Part 206

Chapter 2063,627 wordsPublic domain

broadcast media is government controlled and censored; 4 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes and programming provide an alternative to the state-run media; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by seizing satellite dishes (2007)

Internet country code:

.tm

Internet hosts:

794 (2010) country comparison to the world: 172

Internet users:

80,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 165

Transportation ::Turkmenistan

Airports:

27 (2010) country comparison to the world: 122

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 22

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 4 (2010)

Heliports:

1 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 6,417 km; oil 1,457 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 2,980 km country comparison to the world: 56 broad gauge: 2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 58,592 km country comparison to the world: 77 paved: 47,577 km

unpaved: 11,015 km (2002)

Waterways:

1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal are important inland waterways) (2008) country comparison to the world: 56

Merchant marine:

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 119 by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1

foreign-owned: 1 (Turkey 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Turkmenbasy

Military ::Turkmenistan

Military branches:

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,360,898

females age 16-49: 1,368,265 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,046,907

females age 16-49: 1,168,960 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 55,805

female: 54,908 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Transnational Issues ::Turkmenistan

Disputes - international:

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005, but Caspian seabed delimitation remains stalled with Azerbaijan, Iran, and Kazakhstan due to Turkmenistan's indecision over how to allocate the sea's waters and seabed

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 11,173 (Tajikistan); less than 1,000 (Afghanistan) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

page last updated on January 12, 2011

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@Turks and Caicos Islands (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Background:

The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory.

Geography ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Location:

Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:

21 45 N, 71 35 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 948 sq km country comparison to the world: 185 land: 948 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

389 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain:

low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Flamingo Hill 48 m

Natural resources:

spiny lobster, conch

Land use:

arable land: 2.33%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 97.67% (2005)

Irrigated land:

Natural hazards:

frequent hurricanes

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater

Geography - note:

about 40 islands (eight inhabited)

People ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Population:

23,528 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 217

Age structure:

0-14 years: 30.2% (male 3,528/female 3,401)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 7,875/female 7,164)

65 years and over: 4.2% (male 475/female 499) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 28 years

male: 28.8 years

female: 27.3 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.491% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Birth rate:

20.44 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Death rate:

4.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Net migration rate:

8.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Urbanization:

urban population: 92% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.047 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 130 male: 15.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.64 years country comparison to the world: 78 male: 73.32 years

female: 78.07 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.92 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: none

adjective: none

Ethnic groups:

black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%

Religions:

Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 98%

male: 99%

female: 98% (1970 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 12 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

People - note:

destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, and the US

Government ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands

abbreviation: TCI

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

Capital:

geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Constitution:

Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009, S.I. 2009/701 - effective 14 August 2009 - suspended Ministerial government, the House of Assembly, and the constitutional right to trial by jury, and imposed direct British rule

Legal system:

based on laws of England and Wales with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008)

head of government: Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 14 August 2009); note - the office of premier is suspended by the Order in Council, effective 14 August 2009

cabinet: under provisions of the Order in Council, the cabinet is suspended effective 14 August 2009 and replaced by an Advisory Council appointed by the governor (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch

note: following an investigation into allegations of widespread corruption and misconduct within the Turks and Caicos Government, the UK foreign minister directed the governor to bring into effect on 14 August 2009 an Order in Council suspending Ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and imposing direct rule for a period of up to two years

Legislative branch:

under provisions of the Order in Council, the unicameral House of Assembly is dissolved and all seats vacated for a period of up to two years; in the interim, a Consultative Forum, appointed by the governor, will be established

elections: last held on 9 February 2007 (next to be held by July 2011)

election results: under provisions of the Order in Council, all seats in the House of Assembly are vacated

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders:

People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Floyd SEYMOUR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turks Head cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL

note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Economy - overview:

The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the 175,000 visitors that arrived in 2004. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$216 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 215

GDP (official exchange rate):

$NA

GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$11,500 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

4,848 (1990 est.) country comparison to the world: 219

Labor force - by occupation:

note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services

Unemployment rate:

10% (1997 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4% (1995) country comparison to the world: 115

Agriculture - products:

corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish

Industries:

tourism, offshore financial services

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

12 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - consumption:

11.16 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 210

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - consumption:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Oil - imports:

80 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Exports:

$169.2 million (2000) country comparison to the world: 183

Exports - commodities:

lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells

Imports:

$175.6 million (2000) country comparison to the world: 202

Imports - commodities:

food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials

Debt - external:

$NA

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

3,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 217

Telephones - mobile cellular:

25,100 (2004) country comparison to the world: 205

Telephone system:

general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing

domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available

international: country code - 1-649; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic telecommunications submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Broadcast media:

while there are no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations broadcasting (2007)

Internet country code:

.tc

Internet hosts:

8,969 (2010) country comparison to the world: 127

Transportation ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Airports:

8 (2010) country comparison to the world: 163

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 121 km country comparison to the world: 211 paved: 24 km

unpaved: 97 km (2003)

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 151

Ports and terminals:

Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales

Military ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 5,062

females age 16-49: 4,772 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 229

female: 223 (2010 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Transnational Issues ::Turks and Caicos Islands

Disputes - international:

have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

page last updated on December 28, 2010

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@Tuvalu (Australia-Oceania)

Introduction ::Tuvalu

Background:

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.

Geography ::Tuvalu

Location:

Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 S, 178 00 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 26 sq km country comparison to the world: 237 land: 26 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

24 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

Terrain:

low-lying and narrow coral atolls

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources:

fish

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 66.67%

other: 33.33% (2005)

Irrigated land:

Natural hazards:

severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level

Environment - current issues:

since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon

People ::Tuvalu

Population:

10,472 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224

Age structure:

0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,841/female 1,770)

15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,973/female 4,141)

65 years and over: 5.2% (male 240/female 408) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 23.9 years

male: 22.4 years

female: 26 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.659% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Birth rate:

23.01 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Death rate:

9.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Net migration rate:

-7.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 207

Urbanization:

urban population: 49% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.051 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 35.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 71 male: 38.66 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 32.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 64.39 years country comparison to the world: 168 male: 62.36 years

female: 66.51 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.14 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: Tuvaluan(s)

adjective: Tuvaluan

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%

Religions:

Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6%

Languages:

Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui)

Literacy:

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2001)

Education expenditures:

Government ::Tuvalu

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Tuvalu

local long form: none

local short form: Tuvalu

former: Ellice Islands

note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight" referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands

Government type:

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital:

geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E

time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

note: administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

1 October 1978 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 1 October (1978)

Constitution:

1 October 1978

Legal system:

English common law supplemented by local customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Iakoba TAEIA Italeli (since May 2010)

head of government: Prime Minister Willie TELAVI (since 24 December 2010)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament following parliamentary elections

election results: Willie TELAVI elected prime minister in a parliamentary election on 24 December 2010 following a no-confidence vote on 21 December 2010 that ousted Maatia TOAFA

Legislative branch:

unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 16 September 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 15; 10 members reelected

Judicial branch:

High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction)

Political parties and leaders:

there are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534, fax: [1] (212) 937-0692

Diplomatic representation from the US:

the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu

Flag description:

light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow, five-pointed stars on a blue field symbolizing the nine atolls in the ocean

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA

note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto

Economy ::Tuvalu

Economy - overview: