Chapter 104
Economic overview: One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise. Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising investment from abroad. Prime Minister BANHAN's government - Thailand's sixth government in five years - undoubtedly will continue Bangkok's probusiness policies despite some concerns that it is relaxing Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. BANHAN is beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $416.7 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 30.6% services: 59.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (1995)
Labor force: 32,152,600 by occupation: agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 15% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $28.4 billion expenditures: $28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (FY94/95)
Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer
Industrial production growth rate: 13.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 12,810,000 kW production: 56.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 909 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans
Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money laundering center; rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamine and heroin
Exports: $45.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries 21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1% partners: US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4%
Imports: $53.9 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%, foodstuffs 4.3% partners: Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%, Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6%
External debt: $53.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993)
Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang
Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.300 (January 1996), 25.000 (1995 est.), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992), 25.517 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 4,623 km narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track)
Highways: total: 54,388 km paved: 48,786 km (including 171 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,602 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km
Ports: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla
Merchant marine: total: 259 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,559,037 GRT/2,498,812 DWT ships by type: bulk 32, cargo 143, chemical tanker 3, container 11, liquefied gas tanker 12, oil tanker 45, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 7, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 98 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 9 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 12 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 22 with paved runways under 914 m: 36 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0
Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled network)
Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 16,835,334 males fit for military service: 10,182,904 males reach military age (18) annually: 592,268 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 2.5% of GDP (FY94/95)
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@The Bahamas -----------
Map ---
Location: 24 15 N, 76 00 W -- Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 13,940 sq km land area: 10,070 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3,542 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia 63 m
Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 32% other: 67%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: coral reef decay natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
Geographic note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
People ------
Population: 259,367 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 36,331; female 35,771) 15-64 years: 67% (male 84,107; female 89,193) 65 years and over: 5% (male 5,449; female 8,516) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.05% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.53 years male: 67.98 years female: 77.16 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian
Ethnic divisions: black 85%, white 15%
Religions: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Languages: English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of literacy not available (1995 est.) total population: 98.2% male: 98.5% female: 98%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas
Data code: BF
Type of government: commonwealth
Capital: Nassau
Administrative divisions: 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Independence: 10 July 1973 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 10 July (1973)
Constitution: 10 July 1973
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995) who was appointed by the queen head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since NA) were appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: a 16-member body appointed by the governor general House of Assembly: elections last held 19 August 1992 (next to be held by August 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (49 total) FNM 32, PLP 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), Sir Lynden O. PINDLING; Free National Movement (FNM), Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy Baswell DONALDSON chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Sidney WILLIAMS embassy: Mosmar Building, Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; P.O. Box 9009, Miami, FL 33159; Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370 (pouch) telephone: [1] (809) 322-1181, 328-2206 FAX: [1] (809) 328-7838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
Economy -------
Economic overview: The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. A slowdown in the expansion of the tourism sector - especially stopover travel from Europe - led to a reduction in the country's GDP growth rate in 1995, down to an estimated 2% from 3.5% in 1994. The construction sector benefited from hotel rehabilitation and the government's ongoing housing development program. Earnings from exports of vegetable and citrus production have been decreasing since 1993 but are expected to increase in 1996 due to storm damage to crops in Florida. The overall growth prospects through 1996 will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued income growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visits.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 35% services: 62% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994)
Labor force: 136,900 (1993) by occupation: government 30%, tourism 40%, business services 10%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $665 million expenditures: $725 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt production, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 424,000 kW production: 929 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,200 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; also a money-laundering center
Exports: $224.257 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products partners: US 51%, UK 7%, Norway 7%, France 6%, Italy 5%
Imports: $1.08 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics partners: US 55%, Japan 17%, Nigeria 12%, Denmark 7%, Norway 6%
External debt: $407.8 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,386 km paved: 1,342 km unpaved: 1,044 km (1986 est.)
Ports: Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Merchant marine: total: 956 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,592,285 GRT/35,765,965 DWT ships by type: bulk 176, cargo 182, chemical tanker 43, combination bulk 9, combination ore/oil 19, container 53, liquefied gas tanker 20, oil tanker 180, passenger 53, refrigerated cargo 147, roll-on/roll-off cargo 47, short-sea passenger 13, vehicle carrier 14 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 48 countries among which are Norway 155, Greece 124, US 84, Denmark 63, Netherlands 44, Sweden 36, Finland 34, France 29, Japan 29, and Belgium 24 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 55 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 11 with paved runways under 914 m: 17 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 119,000 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed international: tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 200,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 60,000 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $20 million, 3.8% of GDP (FY95/96)
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@The Gambia ----------
Map ---
Location: 13 28 N, 16 34 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Geography ---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 11,300 sq km land area: 10,000 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 740 km border country: Senegal 740 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 20% other: 55%
Irrigated land: 120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
People ------
Population: 1,204,984 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 276,782; female 275,683) 15-64 years: 51% (male 307,405; female 312,736) 65 years and over: 3% (male 17,278; female 15,100) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.44 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.96 years male: 50.74 years female: 55.24 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian
Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1%
Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 38.6% male: 52.8% female: 24.9%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia
Data code: GA
Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule note:: nominally a republic, The Gambia has had a military government since 22 July 1994; the military authority has promised to return control to a democratically-elected government in July 1996
Capital: Banjul
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994
Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since the military coup of 22 July 1994); Vice Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Edward SINGHATEH (since March 1995); last popular election held on 29 April 1992; results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0% (prior to the 22 July 1994 coup, next election had been scheduled for April 1997) cabinet: Cabinet normally is appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives (present cabinet appointed by Chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council)
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: last popular election held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held NA April 1997); results - PPP won 58.1% of votes; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6 note: following the military coup on 22 July 1994, all elective offices were dissolved; in April 1996, the military government announced that voter registrations would begin in May and democratic elections would be held in October 1996
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: the following political parties were active on 22 July 1994, after which time political activity was banned by the military government: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA (in exile), secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA (in exile); Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Counselor, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Tombong SAIDY chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399, 1379, 1425 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Gerald A. SCOTT embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 392856, 392858, 391970, 391971 FAX: [220] 392475
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Economy -------
Economic overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. A sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade policy, had fostered a respectable 4% annual rate of growth in 1990-93. Reexport trade normally constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a halving of reexport trade, reducing government revenues in turn. The 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese goods more competitive and apparently prompted a relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in reexports. But, in response to the military's takeover in July 1994, cuts in foreign trade and a decline in tourism have undermined economic growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)