (3,270 km electrified) Topic: Francetotal: 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) Topic: Gabontotal: 649 km (2014) standard gauge: 649 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Georgiatotal: 1,363 km (2014) narrow gauge: 37 km (2014) 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) broad gauge: 1,326 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) Topic: Germanytotal: 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-m gauge, 24 km 0.750-m gauge (2015) Topic: Ghanatotal: 947 km (2022) narrow gauge: 947 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Greecetotal: 2,548 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,565 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge 22 0.750-m gauge Topic: Guatemalatotal: 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) Topic: Guineatotal: 1,086 km (2017) standard gauge: 279 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 807 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Hondurastotal: 699 km (2014) narrow gauge: 164 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge 115 km 1.057-m gauge 420 km 0.914-m gauge Topic: Hungarytotal: 8,049 km (2014) standard gauge: 7,794 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (2,889 km electrified) narrow gauge: 219 km (2014) 0.760-m gauge broad gauge: 36 km (2014) 1.524-m gauge Topic: Indiatotal: 68,525 km (2014) narrow gauge: 1,604 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 63,950 km (2014) (39, 329 km electrified) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 8,159 km (2014) narrow gauge: 8,159 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) note: 4,816 km operational Topic: Irantotal: 8,484 km (2014) standard gauge: 8,389.5 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (189.5 km electrified) broad gauge: 94 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge Topic: Iraqtotal: 2,272 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,272 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Irelandtotal: 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) Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 63 km (2008) narrow gauge: 6 km (2008) 1.076-m gauge (6 km electrified) 57 0.914-m gauge (29 km electrified) note: primarily summer tourist attractions Topic: Israeltotal: 1,599 km (2019) (2019) standard gauge: 1,384 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Italytotal: 20,182 km (2014) standard gauge: 18,770.1 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (12,893.6 km electrified) narrow gauge: 122.3 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (122.3 km electrified) 1289.3 0.950-m gauge (151.3 km electrified) Topic: Japantotal: 27,311 km (2015) standard gauge: 4,800 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) narrow gauge: 124 km (2015) 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified) dual gauge: 132 km (2015) 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified) 22.207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified) 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) Topic: Jordantotal: 1,596 km (2020) narrow gauge: 509 km (2014) 1.050-m gauge Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 16,636 km (2020) broad gauge: 16,636 km (2020) 1.520-m gauge (4,237 km electrified) Topic: Kenyatotal: 3,819 km (2018) standard gauge: 485 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,334 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 7,435 km (2014) standard gauge: 7,435 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified) note: figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 3,979 km (2016) standard gauge: 3,979 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified) Topic: Kosovototal: 333 km (2015) standard gauge: 333 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 424 km (2022) broad gauge: 424 km (2018) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Latviatotal: 1,860 km (2018) narrow gauge: 34 km (2018) 0.750-m gauge broad gauge: 1,826 km (2018) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Lebanontotal: 401 km (2017) standard gauge: 319 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 82 km (2017) 1.050-m gauge note: rail system is still unusable due to damage sustained from fighting in the 1980s and in 2006 Topic: Liberiatotal: 429 km (2008) standard gauge: 345 km (2008) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 84 km (2008) 1.067-m gauge note: most sections of the railways inoperable due to damage sustained during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 9 km (2018) standard gauge: 9 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 1,768 km (2014) standard gauge: 22 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge broad gauge: 1,746 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (122 km electrified) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 275 km (2014) standard gauge: 275 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (275 km electrified) Topic: Madagascartotal: 836 km (2018) narrow gauge: 836 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Malawitotal: 767 km (2014) narrow gauge: 767 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Malaysiatotal: 1,851 km (2014) standard gauge: 59 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,792 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified) Topic: Malitotal: 593 km (2014) narrow gauge: 593 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 728 km (2014) standard gauge: 728 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Mexicototal: 23,389 km (2017) standard gauge: 23,389 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (27 km electrified) Topic: Moldovatotal: 1,171 km (2014) standard gauge: 14 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge broad gauge: 1,157 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Monaconote: Monaco has a single railway station but does not operate its own train service;  the French operator SNCF operates rail services in Monaco Topic: Mongoliatotal: 1,815 km (2017) broad gauge: 1,815 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge note: national operator Ulaanbaatar Railway is jointly owned by the Mongolian Government and by the Russian State Railway Topic: Montenegrototal: 250 km (2017) standard gauge: 250 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (224 km electrified) Topic: Moroccototal: 2,067 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,067 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 4,787 km (2014) narrow gauge: 4,787 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Namibiatotal: 2,628 km (2014) narrow gauge: 2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Nepaltotal: 59 km (2018) narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge Topic: Netherlandstotal: 3,058 km (2016) standard gauge: 3,058 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (2,314 km electrified) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 4,128 km (2018) narrow gauge: 4,128 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) Topic: Nigeriatotal: 3,798 km (2014) standard gauge: 293 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,505 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge note: as of the end of 2018, there were only six operational locomotives in Nigeria primarily used for passenger service; the majority of the rail lines are in a severe state of disrepair and need to be replaced Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 925 km (2017) standard gauge: 925 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (313 km electrified) Topic: Norwaytotal: 4,200 km (2019) standard gauge: 4,200 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge (2,480 km electrified) Topic: Pakistantotal: 11,881 km (2021) narrow gauge: 389 km (2021) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 11,492 km (2021) 1.676-m gauge (286 km electrified) Topic: Panamatotal: 77 km (2014) standard gauge: 77 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Paraguaytotal: 30 km (2014) standard gauge: 30 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Perutotal: 1,940 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 Topic: Philippinestotal: 77 km (2017) standard gauge: 49 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 28 km (2017) 1.067-m gauge Topic: Polandtotal: 19,231 km (2016) standard gauge: 18,836 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (11,874 km electrified) broad gauge: 395 km (2016) 1.524-m gauge Topic: Portugaltotal: 3,075 km (2014) narrow gauge: 108.1 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 2,439 km (2014) 1.668-m gauge (1,633.4 km electrified) other: 528 km (2014) (gauge unspecified) Topic: Romaniatotal: 11,268 km (2014) standard gauge: 10,781 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (3,292 km electrified) narrow gauge: 427 km (2014) 0.760-m gauge broad gauge: 60 km (2014) 1.524-m gauge Topic: Russiatotal: 87,157 km (2014) narrow gauge: 957 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (on Sakhalin Island) broad gauge: 86,200 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (40,300 km electrified) note: an additional 30,000 km of non-common carrier lines serve industries Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 50 km (2008) narrow gauge: 50 km (2008) 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts for tourists Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 5,410 km (2016) standard gauge: 5,410 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) Topic: Senegaltotal: 906 km (2017) (713 km operational in 2017) narrow gauge: 906 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Serbiatotal: 3,809 km (2015) standard gauge: 3,809 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (3,526 km one-track lines and 283 km double-track lines) out of which 1,279 km electrified (1,000 km one-track lines and 279 km double-track lines) Topic: Slovakiatotal: 3,580 km (2016) standard gauge: 3,435 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (1,587 km electrified) narrow gauge: 46 km (2016) 1.000-m or 0.750-m gauge broad gauge: 99 km (2016) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Sloveniatotal: 1,229 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,229 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified) Topic: South Africatotal: 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) Topic: South Sudantotal: 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 Topic: Spaintotal: 15,333 km (2017) (9,699 km electrified) standard gauge: 2,571 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (2,571 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,207 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge (400 km electrified) broad gauge: 11,333 km (2017) 1.668-m gauge (6,538 km electrified) mixed gauge: 190 km 1.668-m and 1.435m gage (190.1 km electrified); 28 km 0.914-m gauge (28 km electrified); 4 km 0.600-m gauge Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 1,562 km (2016) broad gauge: 1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge Topic: Sudantotal: 7,251 km (2014) narrow gauge: 5,851 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge 1,400 km 0.600-m gauge for cotton plantations Topic: Swedentotal: 14,127 km (2016) standard gauge: 14,062 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (12,322 km electrified) narrow gauge: 65 km (2016) 0.891-m gauge (65 km electrified) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 5,690 km (2015) (includes 19 km in neighboring countries) standard gauge: 3,836 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (3,634 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,630 km (2015) 1.200-m gauge (2 km electrified) (includes 19 km in neighboring countries) 1188 km 1.000-m gauge (1,167.3 km electrified) 36 km 0.800-m gauge (36.4 km electrified) Topic: Syriatotal: 2,052 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,801 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 251 km (2014) 1.050-m gauge Topic: Taiwantotal: 1,613 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 Topic: Tajikistantotal: 680 km (2014) broad gauge: 680 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 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 2707 km 1.000-m gauge Topic: Thailandtotal: 4,127 km (2017) standard gauge: 84 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (84 km electrified) narrow gauge: 4,043 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Togototal: 568 km (2014) narrow gauge: 568 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Tunisiatotal: 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 Topic: Turkeytotal: 12,710 km (2018) standard gauge: 11,497 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (1.435 km high speed train) Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 5,113 km (2017) broad gauge: 5,113 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge Topic: Ugandatotal: 1,244 km (2014) narrow gauge: 1,244 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Ukrainetotal: 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) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 16,837 km (2015) standard gauge: 16,534 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (5,357 km electrified) broad gauge: 303 km (2015) 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland) Topic: United Statestotal: 293,564 km (2014) standard gauge: 293,564.2 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Uruguaytotal: 1,673 km (2016) (operational; government claims overall length is 2,961 km) standard gauge: 1,673 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 4,642 km (2018) broad gauge: 4,642 km (2018) 1.520-m gauge (1,684 km electrified) Topic: Venezuelatotal: 447 km (2014) standard gauge: 447 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (41.4 km electrified) Topic: Vietnamtotal: 2,600 km (2014) standard gauge: 178 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge; 253 km mixed gauge narrow gauge: 2,169 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Topic: Worldtotal: 1,148,186 km (2013) Topic: Zambiatotal: 3,126 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,126 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge note: includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 3,427 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,427 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified)

20220901

countries-israel

Topic: Photos of Israel Topic: Introduction Background: Israel has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world. The State of Israel was established in 1948. The UN General Assembly had proposed to partition the British Mandate for Palestine into an Arab and Jewish state. Arab states rejected the UN plan and were subsequently defeated militarily in the 1948 war that followed the withdrawal of the British on 14 May 1948. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel and its Arab neighbors fought wars in 1967 and 1973 and Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the course of the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than 20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020. The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gasfields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements – brokered by the US – with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and reached an agreement with Sudan in early 2021.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Geographic coordinates: 31 30 N, 34 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 21,937 sq km land: 21,497 sq km water: 440 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 1,068 km border countries (6): Egypt 208 km; Gaza Strip 59 km; Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea); Lebanon 81 km; Syria 83 km; West Bank 330 km Coastline: 273 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Elevation: highest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m mean elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Land use: agricultural land: 23.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 13.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.3% (2018 est.) forest: 7.1% (2018 est.) other: 69.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and West Bank) - 1,020 sq km note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level Population distribution: population 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 Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Geography - note: note 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti) note 2: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock) note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019) Map description: Israel map showing major cities and significant features including - but not limited to - Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Note that in 2017 the US recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in 2019 recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.Israel map showing major cities and significant features including - but not limited to - Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Note that in 2017 the US recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in 2019 recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel. Topic: People and Society Population: 8,914,885 (2022 est.) (includes populations of the Golan Heights or Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) note: approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019); following the March 2019 US recognition of the Golan Heights as being part of Israel, The World Factbook no longer includes Israeli settler population of the Golan Heights (estimated at 23,400 in 2019) in its overall Israeli settler total Nationality: noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Ethnic groups: Jewish 74% (of which Israel-born 78.7%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 14.8%, Africa-born 4.2%, Asia-born 2.3%), Arab 21.1%, other 4.9% (2020 est.) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language) major-language sample(s): ספר עובדות העולם, המקור החיוני למידע בסיסי (Hebrew) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Jewish 74%, Muslim 18%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.5% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365) 15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721) 25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399) 55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709) 65 years and over: 11.96% (2020 est.) (male 467,980/female 569,816) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 67.3 youth dependency ratio: 46.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.8 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 30.4 years male: 29.8 years female: 31 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.44% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 17.41 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population 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 Urbanization: urban population: 92.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.51% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 4.344 million Tel Aviv-Yafo, 1.164 million Haifa, 957,000 JERUSALEM (capital) (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: 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.7 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.35 years male: 81.45 years female: 85.34 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.5% (2019) Physicians density: 3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.3% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2018 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,000 (2018) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100 Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel 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 Asia; Israel 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: 26.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 21.2% (2020 est.) male: 28.9% (2020 est.) female: 13.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 6.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 98.7% female: 96.8% (2011) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.9% male: 7.6% female: 8.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited arable land and restricted natural freshwater resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 19.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 65.17 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 13.02 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Land use: agricultural land: 23.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 13.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.3% (2018 est.) forest: 7.1% (2018 est.) other: 69.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 92.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.51% 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: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel 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 Asia; Israel 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: 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.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and West Bank) - 1,020 sq km note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level Total water withdrawal: municipal: 983 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 72 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.249 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1.78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: State of Israel conventional short form: Israel local long form: Medinat Yisra'el local short form: Yisra'el former: Mandatory Palestine etymology: named after the ancient Kingdom of Israel; according to Biblical tradition, the Jewish patriarch Jacob received the name "Israel" ("He who struggles with God") after he wrestled an entire night with an angel of the Lord; Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelites, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who formed the Kingdom of Israel Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem; note - the US recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017 without taking a position on the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the last Sunday in October etymology: Jerusalem's settlement may date back to 2800 B.C.; it is named Urushalim in Egyptian texts of the 14th century B.C.; "uru-shalim" likely means "foundation of [by] the god Shalim", and derives from Hebrew/Semitic "yry", "to found or lay a cornerstone", and Shalim, the Canaanite god of dusk and the nether world; Shalim was associated with sunset and peace and the name is based on the same S-L-M root from which Semitic words for "peace" are derived (Salam or Shalom in modern Arabic and Hebrew); this confluence has thus led to naming interpretations such as "The City of Peace" or "The Abode of Peace" Administrative divisions: 6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv Independence: 14 May 1948 (following League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May Constitution: history: no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws, and the Law of Return (as amended) amendments: proposed by Government of Israel ministers or by the Knesset; passage requires a majority vote of Knesset members and subject to Supreme Court judicial review; 11 of the 13 Basic Laws have been amended at least once, latest in 2020 (Basic Law: the Knesset) Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel dual citizenship recognized: yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship residency requirement for naturalization: 3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; 17 years of age for municipal elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Isaac HERZOG (since 7 July 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Yair LAPID serving as caretaker (since 1 July 2022); under the terms of the coalition government made a year ago, LAPID became prime minister on 1 July 2022, replacing former Prime Minister Naftali BENNETT cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Knesset for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2028); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, tasks a Knesset member (usually the member of the largest party) with forming a new government election results: Issac HERZOG elected president; Knesset vote - Issac HERZOG (independent) 87, Miriam PERETZ (independent) 26, invalid/blank 7 Legislative branch: description: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3.25% vote threshold to gain representation; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 23 March 2021; the Knesset was dissolved on 30 June 2022 (next scheduled for 1 November 2022) election results: percent by party - Likud 24.2%, Yesh Atid 13.9%, Shas 7.2%, Blue and White 6.6%, Yamina 6.2%, Labor 6.1%, UTJ 5.6%, Yisrael Beiteinu 5.6%, Religious Zionist Party 5.1%, Joint List 4.8%, New Hope 4.7%, Meretz 4.6%, Ra'am 3.8%, other 0.5%; seats by party - Likud 30, Yesh Atid 17, Shas 9, Blue and White 8, Yamina 7, Labor 7, UTJ 7, Yisrael Beiteinu 7, Religious Zionist Party 6, Joint List 6, New Hope 6, Meretz 6, Ra'am 4; composition as of March 2022 - men 84, women 36, percentage of women 30% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the president, deputy president, 13 justices, and 2 registrars) and normally sits in panels of 3 justices; in special cases, the panel is expanded with an uneven number of justices judge selection and term of office: judges selected by the 9-member Judicial Selection Committee, consisting of the Minister of Justice (chair), the president of the Supreme Court, two other Supreme Court justices, 1 other Cabinet minister, 2 Knesset members, and 2 representatives of the Israel Bar Association; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; family and juvenile courts; special and Rabbinical courts Political parties and leaders: Blue and White [Benny GANTZ] Joint Arab List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta’al, Balad) Labor [Merav MICHAELI] Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU] Meretz [Nitzan HOROWITZ] New Hope [Gideon SA'AR] United Arab List [Mansour ABBAS] Religious Zionist Party [Bezalel SMOTRICH, chairperson] SHAS [Aryeh DERI] United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah) Yamina [Naftali BENNETT] Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID] Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Blue and White [Benny GANTZ] Joint Arab List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta’al, Balad) Labor [Merav MICHAELI] Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU] Meretz [Nitzan HOROWITZ] New Hope [Gideon SA'AR] United Arab List [Mansour ABBAS] Religious Zionist Party [Bezalel SMOTRICH, chairperson] SHAS [Aryeh DERI] United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah) Yamina [Naftali BENNETT] Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID] Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] International organization participation: BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN, CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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 Flag description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times note: the Israeli flag proclamation states that the flag colors are sky blue and white, but the exact shade of blue has never been set and can vary from a light to a dark blue National symbol(s): Star of David (Magen David), menorah (seven-branched lampstand); national colors: blue, white National anthem: name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope) lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 9 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Masada; Old City of Acre; White City of Tel-Aviv - the Modern Movement; Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba; Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev; Bahá’i Holy Places; Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel; Caves of Maresha and Bet-Guvrin; Necropolis of Bet She’arim Topic: Economy Economic overview: Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.   Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.   Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan.   Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.   In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan. Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency. In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $353.39 billion (2020 est.) $362.23 billion (2019 est.) $350.15 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -2.6% (2020 est.) 3.28% (2019 est.) 3.69% (2018 est.) Real GDP per capita: $38,300 (2020 est.) $40,000 (2019 est.) $39,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $394.93 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2020 est.) 0.8% (2019 est.) 0.8% (2018 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A+ (2016) Moody's rating: A1 (2008) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2018) Note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained. GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.) industry: 26.5% (2017 est.) services: 69.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetables Industries: high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 3.893 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.1% industry: 17.3% services: 81.6% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2020 est.) 3.81% (2019 est.) 4% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.9% male: 7.6% female: 8.2% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 22% (2014 est.) note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37 (2018 est.) 39 (2016 est.) 39.2 (2008) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 31.3% (2010) Budget: revenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 72.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 59.6% of GDP (2019 est.) 60.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $20.642 billion (2020 est.) $13.411 billion (2019 est.) $7.888 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $113.87 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $115.57 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $110.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 26%, China 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2020) Exports - commodities: diamonds, packaged medicines, medical instruments, integrated circuits, refined petroleum (2019) Imports: $96.53 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $108.26 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $107.74 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 12%, China 11%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 7%, Turkey 6% (2020) Imports - commodities: diamonds, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $173.292 billion (2020 est.) $113 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $132.5 billion (31 December 2020 est.) $99.886 billion (2019 est.) $94.247 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.44 (2020 est.) 3.4684 (2019 est.) 3.7332 (2018 est.) 3.8869 (2014 est.) 3.5779 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 18.993 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 59,192,500,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 6.243 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.642 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 5.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.3% 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: 5.089 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 5.565 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 232,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 12.7 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 294,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 111,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 10,474,299,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 9,442,435,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 820.508 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 176.017 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 61.092 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 13.653 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 29.416 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 18.023 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 113.273 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3.37 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 12.27 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 142 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Israel’s developed economy largely revolves around high technology products, primarily used in the medical, biotechnology, agricultural, materials, and military industries; the country also attracts investment in its cyber-security industry, and has established itself as a hub for thousands of start-up companies; to underpin these developments, Israel has developed a robust telecoms sector; household broadband subscriptions is high, with a focus on fiber-network deployment; Bezeq offers FttP services with data rates of up to 2.5Gb/s; LTE services are almost universally available, while the August 2020 multi-frequency bands also enabled the MNOs to provide services based on 5G; 5G will be supported by moves to close down GSM and 3G networks in stages through to the end of 2025, with the physical assets and frequencies to be repurposed for LTE and 5G use. (2022) domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; competition among both fixed-line and mobile cellular providers results in good coverage countrywide; fixed-line nearly 36 per 100 and nearly 132 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian 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 Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019) Internet country code: .il Internet users: total: 8,293,590 (2020 est.) percent of population: 90% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,602,079 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 64 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,404,373 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 994.54 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 4X Airports: total: 42 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Pipelines: 763 km gas, 442 km oil, 261 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 1,384 km (2019) (2019) standard gauge: 1,384 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 19,555 km (2017) paved: 19,555 km (2017) (includes 449 km of expressways) Merchant marine: total: 41 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 29 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,584,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Hadera Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2022) note: the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and the IDF Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2021 est.) 5% of GDP (2020 est.) 5.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $20 billion) 5.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $19.9 billion) 5.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $19.7 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 173,000 active duty personnel (130,000 Ground Forces; 9,000 Naval; 34,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the majority of the IDF's inventory is comprised of weapons that are domestically-produced or imported from Europe and the US; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier of arms to Israel; Israel has a broad defense industrial base that can develop, produce, support, and sustain a wide variety of weapons systems for both domestic use and export, particularly armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and guided missiles (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 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 1: 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 note 2: as of 2021, conscripts comprised about 70% of the IDF ground forces Military - note: the United Nations 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 and since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has routinely carried out air strikes in Syria targeting Iranian, Iranian-backed militia and Hizballah forces, and some Syrian Government military positions; over the same period, the IDF has carried out numerous strikes against Hizballah in Lebanon in response to attacks on Israeli territory; Israel fought a month-long war in Lebanon with Hizballah in 2006 (see Appendix-T for details on Hizballah) as of 2022, the IDF also conducted frequent operations against the HAMAS and Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist groups operating out of the Gaza Strip; since seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, HAMAS has claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks into Israel and organized protests at the border between Gaza and Israel, resulting in violent clashes, casualties, and reprisal military actions by the IDF; HAMAS and Israel fought an 11-day conflict in May of 2021, which ended in an informal truce; sporadic clashes continued into 2022, including incendiary balloon attacks from Palestinian territory and retaliatory IDF strikes; PIJ has conducted numerous attacks on Israel since the 1980s, including a barrage of mortar and rocket strikes in February 2020 (see Appendix-T for more details on HAMAS and Palestine Islamic Jihad) Israel 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)as of 2022, the IDF also conducted frequent operations against the HAMAS and Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist groups operating out of the Gaza Strip; since seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, HAMAS has claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks into Israel and organized protests at the border between Gaza and Israel, resulting in violent clashes, casualties, and reprisal military actions by the IDF; HAMAS and Israel fought an 11-day conflict in May of 2021, which ended in an informal truce; sporadic clashes continued into 2022, including incendiary balloon attacks from Palestinian territory and retaliatory IDF strikes; PIJ has conducted numerous attacks on Israel since the 1980s, including a barrage of mortar and rocket strikes in February 2020 (see Appendix-T for more details on HAMAS and Palestine Islamic Jihad) Israel 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 Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian Islamic Jihad 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: Israel-Gaza Strip: Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005 Israel-Syria: Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); in March 2019, the US Government recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Israel-West Bank: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier constructionIsrael-Gaza Strip: Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005Israel-Syria: Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); in March 2019, the US Government recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region Israel-West Bank: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,181 (Eritrea), 5,061 (Ukraine) (2019) stateless persons: 42 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center

20220901

countries-burma

Topic: Photos of Burma Topic: Introduction Background: Burma, colonized by Britain in the 19th century and granted independence post-World War II, contains ethnic Burman and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have all resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history, extending to the several minority groups today that possess independent fighting forces and control pockets of territory. Burman and armed ethnic minorities fought off-and-on until military Gen. NE WIN seized power in 1962. He ruled Burma until 1988 when a military junta took control. In 1990, the junta permitted an election but then rejected the results when the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The junta placed ASSK under house arrest for much of the next 20 years, until November 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a "Saffron Revolution" consisting of large protests against the ruling junta, which violently suppressed the movement by killing an unknown number of participants and arresting thousands. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve its control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum, days after Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000. The junta conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed. With former or current military officers installed in its most senior positions, Burma began a halting process of political and economic reforms. Officials freed prisoners, brokered ceasefires with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), amended courts, expanded civil liberties, brought ASSK into government in 2012, and permitted the NLD in 2015 to take power after a sweeping electoral win.  However, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government, with ASSK as the de facto head of state, faced strong headwinds after five decades of military dictatorship. The NLD government drew international criticism for blocking investigations of Burma’s military for operations, which the US Department of State determined constituted genocide, on its Rohingya population that killed thousands and forced more than 770,000 Rohingya to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. The military did not support an NLD pledge in 2019 to examine reforming the military’s 2008 constitution. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced them as fraudulent. This challenge led Commander-in-Chief Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING (MAH) to launch a coup in February 2021 that has left Burma reeling with the return to authoritarian rule, the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors, and renewed brutal repression against protestors, widespread violence, and economic decline. Since the coup and subsequent crackdown, lawmakers elected in the November 2020 election and members of parliament ousted by the military have formed a shadow National Unity Government (NUG). Members of the NUG include representatives from the NLD, ethnic minority groups, civil society, and other minor parties. In May 2021, the NUG announced the formation of an an armed wing called the People's Defense Force, and in September announced the start of an insurgency against the military junta that has continued into 2022.Burma, colonized by Britain in the 19th century and granted independence post-World War II, contains ethnic Burman and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have all resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history, extending to the several minority groups today that possess independent fighting forces and control pockets of territory. Burman and armed ethnic minorities fought off-and-on until military Gen. NE WIN seized power in 1962. He ruled Burma until 1988 when a military junta took control. In 1990, the junta permitted an election but then rejected the results when the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The junta placed ASSK under house arrest for much of the next 20 years, until November 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a "Saffron Revolution" consisting of large protests against the ruling junta, which violently suppressed the movement by killing an unknown number of participants and arresting thousands. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve its control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum, days after Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000. The junta conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed. With former or current military officers installed in its most senior positions, Burma began a halting process of political and economic reforms. Officials freed prisoners, brokered ceasefires with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), amended courts, expanded civil liberties, brought ASSK into government in 2012, and permitted the NLD in 2015 to take power after a sweeping electoral win.  However, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government, with ASSK as the de facto head of state, faced strong headwinds after five decades of military dictatorship. The NLD government drew international criticism for blocking investigations of Burma’s military for operations, which the US Department of State determined constituted genocide, on its Rohingya population that killed thousands and forced more than 770,000 Rohingya to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. The military did not support an NLD pledge in 2019 to examine reforming the military’s 2008 constitution. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced them as fraudulent. This challenge led Commander-in-Chief Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING (MAH) to launch a coup in February 2021 that has left Burma reeling with the return to authoritarian rule, the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors, and renewed brutal repression against protestors, widespread violence, and economic decline.Since the coup and subsequent crackdown, lawmakers elected in the November 2020 election and members of parliament ousted by the military have formed a shadow National Unity Government (NUG). Members of the NUG include representatives from the NLD, ethnic minority groups, civil society, and other minor parties. In May 2021, the NUG announced the formation of an an armed wing called the People's Defense Force, and in September announced the start of an insurgency against the military junta that has continued into 2022.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Geographic coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 676,578 sq km land: 653,508 sq km water: 23,070 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,522 km border countries (5): Bangladesh 271 km; China 2,129 km; India 1,468 km; Laos 238 km; Thailand 2,416 km Coastline: 1,930 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 monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Elevation: highest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m mean elevation: 702 m Natural resources: petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 19.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.5% (2018 est.) forest: 48.2% (2018 est.) other: 32.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 22,950 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian 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) Population distribution: population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterway Map description: Burma map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Andaman Sea.Burma map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Andaman Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 57,526,449 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese Ethnic groups: Burman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% note: government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups Languages: Burmese (official) major-language sample(s): ကမ္ဘာ့အချက်အလက်စာအုပ်- အခြေခံအချက်အလက်တွေအတွက် မရှိမဖြစ်တဲ့ အရင်းအမြစ် (Burmese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: minority ethnic groups use their own languages Religions: Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.) note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith; as of December 2019, Muslims probably make up less than 3% of Burma's total population due to the large outmigration of the Rohingya population since 2017 Demographic profile: Burma’s 2014 national census – the first in more than 30 years – revealed that the country’s total population is approximately 51.5 million, significantly lower than the Burmese Government’s prior estimate of 61 million.  The Burmese Government assumed that the 2% population growth rate between 1973 and 1983 remained constant and that emigration was zero, ignoring later sample surveys showing declining fertility rates and substantial labor migration abroad in recent decades.  These factors reduced the estimated average annual growth rate between 2003 and 2014 to about .9%.  Among Southeast Asian countries, Burma’s life expectancy is among the lowest and its infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest.  The large difference in life expectancy between women and men has resulted in older age cohorts consisting of far more women than men. Burma’s demographic transition began in the 1950s, when mortality rates began to drop.  Fertility did not start to decrease until the 1960s, sustaining high population growth until the decline accelerated in the 1980s.  The birth rate has held fairly steady from 2000 until today.  Since the 1970s, the total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen more than 60%, from almost 6 children per woman to 2.2 in 2016.  The reduced TFR is largely a result of women marrying later and more women never marrying, both being associated with greater educational attainment and labor force participation among women.  TFR, however, varies regionally, between urban and rural areas, by educational attainment, and among ethnic groups, with fertility lowest in urban areas (where it is below replacement level). The shift in Burma’s age structure has been slow (45% of the population is still under 25 years of age) and uneven among its socioeconomic groups.  Any economic boost from the growth of the working-age population is likely to take longer to develop, to have a smaller impact, and to be distributed unequally.  Rural poverty and unemployment continue to drive high levels of internal and international migration.  The majority of labor migration is internal, mainly from rural to urban areas.  The new government’s growing regional integration, reforms, and improved diplomatic relations are increasing the pace of international migration and destination choices.  As many as 4-5 million Burmese, mostly from rural areas and several ethnic groups, have taken up unskilled jobs abroad in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Thailand is the most common destination, hosting about 70% of Burma’s international migrants, followed by Malaysia, China, and Singapore.  Burma is a patchwork of more than 130 religious and ethnic groups, distinguishing it as one of the most diverse countries in the region.  Ethnic minorities face substantial discrimination, and the Rohingya, the largest Muslim group, are arguably the most persecuted population in the country.  The Burmese Government and the Buddhist majority see the Rohingya as a threat to identity, competitors for jobs and resources, terrorists, and some still resent them for their alliance with Burma’s British colonizers during its 19th century.  Since at least the 1960s, they have been subjected to systematic human rights abuses, violence, marginalization, and disenfranchisement, which authorities continue to deny.  Despite living in Burma for centuries, many Burmese see the Rohingya as illegal Bengali immigrants and refer to them Bengalis.  As a result, the Rohingya have been classified as foreign residents and stripped of their citizenship, rendering them one of the largest stateless populations in the world.   Hundreds of thousands of Burmese from various ethnic groups have been internally displaced (an estimated 644,000 as of year-end 2016) or have fled to neighboring countries over the decades because of persecution, armed conflict, rural development projects, drought, and natural disasters.  Bangladesh has absorbed the most refugees from Burma, with an estimated 33,000 officially recognized and 200,000 to 500,000 unrecognized Rohingya refugees, as of 2016.  An escalation in violation has caused a surge in the inflow of Rohingya refugees since late August 2017, raising the number to an estimated 870,000.  As of June 2017, another approximately 132,500 refugees, largely Rohingya and Chin, were living in Malaysia, and more than 100,000, mostly Karen, were housed in camps along the Burma-Thailand border. Burma’s 2014 national census – the first in more than 30 years – revealed that the country’s total population is approximately 51.5 million, significantly lower than the Burmese Government’s prior estimate of 61 million.  The Burmese Government assumed that the 2% population growth rate between 1973 and 1983 remained constant and that emigration was zero, ignoring later sample surveys showing declining fertility rates and substantial labor migration abroad in recent decades.  These factors reduced the estimated average annual growth rate between 2003 and 2014 to about .9%.  Among Southeast Asian countries, Burma’s life expectancy is among the lowest and its infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest.  The large difference in life expectancy between women and men has resulted in older age cohorts consisting of far more women than men.Burma’s demographic transition began in the 1950s, when mortality rates began to drop.  Fertility did not start to decrease until the 1960s, sustaining high population growth until the decline accelerated in the 1980s.  The birth rate has held fairly steady from 2000 until today.  Since the 1970s, the total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen more than 60%, from almost 6 children per woman to 2.2 in 2016.  The reduced TFR is largely a result of women marrying later and more women never marrying, both being associated with greater educational attainment and labor force participation among women.  TFR, however, varies regionally, between urban and rural areas, by educational attainment, and among ethnic groups, with fertility lowest in urban areas (where it is below replacement level).The shift in Burma’s age structure has been slow (45% of the population is still under 25 years of age) and uneven among its socioeconomic groups.  Any economic boost from the growth of the working-age population is likely to take longer to develop, to have a smaller impact, and to be distributed unequally.  Rural poverty and unemployment continue to drive high levels of internal and international migration.  The majority of labor migration is internal, mainly from rural to urban areas.  The new government’s growing regional integration, reforms, and improved diplomatic relations are increasing the pace of international migration and destination choices.  As many as 4-5 million Burmese, mostly from rural areas and several ethnic groups, have taken up unskilled jobs abroad in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Thailand is the most common destination, hosting about 70% of Burma’s international migrants, followed by Malaysia, China, and Singapore. Burma is a patchwork of more than 130 religious and ethnic groups, distinguishing it as one of the most diverse countries in the region.  Ethnic minorities face substantial discrimination, and the Rohingya, the largest Muslim group, are arguably the most persecuted population in the country.  The Burmese Government and the Buddhist majority see the Rohingya as a threat to identity, competitors for jobs and resources, terrorists, and some still resent them for their alliance with Burma’s British colonizers during its 19th century.  Since at least the 1960s, they have been subjected to systematic human rights abuses, violence, marginalization, and disenfranchisement, which authorities continue to deny.  Despite living in Burma for centuries, many Burmese see the Rohingya as illegal Bengali immigrants and refer to them Bengalis.  As a result, the Rohingya have been classified as foreign residents and stripped of their citizenship, rendering them one of the largest stateless populations in the world.  Hundreds of thousands of Burmese from various ethnic groups have been internally displaced (an estimated 644,000 as of year-end 2016) or have fled to neighboring countries over the decades because of persecution, armed conflict, rural development projects, drought, and natural disasters.  Bangladesh has absorbed the most refugees from Burma, with an estimated 33,000 officially recognized and 200,000 to 500,000 unrecognized Rohingya refugees, as of 2016.  An escalation in violation has caused a surge in the inflow of Rohingya refugees since late August 2017, raising the number to an estimated 870,000.  As of June 2017, another approximately 132,500 refugees, largely Rohingya and Chin, were living in Malaysia, and more than 100,000, mostly Karen, were housed in camps along the Burma-Thailand border.  Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.97% (male 7,524,869/female 7,173,333) 15-24 years: 17% (male 4,852,122/female 4,769,412) 25-54 years: 42.76% (male 11,861,971/female 12,337,482) 55-64 years: 8.22% (male 2,179,616/female 2,472,681) 65 years and over: 6.04% (2020 est.) (male 1,489,807/female 1,928,778) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.5 youth dependency ratio: 37.3 elderly dependency ratio: 9.1 potential support ratio: 10.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.2 years male: 28.3 years female: 30 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.78% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.34 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.13 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated Urbanization: urban population: 31.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 5.514 million RANGOON (Yangon) (capital), 1.501 million Mandalay (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: 0.96 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 24.7 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 250 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.92 years male: 68.27 years female: 71.67 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.02 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 52.2% (2015/16) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.4% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 85.3% of population unimproved: urban: 4.6% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 14.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.74 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 93.9% of population rural: 81.3% of population total: 85.2% of population unimproved: urban: 6.1% of population rural: 18.7% of population total: 14.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 240,000 (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,700 (2019 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, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 44.1% (2020 est.) male: 68.5% (2020 est.) female: 19.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 19.1% (2017/18) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.9% women married by age 18: 16% men married by age 18: 5% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 2% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 92.4% female: 86.3% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 1.5% male: 1.4% female: 1.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to disease; rapid depletion of the country's natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 34.69 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 25.28 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 42.2 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Land use: agricultural land: 19.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.5% (2018 est.) forest: 48.2% (2018 est.) other: 32.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 31.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.69% 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 and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis animal contact diseases: rabies Food insecurity: severe 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) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,677,307 tons (2000 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian 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) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.323 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 498.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 29.57 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1,167,800,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar etymology: both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from the name of the majority Burman (Bamar) ethnic group note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the deposed parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not officially adopted the name Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Nay Pyi Taw (note - Yangon, aka Rangoon, is the former capital) geographic coordinates: 19 74 N, 96 12 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Nay Pyi Taw translates as: "Great City of the Sun" or "Abode of Kings" Administrative divisions: 7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon) states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan union territory: Nay Pyi Taw7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territoryregions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shanunion territory: Nay Pyi Taw Independence: 4 January 1948 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) Constitution: history: previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008 amendments: proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval; military granted 25% of parliamentary seats by default; amended 2015 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and 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: both parents must be citizens of Burma dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: none note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Prime Minister, State Administration Council (SAC) Chair, Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 1 August 2021); note - MIN AUNG HLAING self-appointed himself to the role of prime minister of a “caretaker” provisional government that subsumed the SAC on 1 August 2021; the SAC, chaired by MIN AUNG HLAING, has served as the executive governing body since 2 February 2021, following the 1 February 2021 military takeover of the government and the declaration of a state of emergency and still exists under the provisional government according to state media head of government: Prime Minister, State Administration Council (SAC) Chair, Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 1 August 2021); MIN AUNG HLAING self-appointed himself to the role of prime minister of a “caretaker” provisional government that subsumed the SAC on 1 August 2021 cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief; note - after 1 February, the military junta replaced the cabinet elections/appointments: prior to the military takeover, president was indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates become vice presidents (president elected for a 5-year term); election last held on 28 March 2018; the military junta pledged to hold new elections in 2023 election results: 2018: WIN MYINT elected president in an indirect by-election held on 28 March 2018 after the resignation of HTIN KYAW; Assembly of the Union vote - WIN MYINT (NLD) 403, MYINT SWE (USDP) 211, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 18, 4 votes canceled (636 votes cast); note - WIN MYINT and other key leaders of the ruling NLD party were placed under arrest following the military takeover on 1 February 2021 2016: Assembly of the Union vote - HTIN KYAW elected president; HTIN KYAW (NLD) 360, MYINT SWE (USDP) 213, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 79 (652 votes cast) state counsellor: State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); note - under arrest since 1 February 2021; formerly served as minister of foreign affairs and minister for the office of the president note: a parliamentary bill creating the position of "state counsellor" was signed into law by former President HTIN KYAW on 6 April 2016; a state counsellor serves the equivalent term of the president and is similar to a prime minister in that the holder acts as a link between the parliament and the executive branch Legislative branch: description: bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of: House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats, currently 433; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms); note - on 1 February 2021, the military dissolved the Assembly of the Union; the State Administration Council (SAC) governs in place of the Assembly of the Union elections: House of Nationalities - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025); note - the military junta overturned the results of the 8 November legislative elections election results: House of Nationalities - percent of vote by party - NLD 61.6%, USDP 3.1%, ANP 1.8%, MUP 1.3%, KySDP 1.3%, other 5.9%, military appointees 25%; seats by party - NLD 138, USDP 7, ANP 4, MUP 3, KySPD 3, SNLD 2, TNP 2, other 2, canceled due to insurgency 7, military appointees 56 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NLD 58.6%, USDP 5.9%, SNLD 3.0%, other 7.5%, military 25%; seats by party - NLD 258, USDP 26, SNLD 13, ANP 4, PNO 3, TNP 3, MUP 2, KySPD 2, other 4, canceled due to insurgency 15, military appointees 110 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial Political parties and leaders: Arakan National Party or ANP [THAR TUN HLA] Democratic Party or DP [U THU WAI] Kayah State Democratic Party or KySDP Kayin People's Party or KPP [TUN AUNG MYINT] Kokang Democracy and Unity Party or KDUP [LUO XINGGUANG] La Hu National Development Party or LHNDP [KYA HAR SHAL] Lisu National Development Party or LNDP [U ARKI DAW] Mon Unity Party (formed in 2019 from the All Mon Region Democracy Party and Mon National Party) National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE] National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SAN SUU KYI] National Unity Party or NUP [U HAN SHWE] Pa-O National Organization or PNO [AUNG KHAM HTI] People's Party [KO KO GYI] Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP [SAI AI PAO] Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD  Ta'ang National Party or TNP [AIK MONE] Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party or TNDP [ U SAI HTAY AUNG] Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP [THAN HTAY] Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State or UDPKS [U KHAT HTEIN NAN] Wa Democratic Party or WDP [KHUN HTUN LU] Wa National Unity Party or WNUP [NYI PALOTE] Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD [PU CIN SIAN THANG] numerous smaller parties International organization participation: ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires HTWE Hteik Tin Lwin (since 5 February 2022) 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: design consists of three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a large white five-pointed star that partially overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943-45, during the Japanese occupation National symbol(s): chinthe (mythical lion); national colors: yellow, green, red, white National anthem: name: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar) lyrics/music: SAYA TIN note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Pyu Ancient Cities; Bagan Topic: Economy Economic overview: Since Burma began the transition to a civilian-led government in 2011, the country initiated economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Burma established a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granted the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacted a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granted licenses to 13 foreign banks in 2014-16. State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, have sought to improve Burma’s investment climate following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases rules on foreign ownership of businesses. Burma’s economic growth rate recovered from a low growth under 6% in 2011 but has been volatile between 6% and 8% between 2014 and 2018. Burma’s abundant natural resources and young labor force have the potential to attract foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. The government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. The government has also taken steps to improve transparency in the mining and oil sectors through publication of reports under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2016 and 2018. Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese Government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as unclear land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system.Since Burma began the transition to a civilian-led government in 2011, the country initiated economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Burma established a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granted the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacted a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granted licenses to 13 foreign banks in 2014-16. State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, have sought to improve Burma’s investment climate following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases rules on foreign ownership of businesses.Burma’s economic growth rate recovered from a low growth under 6% in 2011 but has been volatile between 6% and 8% between 2014 and 2018. Burma’s abundant natural resources and young labor force have the potential to attract foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. The government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. The government has also taken steps to improve transparency in the mining and oil sectors through publication of reports under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2016 and 2018.Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese Government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as unclear land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $247.24 billion (2020 est.) $274.69 billion (2019 est.) $270.11 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.8% (2017 est.) 5.9% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,500 (2020 est.) $5,100 (2019 est.) $5,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $76.606 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.8% (2019 est.) 6.8% (2018 est.) 4.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24.1% (2017 est.) industry: 35.6% (2017 est.) services: 40.3% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 59.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: rice, sugar cane, beans, vegetables, milk, maize, poultry, groundnuts, fruit, plantains Industries: agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments; jade and gems Industrial production growth rate: 8.9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 22.3 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 7% services: 23% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 1.5% male: 1.4% female: 1.6% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 24.8% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 30.7 (2017 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Budget: revenues: 9.108 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.23 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 33.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 35.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $240 million (2019 est.) -$2.398 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $17.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $15.73 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars note: official export figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and Bangladesh Exports - partners: China 24%, Thailand 24%, Japan 7%, Germany 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: natural gas, clothing products, rice, copper, dried legumes (2019) Imports: $17.36 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $18.66 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India Imports - partners: China 43%, Thailand 15%, Singapore 12%, Indonesia 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, fabrics, motorcycles, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.924 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $4.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $6.594 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $8.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: kyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,361.9 (2017 est.) 1,234.87 (2016 est.) 1,234.87 (2015 est.) 1,162.62 (2014 est.) 984.35 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 51% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 7.247 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 20,474,380,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 1.002 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.405 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 52.6% 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: 47.3% 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: 1.468 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 1.981 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 514,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 6 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 7,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 146,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 4,700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 139 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 13,330 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 102,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 17,710,912,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 3,612,431,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 14,188,161,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 475.156 million cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 637.128 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 31.848 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 3.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 20.832 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.134 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 10.679 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 523,951 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 78,548,329 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Burma, one of the least developed telecom markets in Asia, saw growth in mobile and broadband services through foreign competition and roll out of 4G and 5G networks; infrastructure development challenged by flooding, unreliable electricity, inefficient bureaucracy, and corruption; digital divide affects rural areas; fixed broadband remains low due to number of fixed-lines and near saturation of the mobile platform; healthy m-banking platform; tests for NB-IoT; benefit from launch of regional satellite; government utilizes intermittent censorship and shut-down of Internet in political crisis; top importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021) (2020) domestic: fixed-line is just under 1 per 100, while mobile-cellular is roughly 90 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 95; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, SeaMeWe-5, AAE-1 and Singapore-Myanmar optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (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 controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations with 1 of the stations controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; access to satellite TV is limited; 1 state-controlled domestic radio station and 9 FM stations that are joint state-private ventures; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in parts of Burma; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast in Burma; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite to audiences in Burma; in March 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters, allowing them digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) and will rely upon MRTV’s transmission infrastructure; following the February 2021 military coup, the regime revoked the media licenses of most independent outlets, including the free-to-air licenses for DVB and Mizzima (2022) Internet country code: .mm Internet users: total: 19,043,428 (2020 est.) percent of population: 35% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 688,185 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 42 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,407,788 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.74 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: XY Airports: total: 64 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 13 (2021) Heliports: 11 (2021) Pipelines: 3,739 km gas, 1321 km oil (2017) Railways: total: 5,031 km (2008) narrow gauge: 5,031 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 157,000 km (2013) paved: 34,700 km (2013) unpaved: 122,300 km (2013) Waterways: 12,800 km (2011) Merchant marine: total: 95 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 39, oil tanker 5, other 49 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Mawlamyine (Moulmein), Sittwe river port(s): Rangoon (Yangon) (Rangoon River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Burmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People’s Militia; Ministry of Home Affairs: People's Police Force; Border Guard Forces/Police (2022) note: under the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw controls appointments of senior officials to lead the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Border Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs; in March 2022, a new law gave the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw the authority to appoint or remove the head of the police force Military expenditures: 4.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $7.7 billion) 4.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $8.1 billion) 4.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $7.8 billion) 4.9% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $7.8 billion) 5.1% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $7.9 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: estimates vary widely, from approximately 300,000 to as many as 400,000 active duty personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Burmese military inventory is comprised mostly of older Chinese and Russian/Soviet-era equipment with a smaller mix of more modern acquisitions; since 2010, China and Russia are the leading suppliers of military hardware; Burma has a limited defense industry, including a growing shipbuilding capability (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 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) Military - note: since the country's founding, the armed forces have been heavily involved in domestic politics, running the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the 2021 coup, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as of 2022, the military owned and operated two business conglomerates that had over 100 subsidiaries and close ties to other companies; the business activities of these conglomerates included banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supplied goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also managed a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations as of 2022, the military's primary operational focus was internal security, particularly attempts to quell a growing armed insurgency against the coup and operations against ethnic-based separatist groups; these operations have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, human rights abuses, and internal displacement ethnic-based armed groups have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since the country’s 1948 independence; as of 2022, there were approximately 20 such groups operating in Burma with strengths of a few hundred up to more than 20,000 estimated fighters; they reportedly controlled an estimated one-third of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups included the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army as of 2022, Burma also had a large number of armed militias which took many different forms and varied in allegiances and size; most were pro-military junta and associated with the Tatmadaw; some were integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces (BGF); the BGF were organized as 325-man battalions, which included a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, and government soldiers; they were armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias were not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure, but received direction from the military and were recognized as government militias; the amount of support they received from the Tatmadaw varied depending on local security conditions; the third type of pro-government militias were small community-based units that were armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; as of 2022, the military junta government was reportedly raising new militia units to help combat the popular uprising more than 400 local anti-military junta armed groups have reportedly formed since the military coup; in mid-2022, the National Unity Government claimed its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), had more than 60,000 fighters organized into battalions; in addition, several armed ethnic groups have added their support to anti-junta resistance groups or joined forces with local units of the PDF since the country's founding, the armed forces have been heavily involved in domestic politics, running the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the 2021 coup, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) as of 2022, the military owned and operated two business conglomerates that had over 100 subsidiaries and close ties to other companies; the business activities of these conglomerates included banking and insurance, hotels, tourism, jade and ruby mining, timber, construction, real estate, and the production of palm oil, sugar, soap, cement, beverages, drinking water, coal, and gas; some of the companies supplied goods and services to the military, such as food, clothing, insurance, and cellphone service; the military also managed a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations as of 2022, the military's primary operational focus was internal security, particularly attempts to quell a growing armed insurgency against the coup and operations against ethnic-based separatist groups; these operations have resulted in numerous civilian casualties, human rights abuses, and internal displacementethnic-based armed groups have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since the country’s 1948 independence; as of 2022, there were approximately 20 such groups operating in Burma with strengths of a few hundred up to more than 20,000 estimated fighters; they reportedly controlled an estimated one-third of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups included the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Armyas of 2022, Burma also had a large number of armed militias which took many different forms and varied in allegiances and size; most were pro-military junta and associated with the Tatmadaw; some were integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces (BGF); the BGF were organized as 325-man battalions, which included a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, and government soldiers; they were armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias were not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure, but received direction from the military and were recognized as government militias; the amount of support they received from the Tatmadaw varied depending on local security conditions; the third type of pro-government militias were small community-based units that were armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed; as of 2022, the military junta government was reportedly raising new militia units to help combat the popular uprising more than 400 local anti-military junta armed groups have reportedly formed since the military coup; in mid-2022, the National Unity Government claimed its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), had more than 60,000 fighters organized into battalions; in addition, several armed ethnic groups have added their support to anti-junta resistance groups or joined forces with local units of the PDF Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 912,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Rakhine State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border with Bangladesh in 2010; Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Burmese forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade, prompts local residents to periodically flee into neighboring Yunnan Province in China; fencing along the India-Burma international border at Manipur's Moreh town is in progress to check illegal drug trafficking and movement of militants; over 100,000 mostly Karen refugees and asylum seekers fleeing civil strife, political upheaval, and economic stagnation in Burma were living in remote camps in Thailand near the border as of May 2017over half of Burma's population consists of diverse ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in neighboring countries; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 912,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Rakhine State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border with Bangladesh in 2010; Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Burmese forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade, prompts local residents to periodically flee into neighboring Yunnan Province in China; fencing along the India-Burma international border at Manipur's Moreh town is in progress to check illegal drug trafficking and movement of militants; over 100,000 mostly Karen refugees and asylum seekers fleeing civil strife, political upheaval, and economic stagnation in Burma were living in remote camps in Thailand near the border as of May 2017 Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 671,011 (government offensives against armed ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) (2021) stateless persons: 600,000 (mid-year 2021); note - Rohingya Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a "national race" and stripped them of their citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as "non-nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali or be put in detention camps and face deportation; native-born but non-indigenous people, such as Indians, are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not grant citizenship to children born outside of the country to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled persecution, such as those born in Thailand; the number of stateless persons has decreased dramatically because hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since 25 August 2017 to escape violence note: estimate does not include stateless IDPs or stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they are included in estimates of IDPs (2017) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit men, women, and children through forced labor, and women and children in sex trafficking in Burma and abroad; Burmese men are forced to work domestically and abroad in fishing, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, and construction; fishermen are lured into forced labor in remote waters and offshore by recruitment agencies in Burma and Southeast Asia; Burmese women increasingly are lured to China for marriage under false pretenses and are subjected to sex trafficking, forced concubinage and childbearing, and forced domestic labor; men, women, and children in ethnic minority areas are at increased risk of sex trafficking and forced labor in farming, manufacturing, and construction; men and boys are recruited locally by traffickers for forced labor in oil palm, banana, and rubber plantations, in mining, fishing, and bamboo, teak, rice, and sugarcane harvesting; some military personnel, civilian brokers, border guard officials, and ethnic armed groups continue to recruit child soldiers, particularly in conflict areas tier rating: Tier 3 — Burma does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities increased the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes, including those involving officials, and the investigation of forced labor in the fishing sector; the government identified and referred more victims to care and enacted legislation enhancing protections for child victims; however, a policy or pattern of forced labor existed; the use of children in labor and support roles by the military increased in conflict zones in Rakhine and Shan States; displacement resulting from military conflict made Rohingya and other ethnic groups vulnerable to human trafficking; the constitutionally guaranteed power of the military continued to limit the government’s ability to address forced adult labor and child soldier recruitment; although authorities allocated increased funding to victim protection, most services to trafficking victims were provided by NGOs and foreign donors (2020) Illicit drugs: a major source of illicit methamphetamine and opiates; illicit import of precursor chemicals from China increased production and trafficking of synthetic drugs; second-largest opium poppy cultivator in Asia, with an estimated 20,200 hectares grown in 2019; “Yaba,” a tablet containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants, is produced in Burma and trafficked regionally; ethnic armed organizations, military-affiliated militias, and transnational criminal organizations oversee billion dollar a drug production and trafficking industry; drugs produced in Burma are trafficked beyond Southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; not a major source or transit country for drugs entering the United States   (2021)a major source of illicit methamphetamine and opiates; illicit import of precursor chemicals from China increased production and trafficking of synthetic drugs; second-largest opium poppy cultivator in Asia, with an estimated 20,200 hectares grown in 2019; “Yaba,” a tablet containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants, is produced in Burma and trafficked regionally; ethnic armed organizations, military-affiliated militias, and transnational criminal organizations oversee billion dollar a drug production and trafficking industry; drugs produced in Burma are trafficked beyond Southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; not a major source or transit country for drugs entering the United States 

20220901

field-military-and-security-forces

This entry lists the military and security forces subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces), as well as those belonging to interior ministries or the equivalent (typically gendarmeries, border/coast guards, paramilitary police, and other internal security forces). Topic: Afghanistanas of 2022, the Taliban had established a Ministry of Defense and named commanders and deputy commanders for 8 regional corps; in December 2021, it announced the formation of a police force (2022) Topic: AlbaniaRepublic of Albania Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (FARSH)): Land Forces, Navy Forces (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces Ministry of Interior: Guard of the Republic, State Police (includes the Border and Migration Police) (2022) note - the State Police are primarily responsible for internal security, while the Guard of the Republic protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties Topic: AlgeriaAlgerian People's National Army (ANP): Land Forces, Naval Forces (includes coast guard), Air Forces, Territorial Air Defense Forces, Republican Guard (under ANP, but responsible to the President), National Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of National Security (national police) (2022) Topic: Andorrano regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra Topic: AngolaAngolan Armed Forces (Forcas Armadas Angolanas, FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA; under operational control of the Army); Rapid Reaction Police (paramilitary) (2022) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF): Coast Guard and the Antigua and Barbuda Regiment (2022) Topic: ArgentinaArmed Forces of the Argentine Republic (Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina): Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino, EA), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica, ARA; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA); Ministry of Security: Gendarmería Nacional Argentina (National Gendarmerie), Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval)  (2022) Topic: ArmeniaArmenian Armed Forces: Armenian Army (includes land, air, air defense forces) (2022) Topic: Arubano regular military forces; Aruban Militia (ARUMIL) (2022) Topic: AustraliaAustralian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army (includes Special Operations Command), Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force), Royal Australian Air Force (2022) Topic: AustriaAustrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Forces, Cyber Forces, Special Forces (2022) Topic: AzerbaijanLand Forces (Combined Arms Army), Air Forces, Navy Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: State Border Service (includes Coast Guard), Internal Security Troops (2021) Topic: Bahamas, TheRoyal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF): includes land, air, maritime elements (2022) note - the Royal Bahamas Police Force maintains internal security; the Defense Force is primarily responsible for external security but also provides security at a detention center for migrants and performs some domestic security functions, such as guarding embassies; both report to the minister of national security  Topic: BahrainBahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes the Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard (2022) note(s) - the Royal Guard is officially under the command of the Army, but exercises considerable autonomy; the National Guard's primary mission is to guard critical infrastructure such as the airport and oil fields; while the Guard is under the Ministry of Interior, it reports directly to the king Topic: BangladeshBangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2022) note(s) - the RAB, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security; the RAB is a joint task force founded in 2004 and composed of members of the police, army, navy, air force, and border guards seconded to the RAB from their respective units; its mandate includes internal security, intelligence gathering related to criminal activities, and government-directed investigations Topic: BarbadosBarbados Defense Force: The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2022) Topic: BelarusBelarus Armed Forces: Army, Air and Air Defense Force, Special Operations Force, Special Troops (electronic warfare, signals, engineers, biological/chemical/nuclear protection troops, etc); Ministry of Interior: State Border Troops, Militia, Internal Troops (2021) Topic: BelgiumBelgian Armed Forces: Land Component, Marine (Naval) Component, Air Component, Medical Service (2022) Topic: BelizeBelize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard (2022) note - the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security is responsible for oversight of the BDF and the Coast Guard, while the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries has responsibility for police and prisons Topic: BeninBenin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army, Navy, Air Force; Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2022) Topic: BermudaRoyal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2022) note - the Royal Bermuda Regiment is a reserve multi-role battalion that carries out two primary functions – providing military aid to civil authorities and humanitarian and disaster relief Topic: BhutanRoyal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and an air wing); National Militia; Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2022) note - the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) agency is responsible for internal security; the Army is responsible for external threats but also has responsibility for some internal security functions, including conducting counterinsurgency operations, guarding forests, and providing security for prominent persons Topic: BoliviaBolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito de Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB); Ministry of Government: National Police (Policía Nacional de Bolivia, PNB; includes paramilitary Anti-Narcotics Special Forces (Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Narcotráfico, FELCN)) and an Anti-Terrorist Group (GAT) (2022) note(s) - the National Police is part of the reserves for the Armed Forces; the police and military share for border enforcement Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaArmed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH or Oruzanih Snaga Bosne i Hercegovine, OSBiH): Operations Command (includes Army, Air, and Air Defense units), Support Command (2022) Topic: BotswanaBotswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2022) note - both the armed forces and the Botswana Police Service report to the Ministry of Defense, Justice, and Security Topic: BrazilBrazilian 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) (2021) Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryno regular military forces Topic: BruneiRoyal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2022) Topic: BulgariaBulgarian Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Voennovazdushni Sili, VVS), Joint Special Forces; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2022) Topic: Burkina FasoArmed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF): Army of Burkina Faso (L’Armee de Terre, LAT), Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie; Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) (2022) note(s) - the National Gendarmerie officially reports to the Ministry of Defense, but usually operates in support of the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Justice; Gendarmerie troops are typically integrated with Army forces in anti-terrorism operations; the VDP is a civilian defense force established in 2019 to act as auxiliaries to the military in the fight against militants Topic: BurmaBurmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People’s Militia; Ministry of Home Affairs: People's Police Force; Border Guard Forces/Police (2022) note(s) - under the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw controls appointments of senior officials to lead the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Border Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs; in March 2022, a new law gave the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw the authority to appoint or remove the head of the police force Topic: BurundiNational Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, air wing); Ministry of Public Security: National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi) (2022) Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo 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) Topic: CambodiaRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie; the National Committee for Maritime Security (performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies); Ministry of Interior: Cambodian National Police (2022) Topic: CameroonCameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique, MNR, includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bataillons d’Intervention Rapide, BIR), National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard (2022) note(s) - the National Police and the National Gendarmerie are responsible for internal security; the Police report to the General Delegation of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Secretariat of State for Defense in charge of the Gendarmerie; the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) maintains its own command and control structure and reports directly to the president; it is a large brigade-sized force comprised of approximately 9 battalions, detachments, or groups (5 infantry, 1 airborne, 1 amphibious, 1 armored reconnaissance, and 1 counter-terrorism) Topic: CanadaCanadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command; Primary Reserve (army, air, naval reserves); Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) (2022) note - the Army reserves include the Canadian Rangers, which provides a limited presence in Canada's northern, coastal, and isolated areas for sovereignty, public safety, and surveillance roles Topic: Cayman Islandsno regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Topic: Central African RepublicCentral African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Army (includes an air squadron, Escadrille Centrafricaine); Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale), National Police (2022) note - in 2019-2021, CAR created three Mixed Special Security units (Unités Spéciales Mixtes de Sécurité or USMS), regionally based battalion-sized units comprised of about 40% government and 60% rebel soldiers that are intended to provide security along transportation corridors and at mining sites; the units are intended to be transitional in nature with a scheduled deployment time of two years Topic: ChadChadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT): Ground Forces (l'Armee de Terre, AdT), Chadian Air Force (l'Armee de l'Air Tchadienne, AAT), General Direction of the Security Services of State Institutions (Direction Generale des Services de Securite des Institutions de l'Etat, GDSSIE); National Gendarmerie; Ministry of Public Security and Immigration: National Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT), Chadian National Police (2022) note(s) - the GDSSIE, formerly known as the Republican Guard, is the presidential guard force and is considered to be Chad's elite military unit; it is reportedly a division-size unit with infantry, armor, and special forces/anti-terrorism regiments (known as the Special Anti-Terrorist Group or SATG, aka Division of Special Anti-Terrorist Groups or DGSAT) Topic: ChileArmed Forces of Chile (Fuerzas Armadas de Chile): Chilean Army (Ejército de Chile), Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes marine units and coast guard or Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh); Ministry of the Interior and Public Security: Carabineros de Chile (National Police Force) (2022) note - Carabineros de Chile are responsible to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior Topic: ChinaPeople's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (PLAN, includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (PLAAF, includes airborne forces), Rocket Force (strategic missile force), and Strategic Support Force (information, electronic, and cyber warfare, as well as space forces); People's Armed Police (PAP, includes Coast Guard, Border Defense Force, Internal Security Forces); PLA Reserve Force (2022) note(s) - the Strategic Support Force includes the Space Systems Department, which is responsible for nearly all PLA space operations, including space launch and support, space surveillance, space information support, space telemetry, tracking, and control, and space warfare the PAP is a paramilitary police component of China’s armed forces that is under the command of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and charged with internal security, law enforcement, counterterrorism, and maritime rights protection in 2018, the Coast Guard was moved from the State Oceanic Administration to the PAP; in 2013, China merged four of its five major maritime law enforcement agencies – the China Marine Surveillance (CMS), Maritime Police, Fishery Law Enforcement (FLE), and Anti-Smuggling Police – into a unified coast guard Topic: ColombiaMilitary 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 (civilian force that is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense) (2022) Topic: ComorosNational Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (2021) note - when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theArmed 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 Topic: Congo, Republic of theCongolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie (2022) Topic: Cook Islandsno regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service Topic: Costa Ricano regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras); Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2022) note - Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949 Topic: Cote d'IvoireArmed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (Forces Armees de Cote d'Ivoire, FACI; aka Republican Forces of Ivory Coast, FRCI): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale), Cote Air Force (Force Aerienne Cote), Special Forces (Forces Speciale); National Gendarmerie (under the Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Security and Civil Protection: National Police; Coordination Center for Operational Decisions (a mix of police, gendarmerie, and FACI personnel for assisting police in providing security in some large cities) (2022) Topic: CroatiaArmed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH): Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM, includes Coast Guard), Air Force and Air Defense Forces; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2022) Topic: CubaRevolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Revolucionario, ER), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR, includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Forces (Defensas Anti-Aereas y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria, DAAFAR); Paramilitary forces: Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT), Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT), Civil Defense Force; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards, State Security, National Revolutionary Police (2022) Topic: Curacaono regular military forces; Curaçao Militia (CURMIL) (2022) Topic: CyprusRepublic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF, includes Army Land Forces, Naval Command, Air Command) (2022) Topic: CzechiaCzech Armed Forces: Land Forces; Air Forces; Cyber Forces; Special Forces (2022) Topic: DenmarkDanish Armed Forces (Forsvaret): Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Danish Home Guard (Reserves) (2022) note - the Danish military maintains a Joint Arctic Command with the mission of protecting the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark in the Arctic Region, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland; the command also conducts maritime pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, fishery inspections, search and rescue, hydrographical surveys, and provides support to governmental science missions Topic: DjiboutiDjibouti Armed Forces (FAD): Army, Navy, Air Force; Djibouti Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie, National Police (2022) note - the National Police is responsible for security within Djibouti City and has primary control over immigration and customs procedures for all land border-crossing points, while the National Gendarmerie is responsible for all security outside of Djibouti City, as well as for protecting critical infrastructure within the city, such as the international airport Topic: Dominicano regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) under the Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security (2022) Topic: Dominican RepublicArmed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG, includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2022) note(s) - in addition to the military, the Ministry of Armed Forces directs the Airport Security Authority and Civil Aviation, Port Security Authority, the Tourist Security Corps, and Border Security Corps; the National Police (Policia Nacional) are under the Ministry of Interior Topic: EcuadorEcuadorian Armed Forces: the Ecuadorian Army (Ejército Ecuatoriano), Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador, Fuerza Naval del Ecuador, FNE, includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2022) note - the National Police of Ecuador (Policía Nacional del Ecuador) is under the Ministry of Government Topic: EgyptEgyptian 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(s) - 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; 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” Topic: El Salvadorthe 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 1,000-strong combined Army commando and special police unit to combat criminal gang violence Topic: Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army)), Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (2022) note - the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense and is responsible for security outside cities and for special events; military personnel also fulfill some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas Topic: EritreaEritrean Defense Forces: Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2022) Topic: EstoniaEstonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League (Reserves) (2022) Topic: EswatiniUmbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Army (includes a small air wing) (2022) Topic: EthiopiaEthiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (Ye Ityopya Ayer Hayl, ETAF) (2022) note(s) - 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 in 2018, Ethiopia established a Republican Guard military unit responsible to the Prime Minister for protecting senior officials Topic: European Unionthe EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) provides the civilian, military, and political structures for EU crisis management and security issues; the highest bodies are: the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which meets at the ambassadorial level as a preparatory body for the Council of the EU; it assists with defining policies and preparing a crisis response the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the EU's highest military body; it is composed of the chiefs of defense (CHODs) of the Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives; the EUMC provides the PSC with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC in parallel with the EUMC on civilian aspects of crisis management the Politico-Military Group (PMG) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC on political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions, and monitors implementation other bodies set up under the CSDP include; the Security and Defense Policy Directorate (SECDEFPOL), the Integrated approach for Security and Peace Directorate (ISP), the EU Military Staff (EUMS), the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), the Military  Planning  and  Conduct  Capability (MPCC), the European Defense Agency, the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), the EU Institute for Security Studies, and the EU Satellite Center (2021)the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) provides the civilian, military, and political structures for EU crisis management and security issues; the highest bodies are:the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which meets at the ambassadorial level as a preparatory body for the Council of the EU; it assists with defining policies and preparing a crisis responsethe European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the EU's highest military body; it is composed of the chiefs of defense (CHODs) of the Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives; the EUMC provides the PSC with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EUthe Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC in parallel with the EUMC on civilian aspects of crisis managementthe Politico-Military Group (PMG) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC on political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions, and monitors implementationother bodies set up under the CSDP include; the Security and Defense Policy Directorate (SECDEFPOL), the Integrated approach for Security and Peace Directorate (ISP), the EU Military Staff (EUMS), the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), the Military  Planning  and  Conduct  Capability (MPCC), the European Defense Agency, the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), the EU Institute for Security Studies, and the EU Satellite Center (2021) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)no regular military forces Topic: Faroe Islandsno regular military forces or conscription (2021) Topic: FijiRepublic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF): Land Force Command, Maritime Command; Fiji Police Force (2021) 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 Topic: FinlandFinnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army (Maavoimat), Navy (Merivoimat), Air Force (Ilmavoimat); Ministry of the Interior: Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) (2022) note - the Border Guard becomes part of the FDF in wartime Topic: FranceFrench 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 (paramilitary police force that is a branch of the Armed Forces but under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior; also has additional duties to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice) (2022) Topic: French Polynesiano regular military forces Topic: GabonGabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Forces, National Gendarmerie; Republican Guard (land forces under direct presidential control) (2022) Topic: Gambia, TheGambia Armed Forces: the Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambia Navy, Gambia Air Force, Republican National Guard (responsible for VIP protection, riot control, and presidential security) (2022) Topic: Gaza StripHAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the HAMAS Political Bureau; there are several other militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, most notably the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are usually but not always beholden to HAMAS's authority (2021) Topic: GeorgiaGeorgian Defense Forces: Land Forces (includes Aviation and Air Defense Forces), Special Operations Forces, National Guard; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Border Police, Coast Guard (includes Georgian naval forces, which were merged with the Coast Guard in 2009) (2022) Topic: GermanyFederal 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) Topic: GhanaGhana Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2022) Topic: GibraltarRoyal Gibraltar Regiment (2022) Topic: GreeceHellenic Armed Forces: Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES; includes National Guard reserves), Hellenic Navy (Elliniko Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, EPA; includes air defense); Ministry of Shipping Affairs and Island Policy: Coast Guard (2022) note - the police (under the Ministry of Citizen Protection) and the armed forces (Ministry of National Defense) share law enforcement duties in certain border areas; border protection is coordinated by a deputy minister for national defense Topic: Greenlandno regular military forces or conscription Topic: Grenadano regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2022) Topic: GuatemalaArmy 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) Topic: GuineaNational Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Presidential Security Battalion (Battailon Autonome de la Sécurité Presidentielle, BASP), Gendarmerie (2022) note - the National Gendarmerie is overseen by the Ministry of Defense, while the National Police is under the Ministry of Security; the Gendarmerie and National Police share responsibility for internal security, but only the Gendarmerie can arrest police or military officials Topic: Guinea-BissauPeople's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force Ministry of Internal Administration: Guard Nacional (a gendarmerie force), Public Order Police, Border Police, Rapid Intervention Police, Maritime Police (2022) note - the Public Order Police is responsible for maintaining law and order, while the Judicial Police, under the Ministry of Justice, has primary responsibility for investigating drug trafficking, terrorism, and other transnational crimes Topic: Guyanathe Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as a militia (Guyana People's Militia) (2022) Topic: Haitithe Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH), disbanded in 1995, began to be reconstituted in 2017 to assist with natural disaster relief, border security, and combating transnational crime; it established an Army command in 2018 (2022) note - the Haitian National Police (under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security) has a number of specialized units, including a coast guard, a presidential guard, and a paramilitary rapid-response Motorized Intervention Unit or BIM    Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia); the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City (Corpo della Gendarmeriais) is a police force that helps augment the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps during the Pope’s appearances, as well as providing general security, traffic direction, and investigative duties for the Vatican City State (2022) Topic: HondurasHonduran Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, FFAA): Army (Ejercito), Honduran Naval Force (FNH; includes marines), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH), Honduran Military Police of Public Order (PMOP); Security Secretariat: Public Security Forces (includes Honduran National Police paramilitary units) (2022) note - the PMOP was created in 2013 to support the Honduran National Police (HNP) against narcotics trafficking and organized crime; since its creation, the PMOP’s role in internal security has expanded; it was used against election protesters in 2017, for example, and it has been accused of human rights violations; as of 2022, the PMOP was composed of 8 battalions of military personnel (approximately 5,000 troops) who had undergone some police training; it reported to military authorities but conducted operations sanctioned by both civilian security officials and military leaders Topic: Hong Kongno regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit) the Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command (2021) Topic: Hungarythe Hungarian Defense Forces are a unified force (Joint Force Command) with Land Forces, Air Forces, and Logistics components (2022) Topic: Icelandno regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Icelandic Coast Guard (includes both air and maritime elements); Icelandic National Police (2022) Topic: IndiaIndian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard; Defense Security Corps (provides security for Ministry of Defense sites); Ministry of Home Affairs paramilitary forces: Central Armed Police Forces (includes Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Security Guards, Sashastra Seema Bal) (2022) note - the Assam Rifles are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, while operational control falls under the Ministry of Defense (specifically the Indian Army) Topic: IndonesiaIndonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), includes Marine Corps (Korps Marinir, KorMar), Naval Aviation Center (PUSPENERBAL)), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Komando Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kohanudnas)), Armed Forces Special Operations Command (Kopassus), Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), National Army Reserve Component (Komcad) (2022) note(s) - in 2014, Indonesia created a Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to coordinate the actions of all maritime security agencies, including the Navy, the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard (Kesatuan Penjagaan Laut dan Pantai, KPLP), the Water Police (Polair), Customs (Bea Cukai), and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries the Indonesian National Police includes a paramilitary Mobile Brigade Corps (BRIMOB); following the Bali terror bombing in 2002, the National Police formed a special counter-terrorism force called Detachment 88 (Densus or Detasemen Khusus 88 Antiteror) Topic: IranIslamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Aerospace Force (controls strategic missile force), Qods Force (aka Quds Force; special operations), Cyber Electronic Command, Basij Paramilitary Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (border and security troops, assigned to the armed forces in wartime) (2022) note(s) - the Artesh Navy operates Iran’s larger warships and operates in the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and deep waters in the region and beyond; the IRGC Navy has responsibility for the closer-in Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz; the Basij is a volunteer paramilitary group with local organizations across the country, which sometimes acts as an auxiliary law enforcement unit subordinate to IRGC ground forces Topic: IraqMinistry of Defense: Iraqi Army, Army Aviation Command, Iraqi Navy, Iraqi Air Force, Iraqi Air Defense Command, Special Forces Command, Special Security Division (Green Zone protection) National-Level Security Forces: Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS), Prime Minister's Special Forces Division, Presidential Brigades Ministry of Interior: Federal Police Forces Command, Border Guard Forces Command, Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency, Emergency Response Division, Facilities Protection Directorate, and Provincial Police Ministry of Oil: Energy Police Directorate Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Peshmerga: Regional Guard Brigades, Unit (or Division) 70 Forces, Unit (or Division) 80 Forces, special operations/counter-terrorism forces (Counter Terrorism Group, CTG and Counter Terrorism Directorate, CTD); note - Unit 70 and the CTG are associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political party, while Unit 80 and the CTD are associated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP); Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Interior: Zeravani and Emergency Response Forces (paramilitary internal security forces) Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC): Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Tribal Mobilization Forces (TMF); the PMF and TMF are a collection of approximately 60 militias of widely varied sizes and political interests (2022) Topic: IrelandIrish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defense Forces (2022) Topic: IsraelIsrael Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2022) note - the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and the IDF Topic: ItalyItalian Armed Forces: Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI; includes aviation, marines), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI); Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2022) note(s) - the Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie; for its civil police functions, the Carabinieri falls under the control of the Ministry of the Interior; the Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance is a force with military status and nationwide remit for financial crime investigations, including narcotics trafficking, smuggling, and illegal immigration Topic: JamaicaJamaica Defense Force (JDF): Jamaica Regiment (Ground Forces), Maritime-Air-Cyber Command (includes Coast Guard, Air Wing, Military Intelligence Unit, Special Activities Regiment, and Military Cyber Corps), Support Brigade (logistics, engineers, health service, and military police); Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) (2022) note - both the JDF and JCF are under the Ministry of National Security Topic: JapanJapan Self-Defense Force (JSDF): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF; includes aviation), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF; includes naval aviation), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF); Japan Coast Guard (Ministry of Land, Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism) (2022) Topic: JordanJordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Army (includes Special Operations Forces, Border Guards, Royal Guard), Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Jordanian Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: Public Security Directorate (includes national police, the Gendarmerie, and the Civil Defense Directorate) (2022) note - the armed forces report administratively to the minister of defense and have a support role for internal security; here is no separate Ministry of Defense; the prime minister also serves as defense minister Topic: KazakhstanArmed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police; Committee for National Security: Border Service (2022) Topic: KenyaKenya Defense Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force (2022) note - the National Police Service maintains internal security and reports to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; it includes a paramilitary General Service Unit; the Kenya Coast Guard Service (established 2018) is under the Ministry of Interior, but led by a military officer and comprised of personnel from the military, as well as the National Police Service, intelligence services, and other government agencies Topic: Kiribatino regular military forces; Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice) Topic: Korea, NorthKorean People's Army (KPA): KPA Ground Forces, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force and Air Defense Forces, KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces); KPA Special Forces (special operations forces) Security Guard Command (aka Bodyguard Command; protects the Kim family, other senior leadership figures, and government facilities); Ministry of Public Security: Border Guards, civil security forces (2021) note - the North also has a large paramilitary force organized into the Worker Peasant Red Guard and Red Youth Guard; these organizations are present at all levels of government (province, county, ward) and are under the control of the Korean Workers' Party in peacetime, but revert to KPA control in crisis or war; they are often mobilized for domestic projects, such as road building and agricultural support Topic: Korea, SouthArmed Forces of the Republic of Korea: Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Navy (ROKN, includes Marine Corps, ROKMC), Air Force (ROKAF); Military reserves include Mobilization Reserve Forces (First Combat Forces) and Homeland Defense Forces (Regional Combat Forces); Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Korea Coast Guard (2022) note - in January 2022, the South Korean military announced the formation of a space branch Topic: KosovoKosovo Security Force (KSF): Land Force Command; Logistics Command; Doctrine and Training Command; National Guard Command (2022) as of 2022, the Kosovo Government continued the process of transitioning the KSF into a multi-ethnic territorial defense force, in accordance with a 10-year plan which began in 2019 Topic: KuwaitKuwaiti Armed Forces: Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya; includes Kuwaiti Air Defense Force, KADF), 25th Commando Brigade, and the Kuwait Emiri Guard Brigade; Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG); Coast Guard (Ministry of Interior) (2022) note(s) - the Kuwait Amiri Guard Authority and the 25th Commando Brigade exercise independent command authority within the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, although activities such as training and equipment procurement are often coordinated with the other services; the Kuwaiti National Guard reports directly to the prime minister and the amir and possesses an independent command structure, equipment inventory, and logistics corps separate from the Ministry of Defense, the regular armed services, and the Ministry of Interior; it is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required Topic: KyrgyzstanKyrgyz Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard; Internal Troops; State Committee for National Security (GKNB): Border Service (2022) Topic: LaosLao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2022) Topic: LatviaNational Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (2022) Topic: LebanonLebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces; Ministry of Interior: Internal Security Forces Directorate (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), Directorate for General Security (DGS; border control, some domestic security duties) (2022) note(s) - the commander of the LAF is also the commander of the Army; the LAF patrols external borders, while official checkpoints are under the authority of Directorate for General Security Topic: LesothoLesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2021) note - the Lesotho Mounted Police Service is responsible for internal security and reports to the Minister of Police and Public Safety Topic: LiberiaArmed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Liberian Coast Guard, Air Wing (2022) note(s) - the AFL Air Wing was previously disbanded in 2005 and has been under development since 2019; the Liberian National Police and the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency are under the Ministry of Justice Topic: LibyaLibya lacks a nationwide military and the interim government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), relies on its cooperation with disparate militias that it cannot entirely control for security; the GNU has access to various ground, air, and naval/coast guard forces comprised of a mix of semi-regular military units, militias, civilian volunteers, and foreign troops and mercenaries the Libyan National Army (LNA), under de facto LNA commander Khalifa HAFTER, also includes various ground, air, and naval units comprised of semi-regular military personnel, militias, and foreign troops and mercenaries; as of 2022, the LNA operated independently from the GNU and exerted influence throughout eastern, central, and southern Libya (2022) note - the Stability Support Authority (SSA) is a state-funded militia established in January 2021 by the GNU; it is tasked with securing government buildings and officials, participating in combat operations, apprehending those suspected of national security crimes, and cooperating with other security bodies Topic: Liechtensteinno regular military forces; the National Police is responsible for all matters relating to the safety and security of Liechtenstein Topic: LithuaniaLithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Operations Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); National Defense Volunteer Forces (Savanoriu Pajegos); National Riflemen's Union (paramilitary force that acts as an additional reserve force) (2022) Topic: LuxembourgLuxembourg Army (l'Armée Luxembourgeoise) (2022) Topic: Macauno regular indigenous military forces; Macau Public Security Police Force (includes the Police Intervention Tactical Unit or UTIP for counterterrorism operations) (2021) Topic: MadagascarPeople'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 Topic: MalawiMalawi Defense Force (MDF): Army (includes marine unit), Air Force (established as a separate service August 2019; previously was an air wing under the Army) (2022) note - the Malawi Police Service is under the Ministry of Homeland Security Topic: MalaysiaMalaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM); Ministry of Home Affairs:  Royal Malaysian Police (PRMD, includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency) (2022) note - Malaysia created a National Special Operations Force in 2016 for combating terrorism threats; the force is comprised of personnel from the Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Coast Guard) Topic: Maldivesthe Republic of Maldives has no distinct army, navy, or air force but a single security unit called the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) comprised of ground forces, an air element, a coastguard, a presidential security division, and a special protection group (2022) Topic: MaliMalian 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(s) - 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 - 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 - 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 - there are also pro-government militias operating in Mali, such as the Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA) Topic: MaltaArmed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2022) Topic: Marshall Islandsno regular military forces; the national police (Marshall Islands Police Department, MIPD), local police forces, and the Sea Patrol (maritime police) maintain internal security; the MIPD and Sea Patrol report to the Ministry of Justice; local police report to their respective local government councils Topic: MauritaniaMauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne), Islamic Republic of Mauritania Air Group (Groupement Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, GAIM); Gendarmerie (Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Interior and Decentralization: National Guard, General Group for Road Safety (2022) note(s) - the Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining civil order around metropolitan areas and providing law enforcement services in rural areas; the National Guard performs a limited police function in keeping with its peacetime role of providing security at government facilities, to include prisons; the General Group for Road Safety maintains security on roads and operates checkpoints throughout the country Topic: Mauritiusno 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) Topic: MexicoSecretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional, SEDENA): Army (Ejercito), Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, FAM); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, SEMAR): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico (ARM), includes Naval Air Force (FAN), Mexican Naval Infantry Corps (Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina, Mexmar or CIM)); Secretariat of Public Security and Civilian Protection (Secretaria de Seguridad y Proteccion Ciudadana): National Guard (Guardia Nacional) (2022) note(s) - the National Guard was formed in 2019 and consists of personnel from the former Federal Police (disbanded in December 2019) and military police units of the Army and Navy; while the Guard is part of the civilian-led Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the Secretariat of National Defense has day-to-day operational control; in addition, the armed forces provide the commanders and the training; the Guard, along with state and municipal police are responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order; the military also actively supports police operations Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofno military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing) Topic: MoldovaNational Army: Land Forces (Fortele Terestre ale Republicii Moldova, FTRM); Air Forces (Forţele Aeriene ale Republicii Moldova, FARM); Ministry of Internal Affairs: Carabinieri Troops (2021) note - the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions Topic: Monacono regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers (Palace Guard)), Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco (Fire and Emergency), Police Department Topic: MongoliaMongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin): General Purpose Troops (Mongolian Army), Air/Air Defense Force, Cyber Security, Special Forces, Civil Engineering, Civil Defense Forces (2022) Topic: Montenegrothe Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: joint force with land, air, and naval elements (2022) Topic: Montserratno regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Defence Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force Topic: MoroccoRoyal Armed Forces: Royal Moroccan Army (includes the Moroccan Royal Guard), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force; Ministry of Defense (aka Administration of National Defense): Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: National Police, Auxiliary Forces (provides support to the Gendarmerie and National Police; includes a Mobile Intervention Corps, a motorized paramilitary security force that supplements the military and the police as needed) (2022) note(s) - the National Police manages internal law enforcement in cities; the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highways   Topic: MozambiqueArmed Defense Forces of Mozambique (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM) Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR; police special forces), Border Security Force other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2022) note - the FADM and other security forces are referred to collectively as the Defense and Security Forces (DFS) Topic: NamibiaNamibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security: Namibian Police Force (includes a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations) (2022) Topic: Nauruno regular military forces; the police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security Topic: NepalNepal Army (includes Air Wing); Nepal Armed Police Force (paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for border and internal security, including counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, and assisting the Army in the event of an external invasion) (2022) Topic: NetherlandsRoyal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Military Constabulary) (2022) note - the Netherlands Coast Guard and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are civilian in nature, but managed by the Royal Netherlands Navy Topic: New Caledoniano regular military forces; France bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC) Topic: New ZealandNew Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2022) Topic: NicaraguaArmy of Nicaragua (Ejercito de Nicaragua, EN): Land Forces (Fuerza Terrestre); Naval Forces (Fuerza Naval); Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea); Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales); Nicaraguan National Police (2022) note - both the military and the police report directly to the president Topic: NigerNigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie (GN); Ministry of Interior: Niger National Guard (GNN; aka Republican Guard), National Police (includes the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, which is charged with border management) (2022) note - the Gendarmerie is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and has primary responsibility for rural security; the National Guard is responsible for domestic security and the protection of high-level officials and government buildings Topic: NigeriaNigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force; Ministry of Interior: Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC, a paramilitary agency commissioned to assist the military in the management of threats to internal security, including attacks and natural disasters) (2022) note - some states have created local security forces in response to increased violence, insecurity, and criminality that have exceeded the response capacity of government security forces Topic: Niueno regular indigenous military forces; Police Force Topic: North MacedoniaArmy of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM; includes a General Staff and subordinate Operations Command, Logistic Support Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Center for Electronic Reconnaissance, Aviation Brigade, and Honor Guard Battalion) (2022) note - the Operations Command includes air, ground, special operations, support, and reserve forces Topic: NorwayNorwegian Armed Forces: Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret), Norwegian Special Forces, Norwegian Cyber Defense Force, Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2022) Topic: OmanSultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO); Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2022) Topic: PakistanPakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes marines, Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fizaia); Ministry of Interior: Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers (2022) note(s) - the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces, along with the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers; the Frontier Corps is a paramilitary force which operates in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas; its primary mission is security of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border; the Pakistan Rangers are also a paramilitary force which operate in Sindh and Punjab Topic: Palauno regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement Topic: Panamano regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT) (2022) note - the PNP includes paramilitary special forces units for counterterrorism and counternarcotics missions; in addition to its 3 regionally-based border security brigades, SENAFRONT includes a special forces brigade, which is comprised of special forces, counternarcotics, maritime, and rapid reaction units Topic: Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes land, maritime, and air elements); Ministry of Police: Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (2022) Topic: ParaguayArmed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army (Ejercito), Navy (Armada, includes marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea) Ministry of Internal Affairs: the National Police of Paraguay includes the Special Police Operations Force (Fuerza de Operaciones Policiales Especiales) (2022) Topic: PeruJoint 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) Topic: PhilippinesArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2021) note(s) - the Philippine Coast Guard is an armed and uniformed service under the Department of Transportation; it would be attached to the AFP in wartime; the Philippine National Police Force (PNP) falls under the Department of the Interior the Philippine Government also arms and supports civilian militias; the AFP controls Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units, while the Civilian Volunteer Organizations fall under PNP command Topic: PolandPolish Armed Forces: Land Forces (Wojska Ladowe), Navy (Marynarka Wojenna), Air Force (Sily Powietrzne), Special Forces (Wojska Specjalne), Territorial Defense Force (Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej); Ministry of Interior and Administration: Border Guard (includes coast guard duties) (2022) note - the Polish Armed Forces are organized into a General Staff, an Armed Forces General Command, an Armed Forces Operational Command, Territorial Defense Forces (established 2017), Military Police, and the Warsaw Garrison Command Topic: PortugalPortuguese Armed Forces: Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP); Portuguese National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2022) note - the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; in the event of war or crisis, it may be placed under the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; the GNR has law enforcement jurisdiction in rural areas, while Public Security Police (also under the Ministry of Internal Administration) has jurisdiction in cities Topic: Puerto Ricono regular indigenous military forces; National Guard, State Guard, Police Force Topic: QatarQatari 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) Topic: RomaniaRomanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Gendarmerie (2022) Topic: RussiaArmed Forces of the Russian Federation: Ground Troops (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily, VKS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), and Missile Troops of Strategic Purpose (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN) referred to commonly as Strategic Rocket Forces, are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation (National Guard (FSVNG), Russian Guard, or Rosgvardiya): created in 2016 as an independent agency for internal/regime security, combating terrorism and narcotics trafficking, protecting important state facilities and government personnel, and supporting border security; forces under the National Guard include the Special Purpose Mobile Units (OMON), Special Rapid Response Detachment (SOBR), and Interior Troops (VV); these troops were originally under the command of the Interior Ministry (MVD); also nominally under the National Guard’s command are the forces of Chechen Republic head Ramzan KADYROV Federal Security Services (FSB): Federal Border Guard Service (includes land and maritime forces) (2022) note - the Air Force and Aerospace Defense Forces were merged into the VKS in 2015; VKS responsibilities also include launching military and dual‐use satellites, maintaining military satellites, and monitoring and defending against space threats Topic: RwandaRwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, Special Units (2022) Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisMinistry of National Security: St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF), St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (includes a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022) Topic: Saint Luciano regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Marine Unit) (2022) Topic: Saint Martinno armed forces; Saint Martin Police Force (Korps Politie Sint Marteen) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesno regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF; includes the Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022) Topic: Samoano regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Correction Services) (2022) Topic: San Marinono regular military forces; Voluntary Military Corps (Corpi Militari), which includes a Uniformed Militia (performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions) and Guard of the Great and General Council (defends the Captains Regent and the Great and General Council, participates in official ceremonies, cooperates with the maintenance of public order on special occasions, and performs guard duties during parliamentary sittings); the Police Corps includes the Gendarmerie, which is responsible for maintaining public order, protecting citizens and their property, and providing assistance during disasters (2022) Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeArmed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2022) Topic: Saudi ArabiaMinistry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard (SANG); Ministry of Interior: police, Border Guard, Facilities Security Force; State Security Presidency: General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2022) note - SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force separate from the Ministry of Defense that is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, and external defense Topic: SenegalSenegalese 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 Topic: SerbiaSerbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a naval flotilla on the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces, Serbian Guard; Police Directorate of the Serbian Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie (2022) note - the Guard is a brigade-sized unit that is directly subordinate to the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Topic: SeychellesSeychelles Defense Forces (SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (includes unarmed police and an armed paramilitary Police Special Support Wing, the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, and the Marine Police Unit) (2022) note - the military reports to the president, who acts as minister of defense   Topic: Sierra LeoneRepublic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): operates under a Joint Force Command with Land Forces, Maritime Forces, and an Air Wing (2022) Topic: SingaporeSingapore Armed Forces (SAF; aka Singapore Defense Force): Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes air defense); Ministry of Home Affairs: Singapore Police Force (includes Police Coast Guard and the paramilitary Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force or GCSPF) (2022) note(s) - in 2022, the SAF announced that it would form a Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of the year; in 2009, Singapore established a multi-agency national Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) to work with law enforcement and maritime agencies to guard Singapore’s waters, including conducting daily patrols, as well as boarding and escort operations in the Singapore Strait; the MSTF is subordinate to the Singapore Navy Topic: Sint Maartenno regular military forces; Police Department for local law enforcement, supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Gendarmerie), the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG or Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (KWCARIB)) (2022) Topic: SlovakiaArmed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Slovenské Pozemné Sily), Air Forces (Slovenské Vzdušné Sily), Special Operations Forces (Sily Pre Speciálne Operácie) (2022) Topic: SloveniaSlovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): structured as a combined force with air, land, maritime, special operations, combat support, and combat service support elements (2022) Topic: Solomon Islandsno regular military forces; the Royal Solomon Islands Police is responsible for internal and external security and reports to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (2022) Topic: SomaliaMinistry 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(s) - Somalia also 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; in addition, Somaliland has army and naval forces under the Somaliland Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Topic: South AfricaSouth 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) Topic: South SudanSouth 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, including militias operated by the National Security Service (an internal security force under the Ministry of National Security) and proxy forces, operate in the country with official knowledge Topic: SpainSpanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE, includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA); Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) (2022) note - the Civil Guard is a military force with police duties (including coast guard) under both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior; it also responds to the needs of the Ministry of Finance Topic: Sri LankaSri Lanka Army (includes National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard); Sri Lanka National Police: Special Task Force (a paramilitary unit responsible for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations) (2022) Topic: SudanSudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Ground Force, Navy, Sudanese Air Force; Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Border Guards Ministry of Interior: security police, special forces police, traffic police, Central Reserve Police (2022) note(s) - the RSF is a semi-autonomous paramilitary force formed in 2013 to fight armed rebel groups in Sudan, with Mohammed Hamdan DAGALO (aka Hemeti) as its commander (he is also a member of the Sovereign Council); it was initially placed under the National Intelligence and Security Service, then came under the direct command of former president Omar al-BASHIR, who boosted the RSF as his own personal security force; as a result, the RSF was better funded and equipped than the regular armed forces; the RSF has since recruited from all parts of Sudan beyond its original Darfuri Arab groups but remains under the personal patronage and control of DAGALO; the RSF has been accused of committing human rights abuses against civilians; it is also reportedly involved in business enterprises, such as gold mining; in late 2019, Sovereign Council Chairman and SAF Commander-in-Chief General Abd-al-Fatah al-BURHAN said the RSF would be fully integrated into the SAF, but did not give a timeline - the Central Reserve Police is a combat-trained paramilitary force that has been used against demonstrators and sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses Topic: SurinameSuriname Army (National Leger, NL): Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Police (2022) Topic: Svalbardno regular military forces Topic: SwedenSwedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army, Navy, Air Force, Home Guard (2022) Topic: SwitzerlandSwiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2022) Topic: SyriaSyrian 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, Russian armed forces, the Iran-affiliated Hizballah terrorist group, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Topic: TaiwanTaiwan 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) Topic: TajikistanArmed 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) Topic: TanzaniaTanzania 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(s) - 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; the Police Field Force (aka Field Force Unit) is a special police division with the responsibility for controlling unlawful demonstrations and riots Topic: ThailandRoyal Thai Armed Forces (Kongthap Thai, RTARF): Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN; includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Akaat Thai, RTAF); Office of the Prime Minister: Royal Thai Police; Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC; oversees counter-insurgency operations, as well as countering terrorism, narcotics and weapons trafficking, and other internal security duties; primarily run by the Army) (2022) note(s) - official paramilitary forces in Thailand include the Thai Rangers (Thahan Phran or "Hunter Soldiers") under the Army; the Paramilitary Marines under the Navy; the Border Patrol Police (BPP) under the Royal Thai Police; the Volunteer Defense Corps (VDC or O So) and National Defense Volunteers (NDV), both under the Ministry of Interior; there are also several government-backed volunteer militias created to provide village security against insurgents in the deep south or to assist the ISOC Topic: Timor-LesteTimor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Joint Headquarters with Land, Air, Naval, Service Support, and Education/Training components; National Police (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2022) Topic: TogoTogolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre), Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Armee de l’Air), National Gendarmerie (2022) note - the Gendarmerie falls under the Ministry of the Armed Forces but also reports to the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection on many matters involving law enforcement and internal security Topic: TongaHis Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga (Tonga Defense Services): Joint Force headquarters, Tonga Royal Guard, Land Force (Royal Tongan Marines), Tonga Navy, Training Wing, Air Wing, and Support Unit (2022) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Army/Land Forces (Trinidad and Tobago Regiment), Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves; Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) (2022) note - the Ministry of National Security oversees defense, immigration, and the police Topic: TunisiaTunisian 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 Topic: TurkeyTurkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri); Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie of the Turkish Republic (aka Gendarmerie General Command), Turkish Coast Guard Command, National Police (2022) note(s) - the Gendarmerie is responsible for the maintenance of the public order in areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of police forces (generally in rural areas); in wartime, the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard would be placed under the operational control of the Land Forces and Naval Forces, respectively Topic: TurkmenistanArmed Forces of Turkmenistan: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces; Federal Border Guard Service; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (2022) Topic: Tuvaluno regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (Ministry of Justice, Communications, and Foreign Affairs) (2022) Topic: UgandaUganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Forces, Air Forces, Marine Forces, Special Forces Command, Reserve Force (2022) note(s) - the Special Forces Command is a separate branch within the UPDF; it evolved from the former Presidential Guard Brigade and continues to have presidential protection duties in addition to its conventional missions, such as counterinsurgency; in 2018, President MUSEVENI created a volunteer force of Local Defense Units under the military to beef up local security in designated parts of the country Topic: UkraineArmed 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 Topic: United Arab EmiratesUnited 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 Topic: United KingdomUnited Kingdom Armed Forces (aka British Armed Forces, aka Her Majesty's Armed Forces): British Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force (2022) note - in 2021 the UK formed a joint service Space Command staffed by Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, as well as civilians and key members of the commercial sector to manage space operations, training, and capabilities; in 2019, the UK formed the Strategic Command (formerly Joint Forces Command) to develop and manage the British military's medical services, training and education, defense intelligence, and information systems across the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains; national-level special forces (UK Special Forces, UKSF) also fall under Strategic Command; in addition, the command manages joint overseas operations Topic: United StatesUnited 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 Topic: UruguayArmed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas Armadas del Uruguay): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval)), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea); Guardia Nacional Republicana (paramilitary regiment of the National Police) (2022) Topic: UzbekistanArmed Forces of Uzbekistan: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces; National Guard; Ministry of Interior: Internal Security Troops, Border Guards (2022) note - the National Guard, also under the Ministry of Defense, ensures public order and security of diplomatic missions, radio and television broadcasting, and other state entities Topic: Vanuatuno regular military forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2022) note - the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force also has external security responsibilities Topic: VenezuelaBolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes marines, Coast Guard), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB; includes a joint-service Aerospace Defense Command (Comando de Defensa Aeroespacial Integral, CODAI), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB)  Bolivarian National Police: Special Action Forces (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales, FAES) (2022) note(s) - the Bolivarian Militia was added as a "special component" to the FANB in 2020; the National Guard is responsible for maintaining public order, guarding the exterior of key government installations and prisons, conducting counter-narcotics operations, monitoring borders, and providing law enforcement in remote areas; it reports to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace the FAES police paramilitary unit was created by President MADURO after the 2017 anti-government protests to bolster internal security; it has been accused of multiple human rights abuses  Topic: VietnamPeople's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; aka Vietnam People's Army, VPA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force and Air Defense, Border Defense Force, and Vietnam Coast Guard; Vietnam People's Public Security Ministry; Vietnam Civil Defense Force (2022) note(s) - the Public Security Ministry is responsible for internal security and controls the national police, a special national security investigative agency, and other internal security units; the Vietnam Coast Guard was established in 1998 as the Vietnam Marine Police and renamed in 2013; Vietnam officially established a maritime self-defense force (civilian militia) in 2010 after the National Assembly passed the Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces in 2009; the Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance (VFRS), established in 2013, is responsible for patrolling, monitoring for fishing violations, and carrying out fishery inspections; it is armed, allowed to use force if necessary, and works in tandem with the Vietnam Coast Guard Topic: West Bankper the Oslo Accords, the PA is not permitted a conventional military but maintains security and police forces; PA security personnel have operated almost exclusively in the West Bank since HAMAS seized power in the Gaza Strip in 2007; PA forces include National Security Forces, Presidential Guard, Civil Police, Civil Defense, Preventive Security Organization, the General Intelligence Organization, and the Military Intelligence Organization (2022) note(s) - the National Security Forces conduct gendarmerie-style security operations in circumstances that exceed the capabilities of the civil police; it is the largest branch of the Palestinian Authority security service and acts as the Palestinian army; the Presidential Guard protects facilities and provides dignitary protection; the Preventive Security Organization is responsible for internal intelligence gathering and investigations related to internal security cases, including political dissent Topic: Yemenas of 2021, military and security forces operating in Yemen consisted of a patchwork of government, non-state, and foreign-backed regular, semi-regular/militia, and paramilitary forces, often with informal command organizations and conflicting, fluid, or overlapping agendas, loyalties, and relationships; in addition, the Huthis maintained opposition military and security forces Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) forces; Ministry of Defense: Yemeni National Army, Air Force and Air Defense, Navy and Coastal Defense Forces, Border Guard, Strategic Reserve Forces (includes Special Forces and Presidential Protection Brigades, which are under the Ministry of Defense but responsible to the president), Popular Committee Forces (government-backed tribal militia); Ministry of Interior: Special Security Forces (paramilitary; formerly known as Central Security Forces), Political Security Organization (state security), National Security Bureau (intelligence), Counterterrorism Unit Saudi-backed forces: paramilitary/militia border security brigades based largely on tribal or regional affiliation (deployed along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf) United Arab Emirates-backed forces included tribal and regionally-based militia and paramilitary forces (concentrated in the southern governates):  Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, including the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami “Elit­e” Forces, the Support and Backup Forces (aka Logistics and Support Forces), Facilities Protection Forces, and Anti-Terrorism Forces; Republican Forces; Joint Forces; note – under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, the STC forces were to be incorporated into Yemen’s Ministries of Defense and Interior under the authority of the HADI government Huthi: ground, air/air defense, coastal defense, presidential protection, special operations, missile, and tribal militia forces note – a considerable portion--up to 70 percent by some estimates--of Yemen’s military and security forces defected in whole or in part to former president SALAH and the Huthi opposition in 2011-2015as of 2021, military and security forces operating in Yemen consisted of a patchwork of government, non-state, and foreign-backed regular, semi-regular/militia, and paramilitary forces, often with informal command organizations and conflicting, fluid, or overlapping agendas, loyalties, and relationships; in addition, the Huthis maintained opposition military and security forcesRepublic of Yemen Government (ROYG) forces; Ministry of Defense: Yemeni National Army, Air Force and Air Defense, Navy and Coastal Defense Forces, Border Guard, Strategic Reserve Forces (includes Special Forces and Presidential Protection Brigades, which are under the Ministry of Defense but responsible to the president), Popular Committee Forces (government-backed tribal militia); Ministry of Interior: Special Security Forces (paramilitary; formerly known as Central Security Forces), Political Security Organization (state security), National Security Bureau (intelligence), Counterterrorism UnitSaudi-backed forces: paramilitary/militia border security brigades based largely on tribal or regional affiliation (deployed along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf)United Arab Emirates-backed forces included tribal and regionally-based militia and paramilitary forces (concentrated in the southern governates):  Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, including the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami “Elit­e” Forces, the Support and Backup Forces (aka Logistics and Support Forces), Facilities Protection Forces, and Anti-Terrorism Forces; Republican Forces; Joint Forces; note – under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, the STC forces were to be incorporated into Yemen’s Ministries of Defense and Interior under the authority of the HADI governmentHuthi: ground, air/air defense, coastal defense, presidential protection, special operations, missile, and tribal militia forces Topic: ZambiaZambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service; Defense Force Medical Service; Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Zambia Police (includes a paramilitary battalion) (2022) note - the Zambia National Service is a support organization that also does public work projects Topic: ZimbabweZimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) (2022)

20220901

countries-cocos-keeling-islands

Topic: Photos of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Topic: Introduction Background: British captain William KEELING discovered Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named the Cocos Islands in 1622 for their coconut trees. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off-course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired John’s brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978. The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, which officially named the islands the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands’ governance. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992.  British captain William KEELING discovered Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named the Cocos Islands in 1622 for their coconut trees. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off-course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired John’s brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978. The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, which officially named the islands the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands’ governance. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Elevation: highest point: South Point on South Island 9 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: only Home Island and West Island are populated Natural hazards: cyclone season is October to April Geography - note: note 1: there are 27 coral islands in the group; apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 km north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon; North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia; the population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island; the islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation note 2: site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island Map description: Cocos (Keeling) Island map showing the Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.Cocos (Keeling) Island map showing the Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 596 (July 2014 est.) Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays Languages: Malay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, English 22.3%, unspecified 8.9%; note - data represent language spoken at home (2016 est.) major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (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: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: 8.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) Net migration rate: NA Population distribution: only Home Island and West Island are populated Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Total fertility rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA 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: freshwater resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs; illegal fishing a concern Climate: tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands etymology: the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609 Government type: non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia Dependency status: non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development Capital: name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788) Constitution: history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955) amendments: amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: common law based on the Australian model Citizenship: see Australia Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019) head of government: Administrator Natasha GRIGGS (since 5 October 2017) cabinet: NA elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor general for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia Legislative branch: description: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with 4 members renewed every 2 years) elections: last held on 16 October 2021 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 4, women 3, percent of women 42.9% Judicial branch: highest courts: under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court) Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used National anthem: note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Coconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): NANA Real GDP growth rate: 1% (2003) Agricultural products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Industries: copra products, tourism Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism is the other main source of employmentnote: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism is the other main source of employment Unemployment rate: 0.1% (2011) 60% (2000 est.) Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Exports: NANA Exports - partners: United States 57%, Ireland 15% (2019) Exports - commodities: computers, packaged medicines, precious metal watches, office machinery/parts, chemical analysis instruments (2019) Imports: NANA Imports - partners: Australia 73%, United Arab Emirates 15%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: gold, x-ray equipment, cars, prefabricated buildings, packaged medicines (2019) Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3442 (2016 est.) 1.3442 (2015) 1.3291 (2014) 1.1094 (2013) Topic: Communications Telecommunication systems: general assessment: telephone service is part of the Australian network; an operational local mobile-cellular network available; wireless Internet connectivity available domestic: local area code - 08 international: international code - 61 8; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat) Broadcast media: 1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017) Internet country code: .cc Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 22 km (2007) paved: 10 km (2007) unpaved: 12 km (2007) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Port Refuge Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone

20220901

countries-akrotiri

Topic: Photos of Akrotiri Topic: Introduction Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smaller of the two is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus Geographic coordinates: 34 37 N, 32 58 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 123 sq km note: includes a salt lake and wetlands Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 48 km border countries (1): Cyprus 48 km Coastline: 56.3 km Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land Map description: Akrotiri map showing the UK Sovereign Base Area as well as the adjacent part of south Cyprus. Topic: People and Society Population: (2020) approximately 18,195 on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 11,000 Cypriots and 7,195 Service and UK-based contract personnel and dependents Languages: English, Greek major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Akrotiri etymology: named for the village that lies within the Western Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia) geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 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: "Episkopi" means "episcopal" in Greek and stems from the fact that the site previously served as the bishop's seat of an Orthodox diocese Constitution: history: presented 3 August 1960, effective 16 August 1960 (The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960 serves as a basic legal document) amendments: amended 1966 Legal system: laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus; note - the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator Major General Robert J. THOMSON (since 25 September 2019); note - administrator reports to the British Ministry of Defense; the chief officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the civil government of the Sovereign Bases elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Ministry of Defense Judicial branch: highest courts: Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales) judge selection and term of office: see entry for United Kingdom subordinate courts: Resident Judges' Court; Courts Martial Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: the flag of the UK is used National anthem: note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Exchange rates: note: uses the euronote: uses the euro Topic: Communications Broadcast media: British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; Akrotiri (aka the Western Sovereign Base Area) has a full RAF base, headquarters for British Forces Cyprus, and the Episkopi Cantonment

20220901

field-imports-country-comparison

20220901

countries-heard-island-and-mcdonald-islands

Topic: Photos of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Topic: Introduction Background: American sailor John HEARD discovered Heard Island in 1853 and thought it was a glacier that had broken away from Antarctica. Fellow American William MCDONALD discovered the McDonald Islands the following year. Starting in 1855, sealers lived on the islands harvesting elephant seal oil; by the time the practice was ended in 1877, most of the islands’ seals were killed. The UK formally claimed the islands in 1910 and Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON visited Heard Island in 1929. In 1947, the UK transferred the islands to Australia for its Antarctica research, but Australia closed the research station on Heard Island in 1954 when it opened a new research station on the Antarctic continent. McDonald Island has been an active volcano since it emerged from dormancy in 1992, and the island doubled in size after an eruption in 1996. In 1997, the islands were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Populated by a large number of bird species, seals, and penguins, the islands are primarily used for research with limited fishing being permitted in the surrounding waters.  American sailor John HEARD discovered Heard Island in 1853 and thought it was a glacier that had broken away from Antarctica. Fellow American William MCDONALD discovered the McDonald Islands the following year. Starting in 1855, sealers lived on the islands harvesting elephant seal oil; by the time the practice was ended in 1877, most of the islands’ seals were killed. The UK formally claimed the islands in 1910 and Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON visited Heard Island in 1929. In 1947, the UK transferred the islands to Australia for its Antarctica research, but Australia closed the research station on Heard Island in 1954 when it opened a new research station on the Antarctic continent. McDonald Island has been an active volcano since it emerged from dormancy in 1992, and the island doubled in size after an eruption in 1996. In 1997, the islands were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Populated by a large number of bird species, seals, and penguins, the islands are primarily used for research with limited fishing being permitted in the surrounding waters. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 412 sq km land: 412 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard 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 Elevation: highest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Natural hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island Geography - note: Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005 Map description: Heard Island and McDonald Islands map shows the position of this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.Heard Island and McDonald Islands map shows the position of this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: uninhabited Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA 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: none; uninhabited and mostly ice covered Climate: antarctic Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands abbreviation: HIMI etymology: named after American Captain John HEARD, who sighted the island on 25 November 1853, and American Captain William McDONALD, who discovered the islands on 4 January 1854 Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division) Legal system: the laws of Australia apply where applicable Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural); note - excerpted from the Australia entry selected World Heritage Site locales: Heard Island and McDonald Islands Topic: Economy Economic overview: The islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions. Topic: Communications Internet country code: .hm Topic: Transportation Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; Australia conducts fisheries patrols Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone

20220901

countries-tunisia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Tunisia due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport 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 not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [216] 71 107-000; US Embassy Tunis, Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis, Tunisia; tunisacs@state.gov; https://tn.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 216 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 190; Fire: 198; Police: 197 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Currency (Code): Tunisian dinars (TND) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E Major Languages: Arabic, French, Berber Major Religions: Muslim (Sunni) 99.1%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim and Baha'i) 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: Tunis (includes Medina, Al-Zaytuna Mosque, Ville Nouvelle); Carthage; Bardo National Museum; Sidi Bou Said; El Jem amphitheater; Monastir; Dougga Major Sports: Soccer, handball, basketball, volleyball Cultural Practices: Eat only with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean. Tipping Guidelines: Tip 5-15%, or round up the bill at restaurants. Hotel porters expect 5 dinars per bag and hotel maids 20 dinars per week as a gratuity. Round up the fare for taxis or add 5% to the total. Souvenirs: Woven carpets/rugs, copper and brassware, olivewood sculptures, carved wooden birdcages, ceramic and tile goods, kaftans, shisha water pipes Traditional Cuisine: Couscous — semolina flour sprinkled with water until it forms into tiny pellets that are then pushed through a sieve; typically steamed to a crumbly paste and tossed with a variety of ingredients including carrots, potatoes, turnips, and parsley Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

20220901

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

20220901

countries-iran-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Iran due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens.   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: None; the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland; US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444; EMER: (202) 485-7600; Embassy of Switzerland, US Foreign Interests Section No. 39, Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th), Pasdaran Ave., Tehran, Iran Telephone Code: 98 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 115; Fire: 123; Police: 110 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: Mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Currency (Code): Iranian rials (IRR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Persian Farsi, Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic Major Religions: Muslim 99.4% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3% Time Difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Wednesday in March, ends fourth Friday in September Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Persepolis; Chogha Zanbil; Anzali Lagoon; Chalus Road; Naqsh-e Jahan Square; Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System; Naqsh-e Rostam Major Sports: Varzesh-e-Bastani (martial art), wrestling, polo Cultural Practices: In Iran, it is customary to decline food or other offerings even when you want them. The provider will most often insist, whereupon one should humbly accept. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not common. Offer the bellhop a little something for carrying bags to your room.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022

20220901

references-hydrographic-data-codes

IHO 23-4th: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, Draft 4th Edition 1986, published by the International Hydrographic Bureau of the International Hydrographic Organization.IHO 23-3rd: Limits of Oceans and Seas, Special Publication 23, 3rd Edition 1953, published by the International Hydrographic Organization.ACIC M 49-1: Chart of Limits of Seas and Oceans, revised January 1958, published by the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC), United States Air Force.DIAM 65-18: Geopolitical Data Elements and Related Features, Data Standard No. 4, Defense Intelligence Agency Manual 65-18, December 1994, published by the Defense Intelligence Agency.The US Government has not yet adopted a standard for hydrographic codes similar to the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 10-4 country codes. The names and limits of the following oceans and seas are not always directly comparable because of differences in the customers, needs, and requirements of the individual organizations. Even the number of principal water bodies varies from organization to organization.  Factbook users, for example, find the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean entries useful, but none of the following standards include those oceans in their entirety. Nor is there any provision for combining codes or overcodes to aggregate water bodies. The recently delimited Southern Ocean is not included.

20220901

countries-chile

Topic: Photos of Chile Topic: Introduction Background: Indigenous groups inhabited central and southern Chile for several thousands of years, living in mixed pastoralist and settled communities, ending with the Inca ruling the north of the country for nearly a century prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Captaincy General of Chile was founded by the Spanish in 1541, lasting until Chile declared its independence in 1810. The subsequent struggle became tied to other South American independence conflicts, with a decisive victory over the Spanish not being achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia to win its current northernmost regions. By the 1880s, the Chilean central government cemented its control over the central and southern regions inhabited by Mapuche Indigenous peoples. Between 1891 and 1973, a series of elected governments succeeded each other until the three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by General Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a democratically elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Economic reforms, maintained consistently since the 1980s, contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 756,102 sq km land: 743,812 sq km water: 12,290 sq km note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez Area - comparative: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 7,801 km border countries (3): Argentina 6,691 km; Bolivia 942 km; Peru 168 km Coastline: 6,435 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Terrain: low coastal mountains, fertile central valley, rugged Andes in east Elevation: highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,893 m (highest volcano in the world) lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,871 m Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 21.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.) forest: 21.9% (2018 est.) other: 57% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 11,100 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago General Carrera (shared with Argentina) - 2,240 sq km; Lago O'Higgins (shared with Argentina) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Llanquihue - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Argentina) - 590 sq km Population distribution: 90% 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 Natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisvolcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Calbuco, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica; see note 2 under "Geography - note"severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisvolcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Calbuco, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica; see note 2 under "Geography - note" Geography - note: note 1: the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage) note 2: Chile 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: the Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere - its small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake note 1: the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)note 2: Chile 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 3: the Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere - its small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake Map description: Chile map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean.Chile map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 18,430,408 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean Ethnic groups: White and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.) Languages: Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, atheist or agnostic 4%, none 17% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution.Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution.Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru. Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.79% (male 1,836,240/female 1,763,124) 15-24 years: 13.84% (male 1,283,710/female 1,233,238) 25-54 years: 42.58% (male 3,882,405/female 3,860,700) 55-64 years: 11.98% (male 1,034,049/female 1,145,022) 65 years and over: 11.81% (2020 est.) (male 902,392/female 1,245,890) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.9 youth dependency ratio: 28.1 elderly dependency ratio: 17.9 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 35.5 years male: 34.3 years female: 36.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.66% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: 90% 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 Urbanization: urban population: 87.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 6.857 million SANTIAGO (capital), 1.000 million Valparaiso, 902,000 Concepcion (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 13 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.79 years male: 76.8 years female: 82.92 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 76.3% (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: 9.3% (2019) Physicians density: 2.84 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 2.1 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: 0.6% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 77,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <1,000 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 28% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 29.2% (2020 est.) male: 31.6% (2020 est.) female: 26.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.5% (2014) Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.4% male: 96.3% female: 96.3% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 24.9% male: 23.7% female: 26.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; noise pollution; improper garbage disposal; soil degradation; widespread deforestation and mining threaten the environment; wildlife conservation 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, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.03 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 85.82 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 15.97 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Land use: agricultural land: 21.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.) forest: 21.9% (2018 est.) other: 57% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.49% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago General Carrera (shared with Argentina) - 2,240 sq km; Lago O'Higgins (shared with Argentina) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Llanquihue - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Argentina) - 590 sq km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.267 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.744 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 29.42 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 923.06 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Chile conventional short form: Chile local long form: Republica de Chile local short form: Chile etymology: derivation of the name is unclear, but it may come from the Mapuche word "chilli" meaning "limit of the earth" or from the Quechua "chiri" meaning "cold" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in August; ends second Sunday in May; note - Punta Arenas observes DST throughout the year time zone note: Chile has three time zones: the continental portion at UTC-3; the southern Magallanes region, which does not use daylight savings time and remains at UTC-3 for the summer months; and Easter Island at UTC-5 etymology: Santiago is named after the biblical figure Saint James (ca. A.D. 3-44), patron saint of Spain, but especially revered in Galicia; "Santiago" derives from the local Galician evolution of the Vulgar Latin "Sanctu Iacobu"; Valparaiso derives from the Spanish "Valle Paraiso" meaning "Paradise Valley" Administrative divisions: 16 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aysen, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena (Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica), Maule, Nuble, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810) Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; a referendum held on 25 October 2020 approved forming a convention to draft a new constitution, and on 15-16 May 2021, a referendum was held to elect members to the convention; the convention will finalize in July 2022, and Chileans will vote on the new constitution in a 4 September referendum  amendments: proposed by members of either house of the National Congress or by the president of the republic; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote of the membership in both houses and approval by the president; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, basic rights and freedoms, the Constitutional Tribunal, electoral justice, the Council of National Security, or the constitutional amendment process, requires at least two-third majority vote by both houses of Congress and approval by the president; the president can opt to hold a referendum when Congress and the president disagree on an amendment; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: civil law system influenced by several West European civil legal systems; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Tribunal 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 21 November 2021 with a runoff held on 19 December 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025 with runoff if needed on 20 December) election results: 2021: Gabriel BORIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Antonio KAST (FSC) 27.9%; Gabriel BORIC (AD) 25.8%; Franco PARISI (PDG) 12.8%; Sebastian SICHEL (ChP+) 12.8%; Yasna PROVOSTE (New Social Pact) 11.6%; other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Gabriel BORIC (AD) 55.9%; Jose Antonio KAST (FSC) 44.1% 2017: Sebastian PINERA Echenique elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique (independent) 36.6%; Alejandro GUILLIER (independent) 22.7%; Beatriz SANCHEZ (independent) 20.3%; Jose Antonio KAST (independent) 7.9%; Carolina GOIC (PDC) 5.9%; Marco ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI (PRO) 5.7%; other 0.9%; percent of vote in second round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique 54.6%, Alejandro GUILLIER 45.4% Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (50 seats); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 8-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 4 years) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (155 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 21 November 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 November 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ChP+ 12 (RN 5, UDI 5, EVOPOLI 2), NPS 8 (PS 4, PPD 2, PDC 2), PLR 1, AD 4 (PCCh 2, FREVS 2) independent 2; note - total composition of the Senate as of 1 May 2022: seats by party - ChP+ 24 (RN 12, UDI 9, EVOPOLI 3), NPS 18 (PS 7, PPD 6, PDC 5), AD 6 (PCCh 2, FREVS 2, RD 2), PLR 1, independent 1; composition - men 38, women 12, percent of women 24% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ChP+ 53 (RN 25, UDI 23, EVOPOLI 4, PRI 1), AD 37 (PCCh 12, CS 9, RD 8, Commons 6, FREVS 2), NPS 37 (PS 13, PDC 8, PPD 7, PL 4, PRSD 4, CIU 1), FSC 15 (PLR 14, PCC 1), PDG 6, PH 3, PEV 2, IU 1, independent 1; composition - men 100, women 55, percent of women 35.5%; note - overall National Congress percent of women 32.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs Political parties and leaders: Approve Dignity (Apruebo Dignidad) coalition or AD (includes PC, FA, and FREVS) [Gabriel BORIC] Broad Front Coalition (Frente Amplio) or FA (includes RD, CS, and Comunes) [Gonzalo WINTER] Broad Social Movement of Leftist Citizens (includes former MAS and Izquierda Ciudadana) [Fernando ZAMORANO] Chile We Can Do More or ChP+ [Sebastian SICHEL] (coalition includes EVOPOLI, PRI, RN, UDI) Christian Conservative Party or PCC [Antaris VARELA] Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Carmen FREI Ruiz-Tagle] Christian Social Front or FSC [Jose Antonio KAST] (includes PCC, PLR) Citizens or CIU [María Ignacia GOMEZ Martinez] Commons (Comunes) [Jorge RAMIREZ] Communist Party of Chile or PCCh [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle] Democratic Revolution or RD [Margarita PORTUGUEZ] Green Ecological Party or PEV [Felix GONZALEZ] (dissolved 7 February 2022) Humanist Party or PH [Octavio GONZALEZ] Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Javier MACAYA] Independent Regionalist Democratic Party or PRI [Hugo ORTIZ de Filippi] Liberal Party (Partido Liberal de Chile) or PL [Patricio MORALES] National Renewal or RN [Francisco CHAHUAN] New Social Pact or NPS [Yasna PROVOSTE] (includes PDC, PL, PPD, PRSD, PS) Party for Democracy or PPD [Natalia PERGIENTILI Domenech] Party of the People or PDG [Luz POBLETE Coddou] Political Evolution or EVOPOLI [Andres MOLINA] Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Carlos MALDONADO Curti] Republican Party or PLR [Rojo EDWARDS] Social Convergence or CS [Alondra ARELLANO Hernandez] Social Green Regionalist Federation or FREVS [Flavia TORREALBE Diaz] Socialist Party or PS [Alvaro Antonio ELIZALDE Soto] United Independents or IU [Cristian Alejandro CONTRERAS Radovic] International organization participation: APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Gabriel VALDES Soublette (since 7 June 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence note: design influenced by the US flag National symbol(s): huemul (mountain deer), Andean condor; national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile) lyrics/music: Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; however, as a protest, some citizens refused to sing this verse; it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Rapa Nui National Park; Churches of Chiloe; Historic Valparaiso; Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works; Sewell Mining Town; Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System; Chinchorro archeological sites Topic: Economy Economic overview: Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some 60% of total exports. Copper is Chile’s top export and provides 20% of government revenue.   From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite a slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to an estimated 1.4% in 2017. A continued drop in copper prices prompted Chile to experience its third consecutive year of slow growth.   Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, effective 1 January 2004. Chile has 26 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the EU, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. In May 2010, Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD. In October 2015, Chile signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which was finalized as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and signed at a ceremony in Chile in March 2018.   The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, under which it accumulates surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allows deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 October 2016, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $23.5 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn.   In 2014, then-President Michelle BACHELET introduced tax reforms aimed at delivering her campaign promise to fight inequality and to provide access to education and health care. The reforms are expected to generate additional tax revenues equal to 3% of Chile’s GDP, mostly by increasing corporate tax rates to OECD averages.Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some 60% of total exports. Copper is Chile’s top export and provides 20% of government revenue. From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite a slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to an estimated 1.4% in 2017. A continued drop in copper prices prompted Chile to experience its third consecutive year of slow growth. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, effective 1 January 2004. Chile has 26 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the EU, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. In May 2010, Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD. In October 2015, Chile signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which was finalized as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and signed at a ceremony in Chile in March 2018. The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, under which it accumulates surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allows deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 October 2016, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $23.5 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn. In 2014, then-President Michelle BACHELET introduced tax reforms aimed at delivering her campaign promise to fight inequality and to provide access to education and health care. The reforms are expected to generate additional tax revenues equal to 3% of Chile’s GDP, mostly by increasing corporate tax rates to OECD averages. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $445.88 billion (2020 est.) $473.19 billion (2019 est.) $468.77 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.03% (2019 est.) 4% (2018 est.) 1.41% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $23,300 (2020 est.) $25,000 (2019 est.) $25,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $282.655 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A- (2020) Moody's rating: A1 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.2% (2017 est.) industry: 32.8% (2017 est.) services: 63% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: grapes, apples, wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, tomatoes, maize, poultry, pork Industries: copper, lithium, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles Industrial production growth rate: -0.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 7.249 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9.2% industry: 23.7% services: 67.1% (2013) Unemployment rate: 7.22% (2019 est.) 7.33% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 24.9% male: 23.7% female: 26.6% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 8.6% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.4 (2017 est.) 57.1 (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 41.5% (2013 est.) Budget: revenues: 57.75 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 65.38 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 23.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 21% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 20.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$10.933 billion (2019 est.) -$10.601 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $79.8 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $78.02 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $84.65 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 32%, United States 14%, Japan 9%, South Korea 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper, wood pulp, fish fillets, pitted fruits, wine (2019) Imports: $66.43 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $80.17 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $85.11 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 24%, United States 20%, Brazil 8%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $38.98 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $40.49 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $193.298 billion (2019 est.) $181.089 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 738.81 (2020 est.) 770.705 (2019 est.) 674.25 (2018 est.) 658.93 (2014 est.) 570.37 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 29.808 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 75.302 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.62 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 51.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 9.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 26% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 542,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 10.573 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 134,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 10.607 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 1.181 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 11,900 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 361,700 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 172,700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 216,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 7,359 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 166,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 1,109,962,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 6,558,312,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 4,602,471,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 97.976 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 88.333 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 24.217 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 51.228 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 12.888 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 81.953 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,567,938 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 25,068,249 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 131 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the market for fixed and mobile telephony is highly competitive and rapidly evolving; the mobile rate is among the highest in South America; Movistar and Entel remain the market leaders, followed by Claro and WOM; LTE infrastructure is extensive and 5G spectrum auctions which took place in February 2021 are expected to prompt the deployment of 5G networks by the end of the year, following extensive trials held by the MNOs; fixed broadband is relatively high for the region, with services among the fastest and least expensive in Latin America; government initiatives such as the National Fiber Optic project and Fibra Óptica Austral are providing high-capacity connectivity across the country and will further increase fixed-line broadband; there is a strong focus on fiber broadband, with the number of fiber subscribers having increased 61.7% in 2020, year-on-year; Movistar dominates the fiber broadband market, with a 49.7% market share at the end of 2020; technological improvements have allowed operators to provide a variety of services via their networks, giving rise to a number of bundled packages at competitive prices, including access to video on demand services which in turn is increasing fixed-line broadband; the leading fixed broadband operators are Telefónica Chile, trading as Movistar, VTR Globalcom (VTR), the GTD Group, Entel, Claro, and WOM; traditional fixed-line teledensity continues to fall as consumers switch to mobile networks and to fixed broadband for voice and data connectivity; Humboldt submarine cable project to link Chile with New Zealand and Australia; more than 8,300 schools receive free broadband as part of the ‘Connectivity for Education 2030’ project; regulator completes multi-band 5G spectrum auction, agrees to SpaceX providing its Starlink satellite broadband service (2021) domestic: number of fixed-line connections have dropped to about 13 per 100 in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 131 telephones per 100 persons; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations (2020) international: country code - 56; landing points for the Pan-Am, Prat, SAm-1, American Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable, FOS Quellon-Chacabuco, Fibra Optical Austral, SAC and Curie submarine cables providing links to the US, Caribbean and to Central and South America; 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: national and local terrestrial TV channels, coupled with extensive cable TV networks; the state-owned Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) network is self-financed through commercial advertising revenues and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations Internet country code: .cl Internet users: total: 16,822,264 (2020 est.) percent of population: 88% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,763,826 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 9 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 173 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 19,517,185 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,226,440,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CC Airports: total: 481 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 90 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 24 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 391 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 56 under 914 m: 319 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 3,160 km gas, 781 km liquid petroleum gas, 985 km oil, 722 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 7,281.5 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,853.5 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 3,428 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge (1,691 km electrified) Roadways: total: 77,801 km (2016) Merchant marine: total: 231 by type: bulk carrier 6, container ship 5, general cargo 58, oil tanker 14, other 148 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso container port(s) (TEUs): San Antonio (1,709,635), Valparaiso (898,715) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Mejillones, Quintero Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Chile (Fuerzas Armadas de Chile): Chilean Army (Ejército de Chile), Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes marine units and coast guard or Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh); Ministry of the Interior and Public Security: Carabineros de Chile (National Police Force) (2022) note: the Carabineros de Chile are responsible to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020) 1.9% of GDP (2019) (approximately $7.33 billion) 1.9% of GDP (2018) (approximately $7.2 billion) 2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $7.1 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 70,000 active armed forces personnel (40,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force); approximately 50,000 Carabineros (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Chilean military inventory is comprised of a wide mix of mostly Western equipment and some domestically-produced systems; since 2010, it has received military hardware from nearly 15 countries with Germany and the US as the leading suppliers; Chile's defense industry has capabilities in military aircraft, ships, and vehicles (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-45 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 Military - note: the Chilean Army was founded in 1810, but traces its origins back to the Army of the Kingdom of Chile, which was established by the Spanish Crown in the early 1600s; the Navy traces its origins to 1817; it was first led by a British officer and its first ships were largely crewed by American, British, and Irish sailors; by the 1880s, the Chilean Navy was one of the most powerful in the Americas, and included the world’s first protected cruiser (a ship with an armored deck to protect vital machine spaces); Chile's military aviation was inaugurated in 1913 with the creation of a military aviation school (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian natural gas; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru; in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian natural gas; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru; in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur) Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 448,138 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2020) Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine

20220901

field-net-migration-rate-country-comparison

20220901

countries-united-states-pacific-island-wildlife-refuges

Topic: Photos of United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges Topic: Introduction Background: All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force. Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a NWR. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the transpacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for transpacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated a NWR in January 2001.All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force.Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a NWR.Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the transpacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for transpacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony.Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated a NWR in January 2001.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: OceaniaBaker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands; Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands; Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo; Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American SamoaOceaniaBaker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands; Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands; Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo; Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa Geographic coordinates: Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W; Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W; Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W; Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W; Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W; Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W; Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 WBaker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W; Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W; Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W; Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W; Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W; Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W; Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W Map references: Oceania Area: land: 6,959.41 sq km (emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km) Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km Area - comparative: Baker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DCBaker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: Baker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each yearBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year Terrain: low 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 Elevation: highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location less than 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location 3 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: terrestrial and aquatic wildlife Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.) Natural hazards: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard; Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard; Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NABaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard; Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard; Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA Geography - note: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public; Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public; Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography; Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forestBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public; Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public; Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography; Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest Map description: United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges map showing the central Pacific Ocean with seven insets highlighting the many islands that make up the United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges.United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges map showing the central Pacific Ocean with seven insets highlighting the many islands that make up the United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges. Topic: People and Society Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: public entry is only by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service and generally restricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service Jarvis Island: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; currently unoccupied Johnston Atoll: in previous years, an average of 1,100 US military and civilian contractor personnel were present; as of May 2005, all US Government personnel had left the island Midway Islands: approximately 40 people make up the staff of US Fish and Wildlife Service and their services contractor living at the atoll Palmyra Atoll: four to 20 Nature Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife staff, and researchers Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: Baker Island: no natural freshwater resources; feral cats, introduced in 1937 during a short-lived colonization effort, ravaged the avian population and were eradicated in 1965 Howland Island: no natural freshwater resources; the island habitat has suffered from invasive exotic species; black rats, introduced in 1854, were eradicated by feral cats within a year of their introduction in 1937; the cats preyed on the bird population and were eliminated by 1985 Jarvis Island: no natural freshwater resources; feral cats, introduced in the 1930s during a short-lived colonization venture, were not completely removed until 1990 Johnston Atoll: no natural freshwater resources; the seven decades under US military administration (1934-2004) left the atoll environmentally degraded and required large-scale remediation efforts; a swarm of Anoplolepis (crazy) ants invaded the island in 2010 damaging native wildlife; eradication has been largely, but not completely, successful Midway Islands:  many exotic species introduced, 75% of the roughly 200 plant species on the island are non-native; plastic pollution harms wildlife, via entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contamination Kingman Reef: none Palmyra Atoll: black rats, believed to have been introduced to the atoll during the US military occupation of the 1940s, severely degraded the ecosystem outcompeting native species (seabirds, crabs); following a successful rat removal project in 2011, native flora and fauna have begun to recoverBaker Island: no natural freshwater resources; feral cats, introduced in 1937 during a short-lived colonization effort, ravaged the avian population and were eradicated in 1965 Howland Island: no natural freshwater resources; the island habitat has suffered from invasive exotic species; black rats, introduced in 1854, were eradicated by feral cats within a year of their introduction in 1937; the cats preyed on the bird population and were eliminated by 1985 Jarvis Island: no natural freshwater resources; feral cats, introduced in the 1930s during a short-lived colonization venture, were not completely removed until 1990 Johnston Atoll: no natural freshwater resources; the seven decades under US military administration (1934-2004) left the atoll environmentally degraded and required large-scale remediation efforts; a swarm of Anoplolepis (crazy) ants invaded the island in 2010 damaging native wildlife; eradication has been largely, but not completely, successful Midway Islands:  many exotic species introduced, 75% of the roughly 200 plant species on the island are non-native; plastic pollution harms wildlife, via entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contaminationKingman Reef: none Palmyra Atoll: black rats, believed to have been introduced to the atoll during the US military occupation of the 1940s, severely degraded the ecosystem outcompeting native species (seabirds, crabs); following a successful rat removal project in 2011, native flora and fauna have begun to recover Climate: Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each yearBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the territories' affiliation and location Dependency status: with the exception of Palmyra Atoll, the constituent islands are unincorporated, unorganized territories of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System note: Palmyra Atoll is partly privately owned and partly federally owned; the federally owned portion is administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as an incorporated, unorganized territory of the US; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon Legal system: the laws of the US apply where applicable Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territories of the US) Flag description: the flag of the US is used Topic: Economy Economic overview: no economic activity Topic: Transportation Airports: Baker Island: (2013) one abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m covered with vegetation and unusable Howland Island: (2013) airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia EARHART and Fred NOONAN; the aviators left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable Johnston Atoll: (2013) one closed and not maintained Kingman Reef: (2013) lagoon was used as a halfway station between Hawaii and American Samoa by Pan American Airways for flying boats in 1937 and 1938 Midway Islands: (2013) 3 - one operational (2,377 m paved); no fuel for sale except emergencies Palmyra Atoll: (2013) 1 - 1,846 m unpaved runway; privately owned Airports - with paved runways: 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2016) - Johnston Atoll; note - abandoned but usable Airports - with unpaved runways: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2016) - Palmyra Atoll Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island Midway Islands: Sand Island Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

field-political-structure

This entry, which appears only in the European Union, Government category, provides a definition for the entity that is the European Union. Topic: European Uniona hybrid and unique intergovernmental and supranational organization

20220901

countries-palmyra-atoll

20220901

countries-solomon-islands

Topic: Photos of Solomon Islands Topic: Introduction Background: Settlers from Papua arrived on Solomon Islands around 30,000 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, Austronesian settlers came to Solomon Islands and the two groups mixed extensively. Despite significant inter-island trade, no attempts were made to unite the islands into a single political entity. In 1568, Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA became the first European to spot the islands. After a failed Spanish attempt at creating a permanent European settlement on the islands in the late 1500s, Solomon Islands remained free of European contact until 1767 when British explorer Philip CARTERET sailed by the islands. The islands were regularly visited by European explorers and American and British whaling ships into the 1800s, followed by missionaries in the 1850s. Germany declared a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands in 1885, and the UK established a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. In 1899, Germany transferred its Solomon Islands to the UK in exchange for the UK relinquishing all claims in Samoa. The UK tried to encourage plantation farming, but few Europeans were willing to go to Solomon Islands and the UK left most services - such as education and medical services - to missionaries. In 1942, Japan invaded Solomon Islands and significant battles against Allied forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign proved a turning point in the Pacific war. World War II destroyed large parts of Solomon Islands and a nationalism movement emerged near the end of the war. By 1960, the British relented to allow for some local autonomy. The islands were granted self-government in 1976 and independence two years later under Prime Minister Sir Peter KENILOREA. In 1999, longstanding ethnic tensions between ethnic Guale in Honiara and ethnic Malaitans in Honiara’s suburbs erupted in civil war, leading thousands of Malaitans to take refuge in Honiara and Guale to flee the city. In 2000, newly-elected Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE focused on peace agreements and distributing resources equally among groups, but his actions bankrupted the government in 2001 and led to SOGAVARE’s ouster. In 2003, Solomon Islands requested international assistance to reestablish law and order. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, which ended in 2017, was generally effective in improving the security situation. In 2006, riots broke out in Honiara and the city’s Chinatown burned over allegations that the prime minister took money from China. SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time following elections in 2019 and that same year announced Solomon Islands would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In late November 2021, protestors, mostly from the island of Malaita, calling for SOGAVARE’s removal and more development in Malaita, sparked rioting in Honiara. Settlers from Papua arrived on Solomon Islands around 30,000 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, Austronesian settlers came to Solomon Islands and the two groups mixed extensively. Despite significant inter-island trade, no attempts were made to unite the islands into a single political entity. In 1568, Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA became the first European to spot the islands. After a failed Spanish attempt at creating a permanent European settlement on the islands in the late 1500s, Solomon Islands remained free of European contact until 1767 when British explorer Philip CARTERET sailed by the islands. The islands were regularly visited by European explorers and American and British whaling ships into the 1800s, followed by missionaries in the 1850s. Germany declared a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands in 1885, and the UK established a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. In 1899, Germany transferred its Solomon Islands to the UK in exchange for the UK relinquishing all claims in Samoa. The UK tried to encourage plantation farming, but few Europeans were willing to go to Solomon Islands and the UK left most services - such as education and medical services - to missionaries. In 1942, Japan invaded Solomon Islands and significant battles against Allied forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign proved a turning point in the Pacific war. World War II destroyed large parts of Solomon Islands and a nationalism movement emerged near the end of the war. By 1960, the British relented to allow for some local autonomy. The islands were granted self-government in 1976 and independence two years later under Prime Minister Sir Peter KENILOREA. In 1999, longstanding ethnic tensions between ethnic Guale in Honiara and ethnic Malaitans in Honiara’s suburbs erupted in civil war, leading thousands of Malaitans to take refuge in Honiara and Guale to flee the city. In 2000, newly-elected Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE focused on peace agreements and distributing resources equally among groups, but his actions bankrupted the government in 2001 and led to SOGAVARE’s ouster. In 2003, Solomon Islands requested international assistance to reestablish law and order. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, which ended in 2017, was generally effective in improving the security situation. In 2006, riots broke out in Honiara and the city’s Chinatown burned over allegations that the prime minister took money from China. SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time following elections in 2019 and that same year announced Solomon Islands would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In late November 2021, protestors, mostly from the island of Malaita, calling for SOGAVARE’s removal and more development in Malaita, sparked rioting in Honiara. 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, east of Papua New Guinea Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 28,896 sq km land: 27,986 sq km water: 910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Climate: tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Elevation: highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,335 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Land use: agricultural land: 3.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.3% (2018 est.) forest: 78.9% (2018 est.) other: 17.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) NA Population distribution: most 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 Natural hazards: tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamisvolcanism: Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanaltropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamisvolcanism: Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal Geography - note: strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; Rennell Island, the southernmost in the Solomon Islands chain, is one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls; the island’s Lake Tegano, formerly a lagoon on the atoll, is the largest lake in the insular Pacific (15,500 hectares) Map description: Solomon Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 702,694 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander Ethnic groups: Melanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.) Languages: Melanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages Religions: Protestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia 31.9%, South Sea Evangelical 17.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.5%), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 4%, unspecified 0.1% (2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.99% (male 116,397/female 109,604) 15-24 years: 19.82% (male 69,914/female 65,874) 25-54 years: 37.64% (male 131,201/female 126,681) 55-64 years: 5.04% (male 17,844/female 16,704) 65 years and over: 4.51% (2020 est.) (male 14,461/female 16,417) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 77.6 youth dependency ratio: 71.1 elderly dependency ratio: 6.5 potential support ratio: 15.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23.2 years female: 23.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.72% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.71 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most 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 Urbanization: urban population: 25.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 82,000 HONIARA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.6 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 104 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.7 years male: 74.05 years female: 79.49 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 29.3% (2015) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 65.9% of population total: 73.1% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 34.1% of population total: 26.9% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2012) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 95.6% of population rural: 22.6% of population total: 40.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.4% of population rural: 77.4% of population total: 59.4% of population (2020 est.) 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: 22.5% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 36.5% (2020 est.) male: 53.8% (2020 est.) female: 19.2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 16.2% (2015) Education expenditures: 10.1% of GDP (2015 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 1.3% male: 1% female: 1.6% (2013) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying; effects of climate change and rising sea levels Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.17 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.43 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes Land use: agricultural land: 3.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.3% (2018 est.) forest: 78.9% (2018 est.) other: 17.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 25.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 20.27% 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: 179,972 tons (2013 est.) Total renewable water resources: 44.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands local long form: none local short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands etymology: Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA named the isles in 1568 after the wealthy biblical King SOLOMON in the mistaken belief that the islands contained great riches Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Honiara geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from "nagho ni ara," which in one of the Guadalcanal languages roughly translates as "facing the eastern wind" Administrative divisions: 9 provinces and 1 city*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western Independence: 7 July 1978 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Constitution: history: adopted 31 May 1978, effective 7 July 1978; note - in late 2017, provincial leaders agreed to adopt a new federal constitution, with passage expected in 2018, but it has been postponed indefinitely amendments: proposed by the National Parliament; passage of constitutional sections, including those on fundamental rights and freedoms, the legal system, Parliament, alteration of the constitution and the ombudsman, requires three-fourths majority vote by Parliament and assent of the governor general; passage of other amendments requires two-thirds majority vote and assent of the governor general; amended several times, last in 2018; note - a new constitution was drafted in mid-2009 and the latest version drafted in 2013 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and 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 citizen of the Solomon Islands dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General David VUNAGI (since 8 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE (since 24 April 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament for up to 5 years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the National Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Parliament election results: Manasseh SOGAVARE elected prime minister on 24 April 2019, 34 votes out of 50 seat National Parliament Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 10.7%, DAP 7.8%, PAP 4.4%, other 20.8%, independent 56.3%; seats by party - DAP 7, UDP 5, PAP 3, KPSI 1, SIPFP 1, SIPRA 1, independent 32; composition - men 46, women 4, percent of women 8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and ex officio members including the High Court chief justice and its puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges, as prescribed by the National Parliament) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice and includes 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges serve until retirement at age 60 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Customary Land Appeal Court; local courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Steve ABANA] Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KPSI [Peter BOYERS] People's Alliance Party or PAP [Nathaniel WAENA] Solomon Islands People First Party or SIPFP [Dr. Jimmie RODGERS] Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Manasseh MAELANGA] United Democratic Party or UDP [Sir Thomas Ko CHAN] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean, green the land, and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island groups of the Solomon Islands National symbol(s): national colors: blue, yellow, green, white National anthem: name: "God Save Our Solomon Islands" lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA note: adopted 1978 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: East Rennell Topic: Economy Economic overview: The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closure of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts, which concluded in Jun 2017, to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.71 billion (2020 est.) $1.78 billion (2019 est.) $1.76 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,500 (2020 est.) $2,700 (2019 est.) $2,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.298 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2017 est.) 0.5% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2015) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 34.3% (2017 est.) industry: 7.6% (2017 est.) services: 58.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: NA government consumption: NA investment in fixed capital: NA investment in inventories: NA exports of goods and services: 25.8% (2011 est.) imports of goods and services: -49.6% (2011 est.) Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, coconuts, taro, yams, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, cocoa, cassava Industries: fish (tuna), mining, timber Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 202,500 (2007 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75% industry: 5% services: 20% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: NANA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 1.3% male: 1% female: 1.6% (2013) Population below poverty line: 12.7% (2012 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37.1 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 532.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 570.5 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 9.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 7.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 41% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$54 million (2017 est.) -$49 million (2016 est.) Exports: $430 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $590 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $680 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 65%, Italy 9%, India 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: lumber, fish, aluminum, palm oil, cocoa beans (2019) Imports: $560 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $750 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $750 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 24%, Australia 13%, South Korea 12%, Singapore 12%, Malaysia 10% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fish, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment, excavation machinery (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $0 (31 December 2017 est.) $421 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $757 million (31 December 2017 est.) $643 million (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - 8.06126 (2020 est.) 8.10373 (2019 est.) 8.01282 (2018 est.) 7.9147 (2014 est.) 7.3754 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 66.7% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 76.7% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 63.5% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 40,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 93.527 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 14 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2.7% 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: 2.6% 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: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,577 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: 333,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 333,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 6.955 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 478,116 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 71 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: mobile services have continually expanded in the Solomon Islands; 3G services became available in 2010, leading to an increase in mobile broadband uptake; Solomon Islands currently host three ISPs: Solomon Telekom, Bmobile and SATSOL; fixed broadband services are largely limited to government, corporations, and educational organizations in the Solomon Islands; telecommunication infrastructure in the Solomon Islands requires significant investment due to the geographical make-up of the islands; this presents a great challenge to rural connectivity in the country; although various international organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have taken a special interest in having communication services improved in both the Solomon Islands and the Pacific region in general, internet and broadband penetration remain low; the provision of broadband infrastructure, particularly to rural areas, is also hindered by land disputes; internet services have, improved with the build-out of the Coral Sea Cable System linking Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, as also with a connecting cable to a landing station at Sydney; the Australian government provided most of the funding for the Coral Sea Cable System, with contributions and support from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea governments; the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite in late 2019 also improved broadband satellite capacity for the region, though for telcos in Solomon Islands satellite services are now largely used as backup for international traffic; in recent years, the country has stabilized both politically and economically and this, along with improvements to mobile infrastructure, has led to a rise in mobile services and the slow uptake of broadband services; while the first LTE services were launched in late 2017 in the capital Honiara, the main platform for mobile voice and data services remains 3G, while in outlying areas GSM is still an important technology for the provision of services; geopolitical concerns have also come to the fore as the government pursues stronger ties with China; this is a growing source of tension with Australia, which is the Solomon Islands’ largest aid donor; in April 2022, the country signed a security agreement with China, although the full details of the agreement have not been published. (2022) domestic: fixed-line is just over 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular telephone density is about 71 per 100 persons; domestic cable system to extend to key major islands (2019) international: country code - 677; landing points for the CSCS and ICNS2 submarine cables providing connectivity from Solomon Islands, to PNG, Vanuatu and Australia; 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: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) does not broadcast television; multi-channel pay-TV is available; SIBC operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; there are 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite feed (since 2009) (2019) Internet country code: .sb Internet users: total: 80,379 (2019 est.) percent of population: 12% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (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: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 427,806 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3.84 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: H4 Airports: total: 36 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 24 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Roadways: total: 1,390 km (2011) paved: 34 km (2011) unpaved: 1,356 km (2011) note: includes 920 km of private plantation roads Merchant marine: total: 24 by type: general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 15 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor, Tulagi Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the Royal Solomon Islands Police is responsible for internal and external security and reports to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the maritime branch of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force operates patrol boats provided by Australia (2021) Military - note: Australia and New Zealand provide material and training assistance to the Royal Solomon Islands Police (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: from 2003 to 2017, at the request of the Solomon Islands Governor-General, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and securityfrom 2003 to 2017, at the request of the Solomon Islands Governor-General, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), consisting of police, military, and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries, assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security

20220901

field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions-country-comparison

20220901

countries-albania

Topic: Photos of Albania Topic: Introduction Background: Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents.Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 28,748 sq km land: 27,398 sq km water: 1,350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 691 km border countries (4): Greece 212 km; Kosovo 112 km; Macedonia 181 km; Montenegro 186 km Coastline: 362 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Elevation: highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 708 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.) forest: 28.8% (2018 est.) other: 28.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,537 sq km (2014) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km note - largest lake in the Balkans Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) Map description: Albania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,095,344 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Albanian(s) adjective: Albanian Ethnic groups: Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic and cultural affiliation Languages: Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Romani, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Libri i fakteve boterore, burim i pa zevendesueshem  per informacione elementare. (Albanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% (2011 est.) note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.6% (male 284,636/female 256,474) 15-24 years: 15.39% (male 246,931/female 226,318) 25-54 years: 42.04% (male 622,100/female 670,307) 55-64 years: 11.94% (male 178,419/female 188,783) 65 years and over: 13.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,335/female 214,276) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.9 youth dependency ratio: 25.3 elderly dependency ratio: 21.6 potential support ratio: 4.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 34.3 years male: 32.9 years female: 35.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.22% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country Urbanization: urban population: 63.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 512,000 TIRANA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.6 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 15 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.47 years male: 76.8 years female: 82.33 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 46% (2017/18) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.3% of population rural: 96.4% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population rural: 3.6% of population total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.2% (2018) Physicians density: 1.88 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2013) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,400 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.7% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 22.4% (2020 est.) male: 38.8% (2020 est.) female: 6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.5% (2017/18) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.4% women married by age 18: 11.8% men married by age 18: 1.2% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.1% male: 98.5% female: 97.8% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27% male: 27.8% female: 25.9% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents; air pollution from industrial and power plants; loss of biodiversity due to lack of resources for sound environmental management Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 4.54 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.55 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.) forest: 28.8% (2018 est.) other: 28.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 63.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.18% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,142,964 tons (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km note - largest lake in the Balkans Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 283 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 231.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 905 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 30.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Albania conventional short form: Albania local long form: Republika e Shqiperise local short form: Shqiperia former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania etymology: the English-language country name seems to be derived from the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani; the native name "Shqiperia" is derived from the Albanian word "Shqiponje" ("Eagle") and is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the Eagles" Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tirana (Tirane) geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 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 Tirana first appears in a 1418 Venetian document; the origin of the name is unclear, but may derive from Tirkan Fortress, whose ruins survive on the slopes of Dajti mountain and which overlooks the city Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore Independence: 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire) National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912), also known as Flag Day Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998 amendments: proposed by at least one fifth of the Assembly membership; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required only if approved by two thirds of the Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2020 Legal system: civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the "Code of Leke" is still present 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 Albania dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Republic Bajram BEGAJ (since 24 July 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Edi RAMA (since 10 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Arben AHMETAJ (since 18 September 2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by the Assembly elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); a candidate needs three-fifths majority vote of the Assembly in 1 of 3 rounds or a simple majority in 2 additional rounds to become president; election last held in 4 rounds on 16, 23, and 30 May and 4 June 2022 (next election to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly election results: 2022: Bajram BEGAJ elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 78-4, opposition parties boycotted 2017: Ilir META elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 87-2 Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - PS 48.7%, PD-Alliance for Change 39.4%, LSI 6.8%, PSD 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party/coalition - PS 74, PD-Alliance for Change 59, LSI 4, PSD 3; composition - men 93, women 47, percent of women 33.6% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 19 judges, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the chairman) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Judicial Council with the consent of the president to serve single 9-year terms; Supreme Court chairman is elected for a single 3-year term by the court members; appointments of Constitutional Court judges are rotated among the president, Parliament, and Supreme Court from a list of pre-qualified candidates (each institution selects 3 judges), to serve single 9-year terms; candidates are pre-qualified by a randomly selected body of experienced judges and prosecutors; Constitutional Court chairman is elected by the court members for a single, renewable 3-year term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized courts: Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (responsible for corruption, organized crime, and crimes of high officials) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change (electoral coalition led by PD) Democratic Party or PD [Enkelejd ALIBEAJ, interim leader] Party for Justice, Integration and Unity or PDIU [Shpetim IDRIZI] (part of the Alliance for Change) Social Democratic Party or PSD [Tom DOSHI] Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Monika KRYEMADHI] Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA] International organization participation: BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero Georgi Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Ottoman Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-78); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shqiptare," which translates as "sons of the eagle" National symbol(s): black double-headed eagle; national colors: red, black National anthem: name: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag) lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU note: adopted 1912 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 1 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Butrint (c); Historic Berat and Gjirokastër (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Lake Ohrid Region (m) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Albania, a formerly closed, centrally planned state, is a developing country with a modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, the negative effects of the crisis caused a significant economic slowdown. Since 2014, Albania’s economy has steadily improved and economic growth reached 3.8% in 2017. However, close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of possible debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth, declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 5.8% of GDP in 2015, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for more than 40% of employment but less than one quarter of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, endemic corruption, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment making attracting foreign investment difficult. Since 2015, Albania has launched an ambitious program to increase tax compliance and bring more businesses into the formal economy. In July 2016, Albania passed constitutional amendments reforming the judicial system in order to strengthen the rule of law and to reduce deeply entrenched corruption. Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. However, the government has recently taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Better enforcement of electricity contracts has improved the financial viability of the sector, decreasing its reliance on budget support. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor road and rail networks, a long standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Inward foreign direct investment has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The government is focused on the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, and it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Albania’s three-year IMF program, an extended fund facility arrangement, was successfully concluded in February 2017. The Albanian Government has strengthened tax collection amid moderate public wage and pension increases in an effort to reduce its budget deficit. The country continues to face high public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 72% in 2016.Albania, a formerly closed, centrally planned state, is a developing country with a modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, the negative effects of the crisis caused a significant economic slowdown. Since 2014, Albania’s economy has steadily improved and economic growth reached 3.8% in 2017. However, close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of possible debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone.Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth, declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 5.8% of GDP in 2015, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for more than 40% of employment but less than one quarter of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, endemic corruption, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment making attracting foreign investment difficult. Since 2015, Albania has launched an ambitious program to increase tax compliance and bring more businesses into the formal economy. In July 2016, Albania passed constitutional amendments reforming the judicial system in order to strengthen the rule of law and to reduce deeply entrenched corruption.Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. However, the government has recently taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Better enforcement of electricity contracts has improved the financial viability of the sector, decreasing its reliance on budget support. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor road and rail networks, a long standing barrier to sustained economic growth.Inward foreign direct investment has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The government is focused on the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, and it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Albania’s three-year IMF program, an extended fund facility arrangement, was successfully concluded in February 2017. The Albanian Government has strengthened tax collection amid moderate public wage and pension increases in an effort to reduce its budget deficit. The country continues to face high public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 72% in 2016. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.73 billion (2020 est.) $39.02 billion (2019 est.) $38.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.24% (2019 est.) 4.07% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $13,300 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $13,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $15.273 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B1 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2016) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 21.7% (2017 est.) industry: 24.2% (2017 est.) services: 54.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 78.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: milk, maize, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, wheat, grapes, cucumbers, onions, apples Industries: food; footwear, apparel and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower Industrial production growth rate: 6.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.104 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 41.4% industry: 18.3% services: 40.3% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.83% (2019 est.) 6.32% (2018 est.) note: these official rates may not include those working at near-subsistence farming Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27% male: 27.8% female: 25.9% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.3% (2012 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.2 (2017 est.) 30 (2008 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 3.614 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.874 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 71.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 27.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$908 million (2017 est.) -$899 million (2016 est.) Exports: $3.47 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.82 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Italy 45%, Spain 8%, Germany 6%, Greece 5%, France 4%, China 4% (2019) Exports - commodities: leather footwear and parts, crude petroleum, iron alloys, clothing, electricity, perfumes (2019) Imports: $5.67 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $6.93 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $6.85 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Italy 28%, Greece 12%, China 11%, Turkey 9%, Germany 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, tanned hides, packaged medical supplies, footwear parts (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.59 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.109 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $9.311 billion (2019 est.) $9.547 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: leke (ALL) per US dollar - 102.43 (2020 est.) 111.36 (2019 est.) 108.57 (2018 est.) 125.96 (2014 est.) 105.48 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.531 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 6,527,980,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 963 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 3.239 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.054 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: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 99.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 9,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 119,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 110,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 522 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 16,100 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 26,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 10,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 5,638 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,250 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 26,660 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 42.05 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 42.05 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 5.692 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.794 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 235,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.482 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 78,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 38.442 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 223,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,618,880 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 91 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Albania’s small telecom market has improved through signatory status of EU accession plan; EU financial aid will build infrastructure and enhance cooperation; operator committed €100 million to upgrade fixed-line infrastructure, supporting broadband services nationally; consistent with the region, fixed-line telephony use and penetration is declining as subscribers prefer mobile solutions; mobile sector is supported through LTE networks; operators have invested in 5G, including the intention to create a corridor with Kosovo; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2021) domestic: fixed-line approximately 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020) international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (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: Albania has more than 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally; Albanian TV broadcasts are also available to Albanian-speaking populations in neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; Albania's TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; the government has pledged to provide analog-to-digital converters to low-income families affected by this decision; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2019) Internet country code: .al Internet users: total: 2,043,251 (2020 est.) percent of population: 72% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 508,937 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (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: 303,137 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZA Airports: total: 3 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 498 km gas (a majority of the network is in disrepair and parts of it are missing), 249 km oil (2015) Railways: total: 677 km (2015) (447 km of major railway lines and 230 km of secondary lines) standard gauge: 677 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 3,945 km (2018) Waterways: 41 km (2011) (on the Bojana River) Merchant marine: total: 70 by type: general cargo 47, oil tanker 1, other 22 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Republic of Albania Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (FARSH)): Land Forces, Navy Forces (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces Ministry of Interior: Guard of the Republic, State Police (includes the Border and Migration Police) (2022) note: the State Police are primarily responsible for internal security, while the Guard of the Republic protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020) 1.5% of GDP (2019) (approximately $360 million) 1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $330 million) 1.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $290 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,000 total active duty personnel (5,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 500 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Albanian military was previously equipped with mostly Soviet-era weapons that were sold or destroyed; its inventory now includes a mix of mostly donated and second-hand European and US equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of equipment from France, Germany, and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 19 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 Military - note: Albania became a member of NATO in 2009; as of 2022, Greece and Italy were providing NATO's air policing mission for Albania 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: stateless persons: 1,528 (mid-year 2021) note: 11,827 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-January 2021) Illicit drugs: active transshipment point for Albanian narco-trafficking organizations moving illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin from Turkey and countries in South America and Asia throughout Europe; significant source country for cannabis productionactive transshipment point for Albanian narco-trafficking organizations moving illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin from Turkey and countries in South America and Asia throughout Europe; significant source country for cannabis production

20220901

countries-aruba

Topic: Photos of Aruba Topic: Introduction Background: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 180 sq km land: 180 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 68.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation Elevation: highest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m Natural resources: NEGL; white sandy beaches foster tourism Land use: agricultural land: 11.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 2.3% (2018 est.) other: 86.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island Natural hazards: hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened Geography - note: a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) Map description: Aruba map showing the island situated in the Caribbean Sea.Aruba map showing the island situated in the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 122,320 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Aruban(s) adjective: Aruban; Dutch Ethnic groups: Aruban 66%, Colombian 9.1%, Dutch 4.3%, Dominican 4.1%, Venezuelan 3.2%, Curacaoan 2.2%, Haitian 1.5%, Surinamese 1.2%, Peruvian 1.1%, Chinese 1.1%, other 6.2% (2010 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Languages: Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.55% (male 10,524/female 10,437) 15-24 years: 12.06% (male 7,231/female 7,175) 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 23,387/female 25,029) 55-64 years: 14.79% (male 8,285/female 9,383) 65 years and over: 15.05% (2020 est.) (male 7,064/female 10,913) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 47 youth dependency ratio: 25.6 elderly dependency ratio: 21.5 potential support ratio: 4.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 39.9 years male: 38.2 years female: 41.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.14% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 11.82 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 8.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island Urbanization: urban population: 44.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 30,000 ORANJESTAD (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.01 years male: 74.93 years female: 81.15 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.1% of population rural: 98.1% of population total: 98.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1.9% of population rural: 1.9% of population total: 1.9% of population (2015 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.7% of population rural: 97.7% of population total: 97.7% of population unimproved: urban: 2.3% of population rural: 2.3% of population total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.) 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: 5.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% male: 97.8% female: 97.8% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2012) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: difficulty in properly disposing of waste produced by large numbers of tourists; waste burning that occurs in the landfill causes air pollution and poses an environmental and health risk; ocean environmental damage due to plastic pollution Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 0.88 megatons (2016 est.) Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Land use: agricultural land: 11.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 2.3% (2018 est.) other: 86.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 44.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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: Government Country name: conventional long form: Country of Aruba conventional short form: Aruba local long form: Land Aruba (Dutch); Pais Aruba (Papiamento) local short form: Aruba etymology: the origin of the island's name is unclear; according to tradition, the name comes from the Spanish phrase "oro huba" (there was gold), but in fact no gold was ever found on the island; another possibility is the native word "oruba," which means "well-situated" Government type: parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Dependency status: constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Capital: name: Oranjestad geographic coordinates: 12 31 N, 70 02 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: translates as "orange town" in Dutch; the city is named after William I (1533-1584), Prince of Orange, the first ruler of the Netherlands Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: Aruba is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Curacao, and Sint Maarten Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) National holiday: National Anthem and Flag Day, 18 March (1976) Constitution: history: previous 1947, 1955; latest drafted and approved August 1985, enacted 1 January 1986 (regulates governance of Aruba but is subordinate to the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands); in 1986, Aruba became a semi-autonomous entity within the Kingdom of the Netherlands Legal system: civil law system based on the Dutch civil code Citizenship: see the Netherlands Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT (since 1 January 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES (since 17 November 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Legislature (Staten) elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a 6-year term; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Staten for 4-year term; election last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held by June 2026) election results: as leader of the majority party of the ruling coalition, Evelyn WEVER-CROES (MEP) elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2025) election results: percent of vote by party MEP 35.3%, AVP 31.3%, ROOTS 9.4%, MAS 8%, Accion21 5.8%; seats by party - MEP 9, AVP 7, ROOTS 2, MAS 2, Accion21 1; composition - men 13, women 8, percent of women 38.1% Judicial branch: highest courts: Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba or "Joint Court of Justice" (sits as a 3-judge panel); final appeals heard by the Supreme Court in The Hague, Netherlands judge selection and term of office: Joint Court judges appointed for life by the monarch subordinate courts:  Court in First Instance Political parties and leaders: Accion21 [Miguel MANSUR] Aruban People's Party or AVP [Michiel "Mike" EMAN] Democratic Network or RED [Ricardo CROES] Movimiento Aruba Soberano (Aruban Sovereignty Movement) or MAS [Marisol LOPEZ-TROMP] People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Evelyn WEVER-CROES] Pueblo Orguyoso y Respeta or POR [Alan Howell] RAIZ (ROOTS) [Ursell ARENDS] International organization participation: Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba Flag description: blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner; the star represents Aruba and its red soil and white beaches, its four points the four major languages (Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, English) as well as the four points of a compass, to indicate that its inhabitants come from all over the world; the blue symbolizes Caribbean waters and skies; the stripes represent the island's two main "industries": the flow of tourists to the sun-drenched beaches and the flow of minerals from the earth National symbol(s): Hooiberg (Haystack) Hill; national colors: blue, yellow, red, white National anthem: name: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country) lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy.   Tourism accounts for a majority of economic activity; as of 2017, over 2 million tourists visited Aruba annually, with the large majority (80-85%) of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom, especially in the hospitality sector.   Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to improve its trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers.   In 2016, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and the Government of Aruba signed an agreement to restart Valero Energy Corp.'s former 235,000-b/d refinery. Tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban Government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector continues to be a strong sector; unemployment has significantly decreased.Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Tourism accounts for a majority of economic activity; as of 2017, over 2 million tourists visited Aruba annually, with the large majority (80-85%) of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom, especially in the hospitality sector. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to improve its trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. In 2016, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and the Government of Aruba signed an agreement to restart Valero Energy Corp.'s former 235,000-b/d refinery. Tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban Government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector continues to be a strong sector; unemployment has significantly decreased. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.158 billion (2017 est.) $4.05 billion (2017 est.) $4.107 billion (2016 est.) Real GDP growth rate: 1.2% (2017 est.) -0.1% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $37,500 (2017 est.) $38,442 (2017 est.) $37,300 (2016 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.7 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.5% (2017 est.) -0.9% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2013) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.4% (2002 est.) industry: 33.3% (2002 est.) services: 66.3% (2002 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 60.3% (2014 est.) government consumption: 25.3% (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.3% (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2015 est.) exports of goods and services: 70.5% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -76.6% (2015 est.) Agricultural products: aloes; livestock; fish Industries: tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 51,610 (2007 est.) note: of the 51,610 workers aged 15 and over in the labor force, 32,252 were born in Aruba and 19,353 came from abroad; foreign workers are 38% of the employed population Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA note: most employment is in wholesale and retail trade, followed by hotels and restaurants Unemployment rate: 7.7% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 681.6 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 755.5 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 86% of GDP (2017 est.) 84.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 25.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $22 million (2017 est.) $133 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.45 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.56 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Malaysia 57%, United States 11%, Netherlands 6%, Jordan 6%, Venezuela 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, liquors, scrap iron, soap, tobacco (2019) Imports: $1.67 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.24 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.27 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 48%, Netherlands 16% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, cars, vehicle parts, tobacco products (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $921.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $828 million (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $693.2 million (31 December 2014 est.) $666.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) Exchange rates: Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2017 est.) 1.79 (2016 est.) 1.79 (2015 est.) 1.79 (2014 est.) 1.79 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 296,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 909.442 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 10.27 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 83.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 15.4% 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: 8,100 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: 7,891 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: 1.254 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.254 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 174.629 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 35,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 141,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021) domestic: ongoing changes in regulations and competition improving teledensity; approximately 34 per 100 fixed-line and 135 per 100 mobile-cellular (2018) international: country code - 297; landing points for the PAN-AM, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, and Alonso de Ojeda submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from Trinidad and Tobago, Florida, Puerto Ricco, Jamaica, Guyana, Sint Eustatius & Saba, Suriname, Dominican Republic, BVI, USVI, Haiti, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands Antilles,  through Aruba to Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (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 commercial TV stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 19 commercial radio stations broadcast (2017) Internet country code: .aw Internet users: total: 103,121 (2019 est.) percent of population: 97% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 19,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 19 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 274,280 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: P4 Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 1,000 km (2010) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas cruise port(s): Oranjestad Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Aruban Militia (ARUMIL) (2022) Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Aruba security services focus on organized crime and terrorism; the Dutch Government controls foreign and defense policy; the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) provides maritime security Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 17,000 (Venezuela) (2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; foreign men and women are subject to forced labor in Aruba’s services and construction sectors; Venezuelans overstaying visas are at risk of forced labor in domestic service, construction, and commercial sex; Chinese men and women and Indian men are subject to forced labor in retail businesses and domestic service; managers of some Chinese-owned grocery stores and restaurants exploit children through sex trafficking and forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Aruba does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government provided officials with anti-trafficking training, continued an awareness campaign, and continued to implement the 2018-2022 national action plan; however, officials investigated fewer trafficking cases and did not report prosecuting or convicting any traffickers; efforts were hindered by the conflation of trafficking with migrant smuggling; authorities also did not report identifying any victims, including Venezuelan migrants and refugees, who are vulnerable to trafficking (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; foreign men and women are subject to forced labor in Aruba’s services and construction sectors; Venezuelans overstaying visas are at risk of forced labor in domestic service, construction, and commercial sex; Chinese men and women and Indian men are subject to forced labor in retail businesses and domestic service; managers of some Chinese-owned grocery stores and restaurants exploit children through sex trafficking and forced labor Illicit drugs: northbound transshipment point for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; Cocaine shipped to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europenorthbound transshipment point for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; Cocaine shipped to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe

20220901

countries-bahrain

Topic: Photos of Bahrain Topic: Introduction Background: In 1783, the Sunni Al-KHALIFA family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. On 15 September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed peace agreements (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. Bahrain and the UAE thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.In 1783, the Sunni Al-KHALIFA family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. On 15 September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed peace agreements (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. Bahrain and the UAE thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 26 00 N, 50 33 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 760 sq km land: 760 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Elevation: highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 135 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls Land use: agricultural land: 11.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 5.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0.7% (2018 est.) other: 88% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Population distribution: smallest 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 Natural hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms Geography - note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean Map description: Bahrain map showing the islands that make up the country in the Gulf of Bahrain.Bahrain map showing the islands that make up the country in the Gulf of Bahrain. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,540,558 (2022 est.) note: immigrants make up approximately 45% of the total population, according to UN data (2019) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic groups: Bahraini 46%, Asian 45.5%, other Arab 4.7%, African 1.6%, European 1%, other 1.2% (includes Gulf Co-operative country nationals, North and South Americans, and Oceanians) (2010 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu 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 73.7%, Christian 9.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other 16.9% (2017 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.45% (male 141,039/female 136,687) 15-24 years: 15.16% (male 129,310/female 98,817) 25-54 years: 56.14% (male 550,135/female 294,778) 55-64 years: 6.89% (male 64,761/female 38,870) 65 years and over: 3.36% (2020 est.) (male 25,799/female 24,807) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 26.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.1 elderly dependency ratio: 3.4 potential support ratio: 29.8 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 32.9 years male: 34.4 years female: 30.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.88% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.4 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 2.82 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: smallest 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 Urbanization: urban population: 89.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 689,000 MANAMA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 14 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.9 years male: 77.63 years female: 82.24 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.67 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% (2019) Physicians density: 0.93 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Hospital bed density: 1.7 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: (2017 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2017 est.) <500 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2017 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 29.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 14.9% (2020 est.) male: 25.3% (2020 est.) female: 4.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2017 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 99.9% female: 94.9% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 5.3% male: 2.6% female: 12.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs); lowered water table leaves aquifers vulnerable to saline contamination; desalinization provides some 90% of the country's freshwater Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 69.04 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 31.69 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 15.47 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Land use: agricultural land: 11.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 5.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0.7% (2018 est.) other: 88% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 89.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.99% 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: 951,943 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 76,155 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2012 est.) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 275.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 144.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 116 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun, Tylos, Awal, Mishmahig, Bahrayn, State of Bahrain etymology: the name means "the two seas" in Arabic and refers to the water bodies surrounding the archipelago Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Arabic "al-manama" meaning "place of rest" or "place of dreams" Administrative divisions: 4 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asimah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern) note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor Independence: 15 August 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection Constitution: history: adopted 14 February 2002 amendments: proposed by the king or by at least 15 members of either chamber of the National Assembly followed by submission to an Assembly committee for review and, if approved, submitted to the government for restatement as drafts; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both chambers and validation by the king; constitutional articles on the state religion (Islam), state language (Arabic), and the monarchy and "inherited rule" cannot be amended; amended 2012, 2017 Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; 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: the father must be a citizen of Bahrain dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999) head of government: Prime Minister SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (since 11 November 2020); first deputy prime minister (vacant); Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa (since September 2005), Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH, ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 11 December 2006), KHALID bin Abdallah Al-Khalifa (since November 2010); note - KHALIFA ibn Salman Al Khalifa, who served as prime minister since Bahrain's independence in 1971, died on 11 November 2020 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) Council of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms) elections: Consultative Council - last appointments on 12 December 2018 (next NA) Council of Representatives - first round for 9 members held on 24 November 2018; second round for remaining 31 members held on 1 December 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: Consultative Council - composition - men 31, women 9, percent of women 22.5% Council of Representatives (for 2018 election)  - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Islamic Al-Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar al-Taqadumi (Communist) 2, National Unity Gathering (Sunni progovernment) 1, National Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1, independent 33; composition - men 34, women 6, percent of women 15%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 19% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation (consists of the chairman and 3 judges); Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chairman and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the president and 6 members); High Sharia Court of Appeal (court sittings include the president and at least one judge) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure; Constitutional Court president and members appointed by the Higher Judicial Council, a body chaired by the monarch and includes judges from the Court of Cassation, sharia law courts, and Civil High Courts of Appeal; members serve 9-year terms; High Sharia Court of Appeal member appointments by royal decree for a specified tenure subordinate courts: Civil High Courts of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; High Sharia Court of Appeal; Senior Sharia Court; Administrative Courts of Appeal; military courts note: the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into civil law courts and sharia law courts; sharia courts (involving personal status and family law) are further divided into Sunni Muslim and Shia Muslim; the Courts are supervised by the Supreme Judicial Council. Political parties and leaders: note: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 lawnote: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam note: until 2002, the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag National symbol(s): a red field surmounted by a white serrated band with five white points; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain) lyrics/music: unknown note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Dilmun Burial Mounds; Qal'at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbor and Capital of Dilmun; Bahrain Pearling Path Topic: Economy Economic overview: Oil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy. Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. In the last few years lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone. Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors. The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels. Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency denominated debt in 2017.   Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil and gas –finance, and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably.   In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector. Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018.Oil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy. Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. In the last few years lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone. Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors. The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels. Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency denominated debt in 2017. Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil and gas –finance, and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably. In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector. Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $69.65 billion (2020 est.) $73.95 billion (2019 est.) $72.51 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.49% (2019 est.) 13.89% (2018 est.) 3.85% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $40,900 (2020 est.) $45,100 (2019 est.) $46,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $38.472 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.3% (2017 est.) industry: 39.3% (2017 est.) services: 60.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 45.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 80.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.9% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: mutton, dates, milk, poultry, tomatoes, fruit, sheep offals, sheep skins, eggs, pumpkins Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 831,600 (2017 est.) note: excludes unemployed; 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1% industry: 32% services: 67% (2004 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.) note: official estimate; actual rate is higher Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 5.3% male: 2.6% female: 12.2% (2012 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 5.854 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.407 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -10.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 88.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.6 billion (2017 est.) -$1.493 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $30.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $26.762 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 31%, Saudi Arabia 12%, Japan 8%, United States 8% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, aluminum and plating, crude petroleum, iron ore, gold (2019) Imports: $27.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $22.132 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 27%, China 11%, Saudi Arabia 7%, United States 5%, Brazil 5%, Japan 5%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, iron ore, jewelry, gold, gas turbines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.349 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.094 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $52.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $42.55 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.37705 (2020 est.) 0.37705 (2019 est.) 0.377 (2018 est.) 0.376 (2014 est.) 0.376 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 6.982 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 31,038,250,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 447 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 652 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 611 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 185,300 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 73,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 228,800 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 186.5 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 274,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 245,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 14,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 18,271,840,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 18,251,140,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 81.382 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 43.112 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 7.308 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 35.804 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 547.976 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 274,106 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1,748,672 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Bahrain continues to develop its telecoms sector in a bid to develop its long-term Economic Vision 2030 strategy; this is a multi-faceted strategy aimed at developing a digital transformation across numerous sectors, including e-government, e-health, e-commerce, and e-banking; the major telcos including Batelco, STC Bahrain, and Zain Bahrain have been supported by the government and regulator to develop services and network infrastructure to facilitate implementing the strategy; 5G services have become widely available since they were launched in 2020; the national broadband network operator BNET was also financially separated from Batelco in mid-2021, in a bid to improve its responsibilities as a neutral wholesale access provider; Bahrain’s telecom sector by the Fourth National Telecommunications Plan (initiated in 2016) which focuses on fiber optic infrastructure deployment and establishing affordable prices for high-speed access. (2022) domestic: approximately 16 per 100 fixed-line and 103 per 100 mobile-cellular; modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly expanding mobile-cellular telephones (2020) international: country code - 973; landing points for the FALCON, Tata TGN-Gulf, GBICS/MENA, and FOG submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (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 Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2019) Internet country code: .bh Internet users: total: 170,158 (2020 est.) percent of population: 100% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 148,928 (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: 42 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,877,003 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 420.98 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A9C Airports: total: 4 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 20 km gas, 54 km oil (2013) Roadways: total: 4,122 km (2010) paved: 3,392 km (2010) unpaved: 730 km (2010) Merchant marine: total: 205 by type: general cargo 12, oil tanker 4, other 189 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Mina' Salman, Sitrah Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes the Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard (2022) note: the Royal Guard is officially under the command of the Army, but exercises considerable autonomy; the National Guard's primary mission is to guard critical infrastructure such as the airport and oil fields; while the Guard is under the Ministry of Interior, it reports directly to the king Military expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2021 est.) 4.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $2.09 billion) 4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $2.08 billion) 4.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $2.18 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 10,000 active personnel (7,500 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,500 Air Force); approximately 3,000 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Bahrain Defense force consists of a mix of equipment acquired from a wide variety of suppliers; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier of arms to Bahrain (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2022) Military - note: Bahrain hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT; established 1983), which includes the US 5th Fleet, several subordinate naval task forces, and the Combined Maritime Forces (established 2002), a coalition of more than 30 nations providing maritime security for regional shipping lanes; in 2018, the UK opened a naval support base in Bahrain in addition to the US and UK, Bahrain maintains close security ties to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates; both Saudi Arabia and the UAE sent forces to Bahrain to assist with internal security following the 2011 uprising; in 2015, Bahrain joined the Saudi Arabia-led military action to try to restore the Government of Yemen that was ousted by Iranian-backed Huthi rebels, supplying a few hundred troops and combat aircraft Bahrain 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): al-Ashtar Brigades; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force note 1: 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 note 2: in addition to the al-Ashtar Brigades and the IRGC/Qods Force, Saraya al-Mukhtar (aka The Mukhtar Brigade) is an Iran-backed terrorist organization based in Bahrain, reportedly receiving financial and logistic support from the IRGC; Saraya al-Mukhtar's self-described goal is to depose the Bahraini Government with the intention of paving the way for Iran to exert greater influence in Bahrain; the group was designated by the US as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in Dec 2020 Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

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-tuvalu

Topic: Photos of Tuvalu Topic: Introduction Background: The islands were first populated by voyagers from either Samoa or Tonga in the first millennium A.D., and Tuvalu provided a steppingstone for various Polynesian communities that subsequently settled in Melanesia and Micronesia. Tuvalu eventually came under Samoan and Tongan spheres of influence although proximity to Micronesia allowed some Micronesian communities to flourish in Tuvalu, in particular on Nui Atoll. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Tuvalu was visited by a series of American, British, Dutch, and Russian ships. The islands were named the Ellice Islands in 1819. The first Christian missionaries arrived in 1861, eventually converting most of the population, and around the same time, several hundred Tuvaluans were kidnapped by people purporting to be missionaries and sent to work on plantations in Peru and Hawaii. The UK declared a protectorate over the Ellice Islands in 1892 and merged it with the Micronesian Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate became a colony in 1916. During World War II, the US set up military bases on a few islands, and in 1943, after Japan captured many of the northern Gilbert Islands, the UK transferred administration of the colony southward to Funafuti. After the war, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was once again made the colony’s capital and the center of power was firmly in the Gilbert Islands, including the colony’s only secondary school. Amid growing tensions with the Gilbertese, Tuvaluans voted to secede from the colony in 1974, were granted self-rule in 1975, and gained independence in 1978 as Tuvalu. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims to Tuvaluan islands in a treaty of friendship. The Tuvalu Trust Fund was established in 1987 to provide a longterm economic future for the country. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. The contract was renewed in 2011 for a ten-year period. Tuvalu’s isolation means it sees few tourists; in 2020, Funafuti International Airport had four weekly flights - three to Suva, Fiji, and one to Tarawa. Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change; in 2018, sea levels in Funafuti were rising twice as fast as global averages. The Tuvalu Trust Fund was established in 1987 to provide a longterm economic future for the country. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. The contract was renewed in 2011 for a ten-year period. Tuvalu’s isolation means it sees few tourists; in 2020, Funafuti International Airport had four weekly flights - three to Suva, Fiji, and one to Tarawa. Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change; in 2018, sea levels in Funafuti were rising twice as fast as global averages.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 24 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Terrain: low-lying and narrow coral atolls Elevation: highest point: unnamed location 5 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m Natural resources: fish, coconut (copra) Land use: agricultural land: 60% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 33.3% (2018 est.) other: 6.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti Natural hazards: severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low levels of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Geography - note: one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon Map description: Tuvalu map showing the major islands that make up this island group in the South Pacific Ocean.Tuvalu map showing the major islands that make up this island group in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 11,544 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan Ethnic groups: Tuvaluan 97%, Tuvaluan/I-Kiribati 1.6%, Tuvaluan/other 0.8%, other 0.6% (2017 est.) Languages: Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Religions: Protestant 92.7% (Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu 85.9%, Brethren 2.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.5%, Assemblies of God 1.5%), Baha'i 1.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 3.9%, none or refused 0.4% (2017 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.42% (male 1,711/female 1,626) 15-24 years: 16.55% (male 986/female 925) 25-54 years: 37.17% (male 2,157/female 2,059) 55-64 years: 9.25% (male 451/female 617) 65 years and over: 7.21% (2022 est.) (male 307/female 525) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 26.6 years male: 25.6 years female: 27.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.83% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -6.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti Urbanization: urban population: 65.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 7,000 FUNAFUTI (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.38 years male: 65.96 years female: 70.92 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.83 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA 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: 24% (2019) Physicians density: 1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 91.8% of population rural: 91% of population total: 91.5% of population unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population rural: 9% of population total: 8.5% of population (2017 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 51.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 35.6% (2020 est.) male: 49.8% (2020 est.) female: 21.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.6% male: 9.8% female: 45.9% (2016) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water needs met by catchment systems; the use of sand as a building material has led to beachhead erosion; deforestation; damage to coral reefs from increasing ocean temperatures and acidification; rising sea levels threaten water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 11.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.01 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.01 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Land use: agricultural land: 60% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 33.3% (2018 est.) other: 6.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 65.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands etymology: "tuvalu" means "group of eight" or "eight standing together" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Funafuti; note - the capital is an atoll of some 29 islets; administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet geographic coordinates: 8 31 S, 179 13 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the atoll is named after a founding ancestor chief, Funa, from the island of Samoa Administrative divisions: 7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu Independence: 1 October 1978 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Constitution: history: previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986 amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading; amended 2007, 2010, 2013; note - in 2016, the United Nations Development Program and the Tuvaluan Government initiated a review of the country's constitution, which was ongoing as of early 2021 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and local customary law 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; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: na Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu FALANI (since 29 August 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Kausea NATANO (since 19 September 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections election results: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote count on 19 September 2019 - 10 to 6 Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly or Fale I Fono (16 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 9 September 2019 (next to be held on September 2023) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16 (9 members reelected) Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and not less than 3 appeals judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts Political parties and leaders: there are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuelu LALONIU (since 21 July 2017) note - also Permanent Representative to UN telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975 email address and website: email - tuvalumission.un@gmail.com web address - https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about embassy: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017 note - the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow, five-pointed stars on a blue field symbolizing the nine atolls in the ocean National symbol(s): maneapa (native meeting house); national colors: light blue, yellow National anthem: name: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty) lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. Only eight of the atolls are inhabited. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its highest point at 4.6 meters above sea level. The country is isolated, almost entirely dependent on imports, particularly of food and fuel, and vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which pose significant challenges to development.   The public sector dominates economic activity. Tuvalu has few natural resources, except for its fisheries. Earnings from fish exports and fishing licenses for Tuvalu’s territorial waters are a significant source of government revenue. In 2013, revenue from fishing licenses doubled and totaled more than 45% of GDP.   Official aid from foreign development partners has also increased. Tuvalu has substantial assets abroad. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international trust fund established in 1987 by development partners, has grown to $104 million (A$141 million) in 2014 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. While remittances are another substantial source of income, the value of remittances has declined since the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but has stabilized at nearly $4 million per year. The financial impact of climate change and the cost of climate related adaptation projects is one of many concerns for the nation.Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. Only eight of the atolls are inhabited. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its highest point at 4.6 meters above sea level. The country is isolated, almost entirely dependent on imports, particularly of food and fuel, and vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which pose significant challenges to development. The public sector dominates economic activity. Tuvalu has few natural resources, except for its fisheries. Earnings from fish exports and fishing licenses for Tuvalu’s territorial waters are a significant source of government revenue. In 2013, revenue from fishing licenses doubled and totaled more than 45% of GDP. Official aid from foreign development partners has also increased. Tuvalu has substantial assets abroad. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international trust fund established in 1987 by development partners, has grown to $104 million (A$141 million) in 2014 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. While remittances are another substantial source of income, the value of remittances has declined since the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but has stabilized at nearly $4 million per year. The financial impact of climate change and the cost of climate related adaptation projects is one of many concerns for the nation. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $50 million (2020 est.) $50 million (2019 est.) $50 million (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.2% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) 9.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,400 (2020 est.) $4,300 (2019 est.) $3,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $40 million (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24.5% (2012 est.) industry: 5.6% (2012 est.) services: 70% (2012 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption: 87% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.7% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.1% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, vegetables, tropical fruit, bananas, roots/tubers nes, pork, poultry, eggs, pig fat, pig offals Industries: fishing Industrial production growth rate: -26.1% (2012 est.) Labor force: 3,615 (2004 est.) Labor force - by occupation: note: most people make a living through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls - and through overseas remittances (mostly from workers in the phosphate industry and sailors)note: most people make a living through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls - and through overseas remittances (mostly from workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) Unemployment rate: NANA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.6% male: 9.8% female: 45.9% (2016) Population below poverty line: 26.3% (2010 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.1 (2010 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 42.68 million (2013 est.) expenditures: 32.46 million (2012 est.) note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 25.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.) Public debt: 37% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 106.7% (of GDP) (2013 est.) note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $2 million (2017 est.) $8 million (2016 est.) Exports: $10 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Thailand 50%, Indonesia 40% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish, ships, coins, metal-clad products, electrical power accessories (2019) Imports: $70 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $60 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 32%, Japan 29%, Fiji 23%, New Zealand 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fishing ships, tug boats, other ships, iron structures (2019) Debt - external: NANA Exchange rates: Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3442 (2016 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2014 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day 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: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 8,000 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 70.36 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: internal communications needs met; small global scale of over 11,000 people on 9 inhabited islands; mobile subscriber penetration about 40% and broadband about 10% penetration; govt. owned and sole provider of telecommunications services; 2G widespread; the launch in 2019 of the Kacific-1 satellite will improve the telecommunication sector for the Asia Pacific region (2020) domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands; fixed-line teledensity over 17 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 70 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite 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: no TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV stations; 1 government-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays of programming from international broadcasters (2019) Internet country code: .tv Internet users: total: 5,711 (2019 est.) percent of population: 49% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 450 (2017 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2017 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: T2 Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 8 km (2011) paved: 8 km (2011) Merchant marine: total: 245 by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 3, general cargo 32, oil tanker 21, other 167 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Funafuti Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (Ministry of Justice, Communications, and Foreign Affairs) (2022) Military - note: Australia provides support to the Tuvalu Police Force, including donations of patrol boats (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

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

countries-syria-summaries

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. 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.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. 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. Topic: Geography Area: total: 187,437 sq km land: 185,887 sq km water: 1,550 sq km 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 Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Topic: People and Society Population: 21,563,800 (2022 est.) 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 Religions: Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3% Population growth rate: 5.91% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime Capital: name: Damascus 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) 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: low-income Middle Eastern economy; prior infrastructure and economy devastated by 11-year civil war; ongoing US sanctions; sporadic trans-migration during conflict; currently being supported by World Bank trust fund; ongoing hyperinflationlow-income Middle Eastern economy; prior infrastructure and economy devastated by 11-year civil war; ongoing US sanctions; sporadic trans-migration during conflict; currently being supported by World Bank trust fund; ongoing hyperinflation Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $50.28 billion (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,900 (2015 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 Exports: $1.85 billion (2017 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.) 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)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022

20220901

field-death-rate-country-comparison

20220901

countries-south-sudan-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to South Sudan due to crime, 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 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: [211] 912-105-188; US Embassy in Juba, Kololo Road, adjacent to the European Union’s compound, Juba, South Sudan; ACSJuba@state.gov; https://ss.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 211 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 997; Fire: 998; Police: 999 Vaccinations: Yellow fever vaccine, at least 10 days before arrival, is required for travelers originating from or transiting through WHO-designated yellow fever countries. See WHO recommendations. 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 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: 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 Currency (Code): South Sudanese pounds (SSP) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D Major Languages: English, Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk Major Religions: Animist, Christian, Muslim Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Boma National Park; Wau; Southern National Park; Kidepo Game Reserve; Bandingilo National Park Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, track and field Cultural Practices: It is considered rude to not remove one's shoes before entering a household. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not customary. Souvenirs: Ebony-wood-carved animal tribal items, grass woven baskets, leather items, gold jewelry, spices Traditional Cuisine: Ful Medames — a vegetarian dish typically made with fava beans and served with toppings such as tomatoes, greens, feta, red onions, hard-boiled eggs, or shata (hot sauce)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

countries-nigeria

Topic: Photos of Nigeria Topic: Introduction Background: In ancient and pre-colonial times, the area of present-day Nigeria was occupied by a great diversity of ethnic groups with different languages and traditions. These included Islamic empires in northern Nigeria and smaller organized political groupings in southern Nigeria. British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. In 1914, the British amalgamated their separately administered northern and southern territories into modern-day Nigeria. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy. After independence in 1960, politics were marked by coups and mostly military rule, until the death of a military head of state in 1998 allowed for a political transition. In 1999, a new constitution was adopted and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of institutionalizing democracy and reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through decades of corruption and mismanagement. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. National and state elections in 2011 and 2015 were generally regarded as credible. The 2015 election was also heralded for the fact that the then-umbrella opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, defeated the long-ruling People's Democratic Party that had governed since 1999, and assumed the presidency, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another. Presidential and legislative elections were held in early 2019 and deemed broadly free and fair despite voting irregularities, intimidation, and violence.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 923,768 sq km land: 910,768 sq km water: 13,000 sq km Area - comparative: about six times the size of Georgia; slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 4,477 km border countries (4): Benin 809 km; Cameroon 1,975 km; Chad 85 km; Niger 1,608 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Elevation: highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 380 m Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 78% (2018 est.) arable land: 37.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 33.3% (2018 est.) forest: 9.5% (2018 est.) other: 12.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,930 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km note - area varies by season and year to year Major rivers (by length in km): Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 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) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Major aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System Population distribution: largest 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 Natural hazards: periodic droughts; flooding Geography - note: the Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea Map description: Nigeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.Nigeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea. Topic: People and Society Population: 225,082,083 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Ethnic groups: Hausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9% (2018 est.) note: Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages Religions: Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other .6% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Nigeria’s population is projected to grow from more than 186 million people in 2016 to 392 million in 2050, becoming the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria’s sustained high population growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future because of population momentum and its high birth rate. Abuja has not successfully implemented family planning programs to reduce and space births because of a lack of political will, government financing, and the availability and affordability of services and products, as well as a cultural preference for large families. Increased educational attainment, especially among women, and improvements in health care are needed to encourage and to better enable parents to opt for smaller families.Nigeria needs to harness the potential of its burgeoning youth population in order to boost economic development, reduce widespread poverty, and channel large numbers of unemployed youth into productive activities and away from ongoing religious and ethnic violence. While most movement of Nigerians is internal, significant emigration regionally and to the West provides an outlet for Nigerians looking for economic opportunities, seeking asylum, and increasingly pursuing higher education. Immigration largely of West Africans continues to be insufficient to offset emigration and the loss of highly skilled workers. Nigeria also is a major source, transit, and destination country for forced labor and sex trafficking.Nigeria’s population is projected to grow from more than 186 million people in 2016 to 392 million in 2050, becoming the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria’s sustained high population growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future because of population momentum and its high birth rate. Abuja has not successfully implemented family planning programs to reduce and space births because of a lack of political will, government financing, and the availability and affordability of services and products, as well as a cultural preference for large families. Increased educational attainment, especially among women, and improvements in health care are needed to encourage and to better enable parents to opt for smaller families.Nigeria needs to harness the potential of its burgeoning youth population in order to boost economic development, reduce widespread poverty, and channel large numbers of unemployed youth into productive activities and away from ongoing religious and ethnic violence. While most movement of Nigerians is internal, significant emigration regionally and to the West provides an outlet for Nigerians looking for economic opportunities, seeking asylum, and increasingly pursuing higher education. Immigration largely of West Africans continues to be insufficient to offset emigration and the loss of highly skilled workers. Nigeria also is a major source, transit, and destination country for forced labor and sex trafficking. Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.7% (male 45,571,738/female 43,674,769) 15-24 years: 20.27% (male 22,022,660/female 21,358,753) 25-54 years: 30.6% (male 32,808,913/female 32,686,474) 55-64 years: 4.13% (male 4,327,847/female 4,514,264) 65 years and over: 3.3% (2020 est.) (male 3,329,083/female 3,733,801) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 86 youth dependency ratio: 80.9 elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 potential support ratio: 19.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.4 years female: 18.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.53% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 34.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: largest 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 Urbanization: urban population: 53.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 15.388 million Lagos, 4.219 million Kano, 3.756 million Ibadan, 3.652 million ABUJA (capital), 3.325 million Port Harcourt, 1.841 million Benin City (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.4 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 917 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.33 years male: 59.51 years female: 63.27 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 16.6% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.3% of population rural: 68.8% of population total: 82.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.7% of population rural: 31.2% of population total: 17.4% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 3% (2019) Physicians density: 0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 81.6% of population rural: 41.4% of population total: 62.3% of population unimproved: urban: 18.4% of population rural: 58.6% of population total: 37.7% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.7 million (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 49,000 (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, and yellow fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis and schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever note 1: on 4 May 2022, 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 is 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 note 2: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Nigeria; as of 6 June 2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 256,148 cases of COVID-19 or 124.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 3,148 cumulative deaths or a rate of 1.5 cumulative death per 100,000 population; as of 22 May 2022, 12.97% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine note 3: 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 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: 8.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 3.7% (2020 est.) male: 6.9% (2020 est.) female: 0.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 18.4% (2019/20) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 15.7% women married by age 18: 43.4% men married by age 18: 3.2% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62% male: 71.3% female: 52.7% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 8 years (2011) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 18.3% male: 18.4% NA female: 18.2% (2019 est.) NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: serious overpopulation and rapid urbanization have led to numerous environmental problems; urban air and water pollution; rapid deforestation; soil degradation; loss of arable land; oil pollution - water, air, and soil have suffered serious damage 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, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Tropical Timber 2006 Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 48.73 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 120.37 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 143.99 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Land use: agricultural land: 78% (2018 est.) arable land: 37.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 33.3% (2018 est.) forest: 9.5% (2018 est.) other: 12.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 53.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.02% 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 E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis and schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever note 1: on 4 May 2022, 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 is 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 note 2: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Nigeria; as of 6 June 2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 256,148 cases of COVID-19 or 124.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 3,148 cumulative deaths or a rate of 1.5 cumulative death per 100,000 population; as of 22 May 2022, 12.97% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine note 3: 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 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 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) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 27,614,830 tons (2009 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km note - area varies by season and year to year Major rivers (by length in km): Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 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) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Major aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.965 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.51 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 286.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria etymology: named for the Niger River that flows through the west of the country to the Atlantic Ocean; from a native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir" Government type: federal presidential republic Capital: name: Abuja geographic coordinates: 9 05 N, 7 32 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Abuja is a planned capital city, it replaced Lagos in 1991; situated in the center of the country, Abuja takes its name from a nearby town, now renamed Suleja Administrative divisions: 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara Independence: 1 October 1960 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 5 May 1999, effective 29 May 1999 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses and approval by the Houses of Assembly of at least two thirds of the states; amendments to constitutional articles on the creation of a new state, fundamental constitutional rights, or constitution-amending procedures requires at least four-fifths majority vote by both houses of the National Assembly and approval by the Houses of Assembly in at least two thirds of the states; passage of amendments limited to the creation of a new state require at least two-thirds majority vote by the proposing National Assembly house and approval by the Houses of Assembly in two thirds of the states; amended several times, last in 2018 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional 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 Nigeria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Maj. Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces head of government: President Maj.Gen. (ret.) Muhammadu BUHARI (since 29 May 2015); Vice President Oluyemi "Yemi" OSINBAJO (since 29 May 2015) cabinet: Federal Executive Council appointed by the president but constrained constitutionally to include at least one member from each of the 36 states elections/appointments: president directly elected by qualified majority popular vote and at least 25% of the votes cast in 24 of Nigeria's 36 states; president elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 February 2019 (next to be held on 25 February 2023) election results: Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (APC) 53%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 39%, other 8% (2019) Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (109 seats - 3 each for the 36 states and 1 for Abuja-Federal Capital Territory; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (360 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 23 February 2019 (next to be held on 25 February 2023) House of Representatives - last held on 23 February 2019 (next to be held on 25 February 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 65, PDP 39, YPP 1, TBD 3; composition - men 101, women 8, percent of women 7.3% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 217, PDP 115, other 20, TBD 8; composition - men 347, women 13, percent of women 3.6%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 4.5% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 15 justices) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, a 23-member independent body of federal and state judicial officials; judge appointments confirmed by the Senate; judges serve until age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; Federal High Court; High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory; state court system similar in structure to federal system Political parties and leaders: Accord Party or ACC [Mohammad Lawal MALADO] Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) [Ralph Okey NWOSU]  All Progressives Congress or APC [Abdullahi ADAMU] All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor Ike OYE] Labor Party or LP [Alhai Abdulkadir ABDULSALAM] Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Iyourchia AYU] Young Progressive Party or YPP [Olufemi FOLAYAN] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, D-8, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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 Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green; the color green represents the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, white stands for peace and unity National symbol(s): eagle; national colors: green, white National anthem: name: "Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey" lyrics/music: John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B.A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P.O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE note: adopted 1978; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Sukur Cultural Landscape; Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove Topic: Economy Economic overview: Nigeria is Sub Saharan Africa’s largest economy and relies heavily on oil as its main source of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Following the 2008-09 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively recapitalized and regulation enhanced. Since then, Nigeria’s economic growth has been driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services. Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline in poverty levels; over 62% of Nigeria's over 180 million people still live in extreme poverty.   Despite its strong fundamentals, oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, delays in the passage of legislative reforms, an inefficient property registration system, restrictive trade policies, an inconsistent regulatory environment, a slow and ineffective judicial system, unreliable dispute resolution mechanisms, insecurity, and pervasive corruption. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production had been contracting every year since 2012 until a slight rebound in 2017.   President BUHARI, elected in March 2015, has established a cabinet of economic ministers that includes several technocrats, and he has announced plans to increase transparency, diversify the economy away from oil, and improve fiscal management, but has taken a primarily protectionist approach that favors domestic producers at the expense of consumers. President BUHARI ran on an anti-corruption platform, and has made some headway in alleviating corruption, such as implementation of a Treasury Single Account that allows the government to better manage its resources and a more transparent government payroll and personnel system that eliminated duplicate and "ghost workers." The government also is working to develop stronger public-private partnerships for roads, agriculture, and power.   Nigeria entered recession in 2016 as a result of lower oil prices and production, exacerbated by militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, coupled with detrimental economic policies, including foreign exchange restrictions. GDP growth turned positive in 2017 as oil prices recovered and output stabilized.Nigeria is Sub Saharan Africa’s largest economy and relies heavily on oil as its main source of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Following the 2008-09 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively recapitalized and regulation enhanced. Since then, Nigeria’s economic growth has been driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services. Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline in poverty levels; over 62% of Nigeria's over 180 million people still live in extreme poverty. Despite its strong fundamentals, oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, delays in the passage of legislative reforms, an inefficient property registration system, restrictive trade policies, an inconsistent regulatory environment, a slow and ineffective judicial system, unreliable dispute resolution mechanisms, insecurity, and pervasive corruption. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production had been contracting every year since 2012 until a slight rebound in 2017. President BUHARI, elected in March 2015, has established a cabinet of economic ministers that includes several technocrats, and he has announced plans to increase transparency, diversify the economy away from oil, and improve fiscal management, but has taken a primarily protectionist approach that favors domestic producers at the expense of consumers. President BUHARI ran on an anti-corruption platform, and has made some headway in alleviating corruption, such as implementation of a Treasury Single Account that allows the government to better manage its resources and a more transparent government payroll and personnel system that eliminated duplicate and "ghost workers." The government also is working to develop stronger public-private partnerships for roads, agriculture, and power. Nigeria entered recession in 2016 as a result of lower oil prices and production, exacerbated by militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, coupled with detrimental economic policies, including foreign exchange restrictions. GDP growth turned positive in 2017 as oil prices recovered and output stabilized. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,013,530,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,032,050,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,009,750,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 0.8% (2017 est.) -1.6% (2016 est.) 2.7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,900 (2020 est.) $5,100 (2019 est.) $5,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $475.062 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.3% (2019 est.) 12.1% (2018 est.) 16.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 21.1% (2016 est.) industry: 22.5% (2016 est.) services: 56.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 80% (2017 est.) government consumption: 5.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 11.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -13.2% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts, fruit, sweet potatoes Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 60.08 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 10% services: 20% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.5% (2017 est.) 13.9% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 18.3% male: 18.4% NA female: 18.2% (2019 est.) NA Population below poverty line: 40.1% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35.1 (2018 est.) 50.6 (1997) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 38.2% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 12.92 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.54 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 21.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $10.38 billion (2017 est.) $2.714 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $39.94 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $69.93 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $66.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: India 16%, Spain 10%, United States 7%, France 7%, Netherlands 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, scrap vessels, flexible metal tubing, cocoa beans (2019) Imports: $72.18 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $100.82 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $71.64 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 30%, Netherlands 11%, United States 6%, Belgium 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, wheat, laboratory glassware, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $38.77 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $25.84 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $26.847 billion (2019 est.) $22.755 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 383.5 (2020 est.) 362.75 (2019 est.) 363 (2018 est.) 192.73 (2014 est.) 158.55 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 62% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 30% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 11.691 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 24,611,480,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.713 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 78.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 21.7% 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: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 44,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 77,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 344 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 1,646,900 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 483,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,889,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 36.89 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 35,010 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 2,332 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 223,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 46,296,835,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 18,787,602,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 27,509,177,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 5,760,883,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 104.494 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 231,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 67.406 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 36.856 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 8.466 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 107,031 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 204,228,678 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: one of the larger telecom markets in Africa subject to sporadic access to electricity and vandalism of infrastructure; most Internet connections are via mobile networks; foreign investment presence, particularly from China; market competition with affordable access; LTE technologies available but GSM is dominant; mobile penetration high due to use of multiple SIM cards and phones; government committed to expanding broadband penetration; operators to deploy fiber optic cable in six geopolitical zones and Lagos; operators invested in base stations to deplete network congestion; submarine cable break in 2020 slowed speeds and interrupted connectivity; importer of phones and broadcast equipment from China; Nigeria concluded its first 5G spectrum auction in 2021 and granted licenses to two firms: MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications; construction of 5G infrastructure has not yet been completed. (2022) domestic: fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network; multiple cellular providers operate nationally with subscribership base over 99 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, NCSCS,  MainOne, Glo-1 & 2, ACE, and Equiano fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and South and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian 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: nearly 70 federal government-controlled national and regional TV stations; all 36 states operate TV stations; several private TV stations operational; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; network of federal government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations; roughly 40 state government-owned radio stations typically carry their own programs except for news broadcasts; about 20 private radio stations; transmissions of international broadcasters are available; digital broadcasting migration process completed in three states in 2018 (2019) Internet country code: .ng Internet users: total: 74,210,251 (2020 est.) percent of population: 36% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 65,313 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.03 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 104 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,169,192 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 19.42 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5N Airports: total: 54 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Heliports: 5 (2021) Pipelines: 124 km condensate, 4,045 km gas, 164 km liquid petroleum gas, 4,441 km oil, 3,940 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 3,798 km (2014) standard gauge: 293 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,505 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge note: as of the end of 2018, there were only six operational locomotives in Nigeria primarily used for passenger service; the majority of the rail lines are in a severe state of disrepair and need to be replaced Roadways: total: 195,000 km (2017) paved: 60,000 km (2017) unpaved: 135,000 km (2017) Waterways: 8,600 km (2011) (Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) Merchant marine: total: 791 by type: general cargo 14, oil tanker 110, other 667 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos oil terminal(s): Bonny Terminal, Brass Terminal, Escravos Terminal, Forcados Terminal, Pennington Terminal, Qua Iboe Terminal LNG terminal(s) (export): Bonny Island Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force; Ministry of Interior: Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC, a paramilitary agency commissioned to assist the military in the management of threats to internal security, including attacks and natural disasters) (2022) note: some states have created local security forces in response to increased violence, insecurity, and criminality that have exceeded the response capacity of government security forces Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2019) (approximately $3.53 billion) 0.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $3.72 billion) 0.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.42 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 135,000 active duty armed forces personnel (100,000 Army; 20,000 Navy/Coast Guard; 15,000 Air Force); approximately 80,000 Security and Civil Defense Corps (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Nigerian Armed Forces' inventory consists of a wide variety of imported weapons systems of Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, Russian (including Soviet-era), and US origin; since 2010, Nigeria has undertaken a considerable military modernization program, and has received equipment from some 20 countries with China, Russia, and the US as the leading suppliers; Nigeria is also developing a defense-industry capacity, including small arms, armored personnel vehicles, and small-scale naval production (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2022) Military deployments: 200 Ghana (ECOMIG) (2022) note: Nigeria has committed an Army combat brigade (approximately 3,000 troops) to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional counter-terrorism force comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; MNJTF conducts operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically Military - note: as of 2022, the Nigerian military was sub-Saharan Africa’s largest and regarded as one of its most capable forces; it was focused largely on internal security and faced a number of challenges that have stretched its resources, however; the Army was deployed in all 36 of the country's states; in the northeast, it was conducting counterinsurgency/counter-terrorist operations against the Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) terrorist groups, where it has deployed as many as 70,000 troops at times and jihadist-related violence has killed an estimated 35-40,000 people, mostly civilians, since 2009 (as of 2022); in the northwest, it faced growing threats from criminal gangs, bandits, and violence associated with historical and ongoing farmer-herder conflicts, as well as BH and ISWA terrorists; bandits in the northwest were estimated to number in the low 10,000s and violence there has killed more than 10,000 since the mid-2010s; the military also continued to protect the oil industry in the Niger Delta region against militants and criminal activity, although the levels of violence there have decreased in recent years; beginning in May 2021, a contingent of military troops and police were deployed to eastern Nigeria to quell renewed agitation for a state of Biafra (Biafra seceded from Nigeria in the late 1960s, sparking a civil war that caused more than 1 million deaths) as of 2022, the Navy was focused on security in the Gulf of Guinea; since 2016, it has developed a maritime strategy, boosted naval training and its naval presence in the Gulf, increased participation in regional maritime security efforts, and acquired a significant number of new naval platforms, including offshore and coastal patrol craft, fast attack boats, and air assets the Nigerian military traces its origins to the Nigeria Regiment of the West African Frontier Force (WAFF), a multi-regiment force formed by the British colonial office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Nigeria (Lagos and the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria), Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, and Gambia; the WAFF served with distinction in both East and West Africa during World War I; in 1928, it received royal recognition and was re-named the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF); the RWAFF went on to serve in World War II as part of the British 81st and 82nd (West African) divisions in the East Africa and Burma campaigns; in 1956, the Nigeria Regiment of the RWAFF was renamed the Nigerian Military Forces (NMF) and in 1958, the colonial government of Nigeria took over control of the NMF from the British War Office; the Nigerian Armed Forces were established following independence in 1960 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): Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa; Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis-Sudan (Ansaru) 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: Nigeria-Benin: none identified Nigeria-Cameroon: Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phaseout of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues; demarcation of the Bakassi Peninsula and adjoining border areas should be finalized in 2022; as Lake Chad’s evaporation exposed dry land, only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Nigeria-Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea: the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementation Nigeria-Niger: none identifiedNigeria-Benin: none identifiedNigeria-Cameroon: Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately ceded sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phaseout of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues; demarcation of the Bakassi Peninsula and adjoining border areas should be finalized in 2022; as Lake Chad’s evaporation exposed dry land, only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundariesNigeria-Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea: the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementationNigeria-Niger: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 79,681 (Cameroon) (2022) IDPs: 3,030,544 (northeast Nigeria; Boko Haram attacks and counterinsurgency efforts in northern Nigeria; communal violence between Christians and Muslims in the middle belt region, political violence; flooding; forced evictions; cattle rustling; competition for resources) (2022) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Nigeria along with victims from Nigeria abroad; internal trafficking involving recruiting victims from rural areas for commercial sex  and forced labor in domestic work, street vending, mining, agriculture, begging and textile manufacturing; traffickers operate “baby factories” where women held against their will are raped and children are sold into forced labor or sex trafficking or rented to beggars to increase their profits; women are often taken to other West and Central African countries, South Africa, Europe and the Middle East for commercial sex; Boko Haram and ISIS-WA forcibly recruit, abduct, and use child soldiers as young as 12 as cooks, spies, messengers, bodyguards, armed combatants, and suicide bombers; they abduct women and girls in the northern region of Nigeria for sexual slavery and forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Nigeria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government is continuing to train officials and raise public awareness; the government established anti-trafficking task forces in Borno and Ekiti states and used new technology to collect victim testimony; authorities prosecuted three government officials complicit in human trafficking; the government is drafting a memoranda of understanding that will improve coordination between government agencies; however, security forces used at least two children in support roles; some security officials were involved in sex trafficking; no criminal charges were made against military officials or members of the Civilian Joint Task Force for sex trafficking or the use of child soldiers; no protections were given to female and child trafficking victims allegedly associated with insurgencies; fewer traffickers were convicted; Nigeria was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Illicit drugs: a significant source for cannabis cultivation and methamphetamine production; a major place for transnational drug trafficking networks that supply cocaine to Asia and Europe, heroin to Europe and North America, and methamphetamine to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; traffickers also involved in the transportation, facilitation, and distribution of illicitly diverted tramadol

20220901

field-electricity-generation-sources

This field refers a country's energy portfolio of fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, hydroelectricity, tide and wave, geothermal, and biomass and waste. Portfolios are expressed as a percentage share of a country's total generating capacity. Topic: AfghanistanFossil fuels: 15.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 5.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 79.1% 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.) Topic: AlbaniaFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 99.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: AlgeriaFossil fuels: 98.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.1% 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.) Topic: American SamoaFossil 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.) Topic: AngolaFossil fuels: 28.4% 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: 70.1% 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: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaFossil fuels: 95.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.6% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ArgentinaFossil fuels: 65.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 7.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 17.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ArmeniaFossil 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.) Topic: ArubaFossil fuels: 83.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 15.4% 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.) Topic: AustraliaFossil fuels: 75.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 8.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 8.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 6.2% 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: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: AustriaFossil fuels: 17.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 9.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 62.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: AzerbaijanFossil fuels: 94.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 4.4% 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: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, TheFossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BahrainFossil 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.) Topic: BangladeshFossil fuels: 98.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BarbadosFossil fuels: 95.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BelarusFossil fuels: 95.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BelgiumFossil fuels: 33.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 38.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 5.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 15% 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: 7.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BelizeFossil fuels: 63.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 13.4% 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: 22.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BeninFossil 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.) Topic: BermudaFossil 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.) Topic: BhutanFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BoliviaFossil fuels: 64.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 30.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaFossil fuels: 62.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 35.4% 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: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BotswanaFossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BrazilFossil 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.) Topic: British Virgin IslandsFossil fuels: 98.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BruneiFossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BulgariaFossil fuels: 36.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 44.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 9.1% 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.) Topic: Burkina FasoFossil fuels: 89.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: BurmaFossil fuels: 52.6% 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: 47.3% 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.) Topic: BurundiFossil fuels: 33.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 62.8% 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: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Cabo VerdeFossil 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.) Topic: CambodiaFossil fuels: 52% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 45.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: CameroonFossil fuels: 32.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 67.3% 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.) Topic: CanadaFossil fuels: 16.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 14.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 5.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 60.8% 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: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman IslandsFossil fuels: 97.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.4% 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.) Topic: Central African RepublicFossil fuels: 0.7% 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: 99.3% 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.) Topic: ChadFossil fuels: 96.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 3.2% 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.) Topic: ChileFossil fuels: 51.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 9.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 26% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ChinaFossil fuels: 66% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 4.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 17.8% 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: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ColombiaFossil 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.) Topic: ComorosFossil 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.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theFossil 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.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theFossil fuels: 70.1% 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: 29.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Cook IslandsFossil 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.) Topic: Costa RicaFossil fuels: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 12.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 71.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 14.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'IvoireFossil fuels: 75.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 24.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: CroatiaFossil fuels: 41% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 16.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 31.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 9.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: CubaFossil fuels: 95.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.1% 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: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: CyprusFossil fuels: 86.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 5.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: CzechiaFossil 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.) Topic: DenmarkFossil fuels: 14.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 57.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.1% 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: 23.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: DjiboutiFossil fuels: 98.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: DominicaFossil fuels: 74.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 24.5% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Dominican RepublicFossil fuels: 93.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: EcuadorFossil fuels: 21% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 77.2% 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: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: EgyptFossil 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.) Topic: El SalvadorFossil 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.) Topic: Equatorial GuineaFossil fuels: 89.4% 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: 10.6% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: EritreaFossil fuels: 93.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 5.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.5% 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.) Topic: EstoniaFossil fuels: 55.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 14.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: EswatiniFossil fuels: 44.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 24.8% 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: 31% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: EthiopiaFossil 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.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)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.) Topic: Faroe IslandsFossil fuels: 58.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 26% 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.) Topic: FijiFossil 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.) Topic: FinlandFossil fuels: 13.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 33.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 11.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 23.2% 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: 17.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: FranceFossil 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.) Topic: French PolynesiaFossil fuels: 66.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 6.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 27.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GabonFossil fuels: 40.6% 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: 59% 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.) Topic: Gambia, TheFossil fuels: 98.9% 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: 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.) Topic: Gaza StripFossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: GeorgiaFossil fuels: 25.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 73.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GermanyFossil 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.) Topic: GhanaFossil fuels: 63.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 35.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GibraltarFossil 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.) Topic: GreeceFossil fuels: 56.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 10.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 23% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 8.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GreenlandFossil fuels: 15.8% 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: 84.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GrenadaFossil fuels: 98.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: GuamFossil fuels: 96% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4% 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.) Topic: GuatemalaFossil 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.) Topic: GuineaFossil fuels: 22.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 77.1% 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.) Topic: Guinea-BissauFossil fuels: 97.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.4% 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.) Topic: GuyanaFossil 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.) Topic: HaitiFossil fuels: 85.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 13.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: HondurasFossil fuels: 46.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 10.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 24.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Hong KongFossil fuels: 99.6% 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: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: HungaryFossil fuels: 36.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 46% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 7.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: IcelandFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 67.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 32.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: IndiaFossil fuels: 75.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 10.7% 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: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: IndonesiaFossil fuels: 82.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 5.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: IranFossil fuels: 88.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 9.1% 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.) Topic: IraqFossil fuels: 97.8% 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: 2.1% 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.) Topic: IrelandFossil 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.) Topic: IsraelFossil fuels: 93.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 5.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.3% 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.) Topic: ItalyFossil fuels: 55.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 17.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: JamaicaFossil fuels: 87.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 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: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: JapanFossil fuels: 73.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 4.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 8.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 10% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: JordanFossil fuels: 83.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 11.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: KazakhstanFossil fuels: 88.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 10.1% 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.) Topic: KenyaFossil fuels: 8.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 10.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 32.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 46.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: KiribatiFossil 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.) Topic: Korea, NorthFossil fuels: 15.8% 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: 84.1% 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.) Topic: Korea, SouthFossil fuels: 64.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 27.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: KosovoFossil fuels: 95.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 3.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: KuwaitFossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: KyrgyzstanFossil fuels: 8.5% 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: 91.5% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: LaosFossil fuels: 35.6% 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: 64.1% 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.) Topic: LatviaFossil fuels: 33.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 47.5% 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: 15.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: LebanonFossil fuels: 94.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 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.) Topic: LesothoFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 99.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: LiberiaFossil fuels: 40.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 59.1% 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.) Topic: LibyaFossil 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.) Topic: LithuaniaFossil fuels: 38% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 35.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 16.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: LuxembourgFossil fuels: 13.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 14.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 27.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 7.5% 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: 36.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MacauFossil fuels: 66.4% 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: 33.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MadagascarFossil 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.) Topic: MalawiFossil fuels: 11.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MalaysiaFossil fuels: 87.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 10.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MaldivesFossil fuels: 99.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.4% 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.) Topic: MaliFossil 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.) Topic: MaltaFossil fuels: 88.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MauritaniaFossil fuels: 73.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 11.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MauritiusFossil 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.) Topic: MexicoFossil fuels: 75.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 7.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MoldovaFossil fuels: 93.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.2% 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: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MongoliaFossil fuels: 89.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 1.3% 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.) Topic: MontenegroFossil fuels: 42.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 10.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 47.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MontserratFossil 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.) Topic: MoroccoFossil fuels: 81.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 4.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: MozambiqueFossil fuels: 19.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 79.6% 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: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NamibiaFossil fuels: 6.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 88.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NauruFossil 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.) Topic: NepalFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 97.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NetherlandsFossil fuels: 68.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 6.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 13.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 8.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: New CaledoniaFossil fuels: 91.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 7.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: New ZealandFossil fuels: 19.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 5.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 54.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 18.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NicaraguaFossil fuels: 37.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 15.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 12.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 16.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 17.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NigerFossil fuels: 94.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 5.9% 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.) Topic: NigeriaFossil fuels: 78.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 21.7% 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: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NiueFossil 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.) Topic: North MacedoniaFossil fuels: 71.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 24.7% 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: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: NorwayFossil fuels: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 92.1% 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.) Topic: OmanFossil 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.) Topic: PakistanFossil fuels: 55.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 31.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: PanamaFossil fuels: 24.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 66.2% 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: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New GuineaFossil fuels: 80.2% 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: 18.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ParaguayFossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: PeruFossil 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.) Topic: PhilippinesFossil fuels: 77.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 11% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: PolandFossil fuels: 79.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 10.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 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.) Topic: PortugalFossil fuels: 39% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 23.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 26.5% 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: 7.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto RicoFossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 3.4% 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: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: QatarFossil 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.) Topic: RomaniaFossil fuels: 32.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 20.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 13.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 29.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: RussiaFossil fuels: 59.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 21% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 19.1% 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.) Topic: RwandaFossil fuels: 39% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 53.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaFossil 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.) Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisFossil fuels: 96.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 3.7% 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.) Topic: Saint LuciaFossil fuels: 99.1% 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: 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.) Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonFossil 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.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesFossil fuels: 73.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 25.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SamoaFossil fuels: 72.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 27.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeFossil fuels: 89.5% 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: 10.5% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi ArabiaFossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SenegalFossil 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.) Topic: SerbiaFossil fuels: 69.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 27.3% 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: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SeychellesFossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 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.) Topic: Sierra LeoneFossil fuels: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 87% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SingaporeFossil fuels: 96.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 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: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SlovakiaFossil fuels: 19.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 55.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 16.8% 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: 5.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SloveniaFossil fuels: 27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 36.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 32% 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: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon IslandsFossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.7% 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: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SomaliaFossil 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.) Topic: South AfricaFossil 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.) Topic: South SudanFossil 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.) Topic: SpainFossil fuels: 32.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 21.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 22.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 13.1% 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: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Sri LankaFossil fuels: 64% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 32.2% 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: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SudanFossil fuels: 43.5% 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: 55.5% 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: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SurinameFossil 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.) Topic: SwedenFossil fuels: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 29.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 17.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 44.7% 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: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SwitzerlandFossil fuels: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 34.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 56.3% 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: 4.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: SyriaFossil 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.) Topic: TaiwanFossil 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.) Topic: TajikistanFossil 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.) Topic: TanzaniaFossil 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.) Topic: ThailandFossil fuels: 83.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 2.6% 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: 9.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-LesteFossil 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.) Topic: TogoFossil fuels: 82.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 17.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: TongaFossil 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.) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoFossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: TunisiaFossil 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.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Fossil fuels: 56.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 8.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 26.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: TurkmenistanFossil 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.) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsFossil 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.) Topic: UgandaFossil fuels: 1.3% 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: 86.4% 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: 10.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: UkraineFossil 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.) Topic: United Arab EmiratesFossil 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.) Topic: United KingdomFossil fuels: 37.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 15.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 4.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 25.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 2.6% 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: 15% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: United StatesFossil 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.) Topic: UruguayFossil fuels: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 42.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 30.6% 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: 21.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: UzbekistanFossil fuels: 88.1% 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: 11.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: VanuatuFossil fuels: 84.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 7.4% 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.) Topic: VenezuelaFossil fuels: 30.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 69.4% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: VietnamFossil fuels: 70.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 25.2% 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: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin IslandsFossil fuels: 98.9% 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: 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.) Topic: West BankFossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: WorldFossil fuels: 60.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 10.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 6.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 17% 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: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: YemenFossil fuels: 84.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 15.4% 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.) Topic: ZambiaFossil fuels: 13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 85.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Topic: ZimbabweFossil fuels: 32.9% 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: 65.3% 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: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

20220901

countries-equatorial-guinea

Topic: Photos of Equatorial Guinea Topic: Introduction Background: Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a violent coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979 and has been elected several times, most recently in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have been considered flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oilfields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, generally lower global oil prices since 2014 and depreciating oil fields have placed significant strain on the state budget. While oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure, corruption has hindered socio-economic development and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region.  Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a violent coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979 and has been elected several times, most recently in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have been considered flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oilfields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, generally lower global oil prices since 2014 and depreciating oil fields have placed significant strain on the state budget. While oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure, corruption has hindered socio-economic development and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 528 km border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km Coastline: 296 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Elevation: highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 577 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay Land use: agricultural land: 10.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.5% (2018 est.) other: 32.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: only 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 Natural hazards: violent windstorms; flash floodsvolcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guineaviolent windstorms; flash floodsvolcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea Geography - note: insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator Map description: Equatorial Guinea map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.Equatorial Guinea map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,679,172 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean Ethnic groups: Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 est.) Languages: Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 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 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.) Demographic profile: Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea’s main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line.Equatorial Guinea’s large and growing youth population – about 60% are under the age of 25 – is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence.Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea’s main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line.Equatorial Guinea’s large and growing youth population – about 60% are under the age of 25 – is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence. Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.73% (male 164,417/female 159,400) 15-24 years: 19.94% (male 84,820/female 81,880) 25-54 years: 32.72% (male 137,632/female 135,973) 55-64 years: 4.69% (male 17,252/female 22,006) 65 years and over: 3.92% (2020 est.) (male 13,464/female 19,334) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.4 youth dependency ratio: 60.5 elderly dependency ratio: 3.9 potential support ratio: 25.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 20.3 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 3.5% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 29.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 13.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: only 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 Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 301 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.7 years male: 61.44 years female: 66.03 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 12.6% (2011) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 81.7% of population rural: 32.1% of population total: 67.6% of population unimproved: urban: 18.3% of population rural: 67.9% of population total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.1% (2019) Physicians density: 0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 81.2% of population rural: 63.4% of population total: 76.2% of population unimproved: urban: 18.8% of population rural: 36.6% of population total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 7.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 68,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,300 (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 animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5.6% (2011) Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.3% male: 97.4% female: 93% (2015) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation 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, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 45.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.65 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.21 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Land use: agricultural land: 10.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.5% (2018 est.) other: 32.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 74% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.62% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.52% 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 animal contact diseases: rabies Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 15.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ Republique de Guinee Equatoriale (French) local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial (Spanish)/ Guinee Equatoriale (French) former: Spanish Guinea etymology: the country is named for the Guinea region of West Africa that lies along the Gulf of Guinea and stretches north to the Sahel; the "equatorial" refers to the fact that the country lies just north of the Equator Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Malabo; note - a new capital of Ciudad de la Paz (formerly referred to as Oyala) is being built on the mainland near Djibloho; Malabo is on the island of Bioko geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Malabo Lopelo Melaka (1837–1937), the last king of the Bubi, the ethnic group indigenous to the island of Bioko; the name of the new capital, Ciudad de la Paz, translates to "City of Peace" in Spanish Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968) Constitution: history: previous 1968, 1973, 1982; approved by referendum 17 November 1991 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by three fourths of the membership in either house of the National Assembly; passage requires three-fourths majority vote by both houses of the Assembly and approval in a referendum if requested by the president; amended several times, last in 2012 Legal system: mixed system of civil and customary law International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup); Vice President Teodoro Nguema OBIANG Mangue (since 2012) head of government: Prime Minister Francisco Pascual Eyegue OBAMA Asue (since 23 June 2016); First Deputy Prime Minister Clemente Engonga NGUEMA Onguene (since 23 June 2016); Second Deputy Prime Minister Angel MESIE Mibuy (since 5 February 2018); Third Deputy Prime Minister Alfonso Nsue MOKUY (since 23 June 2016) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and overseen by the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 April 2016 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.5%, other 6.5% (2016) Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (70 seats statutory, 72 seats for current term; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, 15 appointed by the president, and 2 ex-officio) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed paryt-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; elected seats by party - PDGE and aligned coalition 70; composition (including 2 ex-officio) - men 60, women 12, percent of women 16.7% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 99, CI 1; composition - men 78, women 22, percent of women 22%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 18.8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice - who is also chief of state - and 9 judges  organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor, administrative, and customary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president, 2 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Deputies; note - judges subject to dismissal by the president at any time subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals Political parties and leaders: Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Andres ESONO ONDO] Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro Obiang NGUEMA MBASOGO] Electoral Coalition or EC Juntos Podemos (coalition includes CPDS, FDR, UDC) National Congress of Equatorial Guinea [Agustin MASOKO ABEGUE] National Democratic Party [Benedicto OBIANG MANGUE] National Union for Democracy [Thomas MBA MONABANG] Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Carmelo MBA BACALE] Popular Union or UP [Daniel MARTINEZ AYECABA] Center Right  Union or UCD [Avelino MOCACHE MEHENGA] not officially registered parties: Citizens for Innovation or CI [Gabriel Nse Obiang OBONO] Democratic Republican Force or FDR [Guillermo NGUEMA ELA] Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO NSA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, , UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence National symbol(s): silk cotton tree; national colors: green, white, red, blue National anthem: name: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path) lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed) note: adopted 1968 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%. Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP. Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population’s living conditions. Equatorial Guinea’s real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector. Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014.   As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.   Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services. Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop.Exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%. Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP. Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population’s living conditions. Equatorial Guinea’s real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector. Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014. As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services. Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $23.86 billion (2020 est.) $25.09 billion (2019 est.) $26.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -3.2% (2017 est.) -8.6% (2016 est.) -9.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $17,000 (2020 est.) $18,500 (2019 est.) $20,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $10.634 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.5% (2017 est.) industry: 54.6% (2017 est.) services: 42.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sweet potatoes, cassava, roots/tubers nes, plantains, oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa, eggs Industries: petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling Industrial production growth rate: -6.9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 195,200 (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.6% (2014 est.) 22.3% (2009 est.) Population below poverty line: 44% (2011 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 2.114 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.523 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 37.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 43.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$738 million (2017 est.) -$1.457 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $8.776 billion (2019 est.) $8.914 billion (2018 est.) $9.94 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: China 34%, India 19%, Spain 11%, United States 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, industrial alcohols, lumber, veneer sheeting (2019) Imports: $6.245 billion (2019 est.) $6.129 billion (2018 est.) $5.708 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: United States 22%, Spain 19%, China 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: gas turbines, beer, ships, industrial machinery, excavation machinery (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $45.5 million (31 December 2017 est.) $62.31 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.211 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.074 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) 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: 67% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 75% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 45% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 349,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,002,960,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 183 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 89.4% 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: 10.6% 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% 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: 142,600 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 22,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 184,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 5,094 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 4,569,369,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 1,080,003,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 3,568,030,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 139.007 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 4.528 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.409 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 2.119 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 57.596 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 11,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 645,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Equatorial Guinea’s climate for operator competition boosted mobile subscribership; broadband services are limited and expensive; submarine cable supported broadband and reliability of infrastructure; government backbone network will connect administrative centers; regional roaming agreement in process (2018) domestic: fixed-line density is less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 45 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian 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 state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019) Internet country code: .gq Internet users: total: 352,555 (2019 est.) percent of population: 26% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 466,435 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 350,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 3C Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 42 km condensate, 5 km condensate/gas, 79 km gas, 71 km oil (2013) Roadways: total: 2,880 km (2017) Merchant marine: total: 42 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 8, oil tanker 6, other 27 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bata, Luba, Malabo LNG terminal(s) (export): Bioko Island Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army)), Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (2022) note: the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense and is responsible for security outside cities and for special events; military personnel also fulfill some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $270 million) 1.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $230 million) 1.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $250 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,500 active duty troops; approximately 500 Gendarmerie (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory; Ukraine has been the leading provider of equipment since 2010 (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 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) Military - note: as of 2022, the FAGE’s National Guard (Army) had only three small infantry battalions with limited combat capabilities; the country has invested heavily in naval capabilities in the 2010s to protect its oil installations and combat piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea; while the Navy was small, it was well-equipped with an inventory that included a light frigate and a corvette, as well as several off-shore patrol boats; the Air Force possessed only a few operational combat aircraft and ground attack-capable helicoptersas of 2022, the FAGE’s National Guard (Army) had only three small infantry battalions with limited combat capabilities; the country has invested heavily in naval capabilities in the 2010s to protect its oil installations and combat piracy and crime in the Gulf of Guinea; while the Navy was small, it was well-equipped with an inventory that included a light frigate and a corvette, as well as several off-shore patrol boats; the Air Force possessed only a few operational combat aircraft and ground attack-capable helicopters 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" Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delayed final delimitation; UN urged Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bayin 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delayed final delimitation; UN urged Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Equatorial Guinea and Equatoguineans abroad; the majority of trafficking victims are subjected to forced domestic service and commercial sex in cities, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant sector; local and foreign women, including Latin Americans, are exploited in commercial sex domestically, while some Equatoguinean women are sex trafficked in Spain; some children from rural areas have been forced into domestic servitude; children from nearby countries are forced to labor as domestic workers, market workers, vendors, and launderers; individuals recruited from African countries and temporary workers from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela are sometimes exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020)

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

countries-greece

Topic: Photos of Greece Topic: Introduction Background: Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and other anti-communist and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974 following the collapse of the dictatorship, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union in 2001. Greece has suffered a severe economic crisis since late 2009, due to nearly a decade of chronic overspending and structural rigidities. Beginning in 2010, Greece entered three bailout agreements - the first two with the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the IMF; and the third in 2015 with the European Stability Mechanism - worth in total about $300 billion. The Greek Government formally exited the third bailout in August 2018.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 131,957 sq km land: 130,647 sq km water: 1,310 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alabama Land boundaries: total: 1,110 km border countries (4): Albania 212 km; Bulgaria 472 km; North Macedonia 234 km; Turkey 192 km Coastline: 13,676 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Elevation: highest point: Mount Olympus 2,917 lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 498 m note: Mount Olympus actually has 52 peaks but its highest point, Mytikas (meaning "nose"), rises to 2,917 meters; in Greek mythology, Olympus' Mytikas peak was the home of the Greek gods Natural resources: lignite, petroleum, iron ore, bauxite, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesite, marble, salt, hydropower potential Land use: agricultural land: 63.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 19.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 8.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 34.8% (2018 est.) forest: 30.5% (2018 est.) other: 6.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 15,550 sq km (2012) Population distribution: one-third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters Natural hazards: severe earthquakesvolcanism: Santorini (367 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; although there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically activesevere earthquakesvolcanism: Santorini (367 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; although there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active Geography - note: strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands Map description: Greece map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.Greece map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies. Topic: People and Society Population: 10,533,871 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Greek(s) adjective: Greek Ethnic groups: Greek 91.6%, Albanian 4.4%, other 4% (2011 est.) note: data represent citizenship; Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Languages: Greek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1% major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Greek Orthodox 81-90%, Muslim 2%, other 3%, none 4-15%, unspecified 1% (2015 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.53% (male 794,918/female 745,909) 15-24 years: 10.34% (male 577,134/female 519,819) 25-54 years: 39.6% (male 2,080,443/female 2,119,995) 55-64 years: 13.1% (male 656,404/female 732,936) 65 years and over: 22.43% (2020 est.) (male 1,057,317/female 1,322,176) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 56.1 youth dependency ratio: 21.3 elderly dependency ratio: 34.8 potential support ratio: 2.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 45.3 years male: 43.7 years female: 46.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.34% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 7.61 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: one-third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters Urbanization: urban population: 80.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.154 million ATHENS (capital), 814,000 Thessaloniki (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 30.7 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.49 years male: 78.96 years female: 84.2 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.8% (2019) Physicians density: 6.31 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 4.2 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: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 33.5% (2020 est.) male: 36.5% (2020 est.) female: 30.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.9% male: 98.5% female: 97.4% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 20 years male: 20 years female: 20 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35% male: 31.4% female: 39.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution; air emissions from transport and electricity power stations; water pollution; degradation of coastal zones; loss of biodiversity in terrestrial and marine ecosystems; increasing municipal and industrial waste Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.69 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 62.43 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 9.8 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Land use: agricultural land: 63.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 19.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 8.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 34.8% (2018 est.) forest: 30.5% (2018 est.) other: 6.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 80.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.991 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 208.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.041 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 68.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Hellenic Republic conventional short form: Greece local long form: Elliniki Dimokratia local short form: Ellas or Ellada former: Hellenic State, Kingdom of Greece etymology: the English name derives from the Roman (Latin) designation "Graecia," meaning "Land of the Greeks"; the Greeks call their country "Hellas" or "Ellada" Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Athens geographic coordinates: 37 59 N, 23 44 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: Athens is the oldest European capital city; according to tradition, the city is named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom; in actuality, the appellation probably derives from a lost name in a pre-Hellenic language Administrative divisions: 13 regions (perifereies, singular - perifereia) and 1 autonomous monastic state* (aftonomi monastiki politeia); Agion Oros* (Mount Athos), Anatoliki Makedonia kai Thraki (East Macedonia and Thrace), Attiki (Attica), Dytiki Ellada (West Greece), Dytiki Makedonia (West Macedonia), Ionia Nisia (Ionian Islands), Ipeiros (Epirus), Kentriki Makedonia (Central Macedonia), Kriti (Crete), Notio Aigaio (South Aegean), Peloponnisos (Peloponnese), Sterea Ellada (Central Greece), Thessalia (Thessaly), Voreio Aigaio (North Aegean) Independence: 3 February 1830 (from the Ottoman Empire); note - 25 March 1821, outbreak of the national revolt against the Ottomans; 3 February 1830, signing of the London Protocol recognizing Greek independence by Great Britain, France, and Russia National holiday: Independence Day, 25 March (1821) Constitution: history: many previous; latest entered into force 11 June 1975 amendments: proposed by at least 50 members of Parliament and agreed by three-fifths majority vote in two separate ballots at least 30 days apart; passage requires absolute majority vote by the next elected Parliament; entry into force finalized through a "special parliamentary resolution"; articles on human rights and freedoms and the form of government cannot be amended; amended 1986, 2001, 2008, 2019 Legal system: civil legal system based on Roman 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 Greece dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Ekaterini SAKELLAROPOULOU (since 13 March 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS (since 8 July 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister  elections/appointments: president elected by Hellenic Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 January 2020 (next to be held by February 2025); president appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Hellenic Parliament election results: Katerina SAKELLAROPOULOU (independent) elected president by Parliament - 261 of 300 votes; note - SAKELLAROPOULOU is Greece's first woman president Legislative branch: description: unicameral Hellenic Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; 280 members in multi-seat constituencies and 12 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; 8 members in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote; members serve up to 4 years);  note - only parties surpassing a 3% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; parties need 10 seats to become formal parliamentary groups but can retain that status if the party participated in the last election and received the minimum 3% threshold elections: last held on 7 July 2019 (next to be held by July 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 39.9%, SYRIZA 31.5%, KINAL 8.1%, KKE 5.3%, Greek Solution 3.7%, MeRA25 3.4%, other 8.1%; seats by party - ND 158, SYRIZA 86, KINAL 22, KKE 15, Greek Solution 10, MeRA25 9; composition - men 244, women 56, percent of women 18.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Civil and Criminal Court or Areios Pagos (consists of 56 judges, including the court presidents); Council of State (supreme administrative court) (consists of the president, 7 vice presidents, 42 privy councilors, 48 associate councilors and 50 reporting judges, organized into six 5- and 7-member chambers; Court of Audit (government audit and enforcement) consists of the president, 5 vice presidents, 20 councilors, and 90 associate and reporting judges judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by presidential decree on the advice of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), which includes the president of the Supreme Court, other judges, and the prosecutor of the Supreme Court; judges appointed for life following a 2-year probationary period; Council of State president appointed by the Greek Cabinet to serve a 4-year term; other judge appointments and tenure NA; Court of Audit president appointed by decree of the president of the republic on the advice of the SJC; court president serves a 4-year term or until age 67; tenure of vice presidents, councilors, and judges NA subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal and Courts of First Instance (district courts) Political parties and leaders: Anticapitalist Left Cooperation for the Overthrow or ANTARSYA [collective leadership] Coalition of the Radical Left or SYRIZA [Alexios (Alexis) TSIPRAS] Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Dimitrios KOUTSOUMBAS] Democratic Left or DIMAR [Athanasios (Thanasis) THEOCHAROPOULOS] European Realistic Disobedience Front or MeRA25 [Ioannis (Yanis) VAROUFAKIS] Greek Solution [Kyriakos VELOPOULOS] Independent Greeks or ANEL [Panagiotis (Panos) KAMMENOS] Movement for Change or KINAL [Nikos ANDROULAKIS] New Democracy or ND [Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS] Popular Unity or LAE [Nikolaos CHOUNTIS] Union of Centrists or EK [Vasileios (Vasilis) LEVENTIS] International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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 Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; a blue square bearing a white cross appears in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country; there is no agreed upon meaning for the nine stripes or for the colors note: Greek legislation states that the flag colors are cyan and white, but cyan can mean "blue" in Greek, so the exact shade of blue has never been set and has varied from a light to a dark blue over time; in general, the hue of blue normally encountered is a form of azure National symbol(s): Greek cross (white cross on blue field, arms equal length); national colors: blue, white National anthem: name: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS note: adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses "Hymn to Liberty" as its anthem National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 18 (16 cultural, 2 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Acropolis, Athens (c); Archaeological site of Delphi (c); Meteora (m); Medieval City of Rhodes (c); Archaeological site of Olympia (c); Archaeological site of Mycenae and Tiryns (c); Old Town of Corfu (c); Mount Athos (m); Delos (c); Archaeological Site of Philippi (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP.   The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4% per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy went into recession in 2009 as a result of the world financial crisis, tightening credit conditions, and Athens' failure to address a growing budget deficit. By 2013, the economy had contracted 26%, compared with the pre-crisis level of 2007. Greece met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criterion of no more than 3% of GDP in 2007-08, but violated it in 2009, when the deficit reached 15% of GDP. Deteriorating public finances, inaccurate and misreported statistics, and consistent underperformance on reforms prompted major credit rating agencies to downgrade Greece's international debt rating in late 2009 and led the country into a financial crisis. Under intense pressure from the EU and international market participants, the government accepted a bailout program that called on Athens to cut government spending, decrease tax evasion, overhaul the civil-service, health-care, and pension systems, and reform the labor and product markets. Austerity measures reduced the deficit to 1.3% in 2017. Successive Greek governments, however, failed to push through many of the most unpopular reforms in the face of widespread political opposition, including from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public.   In April 2010, a leading credit agency assigned Greek debt its lowest possible credit rating, and in May 2010, the IMF and euro-zone governments provided Greece emergency short- and medium-term loans worth $147 billion so that the country could make debt repayments to creditors. Greece, however, struggled to meet the targets set by the EU and the IMF, especially after Eurostat - the EU's statistical office - revised upward Greece's deficit and debt numbers for 2009 and 2010. European leaders and the IMF agreed in October 2011 to provide Athens a second bailout package of $169 billion. The second deal called for holders of Greek government bonds to write down a significant portion of their holdings to try to alleviate Greece’s government debt burden. However, Greek banks, saddled with a significant portion of sovereign debt, were adversely affected by the write down and $60 billion of the second bailout package was set aside to ensure the banking system was adequately capitalized.   In 2014, the Greek economy began to turn the corner on the recession. Greece achieved three significant milestones: balancing the budget - not including debt repayments; issuing government debt in financial markets for the first time since 2010; and generating 0.7% GDP growth — the first economic expansion since 2007.   Despite the nascent recovery, widespread discontent with austerity measures helped propel the far-left Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) party into government in national legislative elections in January 2015. Between January and July 2015, frustrations grew between the SYRIZA-led government and Greece’s EU and IMF creditors over the implementation of bailout measures and disbursement of funds. The Greek government began running up significant arrears to suppliers, while Greek banks relied on emergency lending, and Greece’s future in the euro zone was called into question. To stave off a collapse of the banking system, Greece imposed capital controls in June 2015, then became the first developed nation to miss a loan payment to the IMF, rattling international financial markets. Unable to reach an agreement with creditors, Prime Minister Alexios TSIPRAS held a nationwide referendum on 5 July on whether to accept the terms of Greece’s bailout, campaigning for the ultimately successful "no" vote. The TSIPRAS government subsequently agreed, however, to a new $96 billion bailout in order to avert Greece’s exit from the monetary bloc. On 20 August 2015, Greece signed its third bailout, allowing it to cover significant debt payments to its EU and IMF creditors and to ensure the banking sector retained access to emergency liquidity. The TSIPRAS government — which retook office on 20 September 2015 after calling new elections in late August — successfully secured disbursal of two delayed tranches of bailout funds. Despite the economic turmoil, Greek GDP did not contract as sharply as feared, boosted in part by a strong tourist season.   In 2017, Greece saw improvements in GDP and unemployment. Unfinished economic reforms, a massive non-performing loan problem, and ongoing uncertainty regarding the political direction of the country hold the economy back. Some estimates put Greece’s black market at 20- to 25% of GDP, as more people have stopped reporting their income to avoid paying taxes that, in some cases, have risen to 70% of an individual’s gross income.Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4% per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy went into recession in 2009 as a result of the world financial crisis, tightening credit conditions, and Athens' failure to address a growing budget deficit. By 2013, the economy had contracted 26%, compared with the pre-crisis level of 2007. Greece met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criterion of no more than 3% of GDP in 2007-08, but violated it in 2009, when the deficit reached 15% of GDP. Deteriorating public finances, inaccurate and misreported statistics, and consistent underperformance on reforms prompted major credit rating agencies to downgrade Greece's international debt rating in late 2009 and led the country into a financial crisis. Under intense pressure from the EU and international market participants, the government accepted a bailout program that called on Athens to cut government spending, decrease tax evasion, overhaul the civil-service, health-care, and pension systems, and reform the labor and product markets. Austerity measures reduced the deficit to 1.3% in 2017. Successive Greek governments, however, failed to push through many of the most unpopular reforms in the face of widespread political opposition, including from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. In April 2010, a leading credit agency assigned Greek debt its lowest possible credit rating, and in May 2010, the IMF and euro-zone governments provided Greece emergency short- and medium-term loans worth $147 billion so that the country could make debt repayments to creditors. Greece, however, struggled to meet the targets set by the EU and the IMF, especially after Eurostat - the EU's statistical office - revised upward Greece's deficit and debt numbers for 2009 and 2010. European leaders and the IMF agreed in October 2011 to provide Athens a second bailout package of $169 billion. The second deal called for holders of Greek government bonds to write down a significant portion of their holdings to try to alleviate Greece’s government debt burden. However, Greek banks, saddled with a significant portion of sovereign debt, were adversely affected by the write down and $60 billion of the second bailout package was set aside to ensure the banking system was adequately capitalized. In 2014, the Greek economy began to turn the corner on the recession. Greece achieved three significant milestones: balancing the budget - not including debt repayments; issuing government debt in financial markets for the first time since 2010; and generating 0.7% GDP growth — the first economic expansion since 2007. Despite the nascent recovery, widespread discontent with austerity measures helped propel the far-left Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) party into government in national legislative elections in January 2015. Between January and July 2015, frustrations grew between the SYRIZA-led government and Greece’s EU and IMF creditors over the implementation of bailout measures and disbursement of funds. The Greek government began running up significant arrears to suppliers, while Greek banks relied on emergency lending, and Greece’s future in the euro zone was called into question. To stave off a collapse of the banking system, Greece imposed capital controls in June 2015, then became the first developed nation to miss a loan payment to the IMF, rattling international financial markets. Unable to reach an agreement with creditors, Prime Minister Alexios TSIPRAS held a nationwide referendum on 5 July on whether to accept the terms of Greece’s bailout, campaigning for the ultimately successful "no" vote. The TSIPRAS government subsequently agreed, however, to a new $96 billion bailout in order to avert Greece’s exit from the monetary bloc. On 20 August 2015, Greece signed its third bailout, allowing it to cover significant debt payments to its EU and IMF creditors and to ensure the banking sector retained access to emergency liquidity. The TSIPRAS government — which retook office on 20 September 2015 after calling new elections in late August — successfully secured disbursal of two delayed tranches of bailout funds. Despite the economic turmoil, Greek GDP did not contract as sharply as feared, boosted in part by a strong tourist season. In 2017, Greece saw improvements in GDP and unemployment. Unfinished economic reforms, a massive non-performing loan problem, and ongoing uncertainty regarding the political direction of the country hold the economy back. Some estimates put Greece’s black market at 20- to 25% of GDP, as more people have stopped reporting their income to avoid paying taxes that, in some cases, have risen to 70% of an individual’s gross income. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $292.4 billion (2020 est.) $318.68 billion (2019 est.) $312.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.87% (2019 est.) 1.91% (2018 est.) 1.44% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $27,300 (2020 est.) $29,700 (2019 est.) $29,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $209.79 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2019 est.) 0.6% (2018 est.) 1.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB (2020) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.1% (2017 est.) industry: 16.9% (2017 est.) services: 79.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 69.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 12.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.7% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: maize, olives, wheat, milk, peaches/nectarines, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, milk, potatoes Industries: tourism, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products; mining, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 4 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12.6% industry: 15% services: 72.4% (30 October 2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 17.3% (2019 est.) 19.34% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35% male: 31.4% female: 39.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 17.9% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.4 (2017 est.) 35.7 (2011) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 26.7% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 97.99 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 96.35 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 181.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 183.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 48.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$3.114 billion (2019 est.) -$6.245 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $59.02 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $81.18 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $81.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Italy 10%, Germany 7%, Turkey 5%, Cyprus 5%, Bulgaria 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, aluminum plating, computers, cotton (2019) Imports: $71.76 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $83.19 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $85.8 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Germany 11%, China 9%, Italy 8%, Iraq 7%, Russia 6%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, ships (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.807 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.026 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $484.888 billion (2019 est.) $478.646 billion (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: 21.545 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 46.18 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 967 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 9.831 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.256 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 56.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 10.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 23% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 8.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 13.851 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 13.828 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 7,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 305,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 2.876 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 4,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 309,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 4,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 491,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 10 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 655,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 371,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 192,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 5.748 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 5,831,987,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 33.244 million cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 5,219,409,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 991 million cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 70.163 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 13.404 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 46.401 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 10.358 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 108.022 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,028,332 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11,412,995 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Greece’s telecom market is susceptible to the country’s volatile economy, and as a result revenue among the key networks has been variable; the incumbent telco OTE, supported by the organizational and financial clout of its parent Deutsche Telekom, reported a 16.6% fall in revenue for 2020, and the economic fallout of the pandemic continued to reduce revenue into 2021; broadband subscriptions in Greece are developing steadily despite the difficult economic conditions; the main networks are concentrating investment on fiber-based next generation networks, enabling them to reach the European broadband targets for 2025; their work is also supported by government ultra-fast broadband projects, largely funded by the EC and aimed at delivering a service of at least 100Mb/s to under served areas; Greece’s well-developed mobile market is dominated by the three MNOs Wind Hellas, Vodafone Greece, and Cosmote; Networks continue to invest in LTE infrastructure and technologies to provide networks capable of meeting customer demand for data services; after extensive trials of 5G, the MNOs were able to launch commercial services in early 2021 following the December 2020 allocation of frequencies in a range of bands; the rapid rollout of 5G encouraged Cosmote to close down its 3G network (a process expected to be completed by the end of 2021) and reallocate for LTE and 5G. (2022) domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open-wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands; nearly 46 per 100 subscribers for fixed-line and 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020) international: country code - 30; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, Adria-1, Italy-Greece 1, OTEGLOBE, MedNautilus Submarine System, Aphrodite 2, AAE-1 and Silphium optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Asia and Australia;  tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: broadcast media dominated by the private sector; roughly 150 private TV channels, about 10 of which broadcast nationwide; 1 government-owned terrestrial TV channel with national coverage; 3 privately owned satellite channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV services available; upwards of 1,500 radio stations, all of them privately owned; government-owned broadcaster has 2 national radio stations Internet country code: .gr Internet users: total: 8,346,434 (2020 est.) percent of population: 78% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 4,257,026 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 11 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 97 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 15,125,933 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 21.91 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: SX Airports: total: 77 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 68 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 10 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 7 (2021) Heliports: 9 (2021) Pipelines: 1,466 km gas, 94 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 2,548 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,565 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (764 km electrified) narrow gauge: 961 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge 220.750 km-mm gauge Roadways: total: 117,000 km (2018) Waterways: 6 km (2012) (the 6-km-long Corinth Canal crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; it shortens a sea voyage by 325 km) Merchant marine: total: 1,236 by type: bulk carrier 158, container ship 5, general cargo 89, oil tanker 337, other 647 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki oil terminal(s): Agioi Theodoroi container port(s) (TEUs): Piraeus (5,648,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Revithoussa Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Hellenic Armed Forces: Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES; includes National Guard reserves), Hellenic Navy (Elliniko Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, EPA; includes air defense); Ministry of Shipping Affairs and Island Policy: Coast Guard (2022) note: the police (under the Ministry of Citizen Protection) and the armed forces (Ministry of National Defense) share law enforcement duties in certain border areas; border protection is coordinated by a deputy minister for national defense Military expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2020) 2.3% of GDP (2019) (approximately $7.95 billion) 2.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $8.31 billion) 2.3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $7.56 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 125,000 active duty personnel (90,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 20,000 Air Force); approximately 35,000 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Hellenic Armed Forces consists mostly of a mix of imported weapons from Europe and the US, as well as a limited number of domestically produced systems, particularly naval vessels; Germany is the leading supplier of weapons systems to Greece since 2010; Greece's defense industry is capable of producing a range of military hardware, including naval vessels and associated subsystems (2021) note: in addition to finalizing an update to the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement with the US, Greece also entered into a security agreement with France in 2021 that included the sale of frigates and fighter aircraft to augment its aging weapons systems Military service age and obligation: 19-45 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 1: approximately 40-50% of the Greek military is comprised of conscripts note 2: as of 2019, women comprised approximately 19% of the military's full-time personnel Military deployments: approximately 1,000 Cyprus; 100 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2022) Military - note: Greece joined NATO in 1952 Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Revolutionary Struggle; Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) 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: Greece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and ItalyGreece and Turkey continue discussions to resolve their complex maritime, air, territorial, and boundary disputes in the Aegean Sea; the mass migration of unemployed Albanians still remains a problem for developed countries, chiefly Greece and Italy Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 38,496 (Syria), 25,188 (Afghanistan), 12,657 (Iraq), 5,002 (West Bank and Gaza) (mid-year 2021); 18,045 (Ukraine) (as of 7 August 2022) stateless persons: 5,552 (mid-year 2021) note: 1,221,800 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-August 2022); as of the end of February 2022, Greece hosted an estimated 161,419 refugees and asylum seekers Illicit drugs: a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis products and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime

20220901

countries-gaza-strip

Topic: Photos of Gaza Strip Topic: Introduction Background: The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank.In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them.Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 72 km border countries (2): Egypt 13 km; Israel 59 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: see entry for Israel note: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further noticenote: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Elevation: highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Awdah) 105 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m Natural resources: arable land, natural gas Irrigated land: (2012) 240 sq km; note - includes the West Bank Population distribution: population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north Natural hazards: droughts Geography - note: once a strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes that has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history; Israel evacuated its civilian settlements and soldiers from the Gaza Strip in 2005 Map description: Gaza Strip showing major populated areas as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.Gaza Strip showing major populated areas as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,997,328 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood) major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 98.0 - 99.0% (predominantly Sunni), Christian <1.0%, other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1.0% (2012 est.) note:  Israel dismantled its settlements in September 2005; Gaza has had no Jewish population since then Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.53% (male 418,751/female 397,013) 15-24 years: 21.67% (male 210,240/female 205,385) 25-54 years: 29.47% (male 275,976/female 289,277) 55-64 years: 3.66% (male 36,409/female 33,731) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 27,248/female 24,191) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.2 youth dependency ratio: 65.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.02% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 27.67 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 2.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Major urban areas - population: 756,000 Gaza (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Infant mortality rate: total: 15.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.4 years male: 73.65 years female: 77.25 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.44 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.3% (2019/20) note:  includes Gaza Strip and West Bank Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 99% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: 2.71 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.7% women married by age 18: 13.4% (2020 est.) note: includes both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2018 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.8% female: 96.2% (2020) note: estimates are for Gaza Strip and the West Bank School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2020) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes the West Bank Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: soil degradation; desertification; water pollution from chemicals and pesticides; salination of fresh water; improper sewage treatment; water-borne disease; depletion and contamination of underground water resources Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 3.23 megatons (2016 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.387 million tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 6,935 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2013 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Total water withdrawal: municipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Total renewable water resources: 837 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita' Ghazzah etymology: named for the largest city in the enclave, Gaza, whose settlement can be traced back to at least the 15th century B.C. (as "Ghazzat") Topic: Economy Economic overview: Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt’s crackdown on the Gaza Strip’s extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs.Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt’s crackdown on the Gaza Strip’s extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank Real GDP growth rate: -15.2% (2014 est.) 5.6% (2013 est.) 7% (2012 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Real GDP per capita: $6,220 (2019 est.) $6,318 (2018 est.) $6,402 (2017 est.) see entry for the the West Bank GDP (official exchange rate): $2.938 billion (2014 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) note: excludes the West Bank GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3% (2017 est.) industry: 21.1% (2017 est.) services: 75% (2017 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 88.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.6% (2017 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Agricultural products: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds Industries: textiles, food processing, furniture Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.) note: see entry for the West Bank Labor force: 1.24 million (2017 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.2% industry: 10% services: 84.8% (2015 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Unemployment rate: 27.9% (2017 est.) 27% (2016 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes the West Bank Population below poverty line: 30% (2011 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2016 est.) Budget: see entry for the West Bank Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.444 billion (2017 est.) -$1.348 billion (2016 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Exports: $1.955 billion (2017 est.) $1.827 billion (2016 est.) Exports - commodities: strawberries, carnations, vegetables, fish (small and irregular shipments, as permitted to transit the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing) Imports: $8.59 billion (2018 est.) $7.852 billion (2017 est.) see entry for the West Bank Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, fuel Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $446.3 million (31 December 2017 est.) $583 million (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank Exchange rates: see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2018) note: data for Gaza Strip and West Bank combined Electricity: installed generating capacity: 215,000 kW (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank consumption: 5,702,816,000 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank imports: 5.9 billion kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank transmission/distribution losses: 847 million kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Energy consumption per capita: 13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,274,119 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 84 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Israel has final say in allocating frequencies in the Gaza Strip and does not permit anything beyond a 2G network (2018) domestic: Israeli company BEZEQ and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; the Palestinian JAWWAL company provides cellular services; a slow 2G network allows calls and limited data transmission; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 76 per 100 (includes West Bank) international: country code 970 or 972 (2018) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessible Internet country code: .ps; note - IANA has designated .ps for the Gaza Strip, same as the West Bank Internet users: total: 3,602,452 (2020 est.) percent of population: 75% (2020 est.) note: includes the West Bank Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 376,911 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) note: includes the West Bank Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) note - non-operational Heliports: 1 (2021) Roadways: note: see entry for the West Banknote: see entry for the West Bank Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Gaza Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: HAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the HAMAS Political Bureau; there are several other militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, most notably the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are usually but not always beholden to HAMAS's authority (2021) Military expenditures: not available Military and security service personnel strengths: the military wing of HAMAS has an estimated 20-25,000 fighters (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military wing of HAMAS is armed with light weapons, including an inventory of improvised rocket, anti-tank missile, and mortar capabilities; HAMAS acquires its weapons through smuggling or local construction and receives some military support from Iran (2021) Military - note: since seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, HAMAS has claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks into Israel and organized protests at the border between Gaza and Israel, resulting in violent clashes, casualties, and reprisal military actions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF); HAMAS and Israel fought an 11-day conflict in May of 2021, which ended in an informal truce; sporadic clashes continued into 2022, including incendiary balloon attacks from Gaza and retaliatory IDF strikes; Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has conducted numerous attacks on Israel since the 1980s, including a barrage of mortar and rocket strikes in 2020, also prompting IDF counter-strikes; see Appendix-T for more details on HAMAS and PIJ in 2017, HAMAS and PIJ announced the formation of a "joint operations room" to coordinate the activities of their armed wings; by late 2020, the formation consisted of 12 militant groups operating in Gaza and had conducted its first joint training exercise (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Army of Islam; Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ); 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: according to the Oslo Accords, the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005according to the Oslo Accords, the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005 Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,476,706 (Palestinian refugees) (2020) IDPs: 131,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza Strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2020) data represent Gaza Strip and West Bank

20220901

countries-coral-sea-islands

Topic: Photos of Coral Sea Islands Topic: Introduction Background: The widely scattered islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host any permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s, saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969 and its boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within marine national nature reserves.  The widely scattered islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host any permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s, saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969 and its boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within marine national nature reserves. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 3 sq km less than land: 3 sq km less than water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important Area - comparative: about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (cays) Elevation: highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones Geography - note: important nesting area for birds and turtles Map description: Coral Sea Islands map showing the Australian territory in the Coral Sea.Coral Sea Islands map showing the Australian territory in the Coral Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: (July 2021 est.) no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a staff of four at the meteorological station on Willis Island Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, destructive fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing) Climate: tropical Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands etymology: self-descriptive name to reflect the islands' position in the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Legal system: the common law legal system of Australia applies where applicable Citizenship: see Australia Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia) Flag description: the flag of Australia is used Topic: Economy Economic overview: no economic activity Topic: Communications Communications - note: automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland Topic: Transportation Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone

20220901

countries-rwanda

Topic: Photos of Rwanda Topic: Introduction Background: Rwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence. Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.Rwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence.Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 930 km border countries (4): Burundi 315 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km; Tanzania 222 km; Uganda 172 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Elevation: highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m mean elevation: 1,598 m Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 74.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 47% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.) forest: 18% (2018 est.) other: 7.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 96 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, 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) Population distribution: one 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 Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congovolcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcanoperiodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congovolcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged with the population predominantly rural Map description: Rwanda map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Rwanda map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 13,173,730 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Ethnic groups: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy) Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1, English (official) <0.1, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.) major-language sample(s): Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Protestant 57.7% (includes Adventist 12.6%), Roman Catholic 38.2%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1% (includes traditional, Jehovah's Witness), none 1.1% (2019-20 est.) Demographic profile: Rwanda’s fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government’s commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda’s birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families’ ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation.The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR’s decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Rwanda’s fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government’s commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda’s birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families’ ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation.The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR’s decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.95% (male 2,564,893/female 2,513,993) 15-24 years: 20.1% (male 1,280,948/female 1,273,853) 25-54 years: 33.06% (male 2,001,629/female 2,201,132) 55-64 years: 4.24% (male 241,462/female 298,163) 65 years and over: 2.65% (2020 est.) (male 134,648/female 201,710) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 74.2 youth dependency ratio: 68.8 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 19.7 years male: 18.9 years female: 20.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.74% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 26.44 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: one 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 Urbanization: urban population: 17.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.208 million KIGALI (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.85 years male: 63.89 years female: 67.86 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 53.2% (2014/15) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 82.7% of population unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 17.3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019) Physicians density: 0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 89.1% of population rural: 83.2% of population total: 84.2% of population unimproved: urban: 10.9% of population rural: 16.8% of population total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 220,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,500 (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 animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 13.7% (2020 est.) male: 20.1% (2020 est.) female: 7.2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.7% (2019/20) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.2% male: 77.6% female: 69.4% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.5% male: 18.8% female: 22.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; land degradation; soil erosion; a decline in soil fertility (soil exhaustion); wetland degradation and loss of biodiversity; widespread poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.75 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.11 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.92 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Land use: agricultural land: 74.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 47% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.) forest: 18% (2018 est.) other: 7.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 17.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 3.75% 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 animal contact diseases: rabies Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,384,969 tons (2016 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, 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) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 61.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 102 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 13.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Ruanda, German East Africa etymology: the name translates as "domain" in the native Kinyarwanda language Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Kigali geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the city takes its name from nearby Mount Kigali; the name "Kigali" is composed of the Bantu prefix "ki" and the Rwandan "gali" meaning "broad" and likely refers to the broad, sprawling hill that has been dignified with the title of "mount" Administrative divisions: 4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern) Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in both houses; changes to constitutional articles on national sovereignty, the presidential term, the form and system of government, and political pluralism also require approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015 Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; 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: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a constitutional amendment approved in December 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2024); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.7%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR)0.5% Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women selected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 16-18 September 2019 (next to be held in 2027) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 September 2018 (next to be held in September 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 17, women 9, percent of women 34.6% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 40, PSD 5, PL 4, other 4 indirectly elected 27; composition - men 31, women 49, percent of women 54.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 54.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts   Political parties and leaders: Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR [Frank HABINEZA] Liberal Party or PL [Donatille MUKABALISA] Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Dr. Alivera MUKABARAMBA] Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri [Christine MUKABUNANI] Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME] Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC) [Paul KAGAME] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as enlightenment and transparency from ignorance National symbol(s): traditional woven basket with peaked lid; national colors: blue, yellow, green National anthem: name: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country) lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA note: adopted 2001 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with agriculture accounting for about 63% of export earnings, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but, with the exception of the capital Kigali, is not concentrated in large cities – its 12 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (smaller than the state of Maryland). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth.   The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy well beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006.   The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment. Rwanda consistently ranks well for ease of doing business and transparency.   The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies and aims to reach middle-income status by 2020 by leveraging the service industry. In 2012, Rwanda completed the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development.Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with agriculture accounting for about 63% of export earnings, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but, with the exception of the capital Kigali, is not concentrated in large cities – its 12 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (smaller than the state of Maryland). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy well beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment. Rwanda consistently ranks well for ease of doing business and transparency. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies and aims to reach middle-income status by 2020 by leveraging the service industry. In 2012, Rwanda completed the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.18 billion (2020 est.) $28.13 billion (2019 est.) $25.7 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.1% (2017 est.) 6% (2016 est.) 8.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,100 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $9.136 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2019 est.) -0.3% (2018 est.) 8.4% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2014) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 30.9% (2017 est.) industry: 17.6% (2017 est.) services: 51.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 75.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6.227 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75.3% industry: 6.7% services: 18% (2012 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.7% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.5% male: 18.8% female: 22.4% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 38.2% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.7 (2016 est.) 51.3 (2010 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.943 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.337 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 40.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$622 million (2017 est.) -$1.336 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $2.25 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 35%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 28%, Uganda 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, refined petroleum, coffee, tea, tin (2019) Imports: $3.74 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.34 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 17%, Kenya 10%, Tanzania 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, gold, raw sugar, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $997.6 million (31 December 2017 est.) $1.104 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $3.258 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.611 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 839.1 (2017 est.) 787.25 (2016 est.) 787.25 (2015 est.) 720.54 (2014 est.) 680.95 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 53% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 48% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 265,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,007,300,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 4.5 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 93.96 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 142 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 39% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 53.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0.6% 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: 8,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,628 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: 56.634 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 1.704 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 11,671 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 10,614,408 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Rwanda was slow to liberalize the mobile sector, allowing MTN a monopoly until 2006 when the fixed-line incumbent, Rwandatel (since acquired by Liquid Intelligence Technologies) became the second mobile operator; there was effective competition among three operators after Tigo launched services in 2009; the acquisition of Tigo by Airtel saw a significant consolidation in the market, and the cancellation of Rwandatel’s license in 2011 resulted in the market becoming a duopoly between the dominant operator MTN and Airtel; the fixed broadband sector has suffered from limited fixed-line infrastructure and high prices; operators are rolling out national backbone networks which also allow them to connect to the international submarine cables on Africa’s east coast; these cables gave the entire region greater internet bandwidth and ended the dependency on satellites; Liquid Technologies has continued to expand its FttP services across Kigali and a number of other towns, while the country also has a new cable link with Tanzania, and via Tanzania’s national broadband backbone it has gained connectivity to the networks of several other countries in the region; the number of subscribers on LTE infrastructure has increased sharply, helped by national LTE coverage achieved in mid-2018; mobile remains the dominant platform for voice and data services; the regulator noted that the number of mobile subscribers increased 2.7% in 2021, year-on-year; there was a slight fall in the beginning of 2022, though this decline was entirely from Airtel. (2022) domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to provincial centers by microwave radio relay, and recently by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased to nearly 82 telephones per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service); international submarine fiber-optic cables on the African east coast has brought international bandwidth and lessened the dependency on satellites 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: 13 TV stations; 35 radio stations registered, including international broadcasters, government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV services available Internet country code: .rw Internet users: total: 3,497,096 (2020 est.) percent of population: 27% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 17,685 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,073,528 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9XR Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 4,700 km (2012) paved: 1,207 km (2012) unpaved: 3,493 km (2012) Waterways: 90 km (2022) (Lake Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft) Ports and terminals: lake port(s): Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Rwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, Special Units (2022) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $220 million) 1.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $200 million) 1.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $190 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 33,000 active RDF personnel (32,000 Army; 1,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RDF's inventory includes mostly Russian, Soviet-era, and older Western - largely French and South African - equipment; since 2010, Russia has been the top supplier (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 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) Military deployments: 2,450 (plus about 500 police) Central African Republic (approximately 1,700 for MINUSCA; an additional 750 troops sent separately under a bilateral agreement with CAR in August, 2021); up to 2,000 Mozambique (deployed mid-2021 under a bi-lateral agreement to assist with combating insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 400 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022) Military - note: the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers the RDF is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best trained and most capable and professional military forces; as of 2022, over 5,000 RDF personnel were deployed on missions in Africathe Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers the RDF is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best trained and most capable and professional military forces; as of 2022, over 5,000 RDF personnel were deployed on missions in Africa Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Rwanda-Burundi: Burundi's Ngozi province and Rwanda's Butare province dispute the two-kilometer-square hilly farmed area of Sabanerwa in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965 around Kibinga Hill in Rwanda's Butare Province Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the 2005 DRC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place Rwanda-Uganda: a joint technical committee established in 2007 to demarcate sections of the border Rwanda-Burundi: Burundi's Ngozi province and Rwanda's Butare province dispute the two-kilometer-square hilly farmed area of Sabanerwa in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965 around Kibinga Hill in Rwanda's Butare Province Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the 2005 DRC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place Rwanda-Uganda: a joint technical committee established in 2007 to demarcate sections of the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 76,847 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 48,354 (Burundi) (2022) stateless persons: 9,500 (mid-year 2021)

20220901

countries-cabo-verde-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Cabo Verde. 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: [238] 260-89-00; US Embassy in Praia, Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia, Cape Verde; https://cv.usembassy.gov/; PraiaConsular@state.gov Telephone Code: 238 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 130; Fire: 131; Police: 132 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: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic Currency (Code): Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Portuguese, Krioulo Major Religions: Roman Catholic 77.3%, Protestant 4.6%, other Christian 3.4%, Muslim 1.8% Time Difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Praia de Santa Maria; Praia de Chaves; Pedra do Lume Salt Crater; Buracona (Blue Eye); Cidade Velha Major Sports: Soccer, surfing, sailing Cultural Practices: It is common for people to make a "sssss" sound with their mouth to get your attention. This is not meant to be rude. Tipping Guidelines: Tip a couple of euros or round up when possible in all situations.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: Friday, March 25, 2022

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-production-country-comparison

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

20220901

field-agricultural-products

This entry provides a list of a country's most important agricultural products, listed by annual tonnage. Topic: Afghanistanwheat, milk, grapes, vegetables, potatoes, watermelons, melons, rice, onions, apples Topic: Albaniamilk, maize, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, wheat, grapes, cucumbers, onions, apples Topic: Algeriapotatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables Topic: American Samoabananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Topic: Andorrasmall quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle Topic: Angolacassava, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, pineapples, sugar cane, potatoes, citrus fruit, vegetables, cabbage Topic: Anguillasmall quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Topic: Antigua and Barbudatropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions Topic: Argentinamaize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk, barley, sunflower seed, beef, grapes, potatoes Topic: Armeniamilk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley Topic: Arubaaloes; livestock; fish Topic: Australiasugar cane, wheat, barley, milk, rapeseed, beef, cotton, grapes, poultry, potatoes Topic: Austriamilk, maize, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, triticale, grapes, apples Topic: Azerbaijanmilk, wheat, potatoes, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, cotton, apples, maize, onions Topic: Bahamas, Thesugar cane, grapefruit, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, poultry, tropical fruit, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas Topic: Bahrainmutton, dates, milk, poultry, tomatoes, fruit, sheep offals, sheep skins, eggs, pumpkins Topic: Bangladeshrice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheat Topic: Barbadossugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit Topic: Belarusmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rye, rapeseed, poultry Topic: Belgiumsugar beet, milk, potatoes, wheat, pork, lettuce, poultry, maize, barley, pears Topic: Belizesugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans Topic: Benincassava, yams, maize, cotton, oil palm fruit, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, vegetables, soybeans Topic: Bermudabananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey Topic: Bhutanmilk, rice, maize, potatoes, roots/tubers, oranges, areca nuts, chillies/peppers, spices, ginger Topic: Boliviasugar cane, soybeans, potatoes, maize, sorghum, rice, milk, plantains, poultry, bananas Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinamaize, milk, vegetables, potatoes, wheat, plums/sloes, apples, barley, cabbages, poultry Topic: Botswanamilk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions Topic: Brazilsugar cane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, poultry, rice, beef, cotton Topic: British Virgin Islandsfruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Topic: Bruneipoultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef Topic: Bulgariawheat, maize, sunflower seed, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, watermelons Topic: Burkina Fasosorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cow peas, sugar cane, groundnuts, rice, sesame seed, vegetables Topic: Burmarice, sugar cane, beans, vegetables, milk, maize, poultry, groundnuts, fruit, plantains Topic: Burundicassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, plantains, beans, vegetables, potatoes, cashew nuts, maize, taro Topic: Cabo Verdesugar cane, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, coconuts, cassava, pulses nes, vegetables, milk, goat milk Topic: Cambodiacassava, rice, maize, vegetables, sugar cane, soybeans, rubber, oil palm fruit, bananas, pork Topic: Camerooncassava, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, sugar cane, sorghum, tomatoes, bananas, vegetables Topic: Canadawheat, rapeseed, maize, barley, milk, soybeans, potatoes, oats, peas, pork Topic: Cayman Islandsvegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming Topic: Central African Republiccassava, yams, groundnuts, taro, bananas, sugar cane, beef, maize, plantains, milk Topic: Chadsorghum, groundnuts, millet, yams, cereals, sugar cane, beef, maize, cotton, cassava Topic: Chilegrapes, apples, wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, tomatoes, maize, poultry, pork Topic: Chinamaize, rice, vegetables, wheat, sugar cane, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, sweet potatoes Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsvegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Topic: Colombiasugar cane, milk, oil palm fruit, potatoes, rice, bananas, cassava leaves, plantains, poultry, maize Topic: Comoroscoconuts, cassava, rice, bananas, pulses nes, milk, taro, sweet potatoes, maize, cloves Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecassava, plantains, sugar cane, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, roots/tubers nes, bananas, sweet potatoes, groundnuts Topic: Congo, Republic of thecassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, cassava leaves, bananas, plantains, roots/tubers, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas Topic: Cook Islandsvegetables, coconuts, roots/tubers, cassava, papayas, tomatoes, pork, fruit, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas Topic: Costa Ricasugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice Topic: Cote d'Ivoireyams, cassava, cocoa, oil palm fruit, sugar cane, rice, plantains, maize, cashew nuts, rubber Topic: Croatiamaize, wheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, pork, grapes, sunflower seed Topic: Cubasugar cane, cassava, vegetables, plantains, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, milk, pumpkins, mangoes/guavas, rice Topic: Curacaoaloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit Topic: Cyprusmilk, potatoes, pork, sheep milk, goat milk, barley, wheat, poultry, olives, tangerines/mandarins Topic: Czechiawheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, maize, pork, triticale, poultry Topic: Denmarkmilk, wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet, pork, rye, rapeseed, oats, poultry Topic: Djiboutivegetables, milk, beef, camel milk, lemons, limes, goat meat, mutton, beans, tomatoes Topic: Dominicabananas, yams, grapefruit, taro, milk, coconuts, oranges, yautia, plantains, sugar cane note: forest and fishery potential not exploited Topic: Dominican Republicsugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts Topic: Ecuadorsugar cane, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, poultry, cocoa, potatoes Topic: Egyptsugar cane, sugar beet, wheat, maize, tomatoes, rice, potatoes, oranges, onions, milk Topic: El Salvadorsugar cane, maize, milk, poultry, sorghum, beans, coconuts, eggs, apples, oranges Topic: Equatorial Guineasweet potatoes, cassava, roots/tubers nes, plantains, oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa, eggs Topic: Eritreasorghum, milk, vegetables, barley, cereals, pulses nes, roots/tubers nes, wheat, millet, beef Topic: Estoniawheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale Topic: Eswatinisugar cane, maize, roots/tubers nes, grapefruit, oranges, milk, beef, potatoes, vegetables, bananas Topic: Ethiopiamaize, cereals, wheat, sorghum, milk, barley, sweet potatoes, roots/tubers nes, sugar cane, millet Topic: European Unionwheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid Topic: Faroe Islandspotatoes, mutton, sheep skins, sheep offals, beef, sheep fat, cattle offals, cattle hides, cattle fat Topic: Fijisugar cane, cassava, taro, poultry, vegetables, coconuts, eggs, milk, ginger, sweet potatoes Topic: Finlandmilk, barley, oats, wheat, potatoes, sugar beet, rye, pork, poultry, beef Topic: Francewheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, rapeseed, pork, apples Topic: French Polynesiacoconuts, fruit, roots/tubers nes, pineapples, cassava, sugar cane, eggs, tropical fruit, tomatoes Topic: Gabonplantains, cassava, sugar cane, yams, taro, vegetables, maize, groundnuts, game meat, rubber Topic: Gambia, Thegroundnuts, milk, oil palm fruit, millet, sorghum, rice, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruit Topic: Gaza Striptomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds Topic: Georgiamilk, grapes, maize, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, barley, apples Topic: Germanymilk, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, maize, rye, rapeseed, triticale Topic: Ghanacassava, yams, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, rice, cocoa, oranges, pineapples Topic: Gibraltarnone Topic: Greecemaize, olives, wheat, milk, peaches/nectarines, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, milk, potatoes Topic: Greenlandsheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish Topic: Grenadabananas, watermelons, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, tomatoes, plantains, coconuts, melons, cucumbers, cabbages Topic: Guamfruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef Topic: Guatemalasugar cane, bananas, oil palm fruit, maize, melons, potatoes, milk, plantains, pineapples, rubber Topic: Guernseytomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle Topic: Guinearice, cassava, groundnuts, maize, oil palm fruit, fonio, plantains, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, vegetables Topic: Guinea-Bissaurice, cashew nuts, roots/tubers nes, oil palm fruit, plantains, cassava, groundnuts, vegetables, coconuts, fruit Topic: Guyanarice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry Topic: Haitisugar cane, cassava, mangoes/guavas, plantains, bananas, yams, avocados, maize, rice, vegetables Topic: Hondurassugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, bananas, maize, coffee, melons, oranges, poultry, beans Topic: Hong Kongpork, poultry, spinach, vegetables, pork offals, game meat, fruit, lettuce, green onions, pig fat Topic: Hungarymaize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, barley, rapeseed, sugar beet, apples, pork, grapes Topic: Icelandmilk, mutton, poultry, potatoes, barley, pork, eggs, beef, other meat, sheep skins Topic: Indiasugar cane, rice, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, potatoes, vegetables, bananas, maize, mangoes/guavas Topic: Indonesiaoil palm fruit, rice, maize, sugar cane, coconuts, cassava, bananas, eggs, poultry, rubber Topic: Iranwheat, sugar cane, milk, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, oranges, poultry, apples Topic: Iraqwheat, barley, dates, tomatoes, rice, maize, grapes, potatoes, rice, watermelons Topic: Irelandmilk, barley, beef, wheat, potatoes, pork, oats, poultry, mushrooms/truffles, mutton Topic: Isle of Mancereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Topic: Israelmilk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetables Topic: Italymilk, grapes, wheat, maize, tomatoes, apples, olives, sugar beet, oranges, rice Topic: Jamaicasugar cane, goat milk, yams, poultry, coconuts, oranges, bananas, gourds, plantains, grapefruit Topic: Japanrice, milk, sugar beet, vegetables, eggs, poultry, potatoes, cabbages, onions, pork Topic: Jerseypotatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Topic: Jordantomatoes, poultry, olives, milk, potatoes, cucumbers, vegetables, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, peaches/nectarines Topic: Kazakhstanwheat, milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons, melons, linseed, onions, maize, sunflower seed Topic: Kenyasugar cane, milk, maize, potatoes, bananas, camel milk, cassava, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas, cabbages Topic: Kiribaticoconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruit, poultry, pork, nuts, eggs Topic: Korea, Northrice, maize, vegetables, apples, potatoes, cabbages, fruit, sweet potatoes, beans, soybeans Topic: Korea, Southrice, vegetables, cabbages, milk, onions, pork, poultry, eggs, tangerines/mandarins, potatoes Topic: Kosovowheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish Topic: Kuwaiteggs, dates, tomatoes, cucumbers, poultry, milk, mutton, potatoes, vegetables, eggplants Topic: Kyrgyzstanmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, maize, wheat, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, onions, carrots/turnips Topic: Laosrice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, taro Topic: Latviawheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, pork, poultry Topic: Lebanonpotatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, wheat, cucumbers, poultry, lemons Topic: Lesothomilk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruit, beef, game meat, mutton, beans, wool Topic: Liberiacassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, rice, bananas, vegetables, plantains, rubber, taro, maize Topic: Libyapotatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, onions, dates, milk, olives, wheat, poultry, vegetables Topic: Liechtensteinwheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products Topic: Lithuaniawheat, milk, sugar beet, rapeseed, barley, triticale, potatoes, oats, peas, beans Topic: Luxembourgmilk, wheat, barley, triticale, potatoes, pork, beef, grapes, rapeseed, oats Topic: Macaupork, poultry, beef, pig fat, pig offals, eggs, pepper, cattle offals, cattle hides, goose/guinea fowl meat Topic: Madagascarrice, sugar cane, cassava, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, bananas, mangoes/guavas, tropical fruit, potatoes Topic: Malawisweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains Topic: Malaysiaoil palm fruit, rice, poultry, eggs, vegetables, rubber, coconuts, bananas, pineapples, pork Topic: Maldivespapayas, vegetables, roots/tubers nes, nuts, fruit, other meat, tomatoes, coconuts, bananas, maize Topic: Malimaize, rice, millet, sorghum, mangoes/guavas, cotton, watermelons, green onions/shallots, okra, sugar cane Topic: Maltamilk, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, broccoli, eggplants, pork, cabbages, poultry Topic: Marshall Islandscoconuts Topic: Mauritaniarice, milk, goat milk, sheep milk, sorghum, mutton, beef, camel milk, camel meat, dates Topic: Mauritiussugar cane, poultry, pumpkins, gourds, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, pineapples, bananas, fruit Topic: Mexicosugarcane, maize, milk, oranges, sorghum, tomatoes, poultry, wheat, green chillies/peppers, eggs Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofcoconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruit, eggs, beef Topic: Moldovamaize, wheat, sunflower seed, grapes, apples, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes Topic: Monaconone Topic: Mongoliamilk, wheat, goat milk, potatoes, mutton, sheep milk, beef, goat meat, horse meat, carrots/turnips Topic: Montenegromilk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley Topic: Montserratcabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products Topic: Moroccowheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, olives, tangerines/mandarins, tomatoes, oranges, barley, onions Topic: Mozambiquesugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, bananas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum, potatoes Topic: Namibiaroots/tubers nes, milk, maize, onions, beef, grapes, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, millet Topic: Naurucoconuts, tropical fruit, vegetables, pork, eggs, pig offals, pig fat, poultry, papayas, cabbages Topic: Nepalrice, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, maize, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, fruit, mangoes/guavas Topic: Netherlandsmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, pork, onions, wheat, poultry, tomatoes, carrots/turnips, beef Topic: New Caledoniacoconuts, vegetables, maize, fruit, beef, pork, potatoes, bananas, eggs, yams Topic: New Zealandmilk, beef, kiwi fruit, apples, potatoes, mutton, grapes, wheat, barley, green onions/shallots Topic: Nicaraguasugar cane, milk, rice, maize, plantains, groundnuts, cassava, beans, coffee, poultry Topic: Nigermillet, cow peas, sorghum, onions, milk, groundnuts, cassava, cabbages, goat milk, fruit Topic: Nigeriacassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts, fruit, sweet potatoes Topic: Niuecoconuts, taro, fruit, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit, yams, vegetables, lemons, limes, bananas Topic: Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry Topic: North Macedoniamilk, grapes, wheat, potatoes, green chillies/peppers, cabbages, tomatoes, maize, barley, watermelons Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsvegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products Topic: Norwaymilk, barley, wheat, potatoes, oats, pork, poultry, beef, eggs, rye Topic: Omandates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons Topic: Pakistansugar cane, buffalo milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, fruit, mangoes/guavas Topic: Palaucoconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra Topic: Panamasugar cane, bananas, rice, poultry, milk, plantains, pineapples, maize, beef, pork Topic: Papua New Guineaoil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, fruit, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, roots/tubers nes, vegetables, taro Topic: Paraguaysoybeans, sugar cane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, beef, milk, oranges, oil palm fruit Topic: Perusugar cane, potatoes, rice, plantains, milk, poultry, maize, cassava, oil palm fruit, grapes Topic: Philippinessugar cane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruit, plantains, pineapples, cassava Topic: Pitcairn Islandshoney; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens; fish Topic: Polandmilk, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, triticale, maize, barley, apples, mixed grains, rye Topic: Portugalmilk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, potatoes, pork, apples, oranges, poultry Topic: Puerto Ricomilk, plantains, bananas, poultry, tomatoes, mangoes/guavas, eggs, oranges, gourds, papayas Topic: Qatartomatoes, dates, camel milk, sheep milk, goat milk, pumpkins/gourds, mutton, poultry, milk, eggplants Topic: Romaniamaize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes Topic: Russiawheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, sunflower seed, maize, poultry, oats, soybeans Topic: Rwandabananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhacoffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscoconuts, tropical fruit, roots/tubers, vegetables, sweet potatoes, pulses, watermelons, carrots/turnips, eggs, tomatoes Topic: Saint Luciabananas, coconuts, fruit, tropical fruit, plantains, roots/tubers, cassava, poultry, vegetables, mangoes/guavas Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonvegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesbananas, sugar cane, roots/tubers, plantains, vegetables, fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes/guavas Topic: Samoacoconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork Topic: San Marinowheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides Topic: Sao Tome and Principeplantains, oil palm fruit, coconuts, taro, bananas, fruit, cocoa, yams, cassava, maize Topic: Saudi Arabiamilk, dates, poultry, fruit, watermelons, barley, wheat, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes Topic: Senegalgroundnuts, watermelons, rice, sugar cane, cassava, millet, maize, onions, sorghum, vegetables Topic: Serbiamaize, wheat, sugar beet, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, soybeans, plums/sloes, apples, barley Topic: Seychellescoconuts, vegetables, bananas, fruit, eggs, poultry, tomatoes, pork, tropical fruit, cassava Topic: Sierra Leonecassava, rice, vegetables, oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, milk, citrus fruit, groundnuts, fruit, pulses nes Topic: Singaporepoultry, eggs, vegetables, pork, duck meat, spinach, pig offals, bird eggs, pig fat, cabbages Topic: Sint Maartensugar Topic: Slovakiawheat, maize, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, sunflower seed, soybeans, pork Topic: Sloveniamilk, maize, wheat, grapes, barley, potatoes, poultry, apples, beef, pork Topic: Solomon Islandsoil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, coconuts, taro, yams, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, cocoa, cassava Topic: Somaliacamel milk, milk, sheep milk, goat milk, sugar cane, fruit, sorghum, cassava, vegetables, maize Topic: South Africasugar cane, maize, milk, potatoes, grapes, poultry, oranges, wheat, soybeans, beef Topic: South Sudanmilk, sorghum, vegetables, cassava, goat milk, fruit, beef, sesame seed, sheep milk, mutton Topic: Spainbarley, milk, wheat, olives, grapes, tomatoes, pork, maize, oranges, sugar beet Topic: Sri Lankarice, coconuts, sugar cane, plantains, milk, tea, cassava, maize, poultry, coir Topic: Sudansugar cane, sorghum, milk, groundnuts, onions, sesame seed, goat milk, millet, bananas, wheat Topic: Surinamerice, sugar cane, bananas, oranges, vegetables, plantains, coconuts, poultry, cassava, eggs Topic: Swedenwheat, milk, sugar beet, barley, potatoes, oats, rapeseed, pork, rye, triticale Topic: Switzerlandmilk, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, pork, barley, apples, maize, beef, grapes Topic: Syriawheat, barley, milk, olives, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, sheep milk, lemons, limes Topic: Taiwanrice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit Topic: Tajikistanmilk, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, cotton, carrots/turnips, beef Topic: Tanzaniacassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, bananas, vegetables, milk, beans, sunflower seed Topic: Thailandsugar cane, cassava, rice, oil palm fruit, rubber, maize, tropical fruit, poultry, pineapples, mangoes/guavas Topic: Timor-Lesterice, maize, vegetables, coffee, roots/tubers nes, other meats, cassava, pork, beans, mangoes/guavas Topic: Togocassava, maize, yams, sorghum, beans, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, cotton, groundnuts Topic: Tokelaucoconuts, roots/tubers nes, tropical fruit, pork, bananas, eggs, poultry, pig offals, pig fat, fruit Topic: Tongacoconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes Topic: Trinidad and Tobagopoultry, fruit, coconuts, citrus fruit, milk, plantains, maize, oranges, eggs, gourds Topic: Tunisiawheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, olives, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, potatoes, dates, green onions/shallots Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)milk, wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, watermelons, apples Topic: Turkmenistanmilk, wheat, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, grapes, sugar beet, beef, rice Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandscorn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish Topic: Tuvalucoconuts, vegetables, tropical fruit, bananas, roots/tubers nes, pork, poultry, eggs, pig fat, pig offals Topic: Ugandasugar cane, plantains, cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, beans, bananas, sorghum Topic: Ukrainemaize, wheat, potatoes, sunflower seed, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, rapeseed, tomatoes Topic: United Arab Emiratesdates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk Topic: United Kingdomwheat, milk, barley, sugar beet, potatoes, rapeseed, poultry, oats, pork, beef Topic: United Statesmaize, milk, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, sugar beet, poultry, potatoes, cotton, pork Topic: Uruguaysoybeans, milk, rice, maize, wheat, barley, beef, sugar cane, sorghum, oranges Topic: Uzbekistanmilk, wheat, potatoes, carrots/turnips, cotton, tomatoes, vegetables, grapes, onions, watermelons Topic: Vanuatucoconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, pork, fruit, milk, beef, groundnuts, cocoa Topic: Venezuelasugar cane, maize, milk, rice, plantains, bananas, pineapples, potatoes, beef, poultry Topic: Vietnamrice, vegetables, sugar cane, cassava, maize, pork, fruit, bananas, coffee, coconuts Topic: Virgin Islandsfruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle Topic: Wallis and Futunacoconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish Topic: West Banktomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds Topic: Yemenmangoes/guavas, potatoes, sorghum, onions, milk, poultry, watermelons, grapes, oranges, bananas Topic: Zambiasugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, vegetables, soybeans, beef, tobacco, wheat, groundnuts Topic: Zimbabwesugar cane, maize, milk, tobacco, cassava, vegetables, bananas, beef, cotton, oranges

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-exports

This entry is the country's total exports of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day). Topic: Afghanistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Albania3,250 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Algeria578,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: American Samoa0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Angola30,340 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda91 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Argentina58,360 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Armenia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Aruba0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Australia64,120 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Austria49,960 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan46,480 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahrain245,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bangladesh901 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Barbados0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belarus351,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belgium680,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Belize0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Benin1,514 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bermuda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bhutan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bolivia9,686 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina4,603 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Botswana0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brazil279,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brunei0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bulgaria92,720 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burma0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burundi0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cambodia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cameroon8,545 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Canada1.115 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Central African Republic0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Chad0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Chile7,359 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: China848,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Colombia56,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Comoros0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the5,766 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cook Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Costa Rica0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire31,450 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Croatia40,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cuba24,190 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Curacao167,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cyprus500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Czechia52,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark133,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti403 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominica0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ecuador25,870 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Egypt47,360 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: El Salvador347 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Eritrea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Estonia27,150 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ethiopia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: European Union2.196 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Fiji0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Finland166,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: France440,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gabon4,662 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gambia, The42 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Georgia2,052 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Germany494,000 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana2,654 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gibraltar0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Greece371,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Grenada0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guam0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guatemala10,810 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guyana0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Haiti0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Honduras12,870 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Hong Kong13,570 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Hungary58,720 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland2,530 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: India1.305 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Indonesia79,930 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iran397,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iraq8,284 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ireland37,040 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Israel111,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Italy615,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica823 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Japan370,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jordan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan105,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kenya173 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kiribati0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, North0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, South1.396 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo192 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwait705,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan2,290 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Laos0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Latvia16,180 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lesotho0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Liberia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Libya16,880 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lithuania174,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Luxembourg0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Macau0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Madagascar0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malawi0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malaysia208,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Maldives0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mali0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malta10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritania0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritius0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mexico155,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0 bbl/day Topic: Moldova275 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mongolia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montenegro357 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montserrat0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Morocco9,504 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mozambique0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Namibia80 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nauru0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nepal0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Netherlands2.406 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand1,782 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Niger5,422 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nigeria2,332 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Niue0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: North Macedonia3,065 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Norway432,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Oman33,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Pakistan25,510 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Panama66 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Paraguay0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Peru62,640 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Philippines26,710 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Poland104,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal143,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico18,420 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Qatar485,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Romania103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Russia2.671 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Rwanda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Samoa0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia1.784 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Senegal4,063 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Serbia15,750 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Seychelles0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Singapore1.82 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Slovakia81,100 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia29,350 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Somalia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Africa105,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Sudan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Spain562,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka3,871 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sudan8,541 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Suriname14,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Svalbard4,488 bbl/day (2012 est.) Topic: Sweden371,100 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland7,345 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Syria12,520 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Taiwan349,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tajikistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tanzania0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Thailand278,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Togo0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tonga0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago106,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tunisia13,660 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)141,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan53,780 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0 bbl/day Topic: Uganda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ukraine1,828 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates817,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: United Kingdom613,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: United States5.218 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan3,977 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vanuatu0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Venezuela325,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vietnam25,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands3,285 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: West Bank19 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: World29.66 million bbl/day (2014 est.) Topic: Yemen12,670 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zambia371 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

20220901

countries-botswana-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Botswana. 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: [267] 395-3982; US Embassy Gaborone, Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone, Botswana; https://bw.usembassy.gov/; ConsularGabarone@state.gov Telephone Code: 267 Local Emergency Phone: 997911 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: Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Currency (Code): Botswana pulas (BWP) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): D, G Major Languages: Setswana, Sekalanga, Shekgalagadi, English, Zezuru/Shona, Sesarwa, Sembukushu, Ndebele Major Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4%, none 15.2%, unspecified 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: Left Tourist Destinations: Chobe National Park; Okavango Delta; Tsodilo Hills; Nxai Pan National Park; Tuli Block; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; Mokolodi Nature Reserve Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, softball, cricket, rugby Cultural Practices: Handshakes, in Botswana, are more intricate than in western countries and involve the left hand placed under the right elbow. Tipping Guidelines: Tip $1-2 (USD) per bag for porters to bring luggage to your room. A $1-2 (USD) tip for hotel staff is also common. A $10 (USD) per day tip is average for guides. Souvenirs: Woven baskets, native dolls, leather and textile items, wood carvings, jewelry and ostrich shell items Traditional Cuisine: Seswaa (or loswao) — beef or goat meat boiled with salt until tender and sometimes pounded; often served with maize meal, ground corn, or sorghumPlease 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

africa

20220901

countries-uruguay

Topic: Photos of Uruguay Topic: Introduction Background: Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 176,215 sq km land: 175,015 sq km water: 1,200 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington Land boundaries: total: 1,591 km border countries (2): Argentina 541 km; Brazil 1,050 km Coastline: 660 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Elevation: highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 109 m Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish Land use: agricultural land: 87.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 76.9% (2018 est.) forest: 10.2% (2018 est.) other: 2.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,380 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System Population distribution: most 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 Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts Geography - note: second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising Map description: Uruguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.Uruguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the South Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,407,213 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s) adjective: Uruguayan Ethnic groups: White 87.7%, Black 4.6%, Indigenous 2.4%, other 0.3%, none or unspecified 5% (2011 est.) note: data represent primary ethnic identity Languages: Spanish (official) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2014 est.) Demographic profile: Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.In the 1960s, Uruguayans for the first time emigrated en masse - primarily to Argentina and Brazil - because of economic decline and the onset of more than a decade of military dictatorship. Economic crises in the early 1980s and 2002 also triggered waves of emigration, but since 2002 more than 70% of Uruguayan emigrants have selected the US and Spain as destinations because of better job prospects. Uruguay had a tiny population upon its independence in 1828 and welcomed thousands of predominantly Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the country has not experienced large influxes of new arrivals since the aftermath of World War II. More recent immigrants include Peruvians and Arabs.Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.In the 1960s, Uruguayans for the first time emigrated en masse - primarily to Argentina and Brazil - because of economic decline and the onset of more than a decade of military dictatorship. Economic crises in the early 1980s and 2002 also triggered waves of emigration, but since 2002 more than 70% of Uruguayan emigrants have selected the US and Spain as destinations because of better job prospects. Uruguay had a tiny population upon its independence in 1828 and welcomed thousands of predominantly Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the country has not experienced large influxes of new arrivals since the aftermath of World War II. More recent immigrants include Peruvians and Arabs. Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.51% (male 336,336/female 324,563) 15-24 years: 15.14% (male 259,904/female 252,945) 25-54 years: 39.86% (male 670,295/female 679,850) 55-64 years: 10.79% (male 172,313/female 193,045) 65 years and over: 14.71% (2020 est.) (male 200,516/female 297,838) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.9 youth dependency ratio: 31.5 elderly dependency ratio: 23.4 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 35.5 years male: 33.8 years female: 37.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.27% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.71 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most 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 Urbanization: urban population: 95.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.767 million MONTEVIDEO (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.43 years male: 75.32 years female: 81.64 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 79.6% (2015) note: percent of women aged 15-44 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: 9.4% (2019) Physicians density: 4.94 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 2.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 21.5% (2020 est.) male: 24.4% (2020 est.) female: 18.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.8% (2018) Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 98.5% female: 99% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years male: 17 years female: 20 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 33.5% male: 29.4% female: 38.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; heavy metal pollution; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal; deforestation 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, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 8.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 6.77 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 25.59 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Land use: agricultural land: 87.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 76.9% (2018 est.) forest: 10.2% (2018 est.) other: 2.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 95.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.56% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 410 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.17 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 172.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay conventional short form: Uruguay local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay local short form: Uruguay former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province etymology: name derives from the Spanish pronunciation of the Guarani Indian designation of the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country and whose name later came to be applied to the entire country Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Montevideo geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name "Montevidi" was originally applied to the hill that overlooked the bay upon which the city of Montevideo was founded; the earliest meaning may have been "[the place where we] saw the hill" Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825) Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967, reinstated in 1985 at the conclusion of military rule amendments: initiated by public petition of at least 10% of qualified voters, proposed by agreement of at least two fifths of the General Assembly membership, or by existing "constitutional laws" sanctioned by at least two thirds of the membership in both houses of the Assembly; proposals can also be submitted by senators, representatives, or by the executive power and require the formation of and approval in a national constituent convention; final passage by either method requires approval by absolute majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004 Legal system: civil law system based on the Spanish civil code International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (since 1 March 2020); Vice President Beatriz ARGIMON Cedeira (since 1 March 2020); the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (since 1 March 2020); Vice President Beatriz ARGIMON Cedeira (since 1 March 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms); election last held on 27 October 2019 with a runoff election on 24 November 2019 (next to be held in October 2024, and a runoff if needed in November 2024) election results: 2019: Luis Alberto LACALLE POU elected president - results of the first round of presidential elections: percent of vote - Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 40.7%, Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (Blanco) 29.7%, Ernesto TALVI (Colorado Party) 12.8%, and Guido MANINI RIOS (Open Cabildo) 11.3%, other 5.5%; results of the second round: percent of vote - Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (Blanco) 50.6%, Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 49.4% 2014: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president in second round; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ (Socialist Party) 56.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE Pou (Blanco) 43.4% Legislative branch: description: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; the vice-president serves as the presiding ex-officio member; elected members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) Chamber of Representatives - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 13, National Party 10, Colorado Party 4, Open Cabildo 3; composition - men 21, women 9, percent of women 30% Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 42, National Party 30, Colorado Party 13, Open Cabildo 11, Independent Party 1, other 2; composition - men 75, women 24, percent of women 24.2%; note - total General Assembly percent of women 25.6% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and appointed by two-thirds vote in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges serve 10-year terms, with reelection possible after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzgados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzgados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales) Political parties and leaders: Broad Front or FA (Frente Amplio) [Fernando PEREIRA] - (a broad governing coalition that comprises 34 factions including Uruguay Assembly [Danilo ASTORI], Progressive Alliance [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], New Space [Rafael MICHELINI], Socialist Party [Gonzalo CIVILA], Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO], Christian Democratic Party [Jorge RODRIGUEZ], For the People’s Victory [Luis PUIG], Popular Participation Movement (MPP) [Jose MUJICA], Big House [Constanza MOREIRA], Communist Party [Juan CASTILLO], The Federal League [Sergio LIER], Fuerza Renovadora [Mario BERGARA], Colorado Party (including Batllistas [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI], and Ciudadanos [Adrian PENA]) Independent Party [Pablo MIERES] National Party or Blanco (including Todos (Everyone) [Luis LACALLE POU] and National Alliance [Carlos CAMY]) Popular Unity [Gonzalo ABELLA] Open Cabildo [Guido MANINI RIOS] International organization participation: CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face (delineated in black) known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil); the sun features are said to represent those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag National symbol(s): Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol); national colors: blue, white, yellow National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic City of Colonia del Sacramento; Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape; The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida Topic: Economy Economic overview: Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and with non-Mercosur members, and President VAZQUEZ has maintained his predecessor's mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net.  Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Uruguay's economic growth averaged 8% annually during the 2004-08 period. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country avoided a recession and kept growth rates positive, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment; GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but slowed markedly in the 2012-16 period as a result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Mercosur counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Reforms in those countries should give Uruguay an economic boost. Growth picked up in 2017.Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and with non-Mercosur members, and President VAZQUEZ has maintained his predecessor's mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net.  Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $75.06 billion (2020 est.) $79.73 billion (2019 est.) $79.45 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $21,600 (2020 est.) $23,000 (2019 est.) $23,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $56.108 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2019 est.) 7.5% (2018 est.) 6.2% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB- (2013) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2015) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.2% (2017 est.) industry: 24.1% (2017 est.) services: 69.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -18.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: soybeans, milk, rice, maize, wheat, barley, beef, sugar cane, sorghum, oranges Industries: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages Industrial production growth rate: -3.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.748 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13% industry: 14% services: 73% (2010 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2017 est.) 7.9% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 33.5% male: 29.4% female: 38.8% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 8.8% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.7 (2018 est.) 41.9 (2013) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.) Budget: revenues: 17.66 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.72 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 65.7% 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. Taxes and other revenues: 29.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $879 million (2017 est.) $410 million (2016 est.) Exports: $13.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $16.99 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $17.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 29%, Brazil 12%, United States 5%, Netherlands 5%, Argentina 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: sulfate wood pulp, beef, soybeans, concentrated milk, rice (2019) Imports: $11.29 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.31 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.82 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Brazil 25%, China 15%, United States 11%, Argentina 11% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.96 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $13.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $43.705 billion (2019 est.) $42.861 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar - 42.645 (2020 est.) 37.735 (2019 est.) 32.2 (2018 est.) 27.52 (2014 est.) 23.25 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 5.348 million kW (2020 est.) Consumption: 11,461,960,000 kWh (2019 est.) Exports: 1.148 billion kWh (2020 est.) Imports: 515 million kWh (2020 est.) Transmission/distribution losses: 1,329,700,000 kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 42.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 30.6% 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: 21.6% 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: 400 bbl/day (2021 est.) Refined petroleum consumption: 50,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 41,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 42,220 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 9,591 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Consumption: 96.872 million cubic meters (2019 est.) Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Imports: 96.872 million cubic meters (2019 est.) Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.45 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 6.259 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 190,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 66.909 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,224,600 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,779,790 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 138.08 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Uruguay has an advanced telecom market, with excellent infrastructure and one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Latin America; fully digitized; high computer use and fixed-line/mobile penetrations; deployment of fiber infrastructure will encourage economic growth and stimulate e-commerce; state-owned monopoly on fixed-line market and dominance of mobile market; nationwide 3G coverage and LTE networks; limited 5G commercial reach; strong focus on fiber infrastructure with high percentage of residential fixed-broadband connections and near total business connections; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020) domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line roughly 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity 138 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 598; landing points for the Unisor, Tannat, and Bicentenario submarine cable system providing direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; Bicentenario 2012 and Tannat 2017 cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic 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 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: mixture of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2019) Internet country code: .uy Internet users: total: 2,987,405 (2020 est.) percent of population: 86% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,063,701 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CX Airports: total: 133 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 122 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 40 under 914 m: 79 (2021) Pipelines: 257 km gas, 160 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 1,673 km (2016) (operational; government claims overall length is 2,961 km) standard gauge: 1,673 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 77,732 km (2010) paved: 7,743 km (2010) unpaved: 69,989 km (2010) Waterways: 1,600 km (2011) Merchant marine: total: 61 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 4, oil tanker 4, other 52 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Montevideo Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas Armadas del Uruguay): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval)), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea); Guardia Nacional Republicana (paramilitary regiment of the National Police) (2022) Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.47 billion) 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.51 billion) 2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.38 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 22,000 active personnel (14,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Armed Forces of Uruguay includes a wide variety of older or second-hand equipment; since 2010, it has imported limited amounts of military hardware from about 10 countries with Spain as the leading supplier (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 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 Military deployments: 830 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 210 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (Feb 2022) Military - note: the military has some domestic responsibilities, including perimeter security for a number of prisons and border security; in 2020, the military deployed more than 1,000 troops to assist the National Police in securing the land border with Brazil and the riverine border with Argentina as part of a border control law passed in 2018 (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Uruguay-Argentina: in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime, which ended the dispute Uruguay-Brazil: uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil borderUruguay-Argentina: in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime, which ended the disputeUruguay-Brazil: uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 19,000 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2022) stateless persons: 5 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; limited law enforcement corruption; money laundering; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs

20220901

countries-bulgaria-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Bulgaria 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 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 90 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [359] (2) 937-5100; US Embassy in Sofia, 16, Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408, Bulgaria; https://bg.usembassy.gov/; acs_sofia@state.gov Telephone Code: 359 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 150; Fire: 160; Police: 166 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Currency (Code): Leva (BGN) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Bulgarian, Turkish, Romani Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8% 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 Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Rila Monastery; Pirin National Park; Plovdiv Roman Theater; Sunny Beach; Tsarevets Fortress; Baba Vida Fortress; Belogradchik Fortress; Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, ancient city of Nessebar Major Sports: Soccer, skiing, basketball Cultural Practices: Unlike in most other countries, a vertical shaking of the head indicates "no" in Bulgaria while a sideways shaking indicates "yes." Tipping Guidelines: At restaurants, typically leave 10% of the total bill for a tip. Tip porters 50 levas per bag and hotel housekeepers 1.50 levas per day. It is common to tip taxi drivers 10% of the fare. Tour guides should also be tipped 5-10% of the total bill.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-maldives-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives archipelago became a British protectorate in 1887. Three years after independence in 1965, the islands established themselves as a republic.A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives archipelago became a British protectorate in 1887. Three years after independence in 1965, the islands established themselves as a republic. Topic: Geography Area: total: 298 sq km land: 298 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Natural resources: fish Topic: People and Society Population: 390,164 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes Languages: Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials) Religions: Sunni Muslim (official) Population growth rate: -0.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Male Executive branch: chief of state: President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018) Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (87 seats - includes 2 seats added by the Elections Commission in late 2018; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: upper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy; major tourism, fishing, and shipping industries; high public debt; systemic corruption; crippled by COVID-19; ongoing deflation; poverty has tripled since pandemic beganupper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy; major tourism, fishing, and shipping industries; high public debt; systemic corruption; crippled by COVID-19; ongoing deflation; poverty has tripled since pandemic began Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.05 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $13,000 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: papayas, vegetables, roots/tubers nes, nuts, fruit, other meat, tomatoes, coconuts, bananas, maize Industries: tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining Exports: $3.72 billion (2019 est.) Exports - partners: Thailand 24%, United States 13%, China 12%, France 11%, Germany 11%, Italy 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish products, natural gas, scrap iron, jewelry, liquid pumps (2019) Imports: $4.09 billion (2019 est.) Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 24%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, India 11%, Malaysia 6%, Thailand 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fruits, furniture, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019) Exchange rates: rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Thursday, May 19, 2022

20220901

countries-samoa

Topic: Photos of Samoa Topic: Introduction Background: The first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, converting most of the population. In the 1850s, Apia became a center for Pacific trading and hosted an American commercial agent and British and German consuls. In 1892, American traders convinced the Samoan king to align his country’s date with the US, moving to the east of the International Date Line. Following the death of the Samoan king in 1841, rival families competed for his titles, devolving into civil war in 1886 with factions getting support from either Germany, the UK, or the US. All three countries sent warships to Apia in 1889, presaging a larger war, but a cyclone destroyed the ships and Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king. Upon LAUPEPA’s death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. The war ended in 1899 and the Western powers abolished the monarchy, giving the western Samoan islands to Germany and the eastern Samoan islands to the US. The UK abandoned claims in Samoa and received former German territory in the Solomon Islands. The Mau, a non-violent popular movement to advocate for Samoan independence, formed in 1908. New Zealand annexed Samoa in 1914 after the outbreak of World War I. Opposition to New Zealand’s rule quickly grew. In 1918, a New Zealand ship introduced the Spanish flu, infecting 90% of the population and killing more than 20%. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful protestors, killing 11, in an event known as Black Sunday. In 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence as Western Samoa but dropped the “Western” from its name in 1997. The Human Rights Protection Party has dominated politics since 1982, especially under Prime Minister Sailele TUILAEPA, who has been in power since 1998. In the late 2000s, Samoa began making efforts to align more closely with Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, Samoa changed its driving orientation to the left side of the road, in line with other Commonwealth countries. In 2011, Samoa jumped forward one day - skipping December 30 - by moving to the west side of the International Date Line so that it was one hour ahead of New Zealand and three hours ahead of the east coast of Australia, rather than 23 and 21 hours behind, respectively.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: 13 35 S, 172 20 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 2,831 sq km land: 2,821 sq km water: 10 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 403 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) Terrain: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior Elevation: highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.) forest: 60.4% (2018 est.) other: 27.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu Natural hazards: occasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically activeoccasional cyclones; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia Map description: Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 206,179 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan Ethnic groups: Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.) note: data represent the population by country of citizenship Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.) Religions: Protestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Church of Jesus Christ 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.31% (male 30,825/female 28,900) 15-24 years: 19.61% (male 20,519/female 19,439) 25-54 years: 37.4% (male 39,011/female 37,200) 55-64 years: 7.5% (male 7,780/female 7,505) 65 years and over: 6.18% (2020 est.) (male 5,513/female 7,082) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 73.3 youth dependency ratio: 64.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 25.6 years male: 25.3 years female: 26 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.63% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 19.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 36,000 APIA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.6 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.19 years male: 72.28 years female: 78.25 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 16.6% (2019/20) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1.6% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019) Physicians density: 0.6 physicians/1,000 population (2020) 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: 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: 47.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 25.3% (2020 est.) male: 36.1% (2020 est.) female: 14.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2019/20) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9% women married by age 18: 7.4% men married by age 18: 2% (2020 est.) Education expenditures: 4.8% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.1% male: 99% female: 99.2% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9% male: 24.6% female: 43.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.56 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.25 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.27 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) Land use: agricultural land: 12.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1.8% (2018 est.) forest: 60.4% (2018 est.) other: 27.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 17.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.27% 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: 27,399 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 9,864 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2013 est.) Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa local short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa etymology: the meaning of Samoa is disputed; some modern explanations are that the "sa" connotes  "sacred" and "moa" indicates "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assertions state that it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; the name, however, may go back to Proto-Polynesian (PPn) times (before 1000 B.C.); a plausible PPn reconstruction has the first syllable as "sa'a" meaning "tribe or people" and "moa" meaning "deep sea or ocean" to convey the meaning "people of the deep sea" Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the native village around which the capital was constructed in the 1850s; the village still exists within the larger modern capital Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June Constitution: history: several previous (preindependence); latest 1 January 1962 amendments: proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading - provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen 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 Samoa dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017) head of government: Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata’afa (since 24 May 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the prime minister's advice elections/appointments: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2- term limit); election last held on 4 July 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state, approved by the Legislative Assembly election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi unanimously elected by the Legislative Assembly on 5 July 2017 Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (53 seats for 2021-2026 term); members from 51 single-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote, with a minimum 10% representation of women in the Assembly required; members serve 5-year terms) elections: election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - HRPP 55%, FAST 37%, TSP 3%, independents 5%; seats by party – FAST 30, HRPP 22, independents 1; composition - men 47, women 6, percent of women 11.3% note - on 29 November 2021, the Election Commissioner added two women seats to parliament, bringing the HRPP’s total from 20 to 22 seats Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the chief of state upon the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally serve until retirement at age 68 subordinate courts: District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village fono or village chief councils Political parties and leaders: Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi] Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST [FIAME Naomi Mata'afa] Tautua Samoa Party or TSP [Afualo Wood Uti SALELE] International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white, five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation; red stands for courage, blue represents freedom, and white signifies purity note: similar to the flag of Taiwan National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (five, five-pointed stars); national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom) lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013.   The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island.   The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014.The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.25 billion (2020 est.) $1.28 billion (2019 est.) $1.24 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.) 7.1% (2016 est.) 1.6% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,300 (2020 est.) $6,500 (2019 est.) $6,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $841 million (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2017 est.) 0.1% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.4% (2017 est.) industry: 23.6% (2017 est.) services: 66% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: NA government consumption: NA investment in fixed capital: NA investment in inventories: NA exports of goods and services: 27.2% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -50.5% (2015 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork Industries: food processing, building materials, auto parts Industrial production growth rate: -1.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 50,700 (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65% industry: 6% services: 29% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2017 est.) 5.5% (2016 est.) NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.9% male: 24.6% female: 43.4% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 20.3% (2013 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.7 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 237.3 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 276.8 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 49.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 52.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 28.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: June 1 - May 31 Current account balance: -$19 million (2017 est.) -$37 million (2016 est.) Exports: $310 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: American Samoa 21%, United States 13%, New Zealand 12%, Australia 10%, Tokelau 6%, Taiwan 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, fish, fruit juice, coconut oil, beer (2019) Imports: $430 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $312.6 million (2016 est.) Imports - partners: New Zealand 22%, China 16%, Singapore 13%, United States 10%, Australia 9%, South Korea 8%, Fiji 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, iron products, poultry meats, cars, insulated wiring (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $133 million (31 December 2017 est.) $122.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $447.2 million (31 December 2013 est.) Exchange rates: tala (SAT) per US dollar - 2.54712 (2020 est.) 2.65534 (2019 est.) 2.57069 (2018 est.) 2.5609 (2014 est.) 2.3318 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 50,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 120.13 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 15 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 72.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 27.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2,500 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 (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,363 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: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 27.111 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 69,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Samoa was one of the first Pacific Island countries to establish a regulatory infrastructure and to liberalize its telecom market; in 2006, it became the first country in the region to see the market entrance of Digicel, which has since launched services in other Pacific nations; the advent of competition in the mobile market saw prices fall by around 50% and network coverage increase to more than 90% of the population; Samoa also boasts one of the highest rates of mobile phone coverage in the Pacific region; LTE is developing on the back of an initial launch of the technology in 2016 by Digicel Samoa, followed by BlueSky Samoa (now Vodafone Samoa) in 2017;  Digicel Samoa completed its LTE network in September 2020; the growth of fixed-line internet has been impeded by factors including the high costs for bandwidth, under investment in fixed-line infrastructure, as well as a strained consumer profile weighing on demand for services; Digicel Samoa’s financially troubled parent company, Digicel Pacific, had been on the lookout for a potential buyer for several months as it struggled financially; after various Chinese firms registered interest in taking a stake, the Australian government sought to block further Chinese investment in the region by providing financial support for a local buyer; in October 2021, Telstra agreed to acquire Digicel Group’s Pacific operations for around $1.6 billion, with a financial input from the Australian government of around $1.33 billion, Samoa’s telecoms sector has been inhibited by a lack of international connectivity; Samoa has had access to the Samoa-America-Samoa (SAS) cable laid in 2009, this cable has insufficient capacity to meet the country’s future bandwidth needs; this issue was addressed with two new submarine cables that became available in 2018 and 2019; combined with the Samoa National Broadband Highway (SNBH), have improved internet data rates and reliability, and have helped to reduce the high costs previously associated with internet access in Samoa; in April 2022, the Samoan government announced its decision to take over control of the Samoa Submarine Cable Company, looking to the cable to generate additional revenue for the state. (2022) domestic: fixed-line roughly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 64 telephones per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 685; landing points for the Tui-Samo, Manatua, SAS, and Southern Cross NEXT submarine cables providing connectivity to Samoa, Fiji, Wallis & Futuna, Cook Islands, Niue, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Los Angeles (US), and Tokelau; 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: state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned television broadcast stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned radio station; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019) Internet country code: .ws Internet users: total: 67,012 (2019 est.) percent of population: 34% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,692 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 137,770 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5W Airports: total: 4 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Roadways: total: 1,150 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 12 by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 3, other 6 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Apia Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Correction Services) (2022) Military - note: informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

field-infant-mortality-rate-country-comparison

20220901

field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share

Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, with the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons. Topic: Afghanistanlowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 24% (2008) Topic: Albanialowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Algerialowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Topic: American Samoalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Andorralowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Angolalowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 44.7% (2000) Topic: Anguillalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Antigua and Barbudalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Argentinalowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 31% (2017 est.) Topic: Armenialowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 25.7% (2014) Topic: Arubalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Australialowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Topic: Austrialowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.5% (2012 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanlowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 27.4% (2008) Topic: Bahamas, Thelowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.) Topic: Bahrainlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Bangladeshlowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.) Topic: Barbadoslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Belaruslowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 21.9% (2008) Topic: Belgiumlowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2006) Topic: Belizelowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Beninlowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29% (2003) Topic: Bermudalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Bhutanlowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.6% (2012) Topic: Bolivialowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 36.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinalowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 25.8% (2011 est.) Topic: Botswanalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Brazillowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 43.4% (2016 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Bruneilowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Bulgarialowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 31.2% (2017) Topic: Burkina Fasolowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.) Topic: Burmalowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.4% (1998) Topic: Burundilowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 28% (2006) Topic: Cabo Verdelowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 40.6% (2000) Topic: Cambodialowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.) Topic: Cameroonlowest 10%: 37.5% highest 10%: 35.4% (2001) Topic: Canadalowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (2000) Topic: Cayman Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Central African Republiclowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 33% (2003) Topic: Chadlowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.8% (2003) Topic: Chilelowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 41.5% (2013 est.) Topic: Chinalowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 31.4% (2012) note: data are for urban households only Topic: Colombialowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Comoroslowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 55.2% (2004) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 34.7% (2006) Topic: Congo, Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.1% (2005) Topic: Cook Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Costa Ricalowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirelowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 31.8% (2008) Topic: Croatialowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 23% (2015 est.) Topic: Cubalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Cypruslowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 28.8% (2014) Topic: Czechialowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Denmarklowest 10%: 9% highest 10%: 23.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Djiboutilowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.9% (2002) Topic: Dominicalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Dominican Republiclowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.) Topic: Ecuadorlowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est.) note: data are for urban households only Topic: Egyptlowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.6% (2008) Topic: El Salvadorlowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinealowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Eritrealowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Estonialowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 25.6% (2015) Topic: Eswatinilowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Ethiopialowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (2005) Topic: European Unionlowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 23.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Faroe Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Fijilowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.) Topic: Finlandlowest 10%: 6.7% highest 10%: 45.2% (2013) Topic: Francelowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.4% (2013) Topic: French Polynesialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Gabonlowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 32.7% (2005) Topic: Gambia, Thelowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 36.9% (2003) Topic: Georgialowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 31.3% (2008) Topic: Germanylowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24% (2000) Topic: Ghanalowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.8% (2006) Topic: Gibraltarlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Greecelowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 26.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Greenlandlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Grenadalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Guamlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Guatemalalowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 38.4% (2014) Topic: Guernseylowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Guinealowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 30.3% (2007) Topic: Guinea-Bissaulowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 28% (2002) Topic: Guyanalowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999) Topic: Haitilowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (2001) Topic: Honduraslowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.4% (2014) Topic: Hong Konglowest 10%: 1.8% NA highest 10%: 38.1% (2016) NA Topic: Hungarylowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 22.4% (2015) Topic: Icelandlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Indialowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 29.8% (2011) Topic: Indonesialowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.2% (2010) Topic: Iranlowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.6% (2005) Topic: Iraqlowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.7% (2007 est.) Topic: Irelandlowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000) Topic: Isle of Manlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Israellowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 31.3% (2010) Topic: Italylowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 26.8% (2000) Topic: Jamaicalowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 29.3% (2015) Topic: Japanlowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 24.8% (2008) Topic: Jerseylowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Jordanlowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanlowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 23.3% (2016) Topic: Kenyalowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.8% (2005) Topic: Kiribatilowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Korea, Northlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Korea, Southlowest 10%: 6.8% highest 10%: 48.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Kosovolowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 22% (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwaitlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Kyrgyzstanlowest 10%: 4.4% highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.) Topic: Laoslowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 30.3% (2008) Topic: Latvialowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 26.3% (2015) Topic: Lebanonlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Lesotholowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 39.4% (2003) Topic: Liberialowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.1% (2007) Topic: Libyalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Liechtensteinlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Lithuanialowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 28.8% (2015) Topic: Luxembourglowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 23.8% (2000) Topic: Macaulowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Madagascarlowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.) Topic: Malawilowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.) Topic: Malaysialowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.) Topic: Maldiveslowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10) Topic: Malilowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 25.8% (2010 est.) Topic: Maltalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Marshall Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Mauritanialowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 29.5% (2000) Topic: Mauritiuslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Mexicolowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 40% (2014) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oflowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Moldovalowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Monacolowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Mongolialowest 10%: 13.7% highest 10%: 5.7% (2017) Topic: Montenegrolowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 25.7% (2014 est.) Topic: Montserratlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Moroccolowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.2% (2007) Topic: Mozambiquelowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 36.7% (2008) Topic: Namibialowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 42% (2010) Topic: Naurulowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Nepallowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.5% (2011) Topic: Netherlandslowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 24.9% (2014 est.) Topic: New Caledonialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: New Zealandlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Nicaragualowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 47.1% (2014) Topic: Nigerlowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 26.8% (2014) Topic: Nigerialowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 38.2% (2010 est.) Topic: Niuelowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: North Macedonialowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 25% (2015 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Norwaylowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 21.2% (2014) Topic: Omanlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Pakistanlowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013) Topic: Palaulowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Panamalowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinealowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.5% (1996) Topic: Paraguaylowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.) Topic: Perulowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 36.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Philippineslowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Polandlowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 23.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Portugallowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 25.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricolowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Qatarlowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 35.9% (2007) Topic: Romanialowest 10%: 15.3% highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Russialowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Rwandalowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevislowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Saint Lucialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Samoalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: San Marinolowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Sao Tome and Principelowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Saudi Arabialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Senegallowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.1% (2011) Topic: Serbialowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 23.8% (2011) Topic: Seychelleslowest 10%: 4.7% highest 10%: 15.4% (2007) Topic: Sierra Leonelowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.6% (2003) Topic: Singaporelowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 27.5% (2017) Topic: Slovakialowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 19.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Slovenialowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 20.1% (2016) Topic: Solomon Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Somalialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: South Africalowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.) Topic: Spainlowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 24% (2011) Topic: Sri Lankalowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Sudanlowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.7% (2009 est.) Topic: Surinamelowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Swedenlowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 24% (2012) Topic: Switzerlandlowest 10%: 7.5% highest 10%: 19% (2007) Topic: Syrialowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Taiwanlowest 10%: 6.4% (2010) highest 10%: 40.3% (2010) Topic: Tajikistanlowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA Topic: Tanzanialowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2007) Topic: Thailandlowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 31.5% (2009 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestelowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 27% (2007) Topic: Togolowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 27.1% (2006) Topic: Tongalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Trinidad and Tobagolowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Tunisialowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 30.3% (2008) Topic: Turkmenistanlowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 31.7% (1998) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Tuvalulowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Ugandalowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.) Topic: Ukrainelowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (2015 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirateslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: United Kingdomlowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 31.1% (2012) Topic: United Stateslowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.) Topic: Uruguaylowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanlowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2003) Topic: Vanuatulowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Venezuelalowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 32.7% (2006) Topic: Vietnamlowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.8% (2014) Topic: Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: Wallis and Futunalowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Topic: West Banklowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Worldlowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.2% (2008 est.) Topic: Yemenlowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.) Topic: Zambialowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 47.4% (2010) Topic: Zimbabwelowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 40.4% (1995)

20220901

countries-botswana-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa.Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Topic: Geography Area: total: 581,730 sq km land: 566,730 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Topic: People and Society Population: 2,384,246 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7% Languages: Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.) Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: 1.4% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Gaborone Executive branch: chief of state: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments Topic: Economy Economic overview: good economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challengesgood economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.72 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $16,000 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles Exports: $6.16 billion (2019 est.) Exports - partners: India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019) Imports: $7.44 billion (2019 est.) Imports - partners: South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

countries-american-samoa-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. Topic: Geography Area: total: 224 sq km land: 224 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Topic: People and Society Population: 45,443 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Pacific Islander 92.6% (includes Samoan 88.9%, Tongan 2.9%, other .8%), Asian 3.6% (includes Filipino 2.2%, other 1.4%), mixed 2.7%, other 1.2% (2010 est.) Languages: Samoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, other Pacific islander 3%, other 1.8% (2010 est.) Religions: Christian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -1.92% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; Capital: name: Pago Pago Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021) head of government: Governor Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (since 3 January 2021) Legislative branch: description: bicameral Legislature or Fono consists of: Senate (18 seats; members indirectly selected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members directly elected by simple majority vote and 1 decided by public meeting on Swains Island; members serve 2-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036 Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $658 million (2016 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,200 (2016 est.) Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Exports: $428 million (2016 est.) Exports - partners: Australia 25%, Ghana 19%, Indonesia 15.6%, Burma 10.4%, Portugal 5.1% (2017) Exports - commodities: canned tuna Imports: $615 million (2016 est.) Imports - partners: Fiji 10.7%, Singapore 10.4%, NZ 10.4%, South Korea 9.3%, Samoa 8.2%, Kenya 6.4%, Australia 5.2% (2017) Imports - commodities: raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and partsPage last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 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

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

field-geographic-overview

This entry, which appears only in the World, Geography category, provides basic geographic information about the earth's oceans and continents. The entry also lists all of the countries that compose each continent.

20220901

field-location

This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water. Topic: AfghanistanSouthern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Topic: AkrotiriEastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus Topic: AlbaniaSoutheastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north Topic: AlgeriaNorthern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia Topic: American SamoaOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Topic: AndorraSouthwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain Topic: AngolaSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Topic: AnguillaCaribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Topic: Antarcticacontinent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Topic: Antigua and BarbudaCaribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico Topic: Arctic Oceanbody of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle Topic: ArgentinaSouthern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay Topic: ArmeniaSouthwestern 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 Topic: ArubaCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsSoutheastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef Topic: Atlantic Oceanbody of water between Africa, Europe, the Arctic Ocean, the Americas, and the Southern Ocean Topic: AustraliaOceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Topic: AustriaCentral Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Topic: AzerbaijanSouthwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range Topic: Bahamas, Thechain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Topic: BahrainMiddle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia Topic: BangladeshSouthern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Topic: BarbadosCaribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Topic: BelarusEastern Europe, east of Poland Topic: BelgiumWestern Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Topic: BelizeCentral America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Topic: BeninWestern Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Topic: BermudaNorth America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US) Topic: BhutanSouthern Asia, between China and India Topic: BoliviaCentral South America, southwest of Brazil Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaSoutheastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Topic: BotswanaSouthern Africa, north of South Africa Topic: Bouvet Islandisland in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Topic: BrazilEastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryarchipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia Topic: British Virgin IslandsCaribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Topic: BruneiSoutheastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Topic: BulgariaSoutheastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey Topic: Burkina FasoWestern Africa, north of Ghana Topic: BurmaSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand Topic: BurundiCentral Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania Topic: Cabo VerdeWestern Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Topic: CambodiaSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Topic: CameroonCentral Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria Topic: CanadaNorthern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Topic: Cayman IslandsCaribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica Topic: Central African RepublicCentral Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Topic: ChadCentral Africa, south of Libya Topic: ChileSouthern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Topic: ChinaEastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam Topic: Christmas IslandSoutheastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Topic: Clipperton IslandMiddle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsSoutheastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka Topic: ColombiaNorthern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Topic: ComorosSouthern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theCentral Africa, northeast of Angola Topic: Congo, Republic of theCentral Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon Topic: Cook IslandsOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Topic: Coral Sea IslandsOceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia Topic: Costa RicaCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Topic: Cote d'IvoireWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia Topic: CroatiaSoutheastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia Topic: CubaCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Topic: CuracaoCaribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, 55 km off the coast of Venezuela Topic: CyprusMiddle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note - Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both Topic: CzechiaCentral Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria Topic: DenmarkNorthern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm) Topic: DhekeliaEastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta Topic: DjiboutiEastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Topic: DominicaCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Topic: Dominican RepublicCaribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Topic: EcuadorWestern South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru Topic: EgyptNorthern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Topic: El SalvadorCentral America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Topic: Equatorial GuineaCentral Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon Topic: EritreaEastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan Topic: EstoniaEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Topic: EswatiniSouthern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Topic: EthiopiaEastern Africa, west of Somalia Topic: European UnionEurope between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina Topic: Faroe IslandsNorthern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway Topic: FijiOceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Topic: FinlandNorthern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Topic: Francemetropolitan 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 Topic: French PolynesiaOceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between South America and Australia Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landssoutheast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land" Topic: GabonCentral Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Topic: Gambia, TheWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Topic: Gaza StripMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Topic: GeorgiaSouthwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both Topic: GermanyCentral Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Topic: GhanaWestern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo Topic: GibraltarSouthwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain Topic: GreeceSouthern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey Topic: GreenlandNorthern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Topic: GrenadaCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Topic: GuamOceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Topic: GuatemalaCentral America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Topic: GuernseyWestern Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France Topic: GuineaWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Topic: Guinea-BissauWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal Topic: GuyanaNorthern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Topic: HaitiCaribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsislands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) Topic: HondurasCentral America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua Topic: Hong KongEastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Topic: HungaryCentral Europe, northwest of Romania Topic: IcelandNorthern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom Topic: IndiaSouthern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Topic: Indian Oceanbody of water between Africa, the Southern Ocean, Asia, and Australia Topic: IndonesiaSoutheastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Topic: IranMiddle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Topic: IraqMiddle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Topic: IrelandWestern Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Topic: Isle of ManWestern Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland Topic: IsraelMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon Topic: ItalySouthern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia Topic: JamaicaCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Topic: Jan MayenNorthern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Topic: JapanEastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Topic: JerseyWestern Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Topic: JordanMiddle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq Topic: KazakhstanCentral Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Oral) River in easternmost Europe Topic: KenyaEastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Topic: KiribatiOceania, 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 Topic: Korea, NorthEastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Topic: Korea, SouthEastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea Topic: KosovoSoutheast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia Topic: KuwaitMiddle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Topic: KyrgyzstanCentral Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan Topic: LaosSoutheastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam Topic: LatviaEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania Topic: LebanonMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Topic: LesothoSouthern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Topic: LiberiaWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Topic: LibyaNorthern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria Topic: LiechtensteinCentral Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Topic: LithuaniaEastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus Topic: LuxembourgWestern Europe, between France and Germany Topic: MacauEastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Topic: MadagascarSouthern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Topic: MalawiSouthern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique Topic: MalaysiaSoutheastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Topic: MaldivesSouthern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Topic: Maliinterior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Topic: MaltaSouthern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Topic: Marshall IslandsOceania, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; the atolls and islands are situated in two, almost-parallel island chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group; the total number of islands and islets is about 1,225; 22 of the atolls and four of the islands are uninhabited Topic: MauritaniaWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara Topic: MauritiusSouthern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, about 800 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar Topic: MexicoNorth America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofOceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia Topic: MoldovaEastern Europe, northeast of Romania Topic: MonacoWestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy Topic: MongoliaNorthern Asia, between China and Russia Topic: MontenegroSoutheastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia Topic: MontserratCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Topic: MoroccoNorthern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania Topic: MozambiqueSoutheastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania Topic: NamibiaSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Topic: NauruOceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Topic: Navassa IslandCaribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 30 nm west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti Topic: NepalSouthern Asia, between China and India Topic: NetherlandsWestern Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Topic: New CaledoniaOceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Topic: New ZealandOceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia Topic: NicaraguaCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras Topic: NigerWestern Africa, southeast of Algeria Topic: NigeriaWestern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Topic: NiueOceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga Topic: Norfolk IslandOceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia Topic: North MacedoniaSoutheastern Europe, north of Greece Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsOceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Topic: NorwayNorthern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Topic: OmanMiddle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the UAE Topic: Pacific Oceanbody of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Topic: PakistanSouthern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Topic: PalauOceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Topic: PanamaCentral America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Topic: Papua New GuineaOceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Topic: Paracel IslandsSoutheastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines Topic: ParaguayCentral South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil Topic: PeruWestern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Topic: PhilippinesSoutheastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam Topic: Pitcairn IslandsOceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Topic: PolandCentral Europe, east of Germany Topic: PortugalSouthwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Topic: Puerto RicoCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic Topic: QatarMiddle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Topic: RomaniaSoutheastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine Topic: RussiaNorth Asia bordering the Arctic Ocean, extending from Europe (the portion west of the Urals) to the North Pacific Ocean Topic: RwandaCentral Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi Topic: Saint BarthelemyCaribbean, 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 Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaislands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 1,300 km (800 mi) northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 4,300 km (2,700 mi) southwest of Saint Helena Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisCaribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago Topic: Saint LuciaCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Topic: Saint MartinCaribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; French part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Saint Martin lies east of the US Virgin Islands Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNorthern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesCaribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago Topic: SamoaOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Topic: San MarinoSouthern Europe, an enclave in central Italy Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeCentral Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon Topic: Saudi ArabiaMiddle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Topic: SenegalWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Topic: SerbiaSoutheastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary Topic: Seychellesarchipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Topic: Sierra LeoneWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Topic: SingaporeSoutheastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Topic: Sint MaartenCaribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin IslandsCaribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands Topic: SlovakiaCentral Europe, south of Poland Topic: Sloveniasouth Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia Topic: Solomon IslandsOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Topic: SomaliaEastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia Topic: South AfricaSouthern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsSouthern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Topic: South SudanEast-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia Topic: Southern Oceanbody of water between 60 degrees south latitude and Antarctica Topic: SpainSouthwestern Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, and Pyrenees Mountains; southwest of France Topic: Spratly IslandsSoutheastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines Topic: Sri LankaSouthern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Topic: Sudannorth-eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea Topic: SurinameNorthern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Topic: SvalbardNorthern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Topic: SwedenNorthern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway Topic: SwitzerlandCentral Europe, east of France, north of Italy Topic: SyriaMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Topic: TaiwanEastern 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 Topic: TajikistanCentral Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan Topic: TanzaniaEastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Topic: ThailandSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Topic: Timor-LesteSoutheastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco Topic: TogoWestern Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Topic: TokelauOceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Topic: TongaOceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Topic: Trinidad and TobagoCaribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Topic: TunisiaNorthern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Topic: TurkeySoutheastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria Topic: TurkmenistanCentral Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstwo island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Topic: TuvaluOceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia Topic: UgandaEast-Central Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Topic: UkraineEastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east Topic: United Arab EmiratesMiddle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Topic: United KingdomWestern Europe, islands - including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea; northwest of France Topic: United StatesNorth America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesOceaniaBaker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands; Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands; Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo; Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American SamoaOceaniaBaker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands; Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands; Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo; Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa Topic: UruguaySouthern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil Topic: UzbekistanCentral Asia, north of Turkmenistan, south of Kazakhstan Topic: VanuatuOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Topic: VenezuelaNorthern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Topic: VietnamSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia Topic: Virgin IslandsCaribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Topic: Wake IslandOceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands Topic: Wallis and FutunaOceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Topic: West BankMiddle East, west of Jordan, east of Israel Topic: YemenMiddle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Topic: ZambiaSouthern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Topic: ZimbabweSouthern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

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

countries-algeria

Topic: Photos of Algeria Topic: Introduction Background: Algeria has known many empires and dynasties starting with the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Berber dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks. It was under the latter that the Barbary pirates operated from North Africa and preyed on shipping beginning in roughly 1500, peaking in the early to mid-17th century, until finally subdued by the French capture of Algiers in 1830. The French southward conquest of the entirety of Algeria proceeded throughout the 19th century and was marked by many atrocities. The country was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has since largely dominated politics, though it is falling out of favor with the youth. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 legislative elections led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. Fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence from 1992-98, resulting in over 100,000 deaths – many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS’s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. FIS membership is illegal. Former president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election that was boycotted by several candidates protesting alleged fraud, and won subsequent elections in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Protests broke out across the country in late February 2019 against President BOUTEFLIKA’s decision to seek a fifth term. BOUTEFLIKA resigned in April 2019, and in December 2019, Algerians elected former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE as the country's new president. A longtime FLN member, TEBBOUNE ran for president as an independent. In 2020, Algeria held a constitutional referendum, which President TEBBOUNE enacted in January 2021. Subsequent reforms to the national electoral law introduced open list voting to curb corruption. The new law also eliminated gender quotas in Parliament, and the June 2021 legislative elections saw female representation plummet. Local elections took place in November 2021. The referendum, parliamentary elections, and local elections saw record low voter turnout. Since 2014, Algeria’s reliance on hydrocarbon revenues to fund the government and finance the large subsidies for the population has fallen under stress because of declining oil prices.Algeria has known many empires and dynasties starting with the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Berber dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks. It was under the latter that the Barbary pirates operated from North Africa and preyed on shipping beginning in roughly 1500, peaking in the early to mid-17th century, until finally subdued by the French capture of Algiers in 1830. The French southward conquest of the entirety of Algeria proceeded throughout the 19th century and was marked by many atrocities. The country was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has since largely dominated politics, though it is falling out of favor with the youth. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 legislative elections led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. Fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence from 1992-98, resulting in over 100,000 deaths – many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS’s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. FIS membership is illegal.Former president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election that was boycotted by several candidates protesting alleged fraud, and won subsequent elections in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Protests broke out across the country in late February 2019 against President BOUTEFLIKA’s decision to seek a fifth term. BOUTEFLIKA resigned in April 2019, and in December 2019, Algerians elected former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE as the country's new president. A longtime FLN member, TEBBOUNE ran for president as an independent. In 2020, Algeria held a constitutional referendum, which President TEBBOUNE enacted in January 2021. Subsequent reforms to the national electoral law introduced open list voting to curb corruption. The new law also eliminated gender quotas in Parliament, and the June 2021 legislative elections saw female representation plummet. Local elections took place in November 2021. The referendum, parliamentary elections, and local elections saw record low voter turnout. Since 2014, Algeria’s reliance on hydrocarbon revenues to fund the government and finance the large subsidies for the population has fallen under stress because of declining oil prices.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,734 km border countries (6): Libya 989 km; Mali 1,359 km; Mauritania 460 km; Morocco 1,941 km; Niger 951 km; Tunisia 1,034 km Coastline: 998 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm 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 Terrain: mostly high plateau and desert; Atlas Mountains in the far north and Hoggar Mountains in the south; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation: highest point: Tahat 2,908 m lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m mean elevation: 800 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.8% (2018 est.) forest: 0.8% (2018 est.) other: 81.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 13,600 sq km (2014) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Major aquifers: Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin, North Western Sahara Aquifer, Taoudeni-Tanezrouft Basin Population distribution: the 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 Natural hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season; droughts Geography - note: largest country in Africa but 80% desert; canyons and caves in the southern Hoggar Mountains and in the barren Tassili n'Ajjer area in the southeast of the country contain numerous examples of prehistoric art - rock paintings and carvings depicting human activities and wild and domestic animals (elephants, giraffes, cattle) - that date to the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, when the region was completely vegetated Map description: Algeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.Algeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 44,178,884 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Algerian(s) adjective: Algerian Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: although almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab), only a minority identify themselves as primarily Berber, about 15% of the total population; these people live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers and several other communities; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has officially recognized Berber languages and introduced them into public schools Languages: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq) 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; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ibadi  Muslims) <1% (2012 est.) Demographic profile: For the first two thirds of the 20th century, Algeria's high fertility rate caused its population to grow rapidly. However, about a decade after independence from France in 1962, the total fertility rate fell dramatically from 7 children per woman in the 1970s to about 2.4 in 2000, slowing Algeria's population growth rate by the late 1980s. The lower fertility rate was mainly the result of women's rising age at first marriage (virtually all Algerian children being born in wedlock) and to a lesser extent the wider use of contraceptives. Later marriages and a preference for smaller families are attributed to increases in women's education and participation in the labor market; higher unemployment; and a shortage of housing forcing multiple generations to live together. The average woman's age at first marriage increased from about 19 in the mid-1950s to 24 in the mid-1970s to 30.5 in the late 1990s. Algeria's fertility rate experienced an unexpected upturn in the early 2000s, as the average woman's age at first marriage dropped slightly. The reversal in fertility could represent a temporary fluctuation in marriage age or, less likely, a decrease in the steady rate of contraceptive use. Thousands of Algerian peasants - mainly Berber men from the Kabylia region - faced with land dispossession and economic hardship under French rule migrated temporarily to France to work in manufacturing and mining during the first half of the 20th century. This movement accelerated during World War I, when Algerians filled in for French factory workers or served as soldiers. In the years following independence, low-skilled Algerian workers and Algerians who had supported the French (known as Harkis) emigrated en masse to France. Tighter French immigration rules and Algiers' decision to cease managing labor migration to France in the 1970s limited legal emigration largely to family reunification. Not until Algeria's civil war in the 1990s did the country again experience substantial outmigration. Many Algerians legally entered Tunisia without visas claiming to be tourists and then stayed as workers. Other Algerians headed to Europe seeking asylum, although France imposed restrictions. Sub-Saharan African migrants came to Algeria after its civil war to work in agriculture and mining. In the 2000s, a wave of educated Algerians went abroad seeking skilled jobs in a wider range of destinations, increasing their presence in North America and Spain. At the same time, legal foreign workers principally from China and Egypt came to work in Algeria's construction and oil sectors. Illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Malians, Nigeriens, and Gambians, continue to come to Algeria in search of work or to use it as a stepping stone to Libya and Europe. Since 1975, Algeria also has been the main recipient of Sahrawi refugees from the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara (today part of Morocco). More than 1000,000 Sahrawis are estimated to be living in five refugee camps in southwestern Algeria near Tindouf.For the first two thirds of the 20th century, Algeria's high fertility rate caused its population to grow rapidly. However, about a decade after independence from France in 1962, the total fertility rate fell dramatically from 7 children per woman in the 1970s to about 2.4 in 2000, slowing Algeria's population growth rate by the late 1980s. The lower fertility rate was mainly the result of women's rising age at first marriage (virtually all Algerian children being born in wedlock) and to a lesser extent the wider use of contraceptives. Later marriages and a preference for smaller families are attributed to increases in women's education and participation in the labor market; higher unemployment; and a shortage of housing forcing multiple generations to live together. The average woman's age at first marriage increased from about 19 in the mid-1950s to 24 in the mid-1970s to 30.5 in the late 1990s.Algeria's fertility rate experienced an unexpected upturn in the early 2000s, as the average woman's age at first marriage dropped slightly. The reversal in fertility could represent a temporary fluctuation in marriage age or, less likely, a decrease in the steady rate of contraceptive use.Thousands of Algerian peasants - mainly Berber men from the Kabylia region - faced with land dispossession and economic hardship under French rule migrated temporarily to France to work in manufacturing and mining during the first half of the 20th century. This movement accelerated during World War I, when Algerians filled in for French factory workers or served as soldiers. In the years following independence, low-skilled Algerian workers and Algerians who had supported the French (known as Harkis) emigrated en masse to France. Tighter French immigration rules and Algiers' decision to cease managing labor migration to France in the 1970s limited legal emigration largely to family reunification.Not until Algeria's civil war in the 1990s did the country again experience substantial outmigration. Many Algerians legally entered Tunisia without visas claiming to be tourists and then stayed as workers. Other Algerians headed to Europe seeking asylum, although France imposed restrictions. Sub-Saharan African migrants came to Algeria after its civil war to work in agriculture and mining. In the 2000s, a wave of educated Algerians went abroad seeking skilled jobs in a wider range of destinations, increasing their presence in North America and Spain. At the same time, legal foreign workers principally from China and Egypt came to work in Algeria's construction and oil sectors. Illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Malians, Nigeriens, and Gambians, continue to come to Algeria in search of work or to use it as a stepping stone to Libya and Europe.Since 1975, Algeria also has been the main recipient of Sahrawi refugees from the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara (today part of Morocco). More than 1000,000 Sahrawis are estimated to be living in five refugee camps in southwestern Algeria near Tindouf. Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.58% (male 6,509,490/female 6,201,450) 15-24 years: 13.93% (male 3,063,972/female 2,922,368) 25-54 years: 42.91% (male 9,345,997/female 9,091,558) 55-64 years: 7.41% (male 1,599,369/female 1,585,233) 65 years and over: 6.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,252,084/female 1,401,357) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 60.1 youth dependency ratio: 49.3 elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 28.9 years male: 28.6 years female: 29.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 18.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the 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 Urbanization: urban population: 74.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.854 million ALGIERS (capital), 922,000 Oran (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: 1.03 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 112 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.03 years male: 76.57 years female: 79.57 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.51 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.1% (2012/13) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.2% (2019) Physicians density: 1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2015) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 91.3% of population total: 96.5% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 8.7% of population total: 3.5% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 18,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.4% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 21% (2020 est.) male: 41.3% (2020 est.) female: 0.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.7% (2018/19) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0% women married by age 18: 3.8% (2019 est.) Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.4% male: 87.4% female: 75.3% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2011) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 39.3% male: 33.1% female: 82% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution in major cities; soil erosion from overgrazing and other poor farming practices; desertification; dumping of raw sewage, petroleum refining wastes, and other industrial effluents is leading to the pollution of rivers and coastal waters; Mediterranean Sea, in particular, becoming polluted from oil wastes, soil erosion, and fertilizer runoff; 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, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 35.17 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 150.01 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 49.94 megatons (2020 est.) 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 Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.8% (2018 est.) forest: 0.8% (2018 est.) other: 81.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 74.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.99% 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% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Major aquifers: Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin, North Western Sahara Aquifer, Taoudeni-Tanezrouft Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 191 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.671 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 11.667 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria conventional short form: Algeria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah local short form: Al Jaza'ir etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Algiers Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Algiers geographic coordinates: 36 45 N, 3 03 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Arabic "al-Jazair" meaning "the islands" and refers to the four islands formerly off the coast but joined to the mainland since 1525 Administrative divisions: 58 provinces (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Beni Abbes, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djanet, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Meghaier, El Meniaa, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, In Guezzam, In Salah, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Ouled Djellal, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanrasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Timimoun, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen, Touggourt Independence: 5 July 1962 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1962); Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by referendum November 2020 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or through the president with the support of three fourths of the members of both houses of Parliament in joint session; passage requires approval by both houses, approval by referendum, and promulgation by the president; the president can forego a referendum if the Constitutional Council determines the proposed amendment does not conflict with basic constitutional principles; articles including the republican form of government, the integrity and unity of the country, and fundamental citizens’ liberties and rights cannot be amended; amended 2002, 2008, 2016; last in 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of French civil law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts in ad hoc Constitutional Council composed of various public officials including several Supreme Court justices 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 mother must be a citizen of Algeria dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal 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) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 December 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister nominated by the president after consultation with the majority party in Parliament election results: 2019: Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (FLN) 58.1%, Abdelkader BENGRINA (El-Bina) 17.4%, Ali BENFLIS (Talaie El Hurriyet) 10.6%, Azzedine MIHOUBI (National Democratic Rally, RND) 7.3%, Abdelaziz BELAID (Front El Mustakbal, FM) 6.7% 2014: Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA reelected president for a fourth term; percent of vote - Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA (FLN) 81.5%, Ali BENFLIS (FLN) 12.2%, Abdelaziz BELAID (Future Front) 3.4%, other 2.9% 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 elections: Council of the Nation - last held on 5 February 2022 (next election NA) National People's Assembly - snap election held on 12 June 2021 (next to be held on 12 June 2026) election results: Council of the Nation - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 54, RND 22, Future Front 7, National Construction Movement 5, FFS 4, other 6, independent 18, appointed 58; composition NA National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 98, MSP 65, RND 58, (Future Front) 48, Movement of National Construction 39, other 15, independent 84; composition - men 374, women 33, percent of women 8.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 7.3% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Le Cour Suprême, (consists of 150 judges organized into 8 chambers: Civil, Commercial and Maritime, Criminal, House of Offenses and Contraventions, House of Petitions, Land, Personal Status, and Social; Constitutional Council (consists of 12 members including the court chairman and deputy chairman); note - Algeria's judicial system does not include sharia courts judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of Magistracy, an administrative body presided over by the president of the republic, and includes the republic vice-president and several members; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council members - 4 appointed by the president of the republic, 2 each by the 2 houses of Parliament, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 2 by the Council of State; Council president and members appointed for single 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: appellate or wilaya courts; first instance or daira tribunals Political parties and leaders: Algerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI] Algerian Popular Movement or MPA [Amara BENYOUNES] Algerian Rally or RA [Ali ZAGHDOUD] Algeria's Hope Rally or TAJ [Fatma Zohra ZEROUATI] Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Fethi GHARES] Dignity or El Karama [Mohamed DAOUI] El-Bina (Harakat El-Binaa El-Watani) [Abdelkader BENGRINA] El-Islah [Filali GHOUINI] Ennahda [Yazid BENAICHA] Ennour El Djazairi Party (Algerian Radiance Party) or PED [Badreddine BELBAZ] Front for Justice and Development or El Adala [Abdallah DJABALLAH] Future Front or El Mostakbel [Abdelaziz BELAID] Islamic Renaissance Movement or Ennahda Movement [Mohamed DOUIBI] Justice and Development Front or FJD [Abdellah DJABALLAH] Movement for National Reform or Islah [Filali GHOUINI] Movement of National Understanding or MEN Movement of Society for Peace or MSP [Abderrazak MAKRI] National Construction Movement or Harakat Al-bina' Al-watanii [Abdelkader BENGRINA] National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Tayeb ZITOUNI] National Front for Social Justice or FNJS [Khaled BOUNEDJEMA] National Liberation Front or FLN [Abou El Fadhel BAADJI] National Party for Solidarity and Development or PNSD [Dalila YALAQUI] National Reform Movement or Islah [Djahid YOUNSI] National Republican Alliance or ANR [Belkacem SAHLI] New Dawn Party or El-Fajr El-Jadid [Tahar BENBAIBECHE] New Generation or Jil Jadid [Soufiane DJILALI] Oath of 1954 or Ahd 54 [Ali Fawzi REBAINE] Party of Justice and Liberty or PLJ [Djamel Ben ZIADI] Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Mohcine BELABBAS] Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Youcef AOUCHICHE] Union for Change and Progress or UCP [Zoubida ASSOUL] Union of Democratic and Social Forces or UFDS [Noureddine BAHBOUH] Vanguard of Liberties or Talaie El Hurriyet [Abdelkader SAADI] Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] Youth Party or PJ [Hamana BOUCHARMA] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the colors represent Islam (green), purity and peace (white), and liberty (red); the crescent and star are also Islamic symbols, but the crescent is more closed than those of other Muslim countries because Algerians believe the long crescent horns bring happiness National symbol(s): five-pointed star between the extended horns of a crescent moon, fennec fox; national colors: green, white, red National anthem: name: "Kassaman" (We Pledge) lyrics/music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Beni Hammad Fort (c); Djémila (c); Casbah of Algiers (c); M'zab Valley (c); Tassili n'Ajjer (m); Timgad (c); Tipasa (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy, pursuing an explicit import substitution policy.   Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenues, and nearly 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world - including the 3rd-largest reserves of shale gas - and is the 6th-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in proven oil reserves. Hydrocarbon exports enabled Algeria to maintain macroeconomic stability, amass large foreign currency reserves, and maintain low external debt while global oil prices were high. With lower oil prices since 2014, Algeria’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by more than half and its oil stabilization fund has decreased from about $20 billion at the end of 2013 to about $7 billion in 2017, which is the statutory minimum.   Declining oil prices have also reduced the government’s ability to use state-driven growth to distribute rents and fund generous public subsidies, and the government has been under pressure to reduce spending. Over the past three years, the government has enacted incremental increases in some taxes, resulting in modest increases in prices for gasoline, cigarettes, alcohol, and certain imported goods, but it has refrained from reducing subsidies, particularly for education, healthcare, and housing programs.   Algiers has increased protectionist measures since 2015 to limit its import bill and encourage domestic production of non-oil and gas industries. Since 2015, the government has imposed additional restrictions on access to foreign exchange for imports, and import quotas for specific products, such as cars. In January 2018 the government imposed an indefinite suspension on the importation of roughly 850 products, subject to periodic review.   President BOUTEFLIKA announced in fall 2017 that Algeria intends to develop its non-conventional energy resources. Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. Algeria has not increased non-hydrocarbon exports, and hydrocarbon exports have declined because of field depletion and increased domestic demand.Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy, pursuing an explicit import substitution policy. Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenues, and nearly 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world - including the 3rd-largest reserves of shale gas - and is the 6th-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in proven oil reserves. Hydrocarbon exports enabled Algeria to maintain macroeconomic stability, amass large foreign currency reserves, and maintain low external debt while global oil prices were high. With lower oil prices since 2014, Algeria’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by more than half and its oil stabilization fund has decreased from about $20 billion at the end of 2013 to about $7 billion in 2017, which is the statutory minimum. Declining oil prices have also reduced the government’s ability to use state-driven growth to distribute rents and fund generous public subsidies, and the government has been under pressure to reduce spending. Over the past three years, the government has enacted incremental increases in some taxes, resulting in modest increases in prices for gasoline, cigarettes, alcohol, and certain imported goods, but it has refrained from reducing subsidies, particularly for education, healthcare, and housing programs. Algiers has increased protectionist measures since 2015 to limit its import bill and encourage domestic production of non-oil and gas industries. Since 2015, the government has imposed additional restrictions on access to foreign exchange for imports, and import quotas for specific products, such as cars. In January 2018 the government imposed an indefinite suspension on the importation of roughly 850 products, subject to periodic review. President BOUTEFLIKA announced in fall 2017 that Algeria intends to develop its non-conventional energy resources. Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. Algeria has not increased non-hydrocarbon exports, and hydrocarbon exports have declined because of field depletion and increased domestic demand. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $468.4 billion (2020 est.) $495.56 billion (2019 est.) $491.63 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.4% (2017 est.) 3.2% (2016 est.) 3.7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $10,700 (2020 est.) $11,500 (2019 est.) $11,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $169.912 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.3% (2017 est.) industry: 39.3% (2017 est.) services: 47.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 42.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 38.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 11.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 23.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -35.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: potatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 10.859 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.8% industry: 30.9% services: 58.4% (2011 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.7% (2017 est.) 10.5% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 39.3% male: 33.1% female: 82% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 5.5% (2011 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 27.6 (2011 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 26.8% (1995) Budget: revenues: 54.15 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 70.2 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 27.5% 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 Taxes and other revenues: 32.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$22.1 billion (2017 est.) -$26.47 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $38.32 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $44.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars 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.) note: data are in current year dollars $60.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars 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) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $97.89 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $114.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $5.574 billion (2019 est.) $5.666 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 131.085 (2020 est.) 119.775 (2019 est.) 118.4617 (2018 est.) 100.691 (2014 est.) 80.579 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.4% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.6% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 97% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 21.694 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 66.646 billion kWh (2019 est.) exports: 673 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 531 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 9.897 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 98.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.1% 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: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 59 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 1,414,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 450,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 633,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 4,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 12.2 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 627,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 578,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 82,930 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 87,853,976,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 46,945,035,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 42,667,386,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 4,503,900,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 151.633 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 352,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 57.867 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 93.414 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 61.433 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 4,784,306 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 45,555,673 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 104 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Algeria has a steadily developing telecom infrastructure with growth encouraged by supportive regulatory measures and by government policies aimed at delivering serviceable internet connections across the country; mobile broadband is largely based on 3G and LTE, and the data rates are also low in global terms; LTE is available in all provinces, investment is required from the MNOs to improve the quality of service; the state has previously been hesitant to commit to 5G, instead encouraging the MNOs to undertake upgrades to LTE infrastructure before investing in commercial 5G services; in March 2022, the state is in the process of freeing up the requisite spectrum to enable the MNOs to launch 5G services sometime this year; fixed internet speeds remain slow, and the country ranks poorly in international tables; the government has pressed Algérie Télécom in early 2021 to increase the minimum rate available from 4Mb/s to 10Mb/s. (2022) domestic: a limited network of fixed-lines with a teledensity of slightly less than 11 telephones per 100 persons has been offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; mobile-cellular teledensity was approximately 104 telephones per 100 persons in 2020 (2020) international: country code - 213; ALPAL-2 is a submarine telecommunications cable system in the Mediterranean Sea linking Algeria and the Spanish Balearic island of Majorca; ORVAL is a submarine cable to Spain; landing points for the TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/SeaMeWe-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; MED cable connecting Algeria with France; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; Algeria part of the 4,500 Km terrestrial Trans Sahara Backbone network which connects to other fiber networks in the region; Alcomstat-1 satellite offering  telemedicine network (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: state-run Radio-Television Algerienne operates the broadcast media and carries programming in Arabic, Berber dialects, and French; use of satellite dishes is widespread, providing easy access to European and Arab satellite stations; state-run radio operates several national networks and roughly 40 regional radio stations Internet country code: .dz Internet users: total: 27,626,157 (2020 est.) percent of population: 63% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,790,459 (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: 87 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,442,442 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 28.28 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 7T Airports: total: 149 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 18 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 82 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 36 under 914 m: 28 (2021) Heliports: 4 (2022) Pipelines: 2,600 km condensate, 16,415 km gas, 3,447 km liquid petroleum gas, 7,036 km oil, 144 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 3,973 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,888 km (2014) 1.432-m gauge (283 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,085 km (2014) 1.055-m gauge Roadways: total: 104,000 km (2015) paved: 71,656 km (2015) unpaved: 32,344 km (2015) Merchant marine: total: 114 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 2, general cargo 11, oil tanker 11, other 89 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda LNG terminal(s) (export): Arzew, Bethioua, Skikda Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Algerian People's National Army (ANP): Land Forces, Naval Forces (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces, Territorial Air Defense Forces, Republican Guard (under ANP but responsible to the President), National Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of National Security (national police) (2022) Military expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2021 est.) 6.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 6% of GDP (2019) (approximately $19.2 billion) 5.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $17.9 billion) 5.9% of GDP (2017) (approximately $18.8 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 140,000 ANP personnel (120,000 Army; 6,000 Navy; 14,000 Air Force); approximately 130,000 National Gendarmerie; approximately 200,000 General Directorate of National Security (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ANP's inventory includes mostly Russian-sourced equipment; since 2010, Algeria has received arms from a variety of countries, with Russia as the leading supplier (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 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 Military - note: the ANP has played a large role in the country’s politics since independence in 1962, including coups in 1965 and 1991; it was a key backer of BOUTEFLIKA’s election in 1999 and remained a center of power during his 20-year rule; the military was instrumental in BOUTEFLIKA’s resignation in 2019 when it withdrew support and called for him to be removed from office the ANP traditionally has focused on internal stability and on Morocco where relations as of 2022 remained tense over Western Sahara and Algerian accusations that Morocco supports the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylie (MAK), a separatist group in Algeria’s Kabylie region; however, following the Arab Spring events of 2011 and a series of cross-border terrorist attacks emanating from Mali in 2012-2013, particularly the 2013 attack on a commercial gas plant by al-Qa’ida-linked terrorists that resulted in the deaths of 35 hostages and 29 jihadists, it has made a concerted effort to beef up security along its other borders and promote regional security cooperation; since 2013, additional Army and paramilitary forces were deployed to the borders with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, and Mali to interdict and deter cross-border attacks by Islamic militant groups; in addition, Algeria has provided security assistance to some neighboring countries, particularly Tunisia, and conducted joint military/counter-terrorism operations (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) – Algeria; 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: Algeria-Morocco: the Algerian-Moroccan land border remains closed; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; the National Liberation Front's (FLN) assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco remain a dormant dispute Algeria-Libya: dormant dispute includes Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria Algeria-Mali: none identified Algeria-Mauritania: none identified Algeria-Niger: none identified Algeria-Tunisia: none identifiedAlgeria-Morocco: the Algerian-Moroccan land border remains closed; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; the National Liberation Front's (FLN) assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco remain a dormant dispute Algeria-Libya: dormant dispute includes Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria Algeria-Mali: none identified Algeria-Mauritania: none identified Algeria-Niger: none identified Algeria-Tunisia: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): more than 100,000 (Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) (2018); 6,750 (Syria) (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; Algerian women and girls are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to financial problems or after running away from home; undocumented sub-Saharan migrants are vulnerable to labor and sex trafficking and are exploited in restaurants, houses, and informal worksites; sub-Saharan men and women needing more funds for their onward journey to Europe work illegally in construction and commercial sex and are vulnerable to sex trafficking and debt bondage; foreign women and girls, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, are subject to sex trafficking in bars and informal brothels; criminal begging rings that exploit sub-Saharan African migrant children are common tier rating: Tier 3 — Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities prosecuted fewer traffickers and identified fewer victims compared to last year and convicted no traffickers; the government continued to lack effective procedures and mechanisms to screen for, identify, and refer potential victims to protective services and punished some potential victims for unlawful acts traffickers forced them to commit; the government took some steps to combat trafficking, including prosecuting some traffickers, identifying some victims, and continuing to implement its 2019-2021 national anti-trafficking action plan (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; Algerian women and girls are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to financial problems or after running away from home; undocumented sub-Saharan migrants are vulnerable to labor and sex trafficking and are exploited in restaurants, houses, and informal worksites; sub-Saharan men and women needing more funds for their onward journey to Europe work illegally in construction and commercial sex and are vulnerable to sex trafficking and debt bondage; foreign women and girls, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, are subject to sex trafficking in bars and informal brothels; criminal begging rings that exploit sub-Saharan African migrant children are common

20220901

countries-sweden-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions when traveling to Sweden. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [46] (08) 783 53 00; US Embassy in Stockholm, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31, SE-115 89 Stockholm, Sweden; STKACSinfo@state.gov; https://se.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 46 Local Emergency Phone: 112 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Currency (Code): Swedish kronor (SEK) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Swedish; note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages Major Religions: Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 60.2%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.5% 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: Stockholm (includes Vasa Museum, Skansen, Djurgarden, Gamla Stan, Drottningholm); Stockholm Archipelago; Birka & Hovgarden; Tanum petroglyphs; Malmo Major Sports: Soccer, ice hockey, handball, floorball (a type of floor hockey), golf Cultural Practices: Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten. Tipping Guidelines: A service charge is frequently included at restaurants; If not, a 5-10% tip is appropriate. Leave small change at bars for a gratuity. Porters, bellhops, and housekeeping expect 5-10 kronor as a tip. Round up taxi fares. Souvenirs: Dala horse wooden toys, Sami handicrafts, glasswork items, hand-knitted Nordic sweaters, schnapps spiritsPlease 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-guyana-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean.Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Topic: Geography Area: total: 214,969 sq km land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Topic: People and Society Population: 789,683 (2022 est.) 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.) Population growth rate: 0.24% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Georgetown 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) 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: small South American export economy; COVID-19 disruptions and commodity price drops; high emigration and remittances; widespread poverty; recently discovered oil and gas reserves; formalizing financial sector; large bauxite and gold resourcessmall South American export economy; COVID-19 disruptions and commodity price drops; high emigration and remittances; widespread poverty; recently discovered oil and gas reserves; formalizing financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.69 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $18,700 (2020 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 Exports: $1.8 billion (2019 est.) 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.) 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) Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar -Page last updated: Thursday, Jun 02, 2022

20220901

countries-peru-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Peru due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Peru due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is required, but US citizens may obtain the visa upon entering the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [51] (1) 618-2000; US Embassy in Lima, Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n, Surco, Lima 33, Peru; LimaACS@state.gov; https://pe.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 51 Local Emergency Phone: 011, 5114 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Currency (Code): Nuevo sol (PEN) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, C Major Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Ashaninka Major Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Christian 14.6% (includes evangelical 11.1%, other 3.5%) Time Difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Peru, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Machu Picchu; Cusco's architectural treasures; Lake Titicaca; Colca Canyon; Lima; Nazca Lines; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System Major Sports: Soccer, volleyball, tennis Cultural Practices: Slapping the bottom of one elbow with the open palm of the other hand means someone is cheap. Tipping Guidelines: Most restaurant and bar bills will include a 10% gratuity. It is customary to add an extra 10% tip if the service has been satisfactory. Tipping is not expected for taxis and fares are negotiated beforehand. One Nuevo sol per bag for porters is appreciated.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Thursday, April 07, 2022

20220901

countries-india-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent and India was seen as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule eventually resulted in Indian independence in 1947.The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent and India was seen as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule eventually resulted in Indian independence in 1947. Topic: Geography Area: total: 3,287,263 sq km land: 2,973,193 sq km water: 314,070 sq km Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), antimony, iron ore, lead, manganese, mica, bauxite, rare earth elements, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 1,389,637,446 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, and other 3% (2000) Languages: Hindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6%; note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; there are 22 other officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2011 est.) Religions: Hindu 79.8%, Muslim 14.2%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.7%, other and unspecified 2% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: New Delhi Executive branch: chief of state: President Ram Nath KOVIND (since 25 July 2017); Vice President M. Venkaiah NAIDU (since 11 August 2017)  head of government: Prime Minister Narendra MODI (since 26 May 2014)  Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of: Council of States or Rajya Sabha (245 seats; 233 members indirectly elected by state and territorial assemblies by proportional representation vote and 12 members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years at various dates) House of the People or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 2 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: largest South Asian economy; still informal domestic economies; COVID-19 reversed both economic growth and poverty reduction; credit access weaknesses contributing to lower private consumption and inflation; new social and infrastructure equity effortslargest South Asian economy; still informal domestic economies; COVID-19 reversed both economic growth and poverty reduction; credit access weaknesses contributing to lower private consumption and inflation; new social and infrastructure equity efforts Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $8,443,360,000,000 (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,100 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, rice, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, potatoes, vegetables, bananas, maize, mangoes/guavas Industries: textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software, pharmaceuticals Exports: $484.95 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 17%, United Arab Emirates 9%, China 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, diamonds, packaged medicines, jewelry, cars (2019) Imports: $493.18 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: China 15%, United States 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, gold, coal, diamonds, natural gas (2019) Exchange rates: Indian rupees (INR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022

20220901

countries-tonga-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. It withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. It withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Topic: Geography Area: total: 747 sq km land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Natural resources: arable land, fish Topic: People and Society Population: 105,517 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Tongan 97%, part-Tongan 0.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified <0.1% (2016 est.) Languages: Tongan and English 76.8%, Tongan, English, and other language 10.6%, Tongan only (official) 8.7%, English only (official) 0.7%, other 1.7%, none 2.2% (2016 est.) Religions: Protestant 64.1% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga 11.9%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Assembly of God 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 1.6%, other 4.3%), Church of Jesus Christ 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%, other 2.4%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2016 est.) Population growth rate: -0.26% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Nuku'alofa Executive branch: chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Siaosi Manumataogo 'Alaivahamama'o 'Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku'aho, son of the king (born 17 September 1985); note - on 18 March 2012, King George TUPOU V died and his brother, Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, assumed the throne as TUPOU VI head of government: Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI (since 27 December 2021) Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: upper middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous diaspora and remittance reliance; key tourism and agricultural sectors; major fish exporter; rapidly growing Chinese infrastructure investments; rising methamphetamine hubupper middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous diaspora and remittance reliance; key tourism and agricultural sectors; major fish exporter; rapidly growing Chinese infrastructure investments; rising methamphetamine hub Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $670 million (2019 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,400 (2019 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes Industries: tourism, construction, fishing Exports: $90 million (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 38%, South Korea 18%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 14%, Japan 6%,  (2019) Exports - commodities: squash, fish, various fruits and nuts, antiques, coral and shells (2019) Imports: $300 million (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Fiji 29%, New Zealand 23%, China 14%, United States 8%, Australia 6%, Japan 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, poultry meats, audio equipment, mutton, goat meat, broadcasting equipment (2019) Exchange rates: pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -Page last updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022

20220901

countries-baker-island

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-production

This entry is the country's total output of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of refined petroleum products produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors. Topic: Afghanistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Albania5,638 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Algeria627,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: American Samoa0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Andorra0 bbl/day (2016) Topic: Angola53,480 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Argentina669,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Armenia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Aruba0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Australia462,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Austria186,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan138,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahrain274,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bangladesh26,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Barbados0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belarus477,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belgium731,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Belize36 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Benin0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bermuda0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia65,960 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Botswana0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brazil2.811 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brunei10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bulgaria144,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burma13,330 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cambodia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cameroon39,080 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Canada2.009 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Chad0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Chile216,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: China11.51 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Colombia303,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Comoros0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the15,760 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cook Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Costa Rica0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire69,360 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia74,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cuba104,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Curacao189,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cyprus0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Czechia177,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark183,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominica0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic16,060 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ecuador137,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Egypt547,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: El Salvador0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Eritrea0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Estonia0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ethiopia0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: European Union11.66 million bbl/day (2016 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Fiji0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Finland310,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: France1.311 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gabon16,580 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Georgia247 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Germany2.158 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana2,073 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gibraltar0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Greece655,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Grenada0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guam0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guatemala1,162 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guyana0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Haiti0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Honduras0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Kong0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Hungary152,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: India4.897 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Indonesia950,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iran1.764 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iraq398,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ireland64,970 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Israel294,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Italy1.607 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica24,250 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Japan3.467 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jordan67,240 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan290,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kenya13,960 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kiribati0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, North11,270 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, South3.302 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwait915,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan6,996 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Laos0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Latvia0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lesotho0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Liberia0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Libya89,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lithuania196,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Luxembourg0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Macau0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Madagascar0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malawi0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malaysia528,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Maldives0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mali0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malta0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritania0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritius0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico844,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0 bbl/day (2014) Topic: Moldova232 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mongolia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montenegro0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montserrat0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Morocco66,230 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambique0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Namibia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nauru0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nepal0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Netherlands1.282 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand115,100 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua14,720 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Niger15,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nigeria35,010 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Niue0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedonia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Norway371,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Oman229,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Pakistan291,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Panama0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea22,170 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Paraguay0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Peru166,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Philippines215,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Poland554,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal323,000 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Qatar273,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Romania232,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Russia6.076 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Rwanda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Samoa0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia2.476 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Senegal17,590 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Serbia74,350 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Seychelles0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore755,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Slovakia131,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Somalia0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Africa487,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Sudan0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Spain1.361 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka34,210 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan94,830 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Suriname7,571 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sweden413,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland61,550 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Syria111,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Taiwan924,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tajikistan172 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tanzania0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Thailand1.328 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Togo0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tonga0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago134,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tunisia27,770 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turkey657,900 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan191,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0 bbl/day (2014 est.) Topic: Uganda0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ukraine63,670 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates943,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom1.29 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: United States20.3 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay42,220 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan61,740 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vanuatu0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Venezuela926,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vietnam153,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: West Bank0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: World88.4 million bbl/day (2014 est.) Topic: Yemen20,180 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zambia13,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

20220901

countries-kazakhstan

Topic: Photos of Kazakhstan Topic: Introduction Background: Ethnic Kazakhs derive from a mix of Turkic nomadic tribes that migrated to the region in the 15th century. The Kazakh steppe was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. Repression and starvation caused by forced agricultural collectivization led to more than a million deaths in the early 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, the agricultural "Virgin Lands" program led to an influx of settlers (mostly ethnic Russians, but also other nationalities) and at the time of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, ethnic Kazakhs were a minority. Non-Muslim ethnic minorities departed Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs (from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and the Xinjiang region of China) back to Kazakhstan. As a result of this shift, the ethnic Kazakh share of the population now exceeds two thirds. Kazakhstan's economy is the largest in Central Asia, mainly due to the country's vast natural resources. Current issues include: diversifying the economy, attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening economic relations with neighboring states and foreign powers.  Ethnic Kazakhs derive from a mix of Turkic nomadic tribes that migrated to the region in the 15th century. The Kazakh steppe was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. Repression and starvation caused by forced agricultural collectivization led to more than a million deaths in the early 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, the agricultural "Virgin Lands" program led to an influx of settlers (mostly ethnic Russians, but also other nationalities) and at the time of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, ethnic Kazakhs were a minority. Non-Muslim ethnic minorities departed Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs (from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and the Xinjiang region of China) back to Kazakhstan. As a result of this shift, the ethnic Kazakh share of the population now exceeds two thirds. Kazakhstan's economy is the largest in Central Asia, mainly due to the country's vast natural resources. Current issues include: diversifying the economy, attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening economic relations with neighboring states and foreign powers. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Oral) River in easternmost Europe Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 2,724,900 sq km land: 2,699,700 sq km water: 25,200 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than four times the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 13,364 km border countries (5): China 1,765 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,212 km; Russia 7,644 km; Turkmenistan 413 km; Uzbekistan 2,330 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Terrain: vast 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 Elevation: highest point: Pik Khan-Tengri 7,010 m note - the northern most 7,000 meter peak in the World lowest point: Qauyndy Oyysy -132 m mean elevation: 387 m Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Land use: agricultural land: 77.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 68.5% (2018 est.) forest: 1.2% (2018 est.) other: 21.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 20,660 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Ozero Balkhash - 22,000 sq km; Ozero Zaysan - 1,800 sq km Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Russia) - 374,000 sq km; Aral Sea (north) - 3,300 sq km; Ozero Alakol - 2,650 sq km; Ozero Teniz 1,590 sq km; Ozero Seletytenzi - 780 sq km; Ozero Sasykkol - 740 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 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), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km) Population distribution: most 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 Natural hazards: earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty Geography - note: world's largest landlocked country and one of only two landlocked countries in the world that extends into two continents (the other is Azerbaijan); Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baikonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050 Map description: Kazakhstan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.Kazakhstan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 19,398,331 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Kazakhstani(s) adjective: Kazakhstani Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 68%, Russian 19.3%, Uzbek 3.2%, Ukrainian 1.5%, Uighur 1.5%, Tatar 1.1%, German 1%, other 4.4% (2019 est.) Languages: Kazakh (official, Qazaq) 83.1% (understand spoken language) and trilingual (Kazakh, Russian, English) 22.3% (2017 est.); Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 94.4% (understand spoken language) (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Әлемдік деректер кітабы, негізгі ақпараттың таптырмайтын көзі. (Kazakh) Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник  базовой информации. (Russian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (mainly Russian Orthodox), other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.13% (male 2,438,148/female 2,550,535) 15-24 years: 12.97% (male 1,262,766/female 1,212,645) 25-54 years: 42.23% (male 3,960,188/female 4,102,845) 55-64 years: 10.25% (male 856,180/female 1,099,923) 65 years and over: 8.43% (2020 est.) (male 567,269/female 1,041,450) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 58.8 youth dependency ratio: 46.3 elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 potential support ratio: 8 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 31.6 years male: 30.3 years female: 32.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 15.38 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most 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 Urbanization: urban population: 58% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.958 million Almaty, 1.254 million NUR-SULTAN (capital), 1.126 million Shimkent (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.9 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.53 years male: 67.43 years female: 77.31 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.11 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 53% (2018) note: percent of women aged 18-49 Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.8% of population total: 97.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.2% of population total: 2.6% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 2.8% (2019) Physicians density: 3.98 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 6.1 beds/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.9% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.1% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 35,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 23.2% (2020 est.) male: 39.6% (2020 est.) female: 6.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2% (2015) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.8% male: 3.4% female: 4.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: radioactive or toxic chemical sites associated with former defense industries and test ranges scattered throughout the country pose health risks for humans and animals; industrial pollution is severe in some cities; because the two main rivers that flowed into the Aral Sea have been diverted for irrigation, it is drying up and leaving behind a harmful layer of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then picked up by the wind and blown into noxious dust storms; pollution in the Caspian Sea; desertification; soil pollution from overuse of agricultural chemicals and salination from poor infrastructure and wasteful irrigation practices Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, 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: 11.32 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 247.21 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 45.03 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Land use: agricultural land: 77.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 68.5% (2018 est.) forest: 1.2% (2018 est.) other: 21.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 58% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.99% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal 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.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Ozero Balkhash - 22,000 sq km; Ozero Zaysan - 1,800 sq km Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Russia) - 374,000 sq km; Aral Sea (north) - 3,300 sq km; Ozero Alakol - 2,650 sq km; Ozero Teniz 1,590 sq km; Ozero Seletytenzi - 780 sq km; Ozero Sasykkol - 740 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 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), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 2.347 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.984 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 15.12 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 108.41 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kazakhstan conventional short form: Kazakhstan local long form: Qazaqstan Respublikasy local short form: Qazaqstan former: Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: the name "Kazakh" may derive from the Turkic word "kaz" meaning "to wander," recalling the Kazakh's nomadic lifestyle; the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Kazakhstan literally means "Land of the Wanderers" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Nur-Sultan geographic coordinates: 51 10 N, 71 25 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Kazakhstan has two time zones etymology: on 20 March 2019, Kazakhstan changed the name of its capital city from Astana to Nur-Sultan in honor of its long-serving, recently retired president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV; this was not the first time the city had its name changed; founded in 1830 as Akmoly, it became Akmolinsk in 1832, Tselinograd in 1961, Akmola (Aqmola) in 1992, and Astana in 1998 Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (oblyslar, singular - oblys) and 4 cities* (qalalar, singular - qala); Almaty (Taldyqorghan), Almaty*, Aqmola (Kokshetau), Aqtobe, Atyrau, Batys Qazaqstan [West Kazakhstan] (Oral), Bayqongyr*, Mangghystau (Aqtau), Nur-Sultan*, Pavlodar, Qaraghandy, Qostanay, Qyzylorda, Shyghys Qazaqstan [East Kazakhstan] (Oskemen), Shymkent*, Soltustik Qazaqstan [North Kazakhstan] (Petropavl), Turkistan, Zhambyl (Taraz) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); in 1995, the Governments of Kazakhstan and Russia entered into an agreement whereby Russia would lease for a period of 20 years an area of 6,000 sq km enclosing the Baikonur space launch facilities and the city of Bayqongyr (Baikonur, formerly Leninsk); in 2004, a new agreement extended the lease to 2050 Independence: 16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December (1991) Constitution: history: previous 1937, 1978 (preindependence), 1993; latest approved by referendum 30 August 1995, effective 5 September 1995 amendments: introduced by a referendum initiated by the president of the republic, on the recommendation of Parliament, or by the government; the president has the option of submitting draft amendments to Parliament or directly to a referendum; passage of amendments by Parliament requires four-fifths majority vote of both houses and the signature of the president; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote by more than one half of the voters in at least two thirds of the oblasts, major cities, and the capital, followed by the signature of the president; amended several times, last in 2019 Legal system: civil law system influenced by Roman-Germanic law and by the theory and practice of the Russian Federation 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 Kazakhstan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (since 20 March 2019); note - Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, who was president since 24 April 1990 (and in power since 22 June 1989 under the Soviet Union), resigned on 20 March 2019; NAZARBAYEV retained the title and powers of "First President"; TOKAYEV completed NAZARBAYEV's term, which was shortened due to the early election of 9 June 2019, and then continued as president following his election victory head of government: Prime Minister Alikhan SMAILOV (since 11 January 2022); note - Prime Minister Askar MAMIN resigned on 5 January 2022 in the wake of massive protests of his government that began 2 January 2022 following a sudden, steep rise in gasoline prices cabinet: the president appoints ministers after consultations with the Chair of the Security Council; the president has veto power over all appointments except for the ministers of defense, internal affairs, and foreign affairs; however, the president is required to discuss these three offices with the National Security Committee elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held on 9 June 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Mazhilis election results: 2019: Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV elected president; percent of vote - Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (Nur Otan) 71%, Amirzhan KOSANOV (Ult Tagdyry) 16.2%, Daniya YESPAYEVA (Ak Zhol) 5.1%, other 7.7% 1991: Nursultan NAZARBAYEV elected the first president of Kazakhstan; percent of vote 98.8%, other 1.2%   Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (49 seats statutory, 48 as of October 2021); 34 members indirectly elected by 2-round majority vote by the oblast-level assemblies and 15 members appointed by decree of the president; members serve 6-year terms, with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) Mazhilis (107 seats; 98 members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 9 indirectly elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, a 351-member, presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities) elections: Senate - last held on 12 August 2020 (next to be held in August 2023) Mazhilis - last held on 10 January 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition (as of October 2021) - men 39, women 9, percent of women 18.4% Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur Otan 71.1%, Ak Zhol 11%, People's Party 9.1%, other 8.8%; seats by party - Nur Otan 76, Ak Zhol 12, People's Party 10; composition (as of October 2021) - men 78, women 29, percent of women 27.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.4% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of 44 members); Constitutional Council (consists of the chairperson and 6 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges proposed by the president of the republic on recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council and confirmed by the Senate; judges normally serve until age 65 but can be extended to age 70; Constitutional Council - the president of the republic, the Senate chairperson, and the Mazhilis chairperson each appoints 2 members for a 6-year term; chairperson of the Constitutional Council appointed by the president for a 6-year term subordinate courts: regional and local courts Political parties and leaders: Adal [Serik SULTANGALI] (formerly Birlik (Unity) Party) Ak Zhol (Bright Path) Party or Democratic Party of Kazakhstan Ak Zhol [Azat PERUASHEV] Amanat [Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV] (formerly Nur Otan (Radiant Fatherland)) National Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY] People's Democratic (Patriotic) Party "Auyl" [Ali BEKTAYEV] People's Party of Kazakhstan [Aikyn KONUROV] International organization participation: ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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 Flag description: a gold sun with 32 rays above a soaring golden steppe eagle, both centered on a sky blue background; the hoist side displays a national ornamental pattern "koshkar-muiz" (the horns of the ram) in gold; the blue color is of religious significance to the Turkic peoples of the country, and so symbolizes cultural and ethnic unity; it also represents the endless sky as well as water; the sun, a source of life and energy, exemplifies wealth and plenitude; the sun's rays are shaped like grain, which is the basis of abundance and prosperity; the eagle has appeared on the flags of Kazakh tribes for centuries and represents freedom, power, and the flight to the future National symbol(s): golden eagle; national colors: blue, yellow National anthem: name: "Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan) lyrics/music: Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV note: adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (c); Petroglyphs at Tanbaly (c); Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan (n); Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c); Western Tien-Shan (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Kazakhstan's vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves form the backbone of its economy. Geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, Kazakhstan, g possesses substantial fossil fuel reserves and other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. The government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries and has made initial attempts to diversify its economy by targeting sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing for greater development and investment. It also adopted a Subsoil Code in December 2017 with the aim of increasing exploration and investment in the hydrocarbon, and particularly mining, sectors.   Kazakhstan's oil production and potential is expanding rapidly. A $36.8 billion expansion of Kazakhstan’s premiere Tengiz oil field by Chevron-led Tengizchevroil should be complete in 2022. Meanwhile, the super-giant Kashagan field finally launched production in October 2016 after years of delay and an estimated $55 billion in development costs. Kazakhstan’s total oil production in 2017 climbed 10.5%.   Kazakhstan is landlocked and depends on Russia to export its oil to Europe. It also exports oil directly to China. In 2010, Kazakhstan joined Russia and Belarus to establish a Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade. The Customs Union evolved into a Single Economic Space in 2012 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in January 2015. Supported by rising commodity prices, Kazakhstan’s exports to EAEU countries increased 30.2% in 2017. Imports from EAEU countries grew by 24.1%.   The economic downturn of its EAEU partner, Russia, and the decline in global commodity prices from 2014 to 2016 contributed to an economic slowdown in Kazakhstan. In 2014, Kazakhstan devalued its currency, the tenge, and announced a stimulus package to cope with its economic challenges. In the face of further decline in the ruble, oil prices, and the regional economy, Kazakhstan announced in 2015 it would replace its currency band with a floating exchange rate, leading to a sharp fall in the value of the tenge. Since reaching a low of 391 to the dollar in January 2016, the tenge has modestly appreciated, helped by somewhat higher oil prices. While growth slowed to about 1% in both 2015 and 2016, a moderate recovery in oil prices, relatively stable inflation and foreign exchange rates, and the start of production at Kashagan helped push 2017 GDP growth to 4%.   Despite some positive institutional and legislative changes in the last several years, investors remain concerned about corruption, bureaucracy, and arbitrary law enforcement, especially at the regional and municipal levels. An additional concern is the condition of the country’s banking sector, which suffers from poor asset quality and a lack of transparency. Investors also question the potentially negative effects on the economy of a contested presidential succession as Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, turned 77 in 2017.Kazakhstan's vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves form the backbone of its economy. Geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, Kazakhstan, g possesses substantial fossil fuel reserves and other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. The government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries and has made initial attempts to diversify its economy by targeting sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing for greater development and investment. It also adopted a Subsoil Code in December 2017 with the aim of increasing exploration and investment in the hydrocarbon, and particularly mining, sectors. Kazakhstan's oil production and potential is expanding rapidly. A $36.8 billion expansion of Kazakhstan’s premiere Tengiz oil field by Chevron-led Tengizchevroil should be complete in 2022. Meanwhile, the super-giant Kashagan field finally launched production in October 2016 after years of delay and an estimated $55 billion in development costs. Kazakhstan’s total oil production in 2017 climbed 10.5%. Kazakhstan is landlocked and depends on Russia to export its oil to Europe. It also exports oil directly to China. In 2010, Kazakhstan joined Russia and Belarus to establish a Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade. The Customs Union evolved into a Single Economic Space in 2012 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in January 2015. Supported by rising commodity prices, Kazakhstan’s exports to EAEU countries increased 30.2% in 2017. Imports from EAEU countries grew by 24.1%. The economic downturn of its EAEU partner, Russia, and the decline in global commodity prices from 2014 to 2016 contributed to an economic slowdown in Kazakhstan. In 2014, Kazakhstan devalued its currency, the tenge, and announced a stimulus package to cope with its economic challenges. In the face of further decline in the ruble, oil prices, and the regional economy, Kazakhstan announced in 2015 it would replace its currency band with a floating exchange rate, leading to a sharp fall in the value of the tenge. Since reaching a low of 391 to the dollar in January 2016, the tenge has modestly appreciated, helped by somewhat higher oil prices. While growth slowed to about 1% in both 2015 and 2016, a moderate recovery in oil prices, relatively stable inflation and foreign exchange rates, and the start of production at Kashagan helped push 2017 GDP growth to 4%. Despite some positive institutional and legislative changes in the last several years, investors remain concerned about corruption, bureaucracy, and arbitrary law enforcement, especially at the regional and municipal levels. An additional concern is the condition of the country’s banking sector, which suffers from poor asset quality and a lack of transparency. Investors also question the potentially negative effects on the economy of a contested presidential succession as Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, turned 77 in 2017. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $475.18 billion (2020 est.) $487.87 billion (2019 est.) $466.86 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.13% (2019 est.) 4.41% (2018 est.) 4.38% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $25,300 (2020 est.) $26,400 (2019 est.) $25,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $181.194 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.2% (2019 est.) 6% (2018 est.) 7.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB (2016) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2016) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.7% (2017 est.) industry: 34.1% (2017 est.) services: 61.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 53.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 35.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.1% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons, melons, linseed, onions, maize, sunflower seed Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, uranium, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 8.685 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 18.1% industry: 20.4% services: 61.6% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.8% (2019 est.) 4.85% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.8% male: 3.4% female: 4.2% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 4.3% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 27.5 (2017 est.) 31.5 (2003) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 23.3% (2016) Budget: revenues: 35.48 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 38.3 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 20.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 22.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$7.206 billion (2019 est.) -$138 million (2018 est.) Exports: $51.75 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $65.91 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $67.15 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 13%, Italy 12%, Russia 10%, Netherlands 7%, France 6%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, copper, iron alloys, radioactive chemicals (2019) Imports: $44.3 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $51.5 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $46.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Russia 34%, China 24% (2019) Imports - commodities: packaged medicines, natural gas, cars, broadcasting equipment, aircraft (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $30.75 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $29.53 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $159.351 billion (2019 est.) $163.73 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 420.0049 (2020 est.) 385.9248 (2019 est.) 370.4648 (2018 est.) 221.73 (2014 est.) 179.19 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 25.022 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 92,133,960,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 2.419 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 1.935 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 9.689 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 88.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 10.1% 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: 102.338 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 74.819 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 3.002 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 993,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 25.605 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 1,864,900 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 320,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,531,600 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 30 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 290,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 105,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 39,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 25,785,505,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 14,557,101,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 16,418,081,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 7,713,978,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 2,406,928,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 263.689 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 195.926 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 39.205 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 28.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 180.726 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3.091 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 24,293,900 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 129 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Kazakhstan has one of the most developed telecommunications sectors in the Central Asian region; this is especially true of the mobile segment, where widespread network coverage has enabled very high penetration rates reaching 180% as far back as 2012; the mobile and fixed-line segments have both pared back their subscriber numbers to more modest levels; the telcos have still been successful in terms of improving their margins and revenues by growing value-added services along with exploiting the capabilities of their higher speed networks (4G LTE as well as fiber) to drive significant increases in data usage; Kazakhstan has enjoyed a  high fixed-line teledensity thanks to concerted efforts to invest in the fixed-line infrastructure as well as next-generation networks; demand for traditional voice services is on the wane as customers take a preference for the flexibility and ubiquity of the mobile platform for voice as well as data services; mobile clearly dominates the telecom sector in Kazakhstan, yet 2020 saw a sharp drop in subscriber numbers for both mobile voice and mobile broadband services as the Covid-19 crisis took hold; with the exception of fixed-line voice services, Kazakhstan’s telecom market is expected to return to moderate growth from 2022 onwards; the extensive deployment of LTE networks across the country (along with the prospect of 5G services being added to the mix in 2023) points towards an even greater uptake of lucrative mobile broadband services, in particular. (2021) domestic: intercity by landline and microwave radio relay; number of fixed-line connections is approximately 17 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriber base 134 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the TAE fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat 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 state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; there are 96 TV channels, many of which are owned by the government, and 4 state-run radio stations; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operate along with state-run radio stations; recent legislation requires all media outlets to register with the government and all TV providers to broadcast in digital format by 2018; broadcasts reach some 99% of the population as well as neighboring countries (2018) Internet country code: .kz Internet users: total: 16,128,818 (2020 est.) percent of population: 86% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,620,400 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 84 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,143,797 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 50.22 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: UP Airports: total: 96 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 63 over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 13 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Pipelines: 658 km condensate, 15,429 km gas (2020), 8,020 km oil (2020), 1,095 km refined products, 1,975 km water (2017) (2020) Railways: total: 16,636 km (2020) broad gauge: 16,636 km (2020) 1.520-m gauge (4,237 km electrified) Roadways: total: 96,167 km (2021) paved: 83,813 km (2021) unpaved: 12,354 km (2021) Waterways: 43,983 km (2020) (on the Ertis (Irtysh) River (80%) and Syr Darya (Syrdariya) River) Merchant marine: total: 119 by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 7, other 109 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Caspian Sea - Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev) river port(s): Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) (Irtysh River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police; Committee for National Security: Border Service (2022) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $3.6 billion) 0.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $3.06 billion) 0.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $2.85 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 40,000 active duty personnel (25,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Naval Forces; 12,000 Air and Air Defense Forces) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Kazakh military's inventory is comprised of mostly older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, Russia is the leading supplier of weapons systems (2022) Military service age and obligation: all men 18-27 are required to serve in the military for at least one year (2022) Military - note: Kazakhstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Kazakhstan-China: in 1998, Kazakhstan and China agreed to split two disputed border areas nearly evenly; demarcation with China completed in 2002 Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan: in January 2019, Kyrgyzstan ratified the 2017 agreement on the demarcation of the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border Kazakhstan-Russia: Russia boundary delimitation was ratified on November 2005; field demarcation commenced in 2007 and was expected to be completed by 2013 Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a treaty on the delimitation and demarcation process in 2001; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005; Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed to their border in the Caspian Sea in 2014 Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan: field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; disputed territory is held by Uzbekistan but the overwhelming majority of residents are ethnic Kazakhs; the two countries agreed on draft final demarcation documents in March 2022 and planned to hold another meeting in April 2022Kazakhstan-China: in 1998, Kazakhstan and China agreed to split two disputed border areas nearly evenly; demarcation with China completed in 2002Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan: in January 2019, Kyrgyzstan ratified the 2017 agreement on the demarcation of the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan borderKazakhstan-Russia: Russia boundary delimitation was ratified on November 2005; field demarcation commenced in 2007 and was expected to be completed by 2013Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a treaty on the delimitation and demarcation process in 2001; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005; Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed to their border in the Caspian Sea in 2014Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan: field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; disputed territory is held by Uzbekistan but the overwhelming majority of residents are ethnic Kazakhs; the two countries agreed on draft final demarcation documents in March 2022 and planned to hold another meeting in April 2022 Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 7,915 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstanis abroad; traffickers lure victims from rural areas to larger cities with fake offers of employment; traffickers coerce or force Kazakhstani men and women into labor in Russia, Bahrain, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; sex traffickers exploit Kazakhstani women and girls in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia, the United States, Central Asian and Eastern European countries and rural areas in Kazakhstan; children are forced to beg and adults and children may be coerced into criminal behavior; traffickers are increasingly using debt-based coercion; traffickers capitalize on tough law enforcement policies on migrants to coerce them to remain and leverage these policies to threaten victims with punishment and deportation if they notify authorities, which fosters a distrust in law enforcement tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Kazakhstan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted amendments increasing criminal penalties for traffickers, including rescinding the provision allowing alleged traffickers to pay a settlement to victims to withdraw their criminal cases; authorities developed victim identification guidelines for diplomatic staff and provided victim identification training to some labor inspectors; the government took initial steps toward improving its annual NGO funding process; the government’s efforts to identify and protect foreign victims increased; foreign victims who did not participate in criminal investigations were ineligible for services and were deported; law enforcement continued to make limited efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict labor trafficking crimes; trafficking convictions decreased for the fourth consecutive year; NGOs reported allegations of police officers’ involvement in human trafficking, but few police or other officials suspected of complicity were investigated or prosecuted (2020) Illicit drugs: synthetic drugs dominate the local illicit drug market, smuggled from Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe; however the number of domestic clandestine laboratories producing synthetic drugs continues to increase.  Kazakhstan remains a transit country for Afghan heroin destined for Russia and Europe.synthetic drugs dominate the local illicit drug market, smuggled from Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe; however the number of domestic clandestine laboratories producing synthetic drugs continues to increase.  Kazakhstan remains a transit country for Afghan heroin destined for Russia and Europe.

20220901

countries-tunisia-summaries

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. In 1818, France established a protectorate. The French recognized Tunisia as an independent state in 1956.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. In 1818, France established a protectorate. The French recognized Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. Topic: Geography Area: total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Topic: People and Society Population: 11,896,972 (2022 est.) 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 Religions: Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1% Population growth rate: 0.69% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tunis 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) 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: lower middle-income North African economy; drafting reforms for foreign lenders; high unemployment, especially for youth and women; hit hard by COVID-19; high public sector wages; high public debt; protectionist austerity measures; key EU trade partnerlower middle-income North African economy; drafting reforms for foreign lenders; high unemployment, especially for youth and women; hit hard by COVID-19; high public sector wages; high public debt; protectionist austerity measures; key EU trade partner Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $114.97 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $9,700 (2020 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 Exports: $19.17 billion (2019 est.) 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.) 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) Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar -Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022

20220901

countries-bangladesh

Topic: Photos of Bangladesh Topic: Introduction Background: The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971. The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades. In 2021 the UN approved a resolution to allow Bangladesh to officially graduate from least-developed-country (LDC) status in 2026, based on World Bank criteria.The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades. In 2021 the UN approved a resolution to allow Bangladesh to officially graduate from least-developed-country (LDC) status in 2026, based on World Bank criteria.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 90 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 148,460 sq km land: 130,170 sq km water: 18,290 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined; slightly smaller than Iowa Land boundaries: total: 4,413 km border countries (2): Burma 271 km; India 4,142 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Elevation: highest point: Mowdok Taung 1,060 m note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 85 m Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber, coal Land use: agricultural land: 70.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 59% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.6% (2018 est.) forest: 11.1% (2018 est.) other: 18.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 53,000 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km) Major aquifers: Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin Natural hazards: droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season Geography - note: most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal Map description: Bangladesh map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bay of Bengal.Bangladesh map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bay of Bengal. Topic: People and Society Population: 165,650,475 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladeshi Ethnic groups: Bengali at least 98%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1.1% (2011 est.) note: Bangladesh's government recognizes 27 indigenous ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act; other sources estimate there are about 75 ethnic groups; critics of the 2011 census claim that it underestimates the size of Bangladesh's ethnic population Languages: Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): বিশ্ব ফ্যাক্টবুক, মৌলিক তথ্যের অপরিহার্য উৎস (Bangla) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. বিশ্ব ফ্যাক্টবুক, মৌলিক তথ্যের অপরিহার্য উৎস (Bangla) Religions: Muslim 88.4%, other 11.6% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.48% (male 21,918,651/female 21,158,574) 15-24 years: 18.56% (male 15,186,470/female 15,001,950) 25-54 years: 40.72% (male 31,694,267/female 34,535,643) 55-64 years: 7.41% (male 5,941,825/female 6,115,856) 65 years and over: 6.82% (2020 est.) (male 5,218,206/female 5,879,411) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 47 youth dependency ratio: 39.3 elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 27.9 years male: 27.1 years female: 28.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.93% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 17.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 22.478 million DHAKA (capital), 5.253 million Chittagong, 950,000 Khulna, 942,000 Rajshahi, 928,000 Sylhet, Bogra 864,000 (2022) Sex ratio: at 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.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 18.6 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 173 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.7 years male: 72.52 years female: 76.96 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 62.7% (2019) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98.7% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 1.3% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 2.5% (2019) Physicians density: 0.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 85.3% of population rural: 73.5% of population total: 78% of population unimproved: urban: 14.7% of population rural: 26.5% of population total: 22% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2018 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2018 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018 est.) <1000 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations water contact diseases: leptospirosis animal contact diseases: rabies note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Bangladesh; as of 18 August 2022, Bangladesh has reported a total of 2,009,434 cases of COVID-19 or 1,220.13 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 29,314 cumulative deaths or a rate of 17.8 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 76.89% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 3.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 34.7% (2020 est.) male: 52.2% (2020 est.) female: 17.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 22.6% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 15.5% women married by age 18: 51.4% (2019 est.) Education expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74.9% male: 77.8% female: 72% (2020) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.8% male: 10.8% female: 16.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; destruction of wetlands; severe overpopulation with noise pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 58.33 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 84.25 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 59.3 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Land use: agricultural land: 70.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 59% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 6.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.6% (2018 est.) forest: 11.1% (2018 est.) other: 18.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations water contact diseases: leptospirosis animal contact diseases: rabies note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Bangladesh; as of 18 August 2022, Bangladesh has reported a total of 2,009,434 cases of COVID-19 or 1,220.13 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 29,314 cumulative deaths or a rate of 17.8 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 76.89% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Food insecurity: severe 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) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 14,778,497 tons (2012 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km) Major aquifers: Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 770 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 31.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1,227,032,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh local long form: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh local short form: Bangladesh former: East Bengal, East Pakistan etymology: the name - a compound of the Bengali words "Bangla" (Bengal) and "desh" (country) - means "Country of Bengal" Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Dhaka geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origins of the name are unclear, but some sources state that the city's site was originally called "dhakka," meaning "watchtower," and that the area served as a watch-station for Bengal rulers Administrative divisions: 8 divisions; Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh Constitution: history: previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (preindependence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended March 1982, restored November 1986 amendments: proposed by the House of the Nation; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the House membership and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2018 Legal system: mixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic 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 Bangladesh dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdul HAMID (since 24 April 2013); note - Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently indirectly elected by the National Parliament and sworn in 24 April 2013 head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wazed (since 6 January 2009) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister, appointed by the president elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 February 2018 (next to be held by 2023); the president appoints as prime minister the majority party leader in the National Parliament election results: President Abdul HAMID (AL) reelected by the National Parliament unopposed for a second term; Sheikh HASINA reappointed prime minister as leader of the majority AL party following parliamentary elections in 2018 Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of the Nation or Jatiya Sangsad (350 seats; 300 members in single-seat territorial constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote; 50 members - reserved for women only - indirectly elected by the elected members by proportional representation vote using single transferable vote; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 30 December 2018 (next to be held in December 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of February 2022 - AL 299, JP 27, BNP 7, other 10, independent 4; composition - men 277, women 73, percent of women 20.9% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Bangladesh (organized into the Appellate Division with 7 justices and the High Court Division with 99 justices) judge selection and term of office: chief justice and justices appointed by the president; justices serve until retirement at age 67 subordinate courts: civil courts include: Assistant Judge's Court; Joint District Judge's Court; Additional District Judge's Court; District Judge's Court; criminal courts include: Court of Sessions; Court of Metropolitan Sessions; Metropolitan Magistrate Courts; Magistrate Court; special courts/tribunals Political parties and leaders: Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA] Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami or JIB [Shafiqur RAHMAN] Bangladesh Nationalist Front or BNF [S. M. Abul Kalam AZAD] Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Tarique RAHMAN, acting chairperson; Khaleda ZIA] Bangladesh Tariqat Federation or BTF [Syed Nozibul Bashar MAIZBHANDARI] Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Rowshan ERSHAD] Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction) [Anwar Hossain MANJU] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED] National Socialist Party or JSD [KHALEQUZZAMAN] Workers Party or WP [Rashed Khan MENON] International organization participation: ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh National symbol(s): Bengal tiger, water lily; national colors: green, red National anthem: name: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal) lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Bagerhat Historic Mosque (c); Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (c); Sundarbans (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product.   Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck.Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $793.49 billion (2020 est.) $775.08 billion (2019 est.) $716.65 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 7.4% (2017 est.) 7.2% (2016 est.) 6.8% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,800 (2020 est.) $4,800 (2019 est.) $4,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $329.545 billion (2020 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (2019 est.) 5.5% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2014) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2012) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2010) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 14.2% (2017 est.) industry: 29.3% (2017 est.) services: 56.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 15% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.3% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: rice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheat Industries: jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 10.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 66.64 million (2017 est.) note: extensive migration of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 42.7% industry: 20.5% services: 36.9% (2016 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many persons counted as employed work only a few hours a week and at low wages Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.8% male: 10.8% female: 16.8% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 24.3% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.4 (2016 est.) 33.2 (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 25.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 33.5 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 33.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$5.322 billion (2017 est.) $1.391 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $38.78 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $44.96 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $44.13 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 15%, Germany 14%, United Kingdom 8%, Spain 7%, France 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: clothing, knitwear, leather footwear (2019) Imports: $57.26 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $64.23 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $65.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 31%, India 15%, Singapore 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cotton, natural gas, scrap iron, wheat (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $32.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $50.26 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $41.85 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: taka (BDT) per US dollar - 84.75 (2020 est.) 85 (2019 est.) 83.715 (2018 est.) 77.947 (2014 est.) 77.614 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 83% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 18.461 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 76,849,877,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 6.786 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 9.537 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 98.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.8% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 1.016 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 9.345 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 8.329 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 293 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 13,500 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 122,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 21,600 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 28 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 26,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 901 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 81,570 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 28,629,927,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 31,268,968,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 2,639,041,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 126.293 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 96.18 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 16.538 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 18.535 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 61.107 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 9.917 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,390,048 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 176,279,465 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Bangladesh’s economic resurgence over the last decade took a battering in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; the country had been on track to move off the United Nation’s Least Developed Countries list by 2026, however the crisis may have pushed that back a few years; the telecommunications sector experienced a set of challenges, with mobile data usage exploding at the same time as many consumers were being forced to curb their spending in other areas; the demand on data grew so large and so rapidly that Bangladesh came close to running out of bandwidth; at the start of 2020, Bangladesh was consuming around 900Gb/s on average, well below the 2,642GB/s capacity of its submarine cables; this ballooned to over 2,300Gb/s during the pandemic; Bangladesh was looking forward to adding 7,200Gb/s capacity when the SEA-ME-WE-6 submarine cable goes into service in mid-2024, but the sudden upsurge in downloads is forcing state-run company Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) to scramble to find alternatives before the country’s internet supply is maxed out; the increased demand during the Covid-19 crisis also put pressure on the country’s existing mobile networks, already under strain as a result of strong growth in the mobile broadband market coupled with significant untapped potential for mobile services in general across the country; this led to premium prices being paid at auction for spectrum in the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands, most of which will be used to enhance and expand LTE services; a 5G spectrum auction had been anticipated for 2020, but low interest from the MNOs in going down that path when there are still so many areas waiting for LTE access means that 5G rollouts will likely be deferred until 2023. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 103 telephones per 100 persons; mobile subscriber growth is anticipated over the next five years to 2023; strong local competition (2020) international: country code - 880; landing points for the SeaMeWe-4 and SeaMeWe-5 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcasts throughout the country. Some channels, such as BTV World, operate via satellite. The government also owns a medium wave radio channel and some private FM radio broadcast news channels. Of the 41 Bangladesh approved TV stations, 26 are currently being used to broadcast. Of those, 23 operate under private management via cable distribution. Collectively, TV channels can reach more than 50 million people across the country. Internet country code: .bd Internet users: total: 41,172,346 (2020 est.) percent of population: 25% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 10,052,819 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 30 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,984,155 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 63.82 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: S2 Airports: total: 18 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Pipelines: 2,950 km gas (2013) Railways: total: 2,460 km (2014) narrow gauge: 1,801 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 659 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge Roadways: total: 369,105 km (2018) paved: 110,311 km (2018) unpaved: 258,794 km (2018) Waterways: 8,370 km (2011) (includes up to 3,060 km of main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in the dry season) Merchant marine: total: 468 by type: bulk carrier 48, container ship 6, general cargo 140, oil tanker 144, other 130 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Chattogram (Chittagong) container port(s) (TEUs): Chattogram (Chittagong) (3,088,187) (2019) river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Bangladesh (aka Bangladesh Defense Force): Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2022) note 1: the Armed Forces of Bangladesh are jointly administered by the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Armed Forces Division (AFD), both under the Prime Minister's Office; the AFD has ministerial status and parallel functions with MOD; the AFD is a joint coordinating headquarters for the three services and also functions as a joint command center during wartime; to coordinate policy, the prime minister and the president are advised by a six-member board, which includes the three service chiefs of staff, the principal staff officer of the AFD, and the military secretaries to the prime minister and president note 2: the RAB, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security; the RAB is a joint task force founded in 2004 and composed of members of the police, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Border Guards seconded to the RAB from their respective units; its mandate includes internal security, intelligence gathering related to criminal activities, and government-directed investigations Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $5.12 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $4.57 billion) 1.3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $4.21 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 165,000 total active personnel (135,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: much of the military's inventory is comprised of Chinese- and Russian-origin equipment, with a smaller mix from a variety of other suppliers; since 2010, China is the leading provider of arms to Bangladesh; as of 2022, Bangladesh was undertaking a large defense modernization program, with a focus on naval acquisitions (2022) Military service age and obligation: 16-21 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) Military deployments: 1,375 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,625 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO; plus about 190 police); 120 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,100 Mali (MINUSMA; plus about 280 police); 1,600 South Sudan (UNMISS); 180 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Military - note: the military’s chief areas of focus are border, economic exclusion zone, and domestic security; the Army maintains a large domestic security presence in the Chittagong Hills area where it conducted counterinsurgency operations against tribal guerrillas from the 1970s until the late 1990s; since 2009, the military has been in a force-wide expansion and modernization program known as Forces Goal 2030 (2022) Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh remain a risk for armed robbery against ships; there were no attacks reported in 2021 as opposed to four ships that were boarded in 2020 Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in Bangladesh (ISB); al-Qa'ida; al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Bangladesh-Burma: Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border. Bangladesh-India: Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement of longstanding boundary disputes over un-demarcated areas and the exchange of territorial enclaves, but which had never been implemented.Bangladesh-Burma: Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border. Bangladesh-India: Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement of longstanding boundary disputes over un-demarcated areas and the exchange of territorial enclaves, but which had never been implemented. Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 925,380 (Burma) (2022) (includes an estimated 773,972 Rohingya refugees who have fled conflict since 25 August 2017) IDPs: 427,000 (conflict, development, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2021) stateless persons: 889,704 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries; does not manufacture precursor chemicals with the exception of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and toluenetransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries; does not manufacture precursor chemicals with the exception of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and toluene

20220901

countries-saint-pierre-and-miquelon

Topic: Photos of Saint Pierre and Miquelon Topic: Introduction Background: First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. They attained the status of an overseas collectivity in 2003.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada) Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 W Map references: North America Area: total: 242 sq km land: 242 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Area - comparative: one and half 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 Climate: cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy Terrain: mostly barren rock Elevation: highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: agricultural land: 8.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 12.5% (2018 est.) other: 78.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of the population is found on Saint Pierre Island; a small settlement is located on the north end of Miquelon Island Natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard Geography - note: vegetation scanty; the islands are actually part of the northern Appalachians along with Newfoundland Map description: Saint Pierre and Miquelon map showing the two islands that make up this French territorial overseas collectivity in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.Saint Pierre and Miquelon map showing the two islands that make up this French territorial overseas collectivity in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Topic: People and Society Population: 5,257 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Languages: French (official) 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 99%, other 1% Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.68% (male 370/female 349) 15-24 years: 8.71% (male 240/female 218) 25-54 years: 40% (male 1,039/female 1,100) 55-64 years: 15.52% (male 419/female 397) 65 years and over: 24.1% (2022 est.) (male 556/female 711) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 48.5 years male: 47.9 years female: 49 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -1.2% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 6.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 11.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -7.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is found on Saint Pierre Island; a small settlement is located on the north end of Miquelon Island Urbanization: urban population: 90% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 6,000 SAINT-PIERRE (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.41 years male: 79.05 years female: 83.9 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.59 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 91.4% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 8.6% of population (2017 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA 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: overfishing; recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment Climate: cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy Land use: agricultural land: 8.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 12.5% (2018 est.) other: 78.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 90% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon etymology: Saint-Pierre is named after Saint PETER, the patron saint of fishermen; Miquelon may be a corruption of the Basque name Mikelon Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Saint-Pierre geographic coordinates: 46 46 N, 56 11 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November etymology: named after Saint Peter, the patron saint of fisherman Administrative divisions: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France); note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 2 communes at the second order - Saint Pierre, Miquelon Independence: none (overseas collectivity collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790) 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 Christian POUGET (since 6 January 2021) head of government: President of Territorial Council Bernard BRIAND (since 13 October 2020) cabinet: Le Cabinet du Prefet 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); election last held on 23 April and 6 May 2017 (next to be held in 2022); prefect appointed by French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; Territorial Council president elected by Territorial Council councillors by absolute majority vote; term NA; election last held on 13 October 2020; next election NA election results: Bernard BRIAND elected President of Territorial Council; Territorial Council vote - 17 for, 2 abstentions Legislative branch: description: unicameral Territorial Council or Conseil Territorial (19 seats - Saint Pierre 15, Miquelon 4; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 6-year terms); Saint Pierre and Miquelon indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college to serve a 6-year term and directly elects 1 deputy to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote to serve a 5-year term elections: Territorial Council - first round held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2028); second round held on 27 March 2022 French Senate - last held on 24 September 2017 (next to be held no later than September 2023) French National Assembly - last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) election results: Territorial Council - percent of vote by party (first round) - AD 45.9%, Focus on the Future 37%, Together to Build 17.1%; percent of vote by party (second round) - AD 51.8%, Focus on the Future 38.1%, Together to Build 10.1%, seats by party - AD 15, Focus on the Future 4; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1 (affiliated with UMP) French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ensemble pour l'Avenir 1 (affiliated with PRG); the Republicans (LR) 1 Judicial branch: highest courts: Superior Tribunal of Appeals or Tribunal Superieur d'Appel (composition NA) judge selection and term of office: judge selection and tenure NA subordinate courts: NA Political parties and leaders: Archipelago Tomorrow (Archipel Domain) or AD (affiliated with The Republicans) Focus on the Future (Cap sur l'Avenir) [Annick GIRARDIN] (affiliated with Left Radical Party) Together to Build (Ensemble pour Construire) [Karine CLAIREAUX] International organization participation: UPU, WFTU (NGOs) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with scattered, white, wavy lines under the ship; a continuous black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the rectangle into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one above the other; these three heraldic arms represent settlement by colonists from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy; the blue on the main portion of the flag symbolizes the Atlantic Ocean and the stylized ship represents the Grande Hermine in which Jacques Cartier "discovered" the islands in 1536 note: the flag of France used for official occasions National symbol(s): 16th-century sailing ship National anthem: note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. The services sector accounted for 86% of GDP in 2010, the last year data is available for. Government employment accounts for than 46% of the GDP, and 78% of the population is working age.   The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Trade is the second largest sector in terms of value added created, where it contributes significantly to economic activity. The extractive industries and energy sector is the third largest sector of activity in the archipelago, attributable in part to the construction of a new thermal power plant in 2015.The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. The services sector accounted for 86% of GDP in 2010, the last year data is available for. Government employment accounts for than 46% of the GDP, and 78% of the population is working age. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Trade is the second largest sector in terms of value added created, where it contributes significantly to economic activity. The extractive industries and energy sector is the third largest sector of activity in the archipelago, attributable in part to the construction of a new thermal power plant in 2015. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $261.3 million (2015 est.) $215.3 million (2006 est.) note: supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million Real GDP growth rate: NANA Real GDP per capita: $46,200 (2006 est.) $34,900 (2005) GDP (official exchange rate): $261.3 million (2015 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2015) 4.5% (2010) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2% (2006 est.) industry: 15% (2006 est.) services: 83% (2006 est.) Agricultural products: vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 4,429 (2015) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 18% industry: 41% services: 41% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.7% (2015 est.) 9.9% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 70 million (1996 est.) expenditures: 60 million (1996 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 3.8% (of GDP) (1996 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 26.8% (of GDP) (1996 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Exports: $6.641 million (2010 est.) $5.5 million (2005 est.) Exports - partners: Canada 79%, France 8%, Belgium 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: crustaceans, fish, medical instruments, electrical parts, pasta (2019) Imports: $95.35 million (2010 est.) $68.2 million (2005 est.) Imports - partners: France 69%, Canada 22% (2019) Imports - commodities: food preparation, packaged medicines, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, computers, iron structures (2019) Debt - external: NANA Exchange rates: euros (EUR) 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 - production: 46 million kWh (2016 est.) Electricity - consumption: 42.78 million kWh (2016 est.) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.) Electricity - installed generating capacity: 27,600 kW (2016 est.) Electricity - from fossil fuels: 96% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) Electricity - from other renewable sources: 4% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - consumption: 660 bbl/day (2016 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 650 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 4,800 (2015 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (2015 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate (2019) domestic: fixed-line teledensity 76 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 508; landing point for the St Pierre and Miquelon Cable connecting Saint Pierre & Miquelon and Canada; radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; satellite earth station - 1 in French domestic satellite 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 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: 8 TV stations, all part of the French Overseas Network, and local cable provided by SPM Telecom; 3 of 4 radio stations on St. Pierre and on Miquelon are part of the French Overseas Network (2021) Internet country code: .pm Internet users: total: 4,500 (2016 est.) percent of population: 79.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 2 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 117 km (2009) paved: 80 km (2009) unpaved: 37 km (2009) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Saint-Pierre Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone

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

countries-eswatini

Topic: Photos of Eswatini Topic: Introduction Background: Autonomy for Eswatini was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. A new constitution came into effect in 2006, which included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in April 2018. Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections.            Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 17,364 sq km land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 546 km border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Elevation: highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m mean elevation: 305 m Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc Land use: agricultural land: 68.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 57.7% (2018 est.) forest: 31.7% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 500 sq km (2012) Population distribution: because 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 Natural hazards: drought Geography - note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa Map description: Eswatini map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Eswatini map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,121,761 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: liSwati (singular), emaSwati (plural); note - former term, Swazi(s), still used among English speakers adjective: Swati; note - former term, Swazi, still used among English speakers Ethnic groups: predominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestrypredominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry Languages: English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official) Religions: Christian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous, Jewish) (2015 est.) Demographic profile: Eswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, suffers from severe poverty and the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A weak and deteriorating economy, high unemployment, rapid population growth, and an uneven distribution of resources all combine to worsen already persistent poverty and food insecurity, especially in rural areas. Erratic weather (frequent droughts and intermittent heavy rains and flooding), overuse of small plots, the overgrazing of cattle, and outdated agricultural practices reduce crop yields and further degrade the environment, exacerbating Eswatini's poverty and subsistence problems. Eswatini's extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate – more than 28% of adults have the disease – compounds these issues. Agricultural production has declined due to HIV/AIDS, as the illness causes households to lose manpower and to sell livestock and other assets to pay for medicine and funerals.Swazis, mainly men from the country’s rural south, have been migrating to South Africa to work in coal, and later gold, mines since the late 19th century. Although the number of miners abroad has never been high in absolute terms because of Eswatini's small population, the outflow has had important social and economic repercussions. The peak of mining employment in South Africa occurred during the 1980s. Cross-border movement has accelerated since the 1990s, as increasing unemployment has pushed more Swazis to look for work in South Africa (creating a "brain drain" in the health and educational sectors); southern Swazi men have continued to pursue mining, although the industry has downsized. Women now make up an increasing share of migrants and dominate cross-border trading in handicrafts, using the proceeds to purchase goods back in Eswatini. Much of today’s migration, however, is not work-related but focuses on visits to family and friends, tourism, and shopping.Eswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, suffers from severe poverty and the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A weak and deteriorating economy, high unemployment, rapid population growth, and an uneven distribution of resources all combine to worsen already persistent poverty and food insecurity, especially in rural areas. Erratic weather (frequent droughts and intermittent heavy rains and flooding), overuse of small plots, the overgrazing of cattle, and outdated agricultural practices reduce crop yields and further degrade the environment, exacerbating Eswatini's poverty and subsistence problems. Eswatini's extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate – more than 28% of adults have the disease – compounds these issues. Agricultural production has declined due to HIV/AIDS, as the illness causes households to lose manpower and to sell livestock and other assets to pay for medicine and funerals.Swazis, mainly men from the country’s rural south, have been migrating to South Africa to work in coal, and later gold, mines since the late 19th century. Although the number of miners abroad has never been high in absolute terms because of Eswatini's small population, the outflow has had important social and economic repercussions. The peak of mining employment in South Africa occurred during the 1980s. Cross-border movement has accelerated since the 1990s, as increasing unemployment has pushed more Swazis to look for work in South Africa (creating a "brain drain" in the health and educational sectors); southern Swazi men have continued to pursue mining, although the industry has downsized. Women now make up an increasing share of migrants and dominate cross-border trading in handicrafts, using the proceeds to purchase goods back in Eswatini. Much of today’s migration, however, is not work-related but focuses on visits to family and friends, tourism, and shopping. Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.63% (male 185,640/female 185,808) 15-24 years: 18.71% (male 98,029/female 108,654) 25-54 years: 39.46% (male 202,536/female 233,275) 55-64 years: 4.36% (male 20,529/female 27,672) 65 years and over: 3.83% (2020 est.) (male 15,833/female 26,503) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 70.8 youth dependency ratio: 64 elderly dependency ratio: 6.9 potential support ratio: 14.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.7 years male: 22.5 years female: 24.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.75% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 23.35 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -6.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: because 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 Urbanization: urban population: 24.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at 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.) Maternal mortality ratio: 437 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 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.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.69 years male: 57.62 years female: 61.81 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.44 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 66.1% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 74.8% of population total: 80.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population rural: 25.2% of population total: 19.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 83.9% of population total: 85.9% of population unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population rural: 16.1% of population total: 14.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 26.8% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,400 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 16.5% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 9.2% (2020 est.) male: 16.5% (2020 est.) female: 1.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5.8% (2014) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.4% male: 88.3% female: 88.5% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 12 years (2013) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 47.1% male: 44.2% female: 50% (2016) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; population growth, deforestation, and overgrazing lead to soil erosion and soil degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 16.26 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.16 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.9 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate Land use: agricultural land: 68.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 57.7% (2018 est.) forest: 31.7% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 24.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.25% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Food insecurity: severe 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) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 218,199 tons (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 41.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.006 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 4.51 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Eswatini conventional short form: Eswatini local long form: Umbuso weSwatini local short form: eSwatini former: Swaziland etymology: the country name derives from 19th century King MSWATI II, under whose rule Swati territory was expanded and unified note: pronounced ay-swatini or eh-swatini Government type: absolute monarchy Capital: name: Mbabane (administrative capital); Lobamba (royal and legislative capital) geographic coordinates: 26 19 S, 31 08 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after a Swati chief, Mbabane Kunene, who lived in the area at the onset of British settlement Administrative divisions: 4 regions; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni Independence: 6 September 1968 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (Somhlolo Day), 6 September (1968) Constitution: history: previous 1968, 1978; latest signed by the king 26 July 2005, effective 8 February 2006 amendments: proposed at a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both houses and/or majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of amendments affecting "specially entrenched" constitutional provisions requires at least three-fourths majority vote by both houses, passage by simple majority vote in a referendum, and assent of the king; passage of "entrenched" provisions requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses, passage in a referendum, and assent of the king Legal system: mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law 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: both parents must be citizens of Eswatini dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Cleopas DLAMINI (since since 19 July 2021); Deputy Prime Minister Themba MASUKU (since 6 November 2018) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister, confirmed by the monarch; at least one-half of the cabinet membership must be appointed from among elected members of the House of Assembly elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from among members of the House of Assembly Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament (Libandla) consists of: Senate (30 seats; 20 members appointed by the monarch and 10 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the House of Assembly; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (70 seats statutory, current 74; 59 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies or tinkhundla by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, 10 members appointed by the monarch, 4 women elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%, and 1 ex-officio member - the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 23 October 2018 (next to be held - 31 October 2023) House of Assembly - last held on 21 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: Senate - percent of seats by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 18, women 12, percent of women 40% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 59; composition - men 65, women 9, percent of women 12.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.2% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 justices) and the High Court (consists of the chief justice - ex officio - and 4 justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all constitutional matters judge selection and term of office: justices of the Supreme Court and High Court appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), a judicial advisory body consisting of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, 4 members appointed by the monarch, and the chairman of the Civil Service Commission; justices of both courts eligible for retirement at age 65 with mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; National Swazi Courts for administering customary/traditional laws (jurisdiction restricted to customary law for Swazi citizens) Political parties and leaders: political parties exist, but conditions for their operations, particularly in elections, are undefined, legally unclear, or culturally restricted; the following are considered political associations: African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Sibusiso DLAMINI] Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Sibongile MAZIBUKO] People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mlungisi MAKHANYA] Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA [Vacant] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kennedy Fitzgerald GROENING (7 June 2022) 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 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief 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/ Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally; blue stands for peace and stability, red represents past struggles, and yellow the mineral resources of the country; the shield, spears, and staff symbolize protection from the country's enemies, while the black and white of the shield are meant to portray black and white people living in peaceful coexistence National symbol(s): lion, elephant; national colors: blue, yellow, red National anthem: name: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles Topic: Economy Economic overview: A small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS; Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate, a financial strain and source of economic instability.   The manufacturing sector diversified in the 1980s and 1990s, but manufacturing has grown little in the last decade. Sugar and soft drink concentrate are the largest foreign exchange earners, although a drought in 2015-16 decreased sugar production and exports. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods are persistent problems. Mining has declined in importance in recent years. Coal, gold, diamond, and quarry stone mines are small scale, and the only iron ore mine closed in 2014. With an estimated 28% unemployment rate, Eswatini's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and to attract foreign direct investment is acute.   Eswatini's national development strategy, which expires in 2022, prioritizes increases in infrastructure, agriculture production, and economic diversification, while aiming to reduce poverty and government spending. Eswatini's revenue from SACU receipts are likely to continue to decline as South Africa pushes for a new distribution scheme, making it harder for the government to maintain fiscal balance without introducing new sources of revenue.A small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS; Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate, a financial strain and source of economic instability. The manufacturing sector diversified in the 1980s and 1990s, but manufacturing has grown little in the last decade. Sugar and soft drink concentrate are the largest foreign exchange earners, although a drought in 2015-16 decreased sugar production and exports. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods are persistent problems. Mining has declined in importance in recent years. Coal, gold, diamond, and quarry stone mines are small scale, and the only iron ore mine closed in 2014. With an estimated 28% unemployment rate, Eswatini's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and to attract foreign direct investment is acute. Eswatini's national development strategy, which expires in 2022, prioritizes increases in infrastructure, agriculture production, and economic diversification, while aiming to reduce poverty and government spending. Eswatini's revenue from SACU receipts are likely to continue to decline as South Africa pushes for a new distribution scheme, making it harder for the government to maintain fiscal balance without introducing new sources of revenue. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.74 billion (2020 est.) $9.9 billion (2019 est.) $9.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.6% (2017 est.) 1.4% (2016 est.) 0.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $8,400 (2020 est.) $8,600 (2019 est.) $8,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.484 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (2017 est.) 7.8% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.5% (2017 est.) industry: 45% (2017 est.) services: 48.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 64% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.3% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, maize, roots/tubers nes, grapefruit, oranges, milk, beef, potatoes, vegetables, bananas Industries: soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 427,900 (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.7% industry: 30.4% services: 58.9% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 28% (2014 est.) 28% (2013 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 47.1% male: 44.2% female: 50% (2016) Population below poverty line: 58.9% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 54.6 (2016 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.263 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.639 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -8.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 28.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 25.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 28.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $604 million (2017 est.) $642 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.81 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.9 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: South Africa 94% (2017) Exports - commodities: soft drink concentrates, sugar, timber, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus, and canned fruit Imports: $1.7 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.93 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.07 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: South Africa 81.6%, China 5.2% (2017) Imports - commodities: motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $563.1 million (31 December 2017 est.) $564.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $535 million (2019 est.) $456 million (2018 est.) Exchange rates: emalangeni per US dollar - 14.44 (2017 est.) 14.6924 (2016 est.) 14.6924 (2015 est.) 12.7581 (2014 est.) 10.8469 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 90% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 87% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 286,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,448,308,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 942 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 154.7 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 44.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 24.8% 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: 31% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 108,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 169,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 163,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 135,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 144 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 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: 5,279 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: 1.224 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 350,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 875,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 19.371 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 39,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.243 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Eswatini (or eSwatini) was one of the last countries in the world to open up its telecom market to competition; until 2011 the state-owned Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications also acted as the industry regulator and had a stake in the country’s sole mobile network, in an uneasy partnership with MTN Eswatini; a new independent regulatory authority was established in late 2013 and has since embarked on significant changes to the sector;  Eswatini Telecom was provided with a unified license in early 2016, while MTN Eswatini secured spectrum in the 1800MHz band to provide LTE services; Eswatini Mobile has launched GSM, 3G and LTE services, supported by a network sharing agreement with MTN Eswatini; mobile market subscriptions have been affected by the common use among subscribers when they use SIM cards from different networks in order to access cheaper on-net calls; subscriber growth has slowed in recent years, but was expected to have reached 8% in 2021, as people adapted to the changing needs for connectivity caused by the pandemic; the internet sector has been open to competition with a small number of licensed ISPs; DSL services were introduced in 2008, development of the sector has been hampered by the limited fixed-line infrastructure and by a lack of competition in the access and backbone networks; Eswatini is landlocked and so depends on neighboring countries for international bandwidth; this has meant that access pricing is relatively high, and market subscriptions remains relatively low; prices have fallen recently in line with greater bandwidth availability resulting from several new submarine cable systems which have reached the region in recent years; in addition, Paratus in September 2020 completed a terrestrial cable linking Mozambique with Eswatini and South Africa. (2022) domestic: Eswatini has 2 mobile-cellular providers; communication infrastructure has a geographic coverage of about 90% and a rising subscriber base; fixed-line stands at nearly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 94 telephones per 100 persons; telephone system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay (2019) international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2019) Internet country code: .sz Internet users: total: 539,623 (2019 est.) percent of population: 47% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 12,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 3DC Airports: total: 14 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 7 (2021) Railways: total: 301 km (2014) narrow gauge: 301 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Roadways: total: 3,769 km (2019) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Army (includes a small air wing) (2022) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $140 million) 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $150 million) 2.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $140 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 3,000 active duty personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the UEDF is lightly armed with mostly South African material; it has received small amounts of secondhand equipment since 2010 (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2021) Military - note: the UEDF was originally created in 1973 as the Royal Swaziland Defense Force; the UEDF’s primary mission is external security but it also has domestic security responsibilities, including protecting members of the royal family; the king is the UEDF commander in chief and holds the position of minister of defense, although the UEDF reports to the Army commander and principal undersecretary of defense for day-to-day operations; the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is responsible for maintaining internal security as well as migration and border crossing enforcement; it is under the prime minister, although the king is the force’s titular commissioner in chief (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: in 2006, Swati king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africain 2006, Swati king advocated resorting to ICJ to claim parts of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal from South Africa

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