trunk network—a network of switching centers, connected by multichannel trunk lines
UHF—ultra-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 300- to 3,000-MHz range
VHF—very-high-frequency; any radio frequency in the 30- to 300-MHz range
Telephones: This entry gives the total number of subscribers.
Television broadcast stations: This entry gives the total number of separate broadcast stations plus any repeater stations.
Televisions: This entry gives the total number of television sets.
Terminology: Due to the highly structured nature of the Factbook database, some collective generic terms have to be used. "Country name" and "National capital", for example are used collectively to include nations, dependent areas, uninhabited islands, areas of special sovereignty, etc. The term "Military" is also used as an umbrella term for various civil defense, security, and defense activities.
Terrain: This entry contains a brief description of the topography.
Total fertility rate: This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population growth in the country. High rates will also place some limits on the labor force participation rates for women. Large numbers of children born to women indicate large family sizes that might limit the capacity of the families to educate their children.
Transnational Issues: This category includes only two entries at the present time. Disputes—international and Illicit drugs—deal with current issues going beyond national boundaries.