Chapter 23
Telephone system: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed domestic system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and most townships domestic: telephone lines are being expanded; interprovincial fiber-optic trunk lines and cellular telephone systems have been installed; a domestic satellite system with 55 earth stations is in place international: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region) and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions); several international fiber-optic links to Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong
Radio broadcast stations: AM 274, FM NA, shortwave 0
Radios: 216.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 202 (repeaters 2,050)
Televisions: 75 million
Defense -------
Branches: People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the Ground Forces, Navy (includes Marines and Naval Aviation), Air Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missile force), People's Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to Ministry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part of the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in wartime)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 352,506,948 males fit for military service: 194,589,216 males reach military age (18) annually: 9,763,916 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: the officially announced but suspect figure is 70.2 billion yuan, NA% of GDP (1995 est.); note - conversion of the defense budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Christmas Island ----------------
(territory of Australia)
Map ---
Location: 10 30 S, 105 40 E -- Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Flag ----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography ---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total area: 135 sq km land area: 135 sq km comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 138.9 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Natural resources: phosphate
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard international agreements: NA
Geographic note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
People ------
Population: 813 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -8.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population
Religions: Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991)
Languages: English
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island
Data code: KT
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: The Settlement
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958
Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch head of government: Administrator Danny Ambrose GILLESPIE (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia cabinet: Christmas Island Shire Council
Legislative branch: none
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no longer economically viable. Private operators reopened the mine in 1990 under strict environmental controls, in particular to preserve the rain forest. A hotel and casino complex opened in 1993, and tourism is a likely growth sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA by occupation: all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd.
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 11,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 17,800 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: NA
Exports: $NA commodities: phosphate partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $NA commodities: consumer goods partners: principally Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996),1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704, (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: 24 km to serve phosphate mines
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: Flying Fish Cove
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 500 (1992)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 350 (1992)
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Clipperton Island -----------------
(possession of France)
Map ---
Location: 10 17 N, 109 13 W -- Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Flag ----
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ---------
Location: Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico
Geographic coordinates: 10 17 N, 109 13 W
Map references: World
Area: total area: 7 sq km land area: 7 sq km comparative area: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 11.1 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Mexico
Climate: tropical, humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, rains May-October
Terrain: coral atoll lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Rocher Clipperton 21 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to tornadoes international agreements: NA
Geographic note: reef about 8 km in circumference
People ------
Population: uninhabited
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Clipperton Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Clipperton former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Data code: IP
Type of government: French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by the High Commissioner of the Republic
Capital: none; administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence: none (possession of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.
Transportation --------------
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Cocos (Keeling) Islands -----------------------
(territory of Australia)
Map ---
Location: 12 30 S, 96 50 E -- Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Flag ----
Description: the flag of Australia is used
Geography ---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia, about one-half of the way from Australia to Sri Lanka
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total area: 14 sq km land area: 14 sq km comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year international agreements: NA
Geographic note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
People ------
Population: 609 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.94% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander
Ethnic divisions: West Island: Europeans Home Island: Cocos Malays
Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)
Languages: English
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Data code: CK
Type of government: territory of Australia
Capital: West Island
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: NA
Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955
Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws
Suffrage: NA
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch head of government: Administrator John Bell READ (since NA) was appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the queen and Australia
Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council; President of the Islands Council Ronald GRANT (since NA)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia)
US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)
Flag: the flag of Australia is used
Economy -------
Economic overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $NA
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: copra products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,000 kW production: 2 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,980 kWh (1990)
Agriculture: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Exports: $NA commodities: copra partners: Australia
Imports: $NA commodities: foodstuffs partners: Australia
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of NA type
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 note: intermittent television service via satellite
Televisions: NA
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
======================================================================
@Colombia --------
Map ---
Location: 4 00 N, 72 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Flag ----
Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Geography ---------
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total area: 1,138,910 sq km land area: 1,038,700 sq km comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank
Land boundaries: total: 7,408 km border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 29% forest and woodland: 49% other: 16%
Irrigated land: 5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
People ------
Population: 36,813,161 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 5,948,599; female 5,806,450) 15-64 years: 64% (male 11,496,931; female 11,890,875) 65 years and over: 4% (male 741,788; female 928,518) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.66% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.34 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.65 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 25.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.81 years male: 69.97 years female: 75.73 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian
Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 91.3% male: 91.2% female: 91.4%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia
Data code: CO
Type of government: republic; executive branch dominates government structure
Capital: Bogota
Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
Constitution: 5 July 1991
Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (since 7 August 1994) elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 29 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998) results - no candidate received more than 50% of the total vote; a run-off election to select a president from the two leading candidates was held 19 June 1994; results - Ernesto SAMPER Pizano (Liberal Party) 50.4%, Andres PASTRANA Arango (Conservative Party) 48.6%, blank votes 1%; Humberto de la CALLE Lombana elected vice president for a four-year term by popular vote in a new procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice presidents by newly elected presidents cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) Senate (Senado): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (102 total) Liberal Party 59, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 31, other 12 House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes): elections last held 13 March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); seats - (161 total) Liberal Party 89, conservatives (includes PC, MSN, and NDF) 53, AD/M-19 2, other 17
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties
Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PL), Luis Fernando JARAMILLO; Conservative Party (PC), Jaime ARIAS; New Democratic Force (NDF), Andres PASTRANA Arango; Democratic Alliance M-19 (AD/M-19) is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident liberals and conservatives; Patriotic Union (UP) is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Aida ABELLA; National Salvation Movement (MSN) Alvaro GOMEZ Hurtado
Other political or pressure groups: three insurgent groups are active in Colombia - Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); National Liberation Army (ELN); and dissidents of the recently demobilized People's Liberation Army (EPL/D)
International organization participation: AG, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos LLERAS de la Fuente chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Washington, DC consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Myles R. R. FRECHETTE embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, No. 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831 mailing address: APO AA 34038 telephone: [57] (1) 315-0811 FAX: [57] (1) 315-2197 consulate(s): Barranquilla
Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center
Economy -------