Country Profiles
(Jordan thru Lesotho)
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- People: Population Density - 146 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Arab (98%)
- Languages - Arabic - official; English
- Religions - Sunni Muslim (96%); Christian (4%)
- Geography: Area - 35,300 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Israel, West Bank, Saudi Arabiam Iraq, Syria
- Government: Type - Constitutional Monarchy
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Raegheb (since June 19, 2000)
- Capital - Amman (1,430,000)
- Local Divisions - 12 governorates
- Spending - (Defense) $488 mil/$3 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil refinin, cement, light manufacturing
- Minerals and Other Resources - Phosphates, potash
- Arable Land - 4%
- Labor - 11.4% ind.; 10% const.; 52% other services
- Per Capita GNP - $3,500
- Imports and Exports - $3.3 bil. and $1.8 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - Iraq, Germany, US, Saudi Arabia, India
- Communications: Telephones - 620,000 main lines
- Radios - 224 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 176 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 20.36 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 75.1 - male; 80.12 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.28%
- Literacy - 87%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO), AL
- National Website
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- People: Population Density - 297 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Kuwaiti (45%); other Arab (35%)
- Languages - Arabic - official; English
- Religions - Muslim (85%)
- Geography: Area - 6,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Iraq, Saudi Arabia
- Government: Type - Constitutional Monarchy
- Head of Government - Prme Minister Sheikh Saad Abdulla as- Salim as- Sabah (since Feb 8, 1978)
- Capital - Kuwait City (28,559)
- Local Divisions - 5 governorates
- Spending - (Defense) $2.6 bil./$14.5 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil products
- Minerals and Other Resources - Oil, gas/DD>
- Arable Land - NA
- Labor - 50% gov't and social services; 40% services; 10% ind. and agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $22,500
- Imports and Exports - $8.1 bil. and $13.5 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - Japan, US, India, UK
- Communications: Telephones - 467,100 main lines
- Radios - 678 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 505 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 11.18 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 75.42 - male; 77.15 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.95%
- Literacy - 79%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO< IMF, IMO, WHO, WTrO), AL, OPEC
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- People: Population Density - 16 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Kazakh (46%); Russian (35%); Ukranian (5%)
- Languages - Kazakh, Russian - both official
- Religions - Muslim (47%); Russian Orthodox (44%)
- Geography: Area - 1,047,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzberkistan, Turkmenistan, Caspian Sea
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev (since Oct. 12, 1999)
- Capital - Astana (303,000)
- Local Divisions - 14 oblystar, 1 city
- Spending - (Defense) $115 mil./$4.2 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil, steel, mining, agricultural machinery
- Minerals and Other Resources - Oil, gas, coal, iron, manganese, chrome ore, copper
- Arable Land - 12%
- Labor - 23% industry; 23% agric., forestry
- Per Capita GNP - $3,200
- Imports and Exports - $4.8 bil. and $5.2 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - Russia, EU, China
- Communications: Telephones - 1,759,800 main lines
- Radios - NA
- Televisions - 275 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 59.17 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 57.87 - male; 69.97 - female
- Natural Population Increase - .67%
- Literacy - 98%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (IBRD, ILO. IMF, IMO, WHO), CIS, OSCE
- National Website
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- People: Population Density - 62 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Kyrgyz (52%); Russian (18%); Uzbek (13%)
- Languages - Kyrgyz, Russian - both official
- Religions - Muslim (75%); Russian Orthodox (20%)
- Geography: Area - 76,600 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Kurmanbek Saliyevich Bakiyev (since Dec. 21, 2000)
- Capital - Bishkek (619,000)
- Local Divisions - 6 oblasts, 1 city
- Spending - (Defense) $29 mil./$308 mil.
- Economy: Industries - Textiles, mining, food processing, cement, small machinery
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gold, coal, oil
- Arable Land - 7%
- Labor - 55% agric., and forestry; 30% services; 15% ind. and constr.
- Per Capita GNP - $2,300
- Imports and Exports - $590 mil. and $515 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Russia, Germany, Kasakhstan, Uzbekistan
- Communications: Telephones - 376,100 main lines
- Radios - NA
- Televisions - 238 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 76.5 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 59.2 - male; 67.94 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.71%
- Literacy - 97%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, WHO), CIS, OSCE
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- People: Population Density - 140 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Kikuya (22%); Luhya (14%); Luo (13%); Kalenjin (12%); Kamba (11%); others including Asian, Arab, European
- Languages - Swahili, English - both official; numerous indigenous languages
- Religions - Protestant (38%); Roman Catholic (28%); indigenous beliefs (26%)
- Geography: Area - 216,500 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Daniel arap Moi (since Aug. 22, 1978)
- Capital - Nairobi
- Local Divisions - Nairobi and 7 provinces
- Spending - (Defense) $235 mil./$2.7 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Tourism, light industry, agricultural processing, oil refining
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gold, limestone, salt, rubies, flourspar, garnets, hides, dairy products, cut flowers
- Arable Land - 7%
- Labor - 75- 80% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $1,600
- Imports and Exports - $3.3 bil. and $3.2 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - UK, Uganda, UAE, US
- Communications: Telephones - 310,000 main lines
- Radios - 103 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 18 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 67.77 per 1,000 people
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 46.57 - male; 48.44 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.42%
- Literacy - 78%
- International Organization Memberships: UN and all its specialized agencies, the Commonwealth, OAU
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- People: Population Density - 63 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Lao Loum (68%); Lao Theung (22%); Lao Soung (includes Hmong and Yao) (9%)
- Languages - Lao - official; French, English
- Religions - Buddhism (60%); animist and other (40%)
- Geography: Area - 89,000 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
- Government: Type - Communist
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Boungnang Vorachith (since Mar. 27, 2001)
- Capital - Vietiane (640,000)
- Local Divisions - 16 provinces, 1 municipality, 1 special zone
- Spending - (Defense) $15 mil./$365.9 mil.
- Economy: Industries - Wood products, mining
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gypsum, tin, gold
- Arable Land - 3%
- Labor - 80% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $1,300
- Imports and Exports - $947 mil. and $271 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Thailand, Japan, Vietnam
- Communications: Telephones - 40,900 main lines
- Radios - 116 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 17 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 92.89 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 51.58 - male; 55.44 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.48%
- Literacy - 57%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, WHO), ASEAN
- National Website
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- People: Population Density - 340 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Micronesian
- Languages - English - official; Gilbertese
- Religions - Roman Catholic (53%); Protestant (41%)
- Geography: Area - 277 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Naura, Tuvalu and Tokealu Isls.
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Teburoro Tito (since Oct. 1, 1994)
- Capital - Tarawa (25,000)
- Local Divisions - 3 units, 6 districts
- Spending - (Defense) NA
- Economy: Industries - Fishing, handicrafts
- Minerals and Other Resources - none
- Arable Land - NA
- Labor - NA
- Per Capita GNP - $860
- Imports and Exports - $37 mil. and $6 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Australia, US, New Zealand
- Communications: Telephones - 3,500
- Radios - 75 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - NA
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 54 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 57.25 - male; 63.22 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.31%
- Literacy - 90%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (IBRD, IMF, WHO), the Commonwealth
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- People: Population Density - 96 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Latvian (57%); Russian (30%)
- Languages - Lettish - official; Lithuanian, Russian
- Religions - Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
- Geography: Area - 24,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Russia
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Andris Berzins (since May 5, 2000)
- Capital - Riga (775,000)
- Local Divisions - 26 counties, 7 municipalities
- Spending - (Defense) $72 mil./$1.27 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Machinery, vehicles, railways, cars
- Minerals and Other Resources - Amber, peat
- Arable Land - 27%
- Labor - 43% srvices; 41% ind.; 16% agric. and forestry
- Per Capita GNP - $4,200
- Imports and Exports - $2.8 bil. and $1.9 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - Germany, Russia, Finland, UK
- Communications: Telephones - 731,500 main lines
- Radios - 560 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 452 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 15.34 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 62.8 - male; 74.9 - female
- Natural Population Increase - -.68%
- Literacy - 100%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO), OSCE
- National Website
- Latvian Commerce Website
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- People: Population Density - 473 per 1,000 people
- Ethnic Groups - Korean
- Languages - Korean - official
- Religions - Activities almost nonexistent, traditionally Buddhism, Conficianism, Chondogyo
- Geography: Area - 46,400 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - South Korea, Russia, China
- Government: Type - Communist state
- Head of Government - Kim Jong II (since Oct. 8, 1997 - officially)
- Capital - Pyongyang (3,197,000)
- Local Divisions - 9 provinces, 3 special cities
- Spending - (Defense) $1.3 bil./NA
- Economy: Industries - Textiles, chemicals, machinery, food processing
- Minerals and Other Resources - Coal, lead, tungsen, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron, copper, gold, salt
- Arable Land - 14%
- Labor - 36% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $1,000
- Imports and Exports - $954 mil. and $660 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Japan, China, South Korea
- Communications: Telephones - 1,100,000 main lines
- Radios - 220 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 85 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 23.55 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 68.04 - male; 74.15 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.22%
- Literacy - 95%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IMO, WHO)
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- People: Population Density - 920 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Arab (95%); Armenian (4%)
- Languages - Arabic - official; French; English; Armenian
- Religions - Islam (70%); Christian (30%)
- Geography: Area - 3,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Syria, Israel
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri (since Oct. 23, 2000)
- Capital - Beirut (2,055,000)
- Local Divisions - 5 governorates
- Spending - (Defense) $560 mil./$7.9 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Banking, food products, textiles, cement, oil refining
- Minerals and Other Resources - Limestone, iron
- Arable Land - 21%
- Labor - 62% services; 31% industry; 7% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $4,500
- Imports and Exports - $5.7 bill. and $866 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Italy, France, US, Saudi Arabia, UAE
- Communications: Telephones - 698,000 main lines
- Radios - 608 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 291 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 28.35 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 69.13 - male; 74.03 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.38%
- Literacy - 92%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO< IMF, IMO, WHO), AL
- International Organization Memberships:
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- People: Population Density - 1,265 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Korean
- Languages - Korean - official
- Religions - Christianity (49%); Buddhism (47%)
- Geography: Area - 37,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - North Korea
- Government: Type - Republic with power centralized in a stromg executive
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Lee Han Dong (since May 22, 2000)
- Capital - Seoul (9,888,000)
- Local Divisions - 9 provinces, 6 special cities
- Spending - (Defense) $12.8 bil./$100.5 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Electronics, autos, chemcials, ships, textiles, clothing
- Minerals and Other Resources - Tungsten, coal, graphite
- Arable Land - 19%
- Labor - 68% sevices and other; 20% manu. and mining; 12% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $13,300
- Imports and Exports - $116 bil. and $144 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, Japan, China
- Communications: Telephones - 21,931,700 main lines
- Radios - 1,037 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 337 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 7.71 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 70.97 - male; 78.74 - female
- Natural Population Increase - .89%
- Literacy - 98%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO, WTrO), APEC, OECD
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- People: Population Density - 186 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Sotho (99.7%)
- Languages - English, Sesotho - both official
- Religions - Christian (80%); indigenous beliefs (20%)
- Geography: Area - 11,700 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - South Africa
- Government: Type - Modified constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government - Pakalitha Mosisili (since May 29, 1998)
- Capital - Maseru (373,000)
- Local Divisions - 10 districts
- Spending - (Defense) $26 mil./$487 mil.
- Economy: Industries - Food, textiles
- Minerals and Other Resources - Diamonds
- Arable Land - 11%
- Labor - 86% subsistence agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $2,240
- Imports and Exports - $700 mil. and $235 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - South Africa
- Communications: Telephones - 23,700 main lines
- Radios - 558 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 7 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 82.77 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 47.97 - male; 49.74 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.55%
- Literacy - 71%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FOA, IBRD, ILO< IMF, WHO, WTrO), the Commonwealth, OAU
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