Chapter 106
Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Nuku'alofa
Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate)
National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970)
Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Legal system: based on English law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) is a constitutional monarch head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) were appointed for life by the king cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king Privy Council: consists of the king and the Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea): elections last held 3-4 February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (30 total, 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine for elected people's representatives) 6 proreform, 3 traditionalist
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the king
Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party, Viliami FUKOFUKA
International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London consulate(s) general: San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
Economy -------
Economic overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 40% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The manufacturing sector accounts for only 11% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The economy continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction projects. The government is now turning its attention to further development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget deficit.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $228 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,160 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 40% (1995 est.) industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993)
Labor force: 32,013 (1990 est.) by occupation: agriculture 70% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $44 million expenditures: $86 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 6,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 231 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper
Exports: $20.3 million (f.o.b., FY93/94) commodities: squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil partners: Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94)
Imports: $57.8 million (c.i.f., FY93/94) commodities: food products, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals partners: NZ 44%, Australia 22%, US 8%, Japan 7% (FY93/94)
External debt: $48.4 million (FY93/94)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti
Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2753 (December 1995), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994), 1.3841 (1993), 1.3471 (1992), 1.2961 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 432 km paved: 280 km unpaved: 152 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,990 GRT/14,884 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 6 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 3,500 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 1,000 (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Tonga Defense Services, Maritime Division, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Trinidad and Tobago -------------------
Map ---
Location: 11 00 N, 61 00 W -- Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Flag ----
Description: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 5,130 sq km land area: 5,130 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Land use: arable land: 14% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 44% other: 23%
Irrigated land: 220 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion natural hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
People ------
Population: 1,272,385 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 193,134; female 186,649) 15-64 years: 64% (male 413,426; female 404,175) 65 years and over: 6% (male 33,791; female 41,210) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.3 years male: 67.91 years female: 72.77 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s) adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Ethnic divisions: black 43%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40%, mixed 14%, white 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 32.2%, Hindu 24.3%, Anglican 14.4%, other Protestant 14%, Muslim 6%, none or unknown 9.1%
Languages: English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 97.9% male: 98.8% female: 97%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Data code: TD
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port-of-Spain
Administrative divisions: 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
Independence: 31 August 1962 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Constitution: 1 August 1976
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Noor Mohammed HASSANALI (since 18 March 1987) was elected by an electoral college of members of the Senate and House of Representatives head of government: Prime Minister Basdeo PANDAY (since 9 November 1995) was appointed from among the members of Parliament cabinet: Cabinet was appointed from among the members of Parliament
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of a 31-member body appointed by the president House of Representatives: elections last held 6 November 1995 (next to be held by December 2001); results - PNM 52%, UNC 42.2%, NAR 5.2%; seats - (36 total) PNM 17, UNC 17, NAR 2; the UNC formed a coalition with the NAR
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: People's National Movement (PNM), Patrick MANNING; United National Congress (UNC), Basdeo PANDAY; National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), A. N. R. ROBINSON; Movement for Social Transformation (MOTION), David ABDULLAH; National Joint Action Committee (NJAC), Makandal DAAGA; Republican Party, Nello MITCHELL; National Development Party (NDP), Carson CHARLES; Movement for Unity and Progress (MUP), Hulsie BHAGGAN
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Corinne Averille McKNIGHT chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian J. DONNELLY embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain telephone: [1] (809) 622-6372 through 6376, 6176 FAX: [1] (809) 628-5462
Flag: red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
Economy -------
Economic overview: Trinidad and Tobago's oil- and petrochemical-dependent economy enjoys a high per capita income, although living standards have declined since the boom years of 1973-82. The country managed to record a second successive year of economic growth in 1995, the first period of substantial expansion since the early 1980s. A broad economic reform program, including the floating of the exchange rate, trade and capital market liberalization, and an extensive privatization program by the previous administration has left the incoming PANDAY government in a relatively sound economic position. Trinidad and Tobago's economic prospects continue to depend heavily on world petroleum prices, however, and further progress toward diversification will be an important challenge in the medium term.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $16.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $12,100 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 44.5% services: 50.7% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1995)
Labor force: 404,500 by occupation: construction and utilities 13%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 11%, services 62% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 17.8% (December 1995)
Budget: revenues: $1.65 billion expenditures: $1.61 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Industries: petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 1,150,000 kW production: 3.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,740 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe and producer of cannabis
Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers partners: US 48%, Caricom countries15%, Latin America 9%, EU 5% (1994)
Imports: $996 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals partners: US 47.7%, Venezuela 10%, UK 8.3%, other EU 8% (1994)
External debt: $2 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $10 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TT$) per US$1 - 5.9412 (January 1996), 5.9192 (1995), 5.9249 (1994), 5.3511 (1993), 4.2500 (fixed rate 1989-1992); note - effective 13 April 1993, the exchange rate of the TT$ is market-determined as opposed to the prior fixed relationship to the US dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: note: minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; railway service was discontinued in 1968
Highways: total: 8,352 km paved: 3,978 km unpaved: 4,374 km (1987 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 km
Ports: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,928 GRT/5,571 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 5 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 170,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international service; good local service domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 351,835 males fit for military service: 252,532 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $83 million, NA% of GDP (1994)
======================================================================
@Tromelin Island ---------------
(possession of France)
Map ---
Location: 15 52 S, 54 25 E -- Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Flag ----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 1 sq km land area: 1 sq km comparative area: about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 3.7 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles
Climate: tropical
Terrain: sandy lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (scattered bushes)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary
People ------
Population: uninhabited
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tromelin Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Tromelin
Data code: TE
Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion
Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation --------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Communications note: important meteorological station
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Tunisia -------
Map ---
Location: 34 00 N, 9 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Flag ----
Description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam
Geography ---------
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 163,610 sq km land area: 155,360 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 1,424 km border countries: Algeria 965 km, Libya 459 km
Coastline: 1,148 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Libya; land boundary dispute with Algeria settled in 1993; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m highest point: Jabal ash Shanabi 1,544 m
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt
Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 19% forest and woodland: 4% other: 47%
Irrigated land: 2,750 sq km (1989)
Environment: current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and presents human health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note: strategic location in central Mediterranean
People ------
Population: 9,019,687 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 1,583,636; female 1,489,784) 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,738,013; female 2,719,998) 65 years and over: 5% (male 254,403; female 233,853) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.81% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 24.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.18 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 35.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.6 years male: 71.27 years female: 74.03 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.92 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian
Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish less than 1%
Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish 1%
Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 66.7% male: 78.6% female: 54.6%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis
Data code: TS
Type of government: republic
Capital: Tunis
Administrative divisions: 23 governorates; Beja, Ben Arous, Bizerte, Gabes, Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Kasserine, Kebili, L'Ariana, Le Kef, Mahdia, Medenine, Monastir, Nabeul, Sfax, Sidi Bou Zid, Siliana, Sousse, Tataouine, Tozeur, Tunis, Zaghouan
Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 20 March (1956)
Constitution: 1 June 1959; amended 12 July 1988
Legal system: based on French civil law system and Islamic law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) was reelected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI was reelected without opposition head of government: Prime Minister Hamed KAROUI (since 26 September 1989) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab): elections last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - RCD 97.7%, MDS 1.0%, others 1.3%; seats - (163 total) RCD 144, MDS 10, others 9; note - the government changed the electoral code to guarantee that the opposition won seats
Judicial branch: Court of Cassation (Cour de Cassation)
Political parties and leaders: Constitutional Democratic Rally Party (RCD), President BEN ALI (official ruling party); Movement of Democratic Socialists (MDS), Mohammed MOUAADA; five other political parties are legal, including the Communist Party
Other political or pressure groups: the Islamic fundamentalist party, An Nahda (Rebirth), is outlawed
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, BSEC (observer), CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO