Part 164

Chapter 1643,725 wordsPublic domain

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2011); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Anibal CAVACO SILVA elected president; percent of vote - Anibal CAVACO SILVA 50.6%, Manuel ALEGRE 20.7%, Mario Alberto Nobre Lopes SOARES 14.3%, Jeronimo DE SOUSA 8.5%, Franciso LOUCA 5.3%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 27 September 2009 (next to be held in fall 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - PS 42%, PSD 35%, CDS/PP 9%, BE 7%, CDU 7%; seats by party - PS 97, PSD 81, CDS/PP 21, BE 16, CDU 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica); judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party or CDS/PP [Paulo PORTAS]; Socialist Party or PS [Jose SOCRATES Carvalho Pinto de Sousa]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pedro Manuel PASSOS COELHO]; The Left Bloc or BE [Franciso Anacleto LOUCA]; Unitarian Democratic Coalition or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes Portuguese Communist Party or PCP and Ecologist Party ("The Greens") or PEV)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

the media; labor unions

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Joao DE VALLERA

chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726

consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), San Francisco

consulate(s): New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence (Rhode Island)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Allan J. KATZ

embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisbon

mailing address: Apartado 43033, 1601-301 Lisboa; PSC 83, APO AE 09726

telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300

FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109

consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Flag description:

two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation

National anthem:

name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)

lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL

note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event

Economy ::Portugal

Economy - overview:

Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community in 1986. Over the past two decades, successive governments have privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country qualified for the European Monetary Union (EMU) in 1998 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU member economies. Economic growth had been above the EU average for much of the 1990s, but fell back in 2001-08, shrank 2.6% in 2009, before growing 1% in 2010. GDP per capita stands at roughly two-thirds of the EU-27 average. A poor educational system and a rigid labor market have been obstacles to greater productivity and growth. Portugal also has been increasingly overshadowed by lower-cost producers in Central Europe and Asia as a target for foreign direct investment. Portugal's competitiveness problems, low growth prospects, and high levels of public debt have made it vulnerable to bond market turbulence. Lisbon is implementing austerity measures to reduce the budget deficit from 9.4% of GDP in 2009 to 4.6% of GDP in 2011, but some investors have expressed concern about Portugal's ability to achieve these targets and cover its sovereign debt. Without the option for stimulus measures, the government is focusing instead on boosting exports and implementing labor market reforms to try to raise GDP growth and tackle Portugal's competitiveness problems, which may help mitigate investor concerns over time.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$247 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 $244.5 billion (2009 est.)

$251 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$223.7 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 -2.6% (2009 est.)

0% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$23,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $22,800 (2009 est.)

$23,500 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 2.6%

industry: 23%

services: 74.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

5.57 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 10%

industry: 30%

services: 60% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 9.5% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line:

18% (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 28.4% (1995 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

38.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 72 35.6 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed):

19% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Public debt:

83.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 76.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 -0.8% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 125 3% (31 December 2008)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.12% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 8.35% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$98.23 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 31 $100.9 billion (31 December 2009 est)

note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Stock of broad money:

$282 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $302.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$556.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $490.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$98.65 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 44 $68.71 billion (31 December 2008)

$132.3 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, dairy products; fish

Industries:

textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper, chemicals, auto-parts manufacturing, base metals, diary products, wine and other foods, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

0.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - production:

44.47 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Electricity - consumption:

48.78 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity - exports:

1.313 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

10.74 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

4,721 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Oil - consumption:

272,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Oil - exports:

53,660 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Oil - imports:

323,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - production:

NA (2008 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

4.846 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Natural gas - imports:

4.895 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Current account balance:

-$19.03 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 -$23.95 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$46.27 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $44.49 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision instruments

Exports - partners:

Spain 26.25%, Germany 12.99%, France 12.04%, Angola 7.21%, UK 5.54% (2009)

Imports:

$68.22 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $68.9 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

Imports - partners:

Spain 31.58%, Germany 12.41%, France 8.58%, Italy 5.55%, Netherlands 5.31% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$NA (31 December 2010 est.)

$16.03 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$497.8 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 20 $507 billion (30 June 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$105.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $102.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$63.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $63.64 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.774 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)

Communications ::Portugal

Telephones - main lines in use:

4.049 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 39

Telephones - mobile cellular:

15.178 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 48

Telephone system:

general assessment: Portugal's telephone system has a state-of-the-art network with broadband, high-speed capabilities

domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations

international: country code - 351; a combination of submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, North and East Africa, South Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2008)

Broadcast media:

the publicly-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations; viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly-owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately-owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations (2008)

Internet country code:

.pt

Internet hosts:

3.267 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 28

Internet users:

5.168 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 45

Transportation ::Portugal

Airports:

65 (2010) country comparison to the world: 77

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 43

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 8

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 10 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 22

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 21 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 1,098 km; oil 11 km; refined products 188 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 2,786 km country comparison to the world: 59 broad gauge: 2,603 km 1.668-m gauge (1,351 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 183 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 82,900 km country comparison to the world: 57 paved: 71,294 km (includes 2,613 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,606 km (2008)

Waterways:

210 km (on Douro River from Porto) (2008) country comparison to the world: 96

Merchant marine:

total: 111 country comparison to the world: 47 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 33, carrier 1, chemical tanker 17, container 8, liquefied gas 9, passenger 13, passenger/cargo 5, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 1, vehicle carrier 9

foreign-owned: 80 (Belgium 8, Denmark 4, Germany 13, Greece 5, Italy 10, Japan 9, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 1, Spain 15, Sweden 6, Switzerland 3, US 4)

registered in other countries: 14 (Cyprus 2, Malta 3, Panama 9) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines

Military ::Portugal

Military branches:

Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP) (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no compulsory military service; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1993, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; reserve obligation to age 35 (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,572,007

females age 16-49: 2,474,719 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,104,945

females age 16-49: 2,034,912 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 62,628

female: 55,737 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Transnational Issues ::Portugal

Disputes - international:

Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz

Illicit drugs:

seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

page last updated on January 20, 2011

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@Puerto Rico (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Puerto Rico

Background:

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.

Geography ::Puerto Rico

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates:

18 15 N, 66 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 13,790 sq km country comparison to the world: 162 land: 8,870 sq km

water: 4,921 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

501 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Natural resources:

some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Land use:

arable land: 3.69%

permanent crops: 5.59%

other: 90.72% (2005)

Irrigated land:

400 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; hurricanes

Environment - current issues:

erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages

Geography - note:

important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

People ::Puerto Rico

Population:

3,978,702 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 402,473/female 384,655)

15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,260,191/female 1,361,359)

65 years and over: 14.1% (male 239,957/female 317,578) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 36.8 years

male: 35 years

female: 38.5 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.27% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Birth rate:

11.42 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Death rate:

7.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Net migration rate:

-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Urbanization:

urban population: 98% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 8.23 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 162 male: 9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 7.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.77 years country comparison to the world: 43 male: 75.15 years

female: 82.57 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.62 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

7,397 (1997) country comparison to the world: 115

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Puerto Rican

Ethnic groups:

white (mostly Spanish origin) 76.2%, black 6.9%, Asian 0.3%, Amerindian 0.2%, mixed 4.4%, other 12% (2007)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Languages:

Spanish, English

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 94.1%

male: 93.9%

female: 94.4% (2002 est.)

Education expenditures:

Government ::Puerto Rico

Country name:

conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

conventional short form: Puerto Rico

Dependency status:

unincorporated, organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President

Government type:

commonwealth

Capital:

name: San Juan

geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 66 07 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco

Independence:

none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

National holiday:

US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

Constitution:

ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952

Legal system:

based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

head of government: Governor Luis FORTUNO (since 2 January 2009)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

election results: Luis FORTUNO elected governor with 52.8% of the vote

Legislative branch:

bicameral Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (at least 27 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (51 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Representatives - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PNP 81.5%, PPD 18.5%; seats by party - PNP 22, PPD 5; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PNP 72.5%, PPD 27.5%; seats by party - PNP 37, PPD 14

note: Puerto Rico elects, by popular vote, a resident commissioner to serve a four-year term as a nonvoting representative in the US House of Representatives; aside from not voting on the House floor, he enjoys all the rights of a member of Congress; elections last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 1

Judicial branch: