$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:
9.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Electricity - production:
19 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - consumption:
17.67 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Oil - imports:
725.5 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Current account balance:
-$67 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 -$44 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$8 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $7 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:
Japan 77.5%, Belgium 7.7%, Netherlands 6.4% (2008)
Imports:
$87 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $65 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Portugal 55.8%, Belgium 9.6%, Japan 9.3% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$43 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 $39 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$318 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 173
Exchange rates:
dobras (STD) per US dollar - 14,900 (2008 est.), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006), 9,900.4 (2005), 9,902.3 (2004)
Communications ::Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,700 (2008) country comparison to the world: 208
Telephones - mobile cellular:
49,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity approaching 30 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2001)
Internet country code:
.st
Internet hosts:
1,345 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155
Internet users:
24,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 183
Transportation ::Sao Tome and Principe
Airports:
2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 201 paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 6 country comparison to the world: 130 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5
foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Sao Tome
Military ::Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of
Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP),
Presidential Guard (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 42,340
females age 16-49: 43,781 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 35,216
females age 16-49: 38,329 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,534
female: 2,485 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 148
Military - note:
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues ::Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Saudi Arabia (Middle East)
Introduction ::Saudi Arabia
Background:
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.
Geography ::Saudi Arabia
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of
Yemen
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 2,149,690 sq km country comparison to the world: 14 land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:
2,640 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:
16,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues:
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
People ::Saudi Arabia
Population:
28,686,633 country comparison to the world: 41 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614)
15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.6 years
male: 22.9 years
female: 19.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.848% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Birth rate:
28.55 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Death rate:
2.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Net migration rate:
-7.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% 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: 1.29 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.18 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.57 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 148 male: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.3 years country comparison to the world: 69 male: 74.23 years
female: 78.48 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.83 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.01% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Arabic
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 78.8%
male: 84.7%
female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
Education expenditures:
6.8% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 28
Government ::Saudi Arabia
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Riyadh
geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash
Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar
Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan,
Makkah, Najran, Tabuk
Independence:
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday:
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution:
governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992
Legal system:
based on Sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; male
Executive branch:
chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud
cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - a new Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king
Legislative branch:
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced
Judicial branch:
Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights)
other: gas companies; religious groups
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77,
GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM,
OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ford M. FRAKER
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description:
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932
Economy ::Saudi Arabia
Economy - overview:
Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses more than 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 6.4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. High oil prices through mid-2008 have boosted growth, government revenues, and Saudi ownership of foreign assets, while enabling Riyadh to pay down domestic debt. The government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports and to increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population, nearly 40% of which are youths under 15 years old. Unemployment is high, and the large youth population generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification. The last five years of high oil prices have given the Kingdom ample financial reserves to manage the impact of the global financial crisis, but tight international credit, falling oil prices, and the global economic slowdown will reduce Saudi economic growth in 2009.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$577.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $553.5 billion (2007 est.)
$535.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$469.4 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 3.3% (2007 est.)
3.1% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$20,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $20,100 (2007 est.)
$19,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.1%
industry: 61.9%
services: 35% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
6.74 million country comparison to the world: 63 note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 6.7%
industry: 21.4%
services: 71.9% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 13% (2004 est.)
note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates range as high as 25%)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Budget:
revenues: $293.7 billion
expenditures: $136 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
18.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 75% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 4.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2008)
NA% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$113.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $102.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$134.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 $109.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$66.94 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$246.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 22 $515.1 billion (31 December 2007)
$326.9 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk
Industries:
crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - production:
179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Electricity - consumption:
165.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
10.78 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Oil - consumption:
2.38 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - exports:
8.728 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Oil - imports:
79,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - proved reserves:
266.7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Natural gas - production:
80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Natural gas - consumption:
80.44 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Natural gas - proved reserves:
7.319 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Current account balance:
$132.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $96.77 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$313.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $234.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products 90%
Exports - partners:
US 17.1%, Japan 15.2%, South Korea 10.1%, China 9.3%, India 7%,
Singapore 4.4% (2008)
Imports:
$108.3 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $82.6 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles
Imports - partners:
US 12.2%, China 10.5%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 5.1%,
Italy 4.8%, India 4.2%, UK 4.1% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$30.59 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $34.01 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$82.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $58.6 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$108.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $92 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$18.07 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $16.99 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004)
Communications ::Saudi Arabia
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.1 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 39
Telephones - mobile cellular:
36 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 29
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly
international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
117 (1997)
Internet country code:
.sa
Internet hosts:
471,217 (2009) country comparison to the world: 49
Internet users:
7.7 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 33
Transportation ::Saudi Arabia
Airports:
217 (2009) country comparison to the world: 27
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 80
over 3,047 m: 31
2,438 to 3,047 m: 16
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 137
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 72
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 16 (2009)
Heliports:
9 (2009)
Pipelines:
condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,239 km; refined products 1,148 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 1,392 km country comparison to the world: 83 standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 221,372 km country comparison to the world: 24 paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways)
unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 62 country comparison to the world: 64 by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 13, container 5, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8
foreign-owned: 12 (Egypt 1, Greece 3, Kuwait 7, UAE 1)
registered in other countries: 71 (Bahamas 16, Comoros 1, Dominica 2, France 1, Liberia 27, Marshall Islands 5, Norway 3, Panama 16) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah
Military ::Saudi Arabia
Military branches:
Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces,
Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special
Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya
as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic
Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,547,441
females age 16-49: 6,381,098 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,486,622
females age 16-49: 5,652,819 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 278,179
female: 267,905 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Transnational Issues ::Saudi Arabia
Disputes - international:
Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008)
Illicit drugs:
death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Senegal (Africa)
Introduction ::Senegal
Background:
The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. He was reelected in February 2007, but complaints of fraud led opposition parties to boycott June 2007 legislative polls. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping.
Geography ::Senegal
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between
Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Geographic coordinates:
14 00 N, 14 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 196,722 sq km country comparison to the world: 87 land: 192,530 sq km
water: 4,192 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,640 km
border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km
Coastline:
531 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
Terrain:
generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m
Natural resources:
fish, phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 12.51%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 87.25% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
39.4 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.22 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%)
per capita: 190 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal
People ::Senegal
Population:
13,711,597 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,911,324/female 2,877,804)
15-64 years: 54.8% (male 3,728,664/female 3,786,000)
65 years and over: 3% (male 190,343/female 217,462) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.6 years
male: 18.4 years
female: 18.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.709% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 22
Birth rate:
36.84 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Death rate:
9.75 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Urbanization:
urban population: 42% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 58.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 40 male: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 51.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59 years country comparison to the world: 186 male: 57.12 years
female: 60.93 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.95 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
67,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Senegalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Senegalese
Ethnic groups:
Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%,
Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
Religions:
Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages:
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 39.3%
male: 51.1%
female: 29.2% (2002 est.)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 74
Government ::Senegal
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Senegal
conventional short form: Senegal
local long form: Republique du Senegal
local short form: Senegal
former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Dakar
geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 17 26 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor
Independence:
4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
Constitution:
adopted 7 January 2001
Legal system:
based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1 May 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate, reinstituted in 2007, (100 seats; 35 indirectly elected with the remaining 65 members to be appointed by the president) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; 90 members elected by direct popular vote with the remaining members elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 19 August 2007 (next to be held - NA); National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2007 (next to be held 2012); note - the National Assembly in December 2005 voted to postpone legislative elections originally scheduled for 2006; legislative elections were first rescheduled to coincide with the 25 February 2007 presidential elections and later rescheduled for 3 June 2007; the June election was boycotted by 12 opposition parties, including the former ruling Socialist Party, which resulted in a record-low 35% voter turnout
election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDS 34, AJ/PADS 1, 65 appointed by the president; National Assembly results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 131, other 19
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or
Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance for the
Republic-Yakaar [Macky Sall]; And-Jef/African Party for Democracy
and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Landing SAVANE]; Alliance of Forces of
Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; Democratic League-Labor Party
Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and
Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE];
Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor
Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; Jef-Jel [Talla SYLLA]; National
Democratic Rally or RND [Madior DIOUF]; People's Labor Party or PTP
[El Hadji DIOUF]; Reform Party or PR [Abdourahim AGNE]; Rewmi Party
[Idrissa Seck]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE];
Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition
[Abdoulaye WADE] (a coalition led by the PDS); Union for Democratic
Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: labor; students; Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mourides and Tidjanes; teachers
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB
(regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Amadou Lamine BA
chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia S. BERNICAT
embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar
mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar
telephone: [221] 33-829-2100
FAX: [221] 33-822-2991
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy ::Senegal
Economy - overview:
In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. This reform began with a 50% devaluation of Senegal's currency, the CFA franc, which was linked at a fixed rate to the French franc. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2008. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the single digits. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Senegal was also beset by an energy crisis that caused widespread blackouts in 2006 and 2007. The phosphate industry has struggled for two years to secure capital, and reduced output has directly impacted GDP. In 2007, Senegal signed agreements for major new mining concessions for iron, zircon, and gold with foreign companies. Firms from Dubai have agreed to manage and modernize Dakar's maritime port, and create a new special economic zone. Senegal still relies heavily upon outside donor assistance. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal has benefited from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt. In 2007, Senegal and the IMF agreed to a new, non-disbursing, Policy Support Initiative program.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$21.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $21.25 billion (2007 est.)
$20.27 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$13.35 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 4.8% (2007 est.)
2.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 196 $1,600 (2007 est.)
$1,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16.1%
industry: 19.3%
services: 64.6% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
4.973 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 77.5%
industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
48% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
Population below poverty line:
54% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 30.1% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
41.3 (2001) country comparison to the world: 57 41.3 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Budget:
revenues: $3.077 billion
expenditures: $3.802 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
21.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 55.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 5.9% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 119 4.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
NA% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.842 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.579 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$2.97 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares: