Chapter 23
Land boundaries: total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,760 m); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January
Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Mount Heha 2,670 m
Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium
Land use: arable land: 44% permanent crops: 9% permanent pastures: 36% forests and woodland: 3% other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 140 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment--current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography--note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed
People
Population: 5,735,937 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 1,349,995; female 1,345,201) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,392,880; female 1,479,835) 65 years and over: 3% (male 69,748; female 98,278) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.54% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 41.27 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 17.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 99.36 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.44 years male: 43.54 years female: 47.41 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.33 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundi
Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000
Religions: Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 32%, Muslim 1%
Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.3% male: 49.3% female: 22.5% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi
Data code: BY
Government type: republic
Capital: Bujumbura
Administrative divisions: 15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi note: there may be a new province named Mwaro
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: 13 March 1992; provided for establishment of a plural political system; supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents
Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: President Pierre BUYOYA (interim president since 27 September 1996 and officially sworn in on 11 June 1998) is chief of state and head of government and is assisted by First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYA (since NA); note--former President NTIBANTUNGANYA was overthrown in a coup on 25 July 1996 head of government: President Pierre BUYOYA is both chief of state and head of government; assisted by First Vice President Frederic BAMVUGINYUMVIRA (since NA) and Second Vice President Mathias SINAMENYA (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president elections: NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (81 seats; note--new Transitional Constitution calls for 121 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but suspended by presidential decree in 1996) election results: percent of vote by party--FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats by party--FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders: Unity for National Progress or note: opposition parties, legalized in March 1992, include Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA; Rally for Democracy and BAGAZA]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas NDIKUMANA chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Morris N. HUGHES, Jr. embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)
Economy
Economy--overview: Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with a poorly developed manufacturing sector. The economy is predominately agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop, which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to pay for imports therefore rests largely on the vagaries of the climate and the international coffee market. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 250,000 persons and the displacement of about 800,000 others. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$4.1 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$740 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 58% industry: 18% services: 24% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 36.2% (1990 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.9 million
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 93%, government 4%, industry and commerce 1.5%, services 1.5% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $165 million, including capital expenditures of $42.6 million (1998 est.)
Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity--production: 122 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 1.64% hydro: 98.36% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 152 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 30 million kWh (1996) note: imports some electricity from Democratic Republic of the Congo
Agriculture--products: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides
Exports: $49 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports--commodities: coffee, tea, cotton, hides
Exports--partners: UK, Germany, Benelux, Switzerland (1997)
Imports: $102 million f.o.b., 1998)
Imports--commodities: capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports--partners: Benelux, France, Germany, Japan (1997)
Debt--external: $1.1 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $286.1 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1--508 (January 1999), 477.77 (1998), 352.35 (1997), 302.75 (1996), 249.76 (1995), 252.66 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,200 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: primitive system domestic: sparse system of open wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 4,500 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 14,480 km paved: 1,028 km unpaved: 13,452 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: Lake Tanganyika
Ports and harbors: Bujumbura
Airports: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie
Military manpower--military age: 16 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 1,260,909 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 658,115 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 73,271 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $25 million (1993)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.6% (1993)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: none
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@Cambodia --------
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 181,040 sq km land: 176,520 sq km water: 4,520 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries: total: 2,572 km border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
Coastline: 443 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources: timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential
Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 11% forests and woodland: 66% other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 920 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment--current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand are resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography--note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap
People
Population: 11,626,520 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,667,768; female 2,587,590) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,821,772; female 3,197,604) 65 years and over: 3% (male 143,016; female 208,770) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.49% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 41.05 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 16.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 105.06 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.24 years male: 46.81 years female: 49.75 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.81 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic groups: Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4%
Religions: Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5%
Languages: Khmer (official), French
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35% male: 48% female: 22% (1990 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea local short form: Kampuchea
Data code: CB
Government type: multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993
Capital: Phnom Penh
Administrative divisions: 20 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 3 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural); Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Keb*, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Phnum Penh*, Pouthisat, Preah Seihanu* (Sihanoukville), Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev note: there may be a new municipality called Pailin
Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
Constitution: promulgated 21 September 1993
Legal system: primarily a civil law mixture of French-influenced codes from the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) period, royal decrees, and acts of the legislature, with influences of customary law and remnants of communist legal theory; increasing influence of common law in recent years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated 24 September 1993) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 30 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch after a vote of confidence by the National Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (122 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party--CPP 41%, FUNCINPEC 32%, SRP 14%, other 13%; seats by party--CPP 64, FUNCINPEC 43, SRP 15 note: pursuant to the coalition agreement signed in November 1998, a Senate is being created and the legislature will thus become bicameral
Judicial branch: Supreme Council of the Magistracy, provided for in the constitution, was formed in December 1997; a Supreme Court and lower courts exercise judicial authority
Political parties and leaders: National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or
International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador VAR HUOTH chancery: 4500 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth M. QUINN embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546
Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band
Economy
Economy--overview: After four years of solid macroeconomic performance, Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-98 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Foreign investment fell off, and tourism has declined from 1996 levels. Also, in 1998 the main harvest was hit by drought. The long-term development of the economy after decades of war remains a daunting challenge. Human resource levels in the population are low, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside. The almost total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will continue to hinder development. Recurring political instability and corruption within government discourage foreign investment and delay foreign aid. Even so, growth may resume in 1999 at, say, 2%.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 0% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$700 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 15% services: 34% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $261 million expenditures: $496 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1995 est.)
Electricity--production: 195 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 61.54% hydro: 38.46% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 195 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables
Exports: $736 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports--commodities: timber, garments, rubber, soybeans, sesame
Exports--partners: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, US
Imports: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Imports--commodities: cigarettes, gold, construction materials, petroleum products, machinery, motor vehicles
Imports--partners: Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand
Debt--external: $2.2 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $569.8 million (1995)
Currency: 1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: riels (CR) per US$1--3,772.0 (January 1999), 3,744.4 (1998), 2,946.3 (1997), 2,624.1 (1996), 2,450.8 (1995), 2,545.3 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 7,000 (1981 est.)
Telephone system: adequate landline and/or cellular service in Phnom Penh and other provincial cities; rural areas have little telephone service domestic: NA international: adequate but expensive landline and cellular service available to all countries from Phnom Penh and major provincial cities; satellite earth station--1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 3, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 government-operated station and four commercial stations broadcasting to Phnom Penh and major provincial cities via relay (1998)
Televisions: 800,000 (1996 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 603 km narrow gauge: 603 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 35,769 km paved: 4,165 km unpaved: 31,604 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: 3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m; 282 km navigable to craft drawing 1.8 m
Ports and harbors: Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville), Kampot, Krong Kaoh Kong, Phnom Penh
Merchant marine: total: 141 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 598,867 GRT/841,240 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 16, cargo 108, container 4, livestock carrier 2, multifunctional large-load carrier 1, oil tankers 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 8 countries: Aruba 1, Cyprus 7, Egypt 1, South Korea 1, Malta 1, Panama 1, Russia 5, Singapore 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 20 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 10 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)--created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces and the two noncommunist resistance armies note: there are also resistance forces comprised of the Khmer Rouge (also known as the National United Army or NUA) and a separate royalist resistance movement
Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 2,562,112 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,428,523 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 119,839 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $85.3 million (1998)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 2.4% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined; parts of border with Thailand are indefinite; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly defined
Illicit drugs: transshipment site for Golden Triangle heroin; possible money laundering; narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; possible small-scale opium, heroin, and amphetamine production; large producer of cannabis for the international market
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@Cameroon --------
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 475,440 sq km land: 469,440 sq km water: 6,000 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 4,591 km border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 50 nm
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Fako 4,095 m