Part 55

Chapter 553,640 wordsPublic domain

telephone: [242] 281-1481, 281-3368; note - until the new embassy in Brazzaville becomes operational, some duties will still be handled in the US embassy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Flag description:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE

note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991

Economy ::Congo, Republic of the

Economy - overview:

The economy is a mixture of subsistence agriculture, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. Characterized by budget problems and overstaffing, the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil earnings through oil-backed loans that have contributed to a growing debt burden and chronic revenue shortfalls. Economic reform efforts have been undertaken with the support of international organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. However, the reform program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October 1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with international financial institutions. Economic progress was badly hurt by slumping oil prices and the resumption of armed conflict in December 1998, which worsened the republic's budget deficit. The current administration presides over an uneasy internal peace and faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices during the global crisis reduced oil revenue by about 30%, but the subsequent recovery of oil prices has boosted the economy's GDP and near-term prospects. In March 2006, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) treatment for Congo, receiving $1.9 billion in debt relief under the program in 2010.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$17.45 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $15.79 billion (2009 est.)

$14.67 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$11.88 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

10.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 7.6% (2009 est.)

5.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$4,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157 $3,900 (2009 est.)

$3,800 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 4.4%

industry: 63.7%

services: 32% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

1.514 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 129

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.1%

highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)

Investment (gross fixed):

41.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 4.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 102 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$2.403 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 118 $1.887 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$2.746 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.178 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.58 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 133 $1.889 billion (31 December 2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Industries:

petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes

Industrial production growth rate:

12% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Electricity - production:

400 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - consumption:

471 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

449 million kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

274,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Oil - consumption:

10,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Oil - exports:

241,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Oil - imports:

2,136 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Oil - proved reserves:

1.6 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Natural gas - production:

180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - consumption:

180 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - proved reserves:

90.61 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Current account balance:

-$569 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 -$1.195 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$9.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.425 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

petroleum, lumber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Exports - partners:

US 40.08%, China 30.18%, France 8.17%, Taiwan 6.4%, India 4.2% (2009)

Imports:

$3.607 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 $3.259 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs

Imports - partners:

France 20.64%, China 14.54%, Italy 9.56%, US 9.02%, India 5.55%, Belgium 4.51% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$4.123 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 $3.806 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$5 billion (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Exchange rates:

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs per US dollar - 507.71 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 483.6 (2007), 522.59 (2006)

Communications ::Congo, Republic of the

Telephones - main lines in use:

24,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.171 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 131

Telephone system:

general assessment: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order

domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate providing less than 1 connection per 100 persons; in the absence of an adequate fixed line infrastructure, mobile-cellular subscribership has surged and now exceeds 50 per 100 persons

international: country code - 242; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)

Broadcast media:

1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately-owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code:

.cg

Internet hosts:

42 (2010) country comparison to the world: 213

Internet users:

245,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 136

Transportation ::Congo, Republic of the

Airports:

25 (2010) country comparison to the world: 130

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 6

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 19

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 7 km; oil 211 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 795 km country comparison to the world: 103 narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 17,289 km country comparison to the world: 118 paved: 864 km

unpaved: 16,425 km (2004)

Waterways:

1,120 km (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubanqui rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, thereby necessitating a rail connection to Pointe Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only) (2010) country comparison to the world: 62

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 163

Ports and terminals:

Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire

Military ::Congo, Republic of the

Military branches:

Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie, Special Presidential Security Guard (GSSP) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; women allowed to serve (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 898,850

females age 16-49: 886,063 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 557,764

females age 16-49: 546,755 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 48,365

female: 47,874 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 137

Transnational Issues ::Congo, Republic of the

Disputes - international:

the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 46,341 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,564 (Rwanda)

IDPs: 48,000 (multiple civil wars since 1992; most IDPs are ethnic Lari) (2007)

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Republic of the Congo is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; girls are trafficked from rural areas within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, forced street vending, and domestic servitude; children are trafficked from other African countries for domestic servitude, forced market vending, and forced labor in the fishing industry

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Republic of the Congo is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons in 2007; struggling to recover from six years of civil conflict that ended in 2003, the Republic of the Congo's capacity to address trafficking is handicapped; the government neither monitors its borders for trafficking activity nor provides specialized anti-trafficking training for law enforcement officials; the government does not encourage victims to assist in trafficking investigations or prosecutions, and has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts in the Republic of the Congo (2008)

page last updated on January 12, 2011

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@Cook Islands (Australia-Oceania)

Introduction ::Cook Islands

Background:

Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.

Geography ::Cook Islands

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 236 sq km country comparison to the world: 214 land: 236 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

120 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:

tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

Terrain:

low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 16.67%

permanent crops: 8.33%

other: 75% (2005)

Irrigated land:

Natural hazards:

typhoons (November to March)

Environment - current issues:

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

Geography - note:

the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km

People ::Cook Islands

Population:

11,488 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 223

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.1% (male 1,704/female 1,508)

15-64 years: 63.7% (male 3,898/female 3,664)

65 years and over: 9.2% (male 540/female 556) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 31.2 years

male: 30.5 years

female: 31.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-3.256% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 231

Birth rate:

15.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Death rate:

7.22 deaths/1,000 population NA country comparison to the world: 127

Urbanization:

urban population: 74% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: -0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.046 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 16.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 116 male: 19.88 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 74.47 years country comparison to the world: 94 male: 71.69 years

female: 77.38 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

Nationality:

noun: Cook Islander(s)

adjective: Cook Islander

Ethnic groups:

Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 87.7%, part Cook Island Maori 5.8%, other 6.5% (2001 census)

Religions:

Cook Islands Christian Church 55.9%, Roman Catholic 16.8%, Seventh-Day Adventists 7.9%, Church of Latter Day Saints 3.8%, other Protestant 5.8%, other 4.2%, unspecified 2.6%, none 3% (2001 census)

Languages:

English (official), Maori

Literacy:

definition: NA

total population: 95%

male: NA

female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 10 years

male: 10 years

female: 10 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

0.2% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 186

People - note:

2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017

Government ::Cook Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Cook Islands

former: Harvey Islands

Dependency status:

self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands

Government type:

self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital:

geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W

time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

none

Independence:

none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)

National holiday:

Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)

Constitution:

4 August 1965

Legal system:

based on New Zealand law and English common law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal (adult)

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) represented by Sir Frederick GOODWIN (since 9 February 2001); New Zealand High Commissioner Linda TE PUNI (since 3 June 2010)

head of government: Prime Minister Henry PUNA (since 30 November 2010)

cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the UK representative appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of a House of Ariki, or upper house, made up of traditional leaders and a Legislative Assembly, or lower house, (24 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

note: the House of Ariki advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence but has no legislative powers

elections: last held on 17 November 2010 (next to be held by 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CIP 16, Demo 8

Judicial branch:

High Court

Political parties and leaders:

Cook Islands Party or CIP [Henry PUNA]; Democratic Party or Demo [Dr. Terepai MAOATE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Reform Conference (lobby for political system changes)

other: various groups lobbying for political change

International organization participation:

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

National anthem:

lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS

note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics

Economy ::Cook Islands

Economy - overview:

Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$183.2 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

GDP (official exchange rate):

$183.2 million (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$9,100 (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 15.1%

industry: 9.6%

services: 75.3% (2004)

Labor force:

6,820 (2001) country comparison to the world: 217

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 29%

industry: 15%

services: 56% (1995)

Unemployment rate:

13.1% (2005) country comparison to the world: 138

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.1% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Agriculture - products:

copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry

Industries:

fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2002) country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - production:

31 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - consumption:

28.83 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Oil - imports:

495 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Current account balance:

$26.67 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 57

Exports:

$5.222 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 216

Exports - commodities:

copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing

Imports:

$81.04 million (2005) country comparison to the world: 211

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods

Debt - external:

$141 million (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Exchange rates:

NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)

Communications ::Cook Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

6,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208

Telephones - mobile cellular:

7,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 211

Telephone system:

general assessment: Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, fax, and Telex

domestic: individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable

international: country code - 682; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Broadcast media: