_@_Cambodia Geography

Total area:
    181,040 km2
Land area:
    176,520 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries:
    2,572 km; Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Coastline:
    443 km
Maritime claims:
  Contiguous zone:
    24 nm
  Continental shelf:
    200 nm
  Exclusive economic zone:
    200 nm
  Territorial sea:
    12 nm
Disputes:
    offshore islands and three sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in
    dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined
Climate:
    tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to October); dry season (December to
    March); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
    mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Natural resources:
    timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower
    potential
Land use:
    arable land 16%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and
    woodland 76%; other 4%; includes irrigated 1%
Environment:
    a land of paddies and forests dominated by Mekong River and Tonle Sap
Note:
    buffer between Thailand and Vietnam

:Cambodia People

Population:
    7,295,706 (July 1992), growth rate 2.1% (1992)
Birth rate:
    37 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    15 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    121 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    48 years male, 51 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    4.4 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Cambodian(s); adjective - Cambodian
Ethnic divisions:
    Khmer 90%, Chinese 5%, other 5%
Religions:
    Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5%
Languages:
    Khmer (official), French
Literacy:
    35% (male 48%, female 22%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
    2.5-3.0 million; agriculture 80% (1988 est.)
Organized labor:
    Kampuchea Federation of Trade Unions (FSC); under government control

:Cambodia Government

Long-form name:
    none
Type:
    currently administered by the Supreme National Council (SNC), a body set up
    under United Nations' auspices, in preparation for an internationally
    supervised election in 1993 and including representatives from each of the
    country's four political factions
Capital:
    Phnom Penh
Administrative divisions:
    19 provinces (khet, singular and plural) and 2 autonomous cities* Banteay
    Meanchey, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Saom City*,
    Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri,
    Phnom Phen City*, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri,
    Siemreab-Otdar Meanchey, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev
Independence:
    8 November 1949 (from France)
Constitution:
    a new constitution will be drafted after the national election in 1993
National holiday:
    NGC - Independence Day, 17 April (1975); SOC - Liberation Day, 7 January
    (1979)
Executive branch:
    a twelve-member Supreme National Council (SNC), chaired by Prince NORODOM
    SIHANOUK, composed of representatives from each of the four political
    factions; faction names and delegation leaders are: State of Cambodia (SOC)
    - HUN SEN; Democratic Kampuchea (DK or Khmer Rouge) - KHIEU SAMPHAN; Khmer
    People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) - SON SANN; National United Front
    for an Independent, Peaceful, Neutral, and Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC)
    - Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH
Legislative branch:
    pending a national election in 1993, the incumbent SOC faction's National
    Assembly is the only functioning national legislative body
Judicial branch:
    pending a national election in 1993, the incumbent SOC faction's Supreme
    People's Court is the only functioning national judicial body
Leaders:
  Chief of State:
    SNC - Chairman Prince NORODOM SIHANOUK, under United Nations's supervision
  Head of Government:
    NGC - vacant, formerly held by SON SANN (since July 1982); will be
    determined following the national election in 1993; SOC - Chairman of the
    Council of Ministers HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985)
Political parties and leaders:
    Democratic Kampuchea (DK, also known as the Khmer Rouge) under KHIEU
    SAMPHAN; Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party (CPP) (name
    changed and HENG SAMRIN replaced in October 1991) under CHEA SIM; Khmer
    People's National Liberation Front (KPNLF) under SON SANN; National United
    Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia
    (FUNCINPEC) under Prince NORODOM RANNARIDH
Suffrage:
    universal at age 18
Elections:
    UN-supervised election for a 120-member constituent assembly based on
    proportional representation within each province will be held nine months
    after UN-organized voter registration is complete; the election is not
    anticipated before April 1993; the assembly will draft and approve a
    constitution and then transform itself into a legislature that will create a
    new Cambodian Government

:Cambodia Government

Member of:
    AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL,
    ITU, LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
    the Supreme National Council (SNC) represents Cambodia in international
    organizations - it filled UN seat in September 1991
  US:
    Charles TWINNING is the US representative to Cambodia
Flag:
    SNC - blue background with white map of Cambodia in middle; SOC - two equal
    horizontal bands of red (top) and blue with a gold stylized five-towered
    temple representing Angkor Wat in the center

:Cambodia Economy

Overview:
    Cambodia is a desperately poor country whose economic development has been
    stymied by deadly political infighting. The economy is based on agriculture
    and related industries. Over the past decade Cambodia has been slowly
    recovering from its near destruction by war and political upheaval. The food
    situation remains precarious; during the 1980s famine was averted only
    through international relief. In 1986 the production level of rice, the
    staple food crop, was able to meet only 80% of domestic needs. The biggest
    success of the nation's recovery program has been in new rubber plantings
    and in fishing. Industry, other than rice processing, is almost nonexistent.
    Foreign trade has been primarily with the former USSR and Vietnam, and both
    trade and foreign aid are being adversely affected by the breakup of the
    USSR. Statistical data on the economy continue to be sparse and unreliable.
    Foreign aid from the former USSR and Eastern Europe has virtually stopped.
GDP:
    exchange rate conversion - $930 million, per capita $130; real growth rate
    NA (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    53% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
    NA%
Budget:
    revenues $178 million expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of
    $NA (1991)
Exports:
    $32 million (f.o.b., 1988)
  commodities:
    natural rubber, rice, pepper, wood
  partners:
    Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe, Japan, India
Imports:
    $147 million (c.i.f., 1988)
  commodities:
    international food aid; fuels, consumer goods, machinery
  partners:
    Vietnam, USSR, Eastern Europe, Japan, India
External debt:
    $600 million (1989)
Industrial production:
    growth rate NA%
Electricity:
    140,000 kW capacity; 200 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
    rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining
Agriculture:
    mainly subsistence farming except for rubber plantations; main crops - rice,
    rubber, corn; food shortages - rice, meat, vegetables, dairy products,
    sugar, flour
Economic aid:
    US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $725 million; Western (non-US
    countries) (1970-89), $300 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.8
    billion
Currency:
    riel (plural - riels); 1 riel (CR) = 100 sen
Exchange rates:
    riels (CR) per US$1 - 714 (May 1992), 500 (December 1991), 560 (1990),
    159.00 (1988), 100.00 (1987)
Fiscal year:
    calendar year

:Cambodia Communications

Railroads:
    612 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned
Highways:
    13,351 km total; 2,622 km bituminous; 7,105 km crushed stone, gravel, or
    improved earth; 3,624 km unimproved earth; some roads in disrepair
Inland waterways:
    3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 meters; 282 km navigable to
    craft drawing 1.8 meters
Ports:
    Kampong Saom, Phnom Penh
Airports:
    16 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
    3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    service barely adequate for government requirements and virtually
    nonexistent for general public; international service limited to Vietnam and
    other adjacent countries; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

:Cambodia Defense Forces

Branches:
    SOC - Cambodian People's Armed Forces (CPAF); Communist resistance forces -
    National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge); non-Communist
    resistance forces - Armee National Kampuchea Independent (ANKI), which is
    sometimes anglicized as National Army of Independent Cambodia (NAIC), and
    Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces (KPNLAF) - under the Paris
    peace agreement of October 1991, all four factions are to observe a
    cease-fire and prepare for UN-supervised cantonment, disarmament, and 70%
    demobilization before the election, with the fate of the remaining 30% to be
    determined by the newly elected government - the United Nations Transitional
    Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) will verify the cease-fire and disarm the
    combatants
Manpower availability:
    males 15-49, 1,877,339; 1,032,102 fit for military service; 61,807 reach
    military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
    exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

_@_Cameroon Geography

Total area:
    475,440 km2
Land area:
    469,440 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
    4,591 km; Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Congo 523 km,
    Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline:
    402 km
Maritime claims:
  Territorial sea:
    50 nm
Disputes:
    demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has
    led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification
    by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; boundary commission created with
    Nigeria to discuss unresolved land and maritime boundaries - has not yet
    convened
Climate:
    varies with terrain from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain:
    diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center,
    mountains in west, plains in north
Natural resources:
    crude oil, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower potential
Land use:
    arable land 13%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest and
    woodland 54%; other 13%; includes irrigated NEGL%
Environment:
    recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases; deforestation;
    overgrazing; desertification
Note:
    sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa

:Cameroon People

Population:
    12,658,439 (July 1992), growth rate 3.3% (1992)
Birth rate:
    44 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    81 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    55 years male, 60 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    6.4 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Cameroonian(s); adjective - Cameroonian
Ethnic divisions:
    over 200 tribes of widely differing background; Cameroon Highlanders 31%,
    Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern
    Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%
Religions:
    indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16%
Languages:
    English and French (official), 24 major African language groups
Literacy:
    54% (male 66%, female 43%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
    NA; agriculture 74.4%, industry and transport 11.4%, other services 14.2%
    (1983); 50% of population of working age (15-64 years) (1985)
Organized labor:
    under 45% of wage labor force

:Cameroon Government

Long-form name:
    Republic of Cameroon
Type:
    unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties
    legalized 1990)
Capital:
    Yaounde
Administrative divisions:
    10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord,
    Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest
Independence:
    1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration; formerly
    French Cameroon)
Constitution:
    20 May 1972
Legal system:
    based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not
    accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
    National Day, 20 May (1972)
Executive branch:
    president, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
    unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)
Judicial branch:
    Supreme Court
Leaders:
  Chief of State:
    President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982)
  Head of Government:
    interim Prime Minister Sadou HAYATOU (since 25 April 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
    Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC), Paul BIYA, president, is
    government-controlled and was formerly the only party; numerous small
    parties formed since opposition parties were legalized in 1990
Suffrage:
    universal at age 20
Elections:
  National Assembly:
    next to be held 1 March 1992
  President:
    last held 24 April 1988 (next to be held April 1993); results - President
    Paul BIYA reelected without opposition
Other political or pressure groups:
    NA
Member of:
    ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77,
    GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
    INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD,
    UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
    Ambassador Paul PONDI; Chancery at 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington,
    DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-8790 through 8794
  US:
    Ambassador Frances D. COOK; Embassy at Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde (mailing
    address is B. P. 817, Yaounde); telephone [237] 234014; FAX [237] 230753;
    there is a US Consulate General in Douala

:Cameroon Government

Flag:
    three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a
    yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
    pan-African colors of Ethiopia

:Cameroon Economy

Overview:
    Because of its offshore oil resources, Cameroon has one of the highest
    incomes per capita in tropical Africa. Still, it faces many of the serious
    problems facing other underdeveloped countries, such as political
    instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavorable climate
    for business enterprise. The development of the oil sector led rapid
    economic growth between 1970 and 1985. Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986
    precipitated by steep declines in the prices of major exports: coffee,
    cocoa, and petroleum. Export earnings were cut by almost one-third, and
    inefficiencies in fiscal management were exposed. In 1990-92, with support
    from the IMF and World Bank, the government has begun to introduce reforms
    designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture,
    and recapitalize the nation's banks. Nationwide strikes organized by
    opposition parties in 1991, however, undermined these efforts.
GDP:
    exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, per capita $1,040; real growth
    rate 0.7% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    8.6% (FY88)
Unemployment rate:
    25% (1990 est.)
Budget:
    revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.8 billion, including capital
    expenditures of $NA million (FY89)
Exports:
    $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
  commodities:
    petroleum products 56%, coffee, cocoa, timber, manufactures
  partners:
    EC (particularly France) about 50%, US 10%
Imports:
    $2.1 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
  commodities:
    machines and electrical equipment, transport equipment, chemical products,
    consumer goods
  partners:
    France 41%, Germany 9%, US 4%
External debt:
    $4.9 billion (December 1989 est.)
Industrial production:
    growth rate - 6.4% (FY87); accounts for 30% of GDP
Electricity:
    755,000 kW capacity; 2,940 million kWh produced, 270 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
    crude oil products, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles,
    sawmills
Agriculture:
    the agriculture and forestry sectors provide employment for the majority of
    the population, contributing nearly 25% to GDP and providing a high degree
    of self-sufficiency in staple foods; commercial and food crops include
    coffee, cocoa, timber, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, livestock,
    root starches
Economic aid:
    US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $440 million; Western (non-US)
    countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.5 billion; OPEC
    bilateral aid (1979-89), $29 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $125
    million

:Cameroon Economy

Currency:
    Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)
    = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
    Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January
    1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54
    (1987)
Fiscal year:
    1 July - 30 June

:Cameroon Communications

Railroads:
    1,003 km total; 858 km 1.000-meter gauge, 145 km 0.600-meter gauge
Highways:
    about 65,000 km total; includes 2,682 km paved, 32,318 km gravel and
    improved earth, and 30,000 km of unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
    2,090 km; of decreasing importance
Ports:
    Douala
Merchant marine:
    2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT
Civil air:
    5 major transport aircraft
Airports:
    56 total, 50 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over
    3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    good system of open wire, cable, troposcatter, and radio relay; 26,000
    telephones; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 11 FM, 1 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean
    INTELSAT earth stations

:Cameroon Defense Forces

Branches:
    Army, Navy (including naval infantry), Air Force; National Gendarmerie,
    Presidential Guards
Manpower availability:
    males 15-49, 2,753,059; 1,385,706 fit for military service; 120,011 reach
    military age (18) annually
Defense expenditures:
    exchange rate conversion - $219 million, 1.7% of GDP (1990 est.)

_@_Canada Geography

Total area:
    9,976,140 km2
Land area:
    9,220,970 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly larger than US
Land boundaries:
    8,893 km with US (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
Coastline:
    243,791 km
Maritime claims:
  Continental shelf:
    200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation
  Exclusive fishing zone:
    200 nm
  Territorial sea:
    12 nm
Disputes:
    maritime boundary disputes with the US
Climate:
    varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain:
    mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
Natural resources:
    nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber,
    wildlife, coal, crude oil, natural gas
Land use:
    arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and
    woodland 35%; other 57%; includes NEGL% irrigated
Environment:
    80% of population concentrated within 160 km of US border; continuous
    permafrost in north a serious obstacle to development
Note:
    second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between
    Russia and US via north polar route

:Canada People

Population:
    27,351,509 (July 1992), growth rate 1.3% (1992)
Birth rate:
    14 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    6 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    74 years male, 81 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    1.8 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Canadian(s); adjective - Canadian
Ethnic divisions:
    British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other European 20%, indigenous
    Indian and Eskimo 1.5%
Religions:
    Roman Catholic 46%, United Church 16%, Anglican 10%
Languages:
    English and French (both official)
Literacy:
    99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)
Labor force:
    13,380,000; services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction
    3%, other 4% (1988)
Organized labor:
    30.6% of labor force; 39.6% of nonagricultural paid workers

:Canada Government

Long-form name:
    none
Type:
    confederation with parliamentary democracy
Capital:
    Ottawa
Administrative divisions:
    10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New
    Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario,
    Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
Independence:
    1 July 1867 (from UK)
Constitution:
    amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Canada 17 April 1982;
    charter of rights and unwritten customs
Legal system:
    based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based
    on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
    reservations
National holiday:
    Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Executive branch:
    British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
    Cabinet
Legislative branch:
    bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate
    (Senat) and a lower house or House of Commons (Chambre des Communes)
Judicial branch:
    Supreme Court
Leaders:
  Chief of State:
    Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General
    Raymond John HNATSHYN (since 29 January 1990)
  Head of Government:
    Prime Minister (Martin) Brian MULRONEY (since 4 September 1984); Deputy
    Prime Minister Donald Frank MAZANKOWSKI (since June 1986)
Political parties and leaders:
    Progressive Conservative Party, Brian MULRONEY; Liberal Party, Jean
    CHRETIEN; New Democratic Party, Audrey McLAUGHLIN
Suffrage:
    universal at age 18
Elections:
  House of Commons:
    last held 21 November 1988 (next to be held by November 1993); results -
    Progressive Conservative Party 43.0%, Liberal Party 32%, New Democratic
    Party 20%, other 5%; seats - (295 total) Progressive Conservative Party 159,
    Liberal Party 80, New Democratic Party 44, independents 12
Communists:
    3,000
Member of:
    ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB,
    COCOM, CP, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, FAO, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
    IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
    INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG,
    OAS, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG,
    UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

:Canada Government

Diplomatic representation:
    Ambassador Derek BURNEY; Chancery at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
    DC 20001; telephone (202) 682-1740; there are Canadian Consulates General in
    Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles,
    Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle
  US:
    Ambassador Peter TEELEY; Embassy at 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa
    (mailing address is P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430); telephone
    (613) 238-5335 or (613) 238-4470; FAX (613) 238-5720; there are US
    Consulates General in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and
    Vancouver
Flag:
    three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and
    red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band

:Canada Economy

Overview:
    As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles
    the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of
    production. Since World War II the impressive growth of the manufacturing,
    mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural
    economy into one primarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s, Canada
    registered one of the highest rates of real growth among the OECD nations,
    averaging about 3.2%. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force,
    and modern capital plant, Canada has excellent economic prospects. However,
    the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking
    areas has observers discussing a possible split in the confederation;
    foreign investors are becoming edgy.
GDP:
    purchasing power equivalent - $521.5 billion, per capita $19,400; real
    growth rate -1.1% (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    4.2% (November 1991, annual rate)
Unemployment rate:
    10.3% (November 1991)
Budget:
    revenues $111.8 billion; expenditures $138.3 billion, including capital
    expenditures of $NA (FY90 est.)
Exports:
    $124.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
  commodities:
    newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas,
    aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment
  partners:
    US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
Imports:
    $118 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
  commodities:
    crude petroleum, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer
    goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts
  partners:
    US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
External debt:
    $247 billion (1987)
Industrial production:
    growth rate -3.8% (August 1991); accounts for 34% of GDP
Electricity:
    106,464,000 kW capacity; 479,600 million kWh produced, 17,872 kWh per capita
    (1991)
Industries:
    processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products,
    transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural
    gas
Agriculture:
    accounts for about 3% of GDP; one of the world's major producers and
    exporters of grain (wheat and barley); key source of US agricultural
    imports; large forest resources cover 35% of total land area; commercial
    fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is
    exported
Illicit drugs:
    illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of
    hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of
    high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin
    and cocaine entering the US market

:Canada Economy

Economic aid:
    donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $7.2 billion
Currency:
    Canadian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
    Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.1565 (January 1992), 1.1457 (1991),
    1.1668 (1990), 1.1840 (1989), 1.2307 (1988), 1.3260 (1987)
Fiscal year:
    1 April - 31 March

:Canada Communications

Railroads:
    93,544 km total; two major transcontinental freight railway systems -
    Canadian National (government owned) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger
    service - VIA (government operated)
Highways:
    884,272 km total; 712,936 km surfaced (250,023 km paved), 171,336 km earth
Inland waterways:
    3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway
Pipelines:
    crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km
Ports:
    Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), Saint John's
    (Newfoundland), Toronto, Vancouver
Merchant marine:
    70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 500,904 GRT/727,118 DWT; includes 1
    passenger, 3 short-sea passenger, 2 passenger-cargo, 10 cargo, 2 railcar
    carrier, 1 refrigerated cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 28 petroleum
    tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 8 bulk; note - does not
    include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes
Civil air:
    636 major transport aircraft; Air Canada is the major carrier
Airports:
    1,416 total, 1,168 usable; 455 with permanent-surface runways; 4 with
    runways over 3,659 m; 30 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 338 with runways
    1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    excellent service provided by modern media; 18.0 million telephones;
    broadcast stations - 900 AM, 29 FM, 53 (1,400 repeaters) TV; 5 coaxial
    submarine cables; over 300 earth stations operating in INTELSAT (including 4
    Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and domestic systems

:Canada Defense Forces

Branches:
    Canadian Armed Forces (including Mobile Command, Maritime Command, Air
    Command, Communications Command, Canadian Forces Europe, Training Commands),
    Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Manpower availability:
    males 15-49, 7,366,675; 6,387,459 fit for military service; 190,752 reach
    military age (17) annually
Defense expenditures:
    exchange rate conversion - $11.4 billion, 1.7% of GDP (FY91); $10.5 billion,
    NA% of GDP (FY 92)

_@_Cape Verde Geography

Total area:
    4,030 km2
Land area:
    4,030 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly larger than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
    none
Coastline:
    965 km
Maritime claims:
    (measured from claimed archipelagic baselines)
  Exclusive economic zone:
    200 nm
  Territorial sea:
    12 nm
Disputes:
    none
Climate:
    temperate; warm, dry, summer; precipitation very erratic
Terrain:
    steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
Natural resources:
    salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin, fish
Land use:
    arable land 9%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest and
    woodland NEGL%; other 85%; includes irrigated 1%
Environment:
    subject to prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility;
    volcanically and seismically active; deforestation; overgrazing
Note:
    strategic location 500 km from African coast near major north-south sea
    routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling
    site

:Cape Verde People

Population:
    398,276 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992)
Birth rate:
    48 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    - 8 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    61 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    60 years male, 64 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    6.5 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Cape Verdean(s); adjective - Cape Verdean
Ethnic divisions:
    Creole (mulatto) about 71%, African 28%, European 1%
Religions:
    Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs
Languages:
    Portuguese and Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words
Literacy:
    66% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
Labor force:
    102,000 (1985 est.); agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%,
    industry 14% (1981); 51% of population of working age (1985)
Organized labor:
    Trade Unions of Cape Verde Unity Center (UNTC-CS)

:Cape Verde Government

Long-form name:
    Republic of Cape Verde
Type:
    republic
Capital:
    Praia
Administrative divisions:
    14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio,
    Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz,
    Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal
Independence:
    5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Constitution:
    7 September 1980; amended 12 February 1981, December 1988, and 28 September
    1990 (legalized opposition parties)
National holiday:
    Independence Day, 5 July (1975)
Executive branch:
    president, prime minister, deputy minister, secretaries of state, Council of
    Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
    unicameral People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular)
Judicial branch:
    Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justia)
Leaders:
  Chief of State:
    President Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (since 22 March 1991)
  Head of Government:
    Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA (since 13 January 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
    Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and
    chairman; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona
    Rodrigues PIRES, chairman
Suffrage:
    universal at age 18
Elections:
  People's National Assembly:
    last held 13 January 1991 (next to be held January 1996); results - percent
    of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) MPD 56, PAICV 23; note - this
    multiparty Assembly election ended 15 years of single-party rule
  President:
    last held 17 February 1991 (next to be held February 1996); results -
    Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (MPD) received 72.6% of vote
Member of:
    ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO,
    INTERPOL, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
    UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
    Ambassador Carlos Alberto Santos SILVA; Chancery at 3415 Massachusetts
    Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone (202) 965-6820; there is a Cape
    Verdean Consulate General in Boston
  US:
    Ambassador Francis T. (Terry) McNAMARA; Embassy at Rua Hoji Ya Henda Yenna
    81, Praia (mailing address is C. P. 201, Praia); telephone [238] 61-43-63 or
    61-42-53; FAX [238] 61-13-55

:Cape Verde Government

Flag:
    two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red
    band on the hoist side; in the upper portion of the red band is a black
    five-pointed star framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell; uses
    the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of
    Guinea-Bissau, which is longer and has an unadorned black star centered in
    the red band

:Cape Verde Economy

Overview:
    Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, a
    17-year drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with
    commerce, transport, and public services accounting for 65% of GDP during
    the period 1985-88. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural
    areas, agriculture's share of GDP is only 16%; the fishing sector accounts
    for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly
    lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. In 1988 fishing represented only
    3.5% of GDP. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by
    remittances from emigrants and foreign aid. Economic reforms launched by the
    new democratic government in February 1991 are aimed at developing the
    private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy.
GDP:
    exchange rate conversion - $310 million, per capita $800; real growth rate
    4% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    10% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
    25% (1988)
Budget:
    revenues $98.3 million; expenditures $138.4 million, including capital
    expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)
Exports:
    $10.9 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)
  commodities:
    fish, bananas, salt
  partners:
    Portugal 40%, Algeria 31%, Angola, Netherlands (1990 est.)
Imports:
    $107.8 million (c.i.f., 1989)
  commodities:
    petroleum, foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products
  partners:
    Sweden 33%, Spain 11%, Germany 5%, Portugal 3%, France 3%, Netherlands, US
    (1990 est.)
External debt:
    $150 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
    growth rate 18% (1988 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP
Electricity:
    15,000 kW capacity; 15 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
    fish processing, salt mining, clothing factories, ship repair, construction
    materials, food and beverage production
Agriculture:
    accounts for 16% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; bananas are the only
    export crop; other crops - corn, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee; growth
    potential of agricultural sector limited by poor soils and limited rainfall;
    annual food imports required; fish catch provides for both domestic
    consumption and small exports
Economic aid:
    US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY75-89), $88 million; Western (non-US)
    countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $537 million; OPEC
    bilateral aid (1979-89), $12 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $36
    million
Currency:
    Cape Verdean escudo (plural - escudos); 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100
    centavos

:Cape Verde Economy

Exchange rates:
    Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 71.28 (March 1992), 71.41 (1991),
    64.10 (November 1990), 74.86 (December 1989), 72.01 (1988), 72.5 (1987)
Fiscal year:
    calendar year

:Cape Verde Communications

Ports:
    Mindelo, Praia
Merchant marine:
    7 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,717 GRT/19,000 DWT
Civil air:
    3 major transport aircraft
Airports:
    6 total, 6 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
    3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    interisland radio relay system, high-frequency radio to Senegal and
    Guinea-Bissau; over 1,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 1 TV;
    2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

:Cape Verde Defense Forces

Branches:
    People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP) - Army and Navy are separate
    components of FARP; Security Service
Manpower availability:
    males 15-49, 72,916; 43,010 fit for military service
Defense expenditures:
    exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

_@_Cayman Islands Geography

Total area:
    260 km2
Land area:
    260 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
    none
Coastline:
    160 km
Maritime claims:
  Exclusive fishing zone:
    200 nm
  Territorial sea:
    3 nm
Disputes:
    none
Climate:
    tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively
    dry winters (November to April)
Terrain:
    low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
Natural resources:
    fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism
Land use:
    arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest and
    woodland 23%; other 69%
Environment:
    within the Caribbean hurricane belt
Note:
    important location between Cuba and Central America

:Cayman Islands People

Population:
    29,139 (July 1992), growth rate 4.4% (1992)
Birth rate:
    16 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    33 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    75 years male, 79 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    1.5 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Caymanian(s); adjective - Caymanian
Ethnic divisions:
    40% mixed, 20% white, 20% black, 20% expatriates of various ethnic groups
Religions:
    United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman
    Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations
Languages:
    English
Literacy:
    98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over having ever attended school
    (1970)
Labor force:
    8,061; service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance
    and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979)
Organized labor:
    Global Seaman's Union; Cayman All Trade Union

:Cayman Islands Government

Long-form name:
    none
Type:
    dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
    George Town
Administrative divisions:
    8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West
    End, Western
Independence:
    none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution:
    1959, revised 1972
Legal system:
    British common law and local statutes
National holiday:
    Constitution Day (first Monday in July)
Executive branch:
    British monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
    unicameral Legislative Assembly
Judicial branch:
    Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal
Leaders:
  Chief of State:
    Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Michael
    GORE (since May 1992)
  Head of Government:
    Governor and President of the Executive Council Alan James SCOTT (since NA
    1987)
Political parties and leaders:
    no formal political parties
Suffrage:
    universal at age 18
Elections:
  Legislative Assembly:
    last held November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results - percent
    of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected)
Member of:
    CARICOM (observer), CDB, IOC
Diplomatic representation:
    as a dependent territory of the UK, Caymanian interests in the US are
    represented by the UK
  US:
    none
Flag:
    blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
    Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the
    flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with
    three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom
    bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS
    HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

:Cayman Islands Economy

Overview:
    The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export
    earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed
    at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America.
    About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported.
    The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region.
GDP:
    exchange rate conversion - $384 million, per capita $14,500 (1989); real
    growth rate 8% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    8% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
    NA%
Budget:
    revenues $83.6 million; expenditures $98.9 million, including capital
    expenditures of $13.6 million (1990)
Exports:
    $1.5 million (f.o.b., 1987 est.)
  commodities:
    turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
  partners:
    mostly US
Imports:
    $136 million (c.i.f., 1987 est.)
  commodities:
    foodstuffs, manufactured goods
  partners:
    US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan
External debt:
    $15 million (1986)
Industrial production:
    growth rate NA%
Electricity:
    74,000 kW capacity; 256 million kWh produced, 9,313 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
    tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials,
    furniture making
Agriculture:
    minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming
Economic aid:
    US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US)
    countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million
Currency:
    Caymanian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
    Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 1.20 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year:
    1 April - 31 March

:Cayman Islands Communications

Highways:
    160 km of main roads
Ports:
    George Town, Cayman Brac
Merchant marine:
    32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,174 GRT/560,241 DWT; includes 1
    passenger-cargo, 7 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum tanker, 1
    chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 5 bulk, 2
    combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry
Civil air:
    2 major transport aircraft
Airports:
    3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
    2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1
    Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access
    international services; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

:Cayman Islands Defense Forces

Branches:
    Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Note:
    defense is the responsibility of the UK

_@_Central African Republic Geography

Total area:
    622,980 km2
Land area:
    622,980 km2
Comparative area:
    slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
    5,203 km; Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km,
    Zaire 1,577 km
Coastline:
    none - landlocked
Maritime claims:
    none - landlocked
Disputes:
    none
Climate:
    tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain:
    vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and
    southwest
Natural resources:
    diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:
    arable land 3%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest and
    woodland 64%; other 28%
Environment:
    hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; poaching has
    diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification
Note:
    landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

:Central African Republic People

Population:
    3,029,080 (July 1992), growth rate 2.6% (1992)
Birth rate:
    43 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    18 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    135 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    46 years male, 49 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    5.5 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - Central African(s); adjective - Central African
Ethnic divisions:
    about 80 ethnic groups, the majority of which have related ethnic and
    linguistic characteristics; Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%,
    Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%; 6,500 Europeans, of whom 3,600 are French
Religions:
    indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%,
    other 11%; animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian
    majority
Languages:
    French (official); Sangho (lingua franca and national language); Arabic,
    Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy:
    27% (male 33%, female 15%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
Labor force:
    775,413 (1986 est.); agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry 3%,
    government 3%; about 64,000 salaried workers; 55% of population of working
    age (1985)
Organized labor:
    1% of labor force

:Central African Republic Government

Long-form name:
    Central African Republic (no short-form name); abbreviated CAR
Type:
    republic, one-party presidential regime since 1986
Capital:
    Bangui
Administrative divisions:
    14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures*
    (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1
    commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto,
    Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere,
    Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence:
    13 August 1960 (from France; formerly Central African Empire)
Constitution:
    21 November 1986
Legal system:
    based on French law
National holiday:
    National Day (proclamation of the republic), 1 December (1958)
Executive branch:
    president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
    unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) advised by the Economic
    and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit
    together this is known as the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch:
    Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Leaders:
  Chief of State::
    President Andre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA (since 1 September 1981)
  Head of Government::
    Prime Minister Edouard FRANCK (since 15 March 1991)
Political parties and leaders:
    Centrafrican Democratic Rally Party (RDC), Andre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA; note -
    as part of political reforms leading to a democratic system announced in
    April 1991, 18 opposition parties have been legalized
Suffrage:
    universal at age 21
Elections:
  National Assembly:
    last held 31 July 1987 (next to be held by end of 1992); results - RDC is
    the only party; seats - (52 total) RDC 52
  President:
    last held 21 November 1986 (next to be held by end of 1992); results -
    President KOLINGBA was reelected without opposition
Communists:
    small number of Communist sympathizers
Member of:
    ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,
    ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU,
    UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation:
    Ambassador Jean-Pierre SOHAHONG-KOMBET; Chancery at 1618 22nd Street NW,
    Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7800 or 7801
  US:
    Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON; Embassy at Avenue du President David Dacko,
    Bangui (mailing address is B. P. 924, Bangui); telephone 61-02-00, 61-25-78,
    or 61-43-33; FAX [190] (236) 61-44-94

:Central African Republic Government

Flag:
    four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a
    vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the
    hoist side of the blue band

:Central African Republic Economy

Overview:
    Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, is the backbone of the CAR
    economy, with more than 70% of the population living in the countryside. In
    1988 the agricultural sector generated about 40% of GDP. Agricultural
    products accounted for about 60% of export earnings and the diamond industry
    for 30%. The country's 1991 budget deficit was US $70 million and in 1992 is
    expected to be about the same. Important constraints to economic development
    include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, and a
    weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral development assistance,
    particularly from France, plays a major role in providing capital for new
    investment.
GDP:
    exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $440; real growth rate -
    3.0% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    -3.0% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
    30% in Bangui (1988 est.)
Budget:
    revenues $121 million; expenditures $193 million, including capital
    expenditures of $NA million (1991 est.)
Exports:
    $151.3 million (1990 est.)
  commodities:
    diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco
  partners:
    France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US
Imports:
    $214.5 million (1990 est.)
  commodities:
    food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor
    vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products
  partners:
    France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria, Yugoslavia
External debt:
    $700 million (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
    0.8% (1988); accounts for 12% of GDP
Electricity:
    40,000 kW capacity; 95 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
    diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of
    bicycles and motorcycles
Agriculture:
    accounts for 40% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except for
    grain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops -
    manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas
Economic aid:
    US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US)
    countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC
    bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $38
    million
Currency:
    Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)
    = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
    Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January
    1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54
    (1987)

:Central African Republic Economy

Fiscal year:
    calendar year

:Central African Republic Communications

Highways:
    22,000 km total; 458 km bituminous, 10,542 km improved earth, 11,000
    unimproved earth
Inland waterways:
    800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts;
    Oubangui is the most important river
Civil air:
    2 major transport aircraft
Airports:
    66 total, 52 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways
    over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
    fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, with
    low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; broadcast stations -
    1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

:Central African Republic Defense Forces

Branches:
    Central African Army (including Republican Guard), Air Force, National
    Gendarmerie, Police Force
Manpower availability:
    males 15-49, 677,889; 354,489 fit for military service
Defense expenditures:
    exchange rate conversion - $23 million, 1.8% of GDP (1989 est.)