Chapter 94
Languages: Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.) total population: 91.1% male: 95.9% female: 86.3%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore
Data code: SN
Type of government: republic within Commonwealth
Capital: Singapore
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993) was elected for a six-year term by popular vote; election last held 28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1999); results - ONG Teng Cheong was elected with 59% of the vote in the country's first popular election for president head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995) were appointed by the president cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held by 31 August 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice
Political parties and leaders: government: People's Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary general opposition: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHEE Soon Juan; Workers' Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA; Singapore People's Party (SPP), SIN Kek Tong
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Timothy A. CHORBA embassy: 30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617 mailing address: FPO AP 96534 telephone: [65] 3380251 FAX: [65] 3384550
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy -------
Economic overview: Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. The economy registered 8.9% growth in 1995, with prospects for 7%-8% growth in 1996. In 1995, the manufacturing and financial and business services sectors led economic growth. Rising labor costs continue to be a threat to Singapore's competitiveness, and the government's strategy to address this problem includes increasing productivity, improving infrastructure, and encouraging higher value-added industries. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $66.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 8.9% (1995)
GDP per capita: $22,900 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NEGL% industry: 28% services: 72%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995)
Labor force: 1.649 million (1994) by occupation: financial, business, and other services 33.5%, manufacturing 25.6%, commerce 22.9%, construction 6.6%, other 11.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $17.3 billion expenditures: $12.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $4.5 billion (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 4,510,000 kW production: 17 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,590 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables; poultry
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a money-laundering center
Exports: $119.6 billion (1995) commodities: computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products, telecommunications equipment partners: Malaysia 20%, US 19%, Hong Kong 9%, Japan 7%, Thailand 6% (1994)
Imports: $125.9 billion (1995) commodities: aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: Japan 22%, Malaysia 16%, US 15%, Taiwan 4%, Saudi Arabia 4% (1994)
External debt: $3.2 million (1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 - 1.4214 (January 1996), 1.4174 (1995), 1.5274 (1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 38.6 km narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 2,989 km paved: 2,905 km (including 111.6 km of expressways) unpaved: 84 km (1994 est.)
Ports: Singapore
Merchant marine: total: 646 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 12,915,788 GRT/20,292,580 DWT ships by type: bulk 110, cargo 118, chemical tanker 18, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 8, container 92, liquefied gas tanker 13, multifunction large-load carrier 4, oil tanker 234, refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 22 countries among which are Japan 39, Hong Kong 27, Denmark 24, Germany 20, Sweden 14, Thailand 14, Belgium 12, Norway 9, Indonesia 7, and US 7 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 8 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: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 1.23 million (1993 est.)
Telephone system: good domestic facilities; good international service domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 1.05 million (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,025,300 males fit for military service: 752,382 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.9 billion, 4.3% of GDP (1995 est.)
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@Slovakia --------
Map ---
Location: 48 40 N, 19 30 E -- Central Europe, south of Poland
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Geography ---------
Location: Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 48,845 sq km land area: 48,800 sq km comparative area: about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries: total: 1,355 km border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m highest point: Gerlachovka 2,655 m
Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt
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: air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ------
Population: 5,374,362 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 605,379; female 579,232) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,777,100; female 1,812,555) 65 years and over: 11% (male 234,377; female 365,719) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.34% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.62 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.12 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.01 years male: 69.01 years female: 77.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovak(s) adjective: Slovak
Ethnic divisions: Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.7%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1%, Ruthenian 0.3%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages: Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy: NA
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Slovak Republic conventional short form: Slovakia local long form: Slovenska Republika local short form: Slovensko
Data code: LO
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Bratislava
Administrative divisions: 4 departments (kraje, singular - kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence: 1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia)
National holiday: Slovak Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution: ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993
Legal system: civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993) was elected for a five-year term by the National Parliament; election last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998) head of government: Prime Minister Vladimir MECIAR (since 12 December 1994) was appointed by the president cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (Narodni Rada): elections last held 30 September-1 October 1994 (next to be held by October 1998); results - HZDS 35%, SDL 10.4%, Hungarian coalition (Hungarian Christian Democrats, Hungarian Civic Party, Coexistence) 10.2%, KDH 10.1%, DU 8.6%, ZRS 7.3%, SNS 5.4%; seats - (150 total) governing coalition 83 (HZDS 61, ZRS 13, SNS 9), opposition 67 (SDL 18, Hungarian coalition 17, KDH 17, DU 15)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the National Parliament
Political parties and leaders: Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Common Choice/Party of the Democratic Left (SDL), Peter WEISS, chairman; Hungarian Christian Democrats, Vojtech BUGAR; Hungarian Civic Party; Coexistence, Miklos DURAY, chairman; Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Jan CARNOGURSKY; Democratic Union (DU), Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman; Association of Slovak Workers (ZRS), Jan LUPTAK, chairman; Slovak National Party (SNS), Jan SLOTA, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Green Party; Social Democratic Party of Slovakia; Slovak Christian Union
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE (guest), CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NACC, NSG, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Branislav LICHARDUS chancery: (temporary) Suite 380, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-5161 FAX: [1] (202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph JOHNSON embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [42] (7) 533-0861, 533-3338 FAX: [42] (7) 533-5439
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
Economy -------
Economic overview: Since its separation from the Czech Republic on 1 January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally controlled economy to a modern market-oriented economy. Macroeconomic performance improved steadily in 1994 and 1995 - with 4.8% and 6% growth, respectively. But privatization progressed only in fits and starts. Strong export performance boosted growth in both years, with consumption and investment rebounding. Unemployment fell to 12.8% in November 1995, the lowest level since mid-1993, and inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to 7.5% in 1995. The federal government deficit fell from 7% of GDP in 1993 to less than 2% in 1994-95, as growth boosted revenues. Positive international financial performance led Standard & Poor's to raise its rating of the National Bank of Slovakia's foreign currency debt to just one step below investment grade. The trade and current accounts are both in surplus, and foreign currency reserves held by the central bank have climbed to $3.5 billion. Foreign debt of $4.6 billion - about the same as Romania's - is the lowest in Central and Eastern Europe and the second lowest per capita. Bratislava made the Slovak crown convertible for current account transactions on 1 October 1995. Slovakia continued to have difficulty attracting foreign investment, however, because of perceived political uncertainty and vacillations in privatization policy. The government as well as the OECD projects 5% growth in 1996 and 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $39 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6.7% industry: 47.6% services: 45.7% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.5% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.484 million by occupation: industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication and other 44.3% (1990)
Unemployment rate: 13% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $6.1 billion expenditures: $6.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, and nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (January-August 1995)
Electricity: capacity: 6,300,000 kW production: 20.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,609 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; hogs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe
Exports: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and metals; agricultural products partners: Czech Republic 35.4%, Germany 18.9%, Austria 5.0%, Italy 4.7%, Hungary 4.6%, Poland 4.4%, Russia 3.6%, Ukraine 2.1%, France 2.0%, Netherlands 1.7% (January-October 1995)
Imports: $8.7 billion (f.o.b., January-November 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufactured goods; raw materials; chemicals; agricultural products partners: Czech Republic 28.1%, Russia 16.8%, Germany 14.3%, Austria 5.2%, Italy 4.5%, Poland 2.9%, US 2.3%, France 2.3%, Hungary 2.2%, Netherlands 1.7%, Ukraine 1.5% (January-October 1995)
External debt: $4.6 billion hard currency indebtedness (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $104 million (1993)
Currency: 1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates: koruny (Sk) per US$1 - 29.587 (August 1995), 29.447 (November 1994), 32.045 (1994), 30.770 (1993), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991); note - values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 3,660 km broad gauge: 102 km 1.520-m gauge standard gauge: 3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1378 km electrified) narrow gauge: 51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1995)
Highways: total: 17,737 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube
Pipelines: petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km
Ports: Bratislava, Komarno
Merchant marine: total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,010 GRT/22,039 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 37 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with paved runways under 914 m: 4 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 with unpaved runways under 914 m: 11 (1994 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 1,362,178 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note - there is 1 station of NA type
Radios: 1.1 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 1.6 million (1994 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,442,321 males fit for military service: 1,104,901 males reach military age (18) annually: 48,695 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $430 million, 3.0% of GDP (1995)
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@Slovenia --------
Map ---
Location: 46 00 N, 15 00 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Croatia and Italy
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
Geography ---------
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Croatia and Italy
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 15 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total area: 20,256 sq km land area: 20,256 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 1,207 km border countries: Austria 324 km, Croatia 546 km, Italy 235 km, Hungary 102 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: maritime border dispute with Croatia over direct access to the sea in the Adriatic; the border issue is currently under negotiation
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Terrain: a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 45% other: 23%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; pollution of coastal waters with heavy metals and toxic chemicals; forest damage near Koper from air pollution (originating at metallurgical and chemical plants) and resulting acid rain natural hazards: flooding and earthquakes international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
People ------
Population: 1,951,443 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 172,778; female 163,695) 15-64 years: 70% (male 682,501; female 678,781) 65 years and over: 13% (male 91,819; female 161,869) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 8.27 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.09 years male: 71.4 years female: 79 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s) adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic divisions: Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3%
Religions: Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3%
Languages: Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2%
Literacy: NA
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia conventional short form: Slovenia local long form: Republika Slovenije local short form: Slovenija