Chapter 62
Telephone system: modern telecommunications system domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and a domestic satellite system with 14 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); planned Arabsat and Intersputnik satellite earth stations; submarine cables to France and Italy; microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 1 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 12 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (includes Army, Navy, and Air and Air Defense Command), Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,170,100 males fit for military service: 696,288 males reach military age (17) annually: 56,834 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, 6.1% of GDP (1994 est.)
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@Liechtenstein -------------
Map ---
Location: 47 10 N, 9 32 E -- Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Flag ----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Geography ---------
Location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Geographic coordinates: 47 10 N, 9 32 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 160 sq km land area: 160 sq km comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 78 km border countries: Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: claims 1,600 square kilometers of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the communists seized power
Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third lowest point: Ruggleller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Natural resources: hydroelectric potential
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 19% other: 18%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
People ------
Population: 31,122 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 2,961; female 2,871) 15-64 years: 70% (male 10,775; female 11,113) 65 years and over: 11% (male 1,366; female 2,036) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.08% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 11.47 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.84 years male: 75.92 years female: 82.17 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein
Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988)
Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect
Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981 est.) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Furstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein
Data code: LS
Type of government: hereditary constitutional monarchy
Capital: Vaduz
Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established)
National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August
Constitution: 5 October 1921
Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, who is a hereditary monarch, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968) head of government: Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993) and Deputy Head of Government Dr. Thomas BUECHEL (since 15 December 1993) were elected by the Landtag for a four-year term and confirmed by the prince cabinet: Cabinet was elected by the Diet; confirmed by the prince
Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag): elections last held on 24 October 1993 (next to be held by March 1997); results - VU 50.1%, FBP 41.3%, FL 8.5%; seats - (25 total) VU 13, FBP 11, FL 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal cases; Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases
Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Oswald KRANTZ; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Otmar HASLER; The Free List (FL)
International organization participation: CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: Liechtenstein does not have an embassy in the US, but is represented by the Swiss embassy in routine diplomatic matters
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditation in Vaduz
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
Economy -------
Economic overview: Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital service sector and living standards on par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18% - and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. Liechtenstein plans to join the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between EFTA and EU) in 1995.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $630 million (1990 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990)
Labor force: 20,000 of which 12,000 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day by occupation: industry, trade, and building 48.1%, services 50.2%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.7% (1993)
Unemployment rate: 0.9% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $455 million expenditures: $442 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 23,000 kW production: 150 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,230 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes; livestock
Exports: $1.636 billion (1993) commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, pottery partners: EC countries 42.7%, EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland 15.4%), other 36.4% (1990)
Imports: $NA commodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi
Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.1810 (January 1996), 1.1825 (1995), 1.3677 (1994), 1.4776 (1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
Highways: total: 238 km paved: 238 km unpaved: 0 km (1986 est.)
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications --------------
Telephones: 18,916 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system domestic: NA international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: linked to Swiss networks
Radios: 11,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: NA note: linked to Swiss networks
Televisions: 10,620 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Switzerland
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@Lithuania ---------
Map ---
Location: 56 00 N, 24 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Geography ---------
Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 65,200 sq km land area: 65,200 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 1,273 km border countries: Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km
Coastline: 108 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Nemunas (Nemen) River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards; disputes maritime border with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); treaty with Belarus defining the border awaits ratification
Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters and summers
Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Juozapine Kalnas 292 m
Natural resources: peat
Land use: arable land: 49% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 22% forest and woodland: 16% other: 13%
Irrigated land: 430 sq km (1990)
Environment: current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Ozone Layer Protection
People ------
Population: 3,646,041 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 400,823; female 384,592) 15-64 years: 66% (male 1,162,626; female 1,244,103) 65 years and over: 12% (male 154,862; female 299,035) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.35% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.93 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.03 years male: 62.15 years female: 74.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other
Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 98% male: 99% female: 98%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: LH
Type of government: republic
Capital: Vilnius
Administrative divisions: 44 regions (rajonai, singular - rajonas) and 11 municipalities*: Akmenes Rajonas, Alytaus Rajonas, Alytus*, Anyksciu Rajonas, Birsionas*, Birzu Rajonas, Druskininkai*, Ignalinos Rajonas, Jonavos Rajonas, Joniskio Rajonas, Jurbarko Rajonas, Kaisiadoriu Rajonas, Marijampoles Rajonas, Kaunas*, Kauno Rajonas, Kedainiu Rajonas, Kelmes Rajonas, Klaipeda*, Klaipedos Rajonas, Kretingos Rajonas, Kupiskio Rajonas, Lazdiju Rajonas, Marijampole*, Mazeikiu Rajonas, Moletu Rajonas, Neringa* Pakruojo Rajonas, Palanga*, Panevezio Rajonas, Panevezys*, Pasvalio Rajonas, Plunges Rajonas, Prienu Rajonas, Radviliskio Rajonas, Raseiniu Rajonas, Rokiskio Rajonas, Sakiu Rajonas, Salcininky Rajonas, Siauliai*, Siauliu Rajonas, Silales Rajonas, Siltues Rajonas, Sirvinty Rajonas, Skuodo Rajonas, Svencioniu Rajonas, Taurages Rajonas, Telsiu Rajonas, Traky Rajonas, Ukmerges Rajonas, Utenos Rajonas, Varenos Rajonas, Vilkaviskio Rajonas, Vilniaus Rajonas, Vilnius*, Zarasu Rajonas
Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 25 November 1992; elected acting president by Parliament 25 November 1992 and elected by direct vote 15 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held spring 1997); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected; percent of vote NA head of government: Premier Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS (since 15 February 1996) was appointed by the president on approval of the Seimas cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Seimas (parliament): elections last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - LDDP 51%; seats - (141 total) LDDP 73, Conservative Party 30, LKDP 17, LTS 8, Farmers' Union 4, LLS 4, Center Union 2, others 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Seimas; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Seimas
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (LKDP), Algirdas SAUDARGAS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania (LDDP), Mindaugas STANKEVICIUS , chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union (LTS), Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party (LSDP), Aloyzas SAKALAS, chairman; Farmers' Union, Jonas CIULEVICIUS, chairman; Center Union, Romualdas OZOLAS, chairman; Homeland Union/Conservative Party, Vytautas LANDSBERGIS, chairman; Lithuanian Polish Union (LLS), Rytardas MACIEKIANIEC, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonsas EIDINTAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860, 2639 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James W. SWIHART, Jr. embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 2600 mailing address: PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723 telephone: [78] (8) 973-0000, 227-224 FAX: [78] (8) 670-6084
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy -------
Economic overview: Since declaring independence in 1990, Lithuania has implemented reforms aimed at eliminating the vestiges of the former socialist system. With the help of the IMF and other international institutions, the government has adopted a disciplined program to restrain inflation, reduce price controls, lower the budget deficit and privatize the economy. Lithuania has embarked on a series of price liberalizations; most price controls have been abolished. More than two-thirds of its industrial facilities as well as most housing and agricultural enterprises have been privatized, although important "strategic" enterprises have been exempted from privatization - namely energy and telecommunications. While Lithuania has reduced its trade dependence on Russia and other republics of the FSU from 85% in 1991 to about 40% in 1995, Russia remains Lithuania's leading trading partner. Lithuania has made great strides in reducing its annual rate of inflation - from over 1,100% in 1992 to about 35% in 1995. Production bottomed out in 1994-95. A banking crisis beginning in September, during which central bank reserves dropped one-third, held back growth in 1995. If the government can stay the course on economic reform and fiscal discipline - which may be politically difficult in the election year of 1996 - Lithuania could be set for strong economic growth in the near term. As for real resources, Lithuania's growth depends largely on its ability to exploit its strategic location - with its ice-free port at Klaipeda and its rail and highway hub in Vilnius connecting it with Eastern Europe, Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. Lacking important natural resources, it will remain dependent on imports of fuels and raw materials.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $13.3 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 42% services: 38% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (January 1996)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 6,190,000 kW production: 18.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,608 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, vegetables; meat, milk, eggs; fish
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption
Exports: $2.2 billion (1994) commodities: electronics 18%, food 10%, chemicals 6%, petroleum products 5% (1989) partners: Russia, Ukraine, Germany
Imports: $2.7 billion (1994) commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia, Germany, Belarus
External debt: $895 million
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $144 million (1993) note: commitments from the West and international financial institutions, $765 million (1992-95)
Currency: introduced the convertible litas in June 1993
Exchange rates: litai per US$1 - 4.000 (January 1996), 4.000 (1995), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992); note - fixed rate since 1 May 1994
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 2,002 km broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways: total: 55,603 km paved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways) unpaved: 13,394 km (1994)
Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine: total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWT ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 96 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 14 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 900,000
Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the most modern of the former Soviet republics domestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates in Vilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relay connect switching centers international: international connections no longer depend on the Moscow international gateway switch, but are established by satellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen from Kaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally through Copenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available; landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1
Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 903,437 males fit for military service: 712,875 males reach military age (18) annually: 26,162 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1% of GDP (1995)
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@Luxembourg ----------
Map ---
Location: 49 45 N, 6 10 E -- Western Europe, between France and Germany
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Geography ---------
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 2,586 sq km land area: 2,586 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none