$NA
Exchange rates:
soms (KGS) per US dollar - 36.108 (2008 est.), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004)
Communications ::Kyrgyzstan
Telephones - main lines in use:
494,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 99
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.394 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 101
Telephone system:
general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links
domestic: fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership exceeded 60 per 100 persons in 2008
international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007)
Television broadcast stations:
8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)
Internet country code:
.kg
Internet hosts:
82,496 (2009) country comparison to the world: 76
Internet users:
850,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 95
Transportation ::Kyrgyzstan
Airports:
29 (2009) country comparison to the world: 116
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 18
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
under 914 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 9 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 470 km country comparison to the world: 116 broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 18,500 km country comparison to the world: 116 paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)
Waterways:
600 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 79
Ports and terminals:
Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)
Military ::Kyrgyzstan
Military branches:
Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National
Guard (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,398,878
females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,083,777
females age 16-49: 1,229,406 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 57,659
female: 55,557 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Transnational Issues ::Kyrgyzstan
Disputes - international:
Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas
Illicit drugs:
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Laos (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Laos
Background:
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.
Geography ::Laos
Location:
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 236,800 sq km country comparison to the world: 83 land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Natural resources:
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use:
arable land: 4.01%
permanent crops: 0.34%
other: 95.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,750 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
333.6 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%)
per capita: 507 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
floods, droughts
Environment - current issues:
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
People ::Laos
Population:
6,834,942 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Age structure:
0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,400,126/female 1,386,480)
15-64 years: 56.1% (male 1,898,995/female 1,936,892)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 92,070/female 120,379) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.3 years
male: 19 years
female: 19.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.316% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Birth rate:
33.94 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Death rate:
10.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 31% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 77.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 23 male: 86.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 68.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 56.68 years country comparison to the world: 190 male: 54.56 years
female: 58.9 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups:
Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)
Languages:
Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68.7%
male: 77%
female: 60.9% (2001 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 146
Government ::Laos
Country name:
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: Pathet Lao (unofficial)
Government type:
Communist state
Capital:
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Independence:
19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Constitution:
promulgated 14 August 1991
Legal system:
based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001)
cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly
elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by president and elected by National Assembly for five-year term
election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2
Judicial branch:
People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court
is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the
National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the
People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National
Assembly Standing Committee)
Political parties and leaders:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ADB, APT, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber),
ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador PHIANE Philakone
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ravic R. HUSO
embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane
mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546
telephone: [856] 21-26-7000
FAX: [856] 21-26-7190
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
Economy ::Laos
Economy - overview:
The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with support from Japan and China. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about 40% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government depends upon aid from international donors for over 80% of its capital investment. The economy has until recently benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. The fiscal crisis of late 2008, and the rapid drop in commodity prices - especially copper - has slowed these investments. Several policy changes since 2004 may help spur growth. Laos, which gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, is taking steps to join the World Trade Organization. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, a value-added tax (VAT) regime, which began with a few large businesses in early 2009, should slowly help streamline the government's inefficient tax system. Economic prospects will improve gradually as the administration continues to simplify investment procedures and as a more competitive banking sector extends credit to small farmers and small entrepreneurs. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. Foreign donors have praised the Lao government for its efforts to improve the investment regime. The World Bank has declared that Laos' goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 could be achievable.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.01 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $13.04 billion (2007 est.)
$12.13 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.374 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 7.5% (2007 est.)
8.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2,000 (2007 est.)
$1,900 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 39.2%
industry: 34.3%
services: 26.5% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.1 million (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Population below poverty line:
30.7% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.6 (2002) country comparison to the world: 88 37 (1997)
Budget:
revenues: $811.6 million
expenditures: $955.9 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 4.5% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7.67% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 12.67% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
24% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 28.5% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$327.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$717.9 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$285.8 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Industries:
copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
11% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Electricity - production:
3.075 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - consumption:
3.068 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Electricity - exports:
268 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
475.9 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Oil - consumption:
3,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Oil - imports:
3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Current account balance:
-$52 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $107.3 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$1.163 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $922.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold
Exports - partners:
Thailand 35.5%, Vietnam 15.5%, China 8.5% (2008)
Imports:
$1.384 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $1.065 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Thailand 68.5%, China 10.5%, Vietnam 5.8% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$803 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $540 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$3.179 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 122
Exchange rates:
kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,760.69 (2008 est.), 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006), 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004)
Communications ::Laos
Telephones - main lines in use:
97,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 145
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.822 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 123
Telephone system:
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas
domestic: multiple service providers; mobile cellular usage growing rapidly; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership approaching 30 per 100 persons
international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 7, FM 14, shortwave 2 (2006)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (includes 1 station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi) (2006)
Internet country code:
.la
Internet hosts:
1,661 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152
Internet users:
130,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 145
Transportation ::Laos
Airports:
41 (2009) country comparison to the world: 103
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 32
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 21 (2009)
Pipelines:
refined products 540 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 29,811 km country comparison to the world: 97 paved: 4,010 km
unpaved: 25,801 km (2006)
Waterways:
4,600 km country comparison to the world: 24 note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT country comparison to the world: 159 by type: cargo 1 (2008)
Military ::Laos
Military branches:
Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes
Riverine Force), Air Force (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
15 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum 18-month conscript service obligation (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,549,774
females age 16-49: 1,570,702 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,023,205
females age 16-49: 1,085,197 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 75,310
female: 74,498 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 162
Military - note:
serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies, but the LPA also has upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Laos
Disputes - international:
Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels
Illicit drugs:
estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Latvia (Europe)
Introduction ::Latvia
Background:
The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004.
Geography ::Latvia
Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and
Lithuania
Geographic coordinates:
57 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 64,589 sq km country comparison to the world: 123 land: 62,249 sq km
water: 2,340 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
total: 1,382 km
border countries: Belarus 171 km, Estonia 343 km, Lithuania 576 km, Russia 292 km
Coastline:
498 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
maritime; wet, moderate winters
Terrain:
low plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Galzina Kalns 312 m
Natural resources:
peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 28.19%
permanent crops: 0.45%
other: 71.36% (2005)
Irrigated land:
200 sq km
note: land in Latvia is often too wet and in need of drainage not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
49.9 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.25 cu km/yr (55%/33%/12%)
per capita: 108 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household, and hazardous waste management, as well as reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
People ::Latvia
Population:
2,231,503 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.3% (male 152,472/female 145,161)
15-64 years: 69.6% (male 756,469/female 797,505)
65 years and over: 17% (male 124,432/female 255,464) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.1 years
male: 37.1 years
female: 43.3 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.614% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 228
Birth rate:
9.78 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Death rate:
13.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Net migration rate:
-2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Urbanization:
urban population: 68% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 161 male: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.15 years country comparison to the world: 119 male: 66.98 years
female: 77.59 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.3 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian
Ethnic groups:
Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%,
Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2% (2002)
Religions:
Lutheran 19.6%, Orthodox 15.3%, other Christian 1%, other 0.4%, unspecified 63.7% (2006)
Languages:
Latvian (official) 58.2%, Russian 37.5%, Lithuanian and other 4.3% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 14 years
female: 17 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 66
Government ::Latvia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Riga
geographic coordinates: 56 57 N, 24 06 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
Administrative divisions:
26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles
Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons,
Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons,
Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas
Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons,
Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons,
Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu
Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*,
Ventspils Rajons
Independence:
18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:
15 February 1922; restored to force by the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Latvia adopted by the Supreme Council on 21 August 1991; multiple amendments since
Legal system:
based on civil law system with traces of Socialist legal traditions and practices; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Valdis DOMBROVSKIS (since 12 March 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
election results: Valdis ZATLERS elected president; parliamentary vote - Valdis ZATLERS 58, Aivars ENDZINS 39
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 7 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - TP 19.5%, ZZS 16.7%, JL 16.4%, SC 14.4%; LPP/LC 8.6%; TB/LNNK 6.9%; PCTVL 6%; seats by party - TP 23, ZZS 18, JL 18, SC 17, LPP/LC 10, TB/LNNK 8, PCTVL 6; note - seats by party as of January 2009 - TP 21, SC 18, ZZS 17, JL 14, LPP/LC 10, Civic Union 7, TB/LNNK 5, PCTVL 5, independents 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament); Constitutional Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by parliament)
Political parties and leaders:
Civic Union [Sandra KALNIETE, Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS]; First Party
of Latvia/Latvia's Way or LPP/LC [Ainars SLESERS, Ivars GODMANIS];
For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Jakovs PLINERS,
Tatjana ZDANOKA]; For the Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National
Independence Movement or TB/LNNK [Roberts ZILE, Maris GRINBLATS];
Harmony Center or SC [Nils USAKOVS, Janis URBANOVICS]; New Era Party
or JL [Solvita ABOLTINA, Dzintars ZAKIS]; People's Party or TP
[Mareks SEGLINS]; Society for Different Politics or SCP [Aigars
STOKENBERGS; Artis PABRIKS]; The Union of Latvian Greens and Farmers
Party or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia [Peteris KRIGERS],
Employers' Confederation of Latvia [Elina EGLE], Farmers' Parliament
[Juris LAZDINS]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO,
NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen
Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Andrejs PILDEGOVICS
chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840
FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Bruce ROGERS
embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510
mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723
telephone: [371] 670-36200
FAX: [371] 678-20047
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
Economy ::Latvia
Economy - overview:
Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07; but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the softening world economy. The IMF, EU, and other donors provided assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro and reduce the fiscal deficit to about 5% of GDP. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. EU membership, a top foreign policy goal, came in May 2004. The current account deficit and inflation remain major concerns.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$38.95 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $40.83 billion (2007 est.)
$37.12 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$33.98 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-4.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 10% (2007 est.)
12.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$17,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $18,100 (2007 est.)
$16,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.1%
industry: 22.7%
services: 74.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.193 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 25.8%
services: 61.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 5.7% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36 (2005) country comparison to the world: 84 32 (1999)
Investment (gross fixed):
30.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Budget:
revenues: $12.06 billion
expenditures: $13.41 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
19.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 11.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 10.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 6% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.85% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$6.688 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $8.196 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$5.572 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 $5.113 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$28.96 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 54 $27.56 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$1.609 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 91 $3.111 billion (31 December 2007)
$2.705 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Industries:
buses, vans, street and railroad cars; synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Industrial production growth rate:
-4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - production:
4.62 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Electricity - consumption:
6.822 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - exports:
2.123 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
4.643 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - consumption:
39,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Oil - exports:
5,873 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Oil - imports:
43,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Natural gas - consumption:
2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - imports:
2.05 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Current account balance:
-$4.492 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 -$6.485 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$9.634 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $8.227 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Lithuania 15.5%, Russia 14.7%, Estonia 13.2%, Germany 7.7%, Sweden 6.2%, Denmark 4.3% (2008)
Imports:
$15.65 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $15.13 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners:
Lithuania 16.1%, Germany 12.9%, Russia 10.7%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7%,
Sweden 4.4%, Finland 4.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.248 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $5.758 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$42.26 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 57 $38.95 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$11.21 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $9.779 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.083 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $782 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
lati (LVL) per US dollar - 0.4701 (2008 est.), 0.5162 (2007), 0.5597 (2006), 0.5647 (2005), 0.5402 (2004)
Communications ::Latvia
Telephones - main lines in use:
644,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 92
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.234 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 119
Telephone system:
general assessment: recent efforts focused on bringing competition to the telecommunications sector; the number of fixed lines is decreasing as wireless telephone service expands
domestic: number of telecommunications operators has grown rapidly since the fixed-line market opened to competition in 2003; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership exceeds 125 per 100 persons
international: country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 62, shortwave 1 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
37 (plus 31 repeaters) (2008)
Internet country code:
.lv
Internet hosts:
257,414 (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Internet users:
1.254 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 82
Transportation ::Latvia
Airports:
43 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 23
under 914 m: 23 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 948 km; refined products 415 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 2,298 km country comparison to the world: 67 broad gauge: 2,265 km 1.520-m gauge
narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 69,675 km country comparison to the world: 68 paved: 69,675 km (2006)
Waterways:
300 km (2007) country comparison to the world: 93
Merchant marine:
total: 22 country comparison to the world: 95 by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Estonia 2)
registered in other countries: 118 (Antigua and Barbuda 13, Belize 12, Cambodia 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Jamaica 1, Liberia 21, Malta 19, Marshall Islands 16, Panama 8, Russia 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 17) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Riga, Ventspils
Military ::Latvia
Military branches:
National Armed Forces (Nacionalo Brunoto Speku): Ground Forces, Navy
(Latvijas Juras Speki; includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flotes)),
Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), Border Guard, Latvian Home
Guard (Latvijas Zemessardze) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; conscription abolished January 2007; under current law, every citizen is entitled to serve in the armed forces for life (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 568,683
females age 16-49: 565,826 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 410,374
females age 16-49: 463,144 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 12,901
female: 12,497 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.2% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Transnational Issues ::Latvia
Disputes - international:
Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules with Russia
Illicit drugs:
transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Lebanon (Middle East)
Introduction ::Lebanon
Background:
Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920, and granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been disbanded, with the exception of Hizballah, designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Palestinian militant groups. During Lebanon's civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta'if Accord Syria's troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in September 2004 of UNSCR 1559 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 22 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence ("the Cedar Revolution"), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister's son. In July 2006, Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel in which approximately 1,200 Lebanese civilians were killed. UNSCR 1701 ended the war in August 2006, and Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed throughout the country for the first time in decades, charged with securing Lebanon's borders against weapons smuggling and maintaining a weapons-free zone in south Lebanon with the help of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp, winning a decisive victory, but destroying the camp and displacing 30,000 Palestinian residents. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum until the election of Army Commander Michel SULAYMAN in May 2008 and the formation of a new unity government in July 2008.
Geography ::Lebanon
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and
Syria
Geographic coordinates:
33 50 N, 35 50 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 10,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 169 land: 10,230 sq km
water: 170 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total: 454 km
border countries: Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km
Coastline:
225 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers;
Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Qurnat as Sawda' 3,088 m
Natural resources:
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16.35%
permanent crops: 13.75%
other: 69.9% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,040 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
4.8 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.38 cu km/yr (33%/1%/67%)
per capita: 385 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Beirut from vehicular traffic and the burning of industrial wastes; pollution of coastal waters from raw sewage and oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity
People ::Lebanon
Population:
4,017,095 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.8% (male 528,047/female 506,838)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,294,485/female 1,399,047)
65 years and over: 7.2% (male 130,148/female 158,530) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.3 years
male: 28 years
female: 30.5 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.107% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Birth rate:
17.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Death rate:
6.03 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 21.82 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 99 male: 24.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.66 years country comparison to the world: 101 male: 71.15 years
female: 76.31 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.85 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Nationality:
noun: Lebanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Lebanese
Ethnic groups:
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendents of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians
Religions:
Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri),
Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic,
Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian
Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant),
other 1.3%
note: 17 religious sects recognized
Languages:
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 93.1%
female: 82.2% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 153
Government ::Lebanon
Country name:
conventional long form: Lebanese Republic
conventional short form: Lebanon
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah
local short form: Lubnan
former: Greater Lebanon
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Beirut
geographic coordinates: 33 52 N, 35 30 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
Administrative divisions:
6 governorates (mohafazat, singular - mohafazah); Beqaa, Beyrouth (Beirut), Liban-Nord, Liban-Sud, Mont-Liban, Nabatiye
note: two new governorates - Aakar and Baalbek-Hermel - have been legislated but not yet implemented
Independence:
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
Constitution:
23 May 1926; amended a number of times, most recently Charter of Lebanese National Reconciliation (Ta'if Accord) of October 1989
Legal system:
mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education; excludes military personnel
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Michel SULAYMAN (since 25 May 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Sa'ad AL-HARIRI (since 9 November 2009);Deputy Prime Minister Elias MURR (since 9 November 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president and members of the National Assembly
elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 25 May 2008 (next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly
election results: Michel SULAYMAN elected president; National Assembly vote - 118 for, 6 abstentions, 3 invalidated
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 June 2009 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by group - March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%; seats by group - March 14 Coalition 71; March 8 Coalition 57
Judicial branch:
four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases); Constitutional Council (called for in Ta'if Accord - rules on constitutionality of laws); Supreme Council (hears charges against the president and prime minister as needed)
Political parties and leaders:
14 March Coalition: Democratic Gathering Bloc [Walid JUNBLATT, leader of Progressive Socialist Party]; Democratic Left [Ilyas ATALLAH]; Democratic Renewal Movement [Nassib LAHUD]; Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI]; Kataeb Party [Amine GEMAYEL]; Lebanese Forces [Samir JA'JA]; Tripoli Independent Bloc
8 March Coalition: Development and Resistance Bloc [Nabih BERRI, leader of Amal Movement]; Free Patriotic Movement [Michel AWN]; Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc [Mohammad RA'AD] (includes Hizballah Party [Hassan NASRALLAH]); Nasserite Popular Movement [Ussama SAAD]; Popular Bloc [Elias SKAFF]; Syrian Ba'th Party [Sayez SHUKR]; Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Ali QANSO]
Independent: Metn Bloc [Michel MURR]; Tashnaq
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Hizballah military wing
other: Palestinian militias; Maronite Christians; Sunnis and their militias; Shias and their militias
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACCT, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF,
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Antoine CHEDID
chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324
consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON
embassy: Awkar, Lebanon; (Awkar facing the Municipality)
mailing address: P. O. Box 70-840, Antelias, Lebanon; from US: US Embassy Beirut, 6070 Beirut Place, Washington, DC 20521-6070
telephone: [961] (4) 542600, 543600
FAX: [961] (4) 544136
Flag description:
three horizontal bands consisting of red (top), white (middle, double width), and red (bottom) with a green cedar tree centered in the white band
Economy ::Lebanon
Economy - overview:
Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and weak intellectual property rights. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily - mostly from domestic banks. In an attempt to reduce the ballooning national debt, the Rafiq HARIRI government in 2000 began an austerity program, reining in government expenditures, increasing revenue collection, and passing legislation to privatize state enterprises, but economic and financial reform initiatives stalled and public debt continued to grow despite receipt of more than $2 billion in bilateral assistance at the 2002 Paris II Donors Conference. The Israeli-Hizballah conflict in July-August 2006 caused an estimated $3.6 billion in infrastructure damage, and prompted international donors to pledge nearly $1 billion in recovery and reconstruction assistance. Donors met again in January 2007 at the Paris III Donor Conference and pledged more than $7.5 billion to Lebanon for development projects and budget support, conditioned on progress on Beirut's fiscal reform and privatization program. An 18-month political stalemate and sporadic sectarian and political violence hampered economic activity, particularly tourism, retail sales, and investment, until the new government was formed in July 2008. Political stability since the Doha Accord of May 2008 has helped to boost investment and tourism, but economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as a result of the global economic recession.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$44.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $41.54 billion (2007 est.)
$39.95 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$29.35 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 4% (2007 est.)
-4.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 $10,600 (2007 est.)
$10,300 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.1%
industry: 18.8%
services: 76.1% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
1.481 million country comparison to the world: 129 note: in addition, there are as many as 1 million foreign workers (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
9.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Population below poverty line:
28% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
22.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Budget:
revenues: $6.998 billion
expenditures: $9.955 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
160.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 177.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 4.2% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 12% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.96% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 10.26% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.374 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$57.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$45.51 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$9.641 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 $10.86 billion (31 December 2007)
$8.279 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco; sheep, goats
Industries:
banking, tourism, food processing, wine, jewelry, cement, textiles, mineral and chemical products, wood and furniture products, oil refining, metal fabricating
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
9.03 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Electricity - consumption:
8.42 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
972 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Oil - consumption:
92,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Oil - imports:
86,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Current account balance:
-$2.987 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 -$1.395 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$5.023 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $4.077 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
jewelry, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers, paper
Exports - partners:
Syria 24.9%, UAE 12.9%, Switzerland 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.1%, Turkey 4.2% (2008)
Imports:
$16.25 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $11.93 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Syria 10.5%, France 9.5%, US 9.3%, Italy 7.3%, China 6.8%, Germany 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Turkey 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$28.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $20.55 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$33.28 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $31.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: