Chapter 12
Railroads: 578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single track Highways: 5,050 km total; 920 km paved, 2,600 laterite, 1,530 km improved earth Inland waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports: Cotonou Airports: total: 7 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,439-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: fair system of open wire, submarine cable, and radio relay microwave; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Benin, Defense Forces
Branches: Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,075,053; females age 15-49 1,170,693; males fit for military service 550,645; females fit for military service 591,506; males reach military age (18) annually 56,872; females reach military age (18) annually 55,141 (1993 est.); both sexes are liable for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
*Bermuda, Header
Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
*Bermuda, Geography
Location: in the western North Atlantic Ocean, 1,050 km east of North Carolina Map references: North America Area: total area: 50 km2 land area: 50 km2 comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; consists of about 360 small coral islands Note: some reclaimed land leased by US Government
*Bermuda, People
Population: 60,686 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.78% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.21 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male: 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic divisions: black 61%, white and other 39% Religions: Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28% Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% Labor force: 32,000 by occupation: clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical 13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1984)
*Bermuda, Government
Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Bermuda Digraph: BD Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget,, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick, Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 8 June 1968 Legal system: English law National holiday: Bermuda Day, 22 May Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: House of Assembly: last held 9 February 1989 (next to be held by February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP 23, PLP 15, NLP 1, other 1 Executive branch: British monarch, governor, deputy governor, premier, deputy premier, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Lord David WADDINGTON (since NA) Head of Government: Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982) Member of: CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: as a dependent territory of the UK, Bermuda's interests in the US are represented by the UK US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General L. Ebersole GAINES consulate general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton
*Bermuda, Government
mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727-1002 telephone: (809) 295-1342 FAX: (809) 295-1592 Flag: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag
*Bermuda, Economy
Overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.3 billion (1991) National product real growth rate: -1.5% (1991) National product per capita: $22,000 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (1991) Unemployment rate: 6% (1991) Budget: revenues $327.5 million; expenditures $308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $50 million (f.o.b., FY89) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports of pharmaceuticals partners: US 55%, UK 32%, Canada 11%, other 2% Imports: 527.2 million (f.o.b., FY89) commodities: fuel, foodstuffs, machinery partners: US 60%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7%, Canada 5%, Japan 5%, other 15% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 154,000 kW capacity; 504 million kWh produced, 8,370 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Agriculture: accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported; produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $34 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $277 million Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
*Bermuda, Communications
Highways: 210 km public roads, all paved (about 400 km of private roads) Ports: Freeport, Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: 72 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,451.099 GRT/5,937,636 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 5 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off, 21 oil tanker, 13 liquefied gas, 16 bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: modern with fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
*Bermuda, Defense Forces
Branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Bhutan, Geography
Location: South Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 47,000 km2 land area: 47,000 km2 comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide, tourism potential Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 70% other: 23% Irrigated land: 340 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas were the source of the country name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
*Bhutan, People
Population: 700,000 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.33% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 39.59 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.26 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 123.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.17 years male: 50.74 years female: 49.58 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.45 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor
*Bhutan, Government
Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Digraph: BT Type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India Capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king) Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Other political or pressure groups: Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Elections: no national elections Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Royal Advisory Council, Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972) Member of: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: no formal diplomatic relations; the Bhutanese mission to the UN in New York has consular jurisdiction in the US US diplomatic representation: no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India) Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
*Bhutan, Economy
Overview: The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 50% of GDP. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with that of India through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its most important natural resources; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 3,000/year to minimize foreign influence. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $320 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.1% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $200 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY91 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $112 million; expenditures $121 million, including capital expenditures of $58 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $74 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India) partners: India 90% Imports: $106.4 million (c.i.f., FY91 est.) commodities: fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics partners: India 83% External debt: $120 million (June 91) Industrial production: growth rate NA%; accounts for 18% of GDP; primarily cottage industry and home based handicrafts Electricity: 336,000 kW capacity; 1,542.2 million kWh produced, 2,203 kWh per capita (25.8% is exported to India, leaving only 1,633 kWh per capita) (1990-91) Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Agriculture: accounts for 45% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; other production - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products, eggs Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $11 million Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender
*Bhutan, Economy
Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 26.156 (January 1993), 25.918 (1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989), 13.917 (1988); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
*Bhutan, Communications
Highways: 2,165 km total; 1,703 km surfaced Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use; international telephone and telegraph service is by land line through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)
*Bhutan, Defense Forces
Branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia Manpower availability: males age 15-49 415,315; fit for military service 222,027; reach military age (18) annually 17,344 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Bolivia, Geography
Location: Central South America, between Brazil and Chile Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,098,580 km2 land area: 1,084,390 km2 comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon basin Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron ore, lead, gold, timber Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 52% other: 20% Irrigated land: 1,650 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to efficient fuel combustion; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Peru
*Bolivia, People
Population: 7,544,099 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.31% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 32.83 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.63 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.77 years male: 60.34 years female: 65.33 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.31 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic divisions: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mixed 25-30%, European 5-15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 78% male: 85% female: 71% Labor force: 1.7 million by occupation: agriculture 50%, services and utilities 26%, manufacturing 10%, mining 4%, other 10% (1983)
*Bolivia, Government
Names: conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia Digraph: BL Type: republic Capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) Constitution: 2 February 1967 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Political parties and leaders: Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora; Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Hugo BANZER Suarez; Nationalist Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada; Civic Solidarity Union (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ Rojas; Conscience of the Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles; Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jorge AGREDO; Free Bolivia Movement (MBL), Antonio ARANIBAR; United Left (IU), a coalition of leftist parties that includes Patriotic National Convergency Axis (EJE-P), Walter DELGADILLO and Bolivian Communist Party (PCB), Humberto RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Vanguard - 9th of April (VR-9), Carlos SERRATE Reich Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory (married) 21 years of age; universal and compulsory (single) Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held 6 June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; note - legislative and presidential candidates run on a unified slate, so vote percentages are the same as in section on presidential election results; seats - (130 total) MNR 40, ADN 35, MIR 33, IU 10, CONDEPA 9, PDC 3 Chamber of Senators: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held 6 June 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; note - legislative and presidential candidates run on a unified slate, so vote percentages are the same as in section on presidential election results; seats - (27 total) MNR 9, ADN 7, MIR 8, CONDEPA 2, PDC 1
*Bolivia, Government
President: last held 7 May 1989 (next to be held 6 June 1993); results - Gonzalo SANCHEZ de Lozada (MNR) 23%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN) 22%, Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) 19%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote; Jaime PAZ Zamora (MIR) formed a coalition with Hugo BANZER (ADN); with ADN support, PAZ Zamora won the congressional runoff election on 4 August and was inaugurated on 6 August 1989 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional) consists of an upper chamber or Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Jaime PAZ Zamora (since 6 August 1989); Vice President Luis OSSIO Sanjines (since 6 August 1989) Member of: AG, ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jorge CRESPO chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-4410 through 4412 consulates general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. BOWERS embassy: Banco Popular del Peru Building, corner of Calles Mercado y Colon, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz, or APO AA 34032 telephone: [591] (2) 350251 or 350120 FAX: [591] (2) 359875 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band
*Bolivia, Economy