The 1993 CIA World Factbook

Chapter 9

Chapter 93,288 wordsPublic domain

Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 68,020; fit for military service NA (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion-$65 million, 2.7% of GDP (1990)

*Bahrain, Geography

Location: Middle East, in the central Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and Qatar Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 620 km2 land area: 620 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: territorial dispute with Qatar over the Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Qatar Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Natural resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 10 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subsurface water sources being rapidly depleted (requires development of desalination facilities); dust storms; desertification Note: close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf through which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

*Bahrain, People

Population: 568,471 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.01% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.89 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 3.87 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 7.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 20.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.12 years male: 70.72 years female: 75.63 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.99 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 77% male: 82% female: 69% Labor force: 140,000 by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982) note: 42% of labor force is Bahraini

*Bahrain, Government

Names: conventional long form: State of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Dawlat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn Digraph: BA Type: traditional monarchy Capital: Manama Administrative divisions: 12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa'wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, Sitrah Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK) Constitution: 26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973 Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 16 December Political parties and leaders: political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active Suffrage: none Elections: none Executive branch: amir, crown prince and heir apparent, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992 Judicial branch: High Civil Appeals Court Leaders: Chief of State: Amir 'ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent HAMAD bin 'Isa Al Khalifa (son of Amir; born 28 January 1950) Head of Government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970) Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador 'Abd al-Rahman Faris Al KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

*Bahrain, Government

telephone: (202) 342-0741 or 342-0742 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Charles W. HOSTLER embassy: Road No. 3119 (next to Alahli Sports Club), Zinj District, Manama mailing address: P. O. 26431, Manama, or FPO AE 09834-6210 telephone: [973] 273-300 FAX: (973) 272-594 Flag: red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side

*Bahrain, Economy

Overview: Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 31% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. Bahrain with its highly developed communication and transport facilities is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.3 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $7,800 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 8%-10% (1989) Budget: revenues $1.2 billion; expenditures $1.32 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 80%, aluminum 7% partners: Japan 13%, UAE 12%, India 10%, Pakistan 8% Imports: $3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: nonoil 59%, crude oil 41% partners: Saudi Arabia 41%, US 14%, UK 7%, Japan 5% External debt: $1.8 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.8% (1988); accounts for 44% of GDP Electricity: 1,600,000 kW capacity; 4,700 million kWh produced, 8,500 kWh per capita (1992 est.) Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing Agriculture: including fishing, accounts for less than 2% of GDP; not self-sufficient in food production; heavily subsidized sector produces fruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, fish; fish catch 9,000 metric tons in 1987 Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-79), $24 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $45 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.8 billion Currency: 1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars (BD) per US$1 - 0.3760 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Bahrain, Communications

Highways: 200 km bituminous surfaced, including 25 km bridge-causeway to Saudi Arabia opened in November 1986; NA km natural surface tracks Pipelines: crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km Ports: Mina' Salman, Manama, Sitrah Merchant marine: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 186,331 GRT/249,490 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 2 container, 1 liquefied gas, 1 bulk Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: modern system; good domestic services; 98,000 telephones (1 for every 6 persons); excellent international connections; tropospheric scatter to Qatar, UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV

*Bahrain, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 194,770; fit for military service 107,696; reach military age (15) annually 5,043 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $245 million, 6% of GDP (1990)

*Baker Island, Header

Affiliation: (territory of the US)

*Baker Island, Geography

Location: in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 1.4 km2 land area: 1.4 km2 comparative area: about 2.3 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4.8 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Natural resources: guano (deposits worked until 1891) Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

*Baker Island, People

Population: uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and cemetery ruinsare located near the middle of the west coast

*Baker Island, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island Digraph: FQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

*Baker Island, Economy

Overview: no economic activity

*Baker Island, Communications

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: 1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m Note: there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

*Baker Island, Defense Forces

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

*Bangladesh, Geography

Location: South Asia, at the head of the Bay of Bengal, almost completely surrounded by India Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 144,000 km2 land area: 133,910 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: total 4,246 km, Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km Coastline: 580 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: up to outer limits of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: a portion of the boundary with India is in dispute; water-sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Ganges Climate: tropical; cool, dry winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); cool, rainy monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber Land use: arable land: 67% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 16% other: 11% Irrigated land: 27,380 km2 (1989) Environment: vulnerable to droughts; much of country routinely flooded during summer monsoon season; overpopulation; deforestation

*Bangladesh, People

Population: 122,254,849 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.35% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 35.41 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 109.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.7 years male: 55 years female: 54.38 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.55 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Bangladeshi(s) adjective: Bangladesh Ethnic divisions: Bengali 98%, Biharis 250,000, tribals less than 1 million Religions: Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, Buddhist, Christian, other Languages: Bangla (official), English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 35% male: 47% female: 22% Labor force: 35.1 million by occupation: agriculture 74%, services 15%, industry and commerce 11% (FY86) note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman (1991)

*Bangladesh, Government

Names: conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh conventional short form: Bangladesh former: East Pakistan Digraph: BG Type: republic Capital: Dhaka Administrative divisions: 64 districts (zillagulo, singular - zilla); Bagerhat, Bandarban, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Bogra, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Chapai Nawabganj, Chattagram, Chuadanga, Comilla, Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Faridpur, Feni, Gaibandha, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Habiganj, Jaipurhat, Jamalpur, Jessore, Jhalakati, Jhenaidah, Khagrachari, Khulna, Kishorganj, Kurigram, Kushtia, Laksmipur, Lalmonirhat, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Meherpur, Moulavibazar, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Naogaon, Narail, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Nator, Netrakona, Nilphamari, Noakhali, Pabna, Panchagar, Parbattya Chattagram, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Rajbari, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Satkhira, Shariyatpur, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Tangail, Thakurgaon Independence: 16 December 1971 (from Pakistan) Constitution: 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended following coup of 24 March 1982, restored 10 November 1986, amended NA March 1991 Legal system: based on English common law National holiday: Independence Day, 26 March (1971) Political parties and leaders: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda ZIAur Rahman; Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina WAJED; Jatiyo Party (JP), Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD (in jail); Jamaat-E-Islami (JI), Ali KHAN; Bangladesh Communist Party (BCP), Saifuddin Ahmed MANIK; National Awami Party (Muzaffar); Workers Party, leader NA; Jatiyo Samajtantik Dal (JSD), Serajul ALAM KHAN; Ganotantri Party, leader NA; Islami Oikya Jote, leader NA; National Democratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Muslim League, Khan A. SABUR; Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; Democratic League, Khondakar MUSHTAQUE Ahmed; United People's Party, Kazi ZAFAR Ahmed Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: National Parliament: last held 27 February 1991 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (330 total, 300 elected and 30 seats reserved for women) BNP 168, AL 93, JP 35, JI 20, BCP 5, National Awami Party (Muzaffar) 1, Workers Party 1, JSD 1, Ganotantri Party 1, Islami Oikya Jote 1, NDP 1, independents 3 President: last held 8 October 1991 (next to be held by NA October 1996); results - Abdur Rahman BISWAS received 52.1% of parliamentary vote Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (Jatiya Sangsad)

*Bangladesh, Government

Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President Abdur Rahman BISWAS (since 8 October 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Khaleda ZIAur Rahman (since 20 March 1991) Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UNPROFOR, UPU, WHO, WFTU, WIPO, WCL, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abul AHSAN chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: (202) 342-8372 through 8376 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William B. MILAM embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1212 telephone: [880] (2) 884700-22 FAX: [880] (2) 883648 Flag: green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; green is the traditional color of Islam

*Bangladesh, Economy

Overview: Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest, most densely populated, and least developed nations. Its economy is overwhelmingly agricultural. Major impediments to growth include frequent cyclones and floods, government interference with the economy, a rapidly growing labor force that cannot be absorbed by agriculture, a low level of industrialization, failure to fully exploit energy resources (natural gas), and inefficient and inadequate power supplies. An excellent rice crop and expansion of the export garment industry helped growth in FY91/92. Policy reforms intended to reduce government regulation of private industry and promote public-sector efficiency have been announced but are being implemented only slowly. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $23.8 billion (FY92) National product real growth rate: 3.8% (FY92) National product per capita: $200 (FY92) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.09% (FY92) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.5 billion; expenditures $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92) Exports: $2.0 billion (FY92) commodities: garments, jute and jute goods, leather, shrimp partners: US 28%, Western Europe 39% (FY91) Imports: $3.4 billion (FY91/92) commodities: capital goods, petroleum, food, textiles partners: Japan 10.0%, Western Europe 17%, US 5.0% (FY91) External debt: $11.8 billion (FY92 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.0% (FY92 est.); accounts for less than 10% of GDP Electricity: 2,400,000 kW capacity; 9,000 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: jute manufacturing, cotton textiles, food processing, steel, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP, 60% of employment, and one-fifth of exports; imports 10% of food grain requirements; world's largest exporter of jute; commercial products - jute, rice, wheat, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, beef, milk, poultry; shortages include wheat, vegetable oils, cotton; fish catch 778,000 metric tons in 1986 Illicit drugs: transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.4 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $11.65 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6.52 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $1.5 billion Currency: 1 taka (Tk) = 100 paise

*Bangladesh, Economy

Exchange rates: taka (Tk) per US$1 - 39.000 (January 1993), 38.951 (1992), 36.596 (1991), 34.569 (1990), 32.270 (1989), 31.733 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

*Bangladesh, Communications

Railroads: 2,892 km total (1986); 1,914 km 1.000 meter gauge, 978 km 1.676 meter broad gauge Highways: 7,240 km total (1985); 3,840 km paved, 3,400 km unpaved Inland waterways: 5,150-8,046 km navigable waterways (includes 2,575-3,058 km main cargo routes) Pipelines: natural gas 1,220 km Ports: Chittagong, Chalna Merchant marine: 42 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 314,228 GRT/461,607 DWT; includes 34 cargo, 2 oil tanker, 3 refrigerated cargo, 3 bulk Airports: total: 16 usable: 12 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 6 Telecommunications: adequate international radio communications and landline service; fair domestic wire and microwave service; fair broadcast service; 241,250 telephones; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 6 FM, 11 TV; 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT satellite earth stations

*Bangladesh, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force paramilitary forces: Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Ansars, Armed Police Reserve, Defense Parties, National Cadet Corps Manpower availability: males age 15-49 30,909,597; fit for military service 18,348,702 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $355 million, 1.5% of GDP (FY92/93)

*Barbados, Geography

Location: in the extreme eastern Caribbean Sea, about 375 km northeast of Venezuela Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 430 km2 land area: 430 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Natural resources: petroleum, fishing, natural gas Land use: arable land: 77% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 0% other: 14% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: subject to hurricanes (especially June to October) Note: easternmost Caribbean island

*Barbados, People

Population: 255,338 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.18% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.78 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.49 years male: 70.75 years female: 76.46 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) adjective: Barbadian Ethnic divisions: African 80%, mixed 16%, European 4% Religions: Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, unknown 3%, other 9% (1980) Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Labor force: 120,900 (1991) by occupation: services and government 37%, commerce 22%, manufacturing and construction 22%, transportation, storage, communications, and financial institutions 9%, agriculture 8%, utilities 2% (1985 est.)

*Barbados, Government