Afghanistan
Background
Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. Subsequently, a series of civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution and a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. On 7 December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. The National Assembly was inaugurated on 19 December 2005.
Location
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
Geographic co ordinates
33 00 N, 65 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
Total: 647,500 sq km ; land: 647,500 sq km ; water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative
Slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries
Total: 5,529 km ; border countries: China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km
Climate
Arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Terrain
Mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest
Natural resources
Natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones
Natural hazards
Damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts
Nationality
Noun: Afghan(s) ; adjective: Afghan
Languages
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Country name
Conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ; conventional short form: Afghanistan ; local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan ; local short form: Afghanestan ; former: Republic of Afghanistan
Islamic republic
Capital
Name: Kabul ; geographic coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 12 E ; time difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative division
34 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Daykondi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Panjshir, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, Zabol
National holiday
Independence Day, 19 August (1919)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
Small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper
Currency code
Afghani (AFA)
Internet country code
.af
Ports and terminals
Kheyrabad, Shir Khan
Akrotiri
Background
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.
Location
Peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic co ordination
34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
Total: 123 sq km ; note: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area comparative
About 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
Total: 47.4 km ; border countries: Cyprus 47.4 km
Climate
Temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Natural hazards
Shooting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base
Languages
English, Greek
Country name
Conventional long form: Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area ; conventional short form: Akrotiri
Capital
Name: Episkopi Cantonment; also serves as capital of Dhekelia ; geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E ; time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Flag
Currency code
Cypriot pound (CYP)
Albania
Background
Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.
Location
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro
Geographic co ordinates
41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
Total: 28,748 sq km ; land: 27,398 sq km ; water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative
Slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries
Total: 720 km ; border countries: Greece 282 km, Macedonia 151 km, Montenegro 172 km, Serbia 115 km
Climate
Mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain
Mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Natural resources
Petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower
Natural hazards
Destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Nationality
Noun: Albanian(s) ; adjective: Albanian
Languages
Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects
Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Albania ; conventional short form: Albania ; local long form: Republika e Shqiperise ; local short form: Shqiperia ; former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Capital
Name: Tirana (Tirane) ; geographic coordinates: 41 20 N, 19 50 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative division
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores
National holiday
Independence Day, 28 November (1912)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
Food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Currency code
lek (ALL) ; note: the plural of lek is leke
Internet code
.al
Ports and terminals
Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Algeria
Background
After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing - although significantly degraded - activities of extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems.
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Geographic co ordinates
28 00 N, 3 00 E
Map references
Oceania
Area
Total: 2,381,740 sq km ; land: 2,381,740 sq km ; water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative
Slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
Land boundaries
total: 6,343 km ; border countries: Libya 982 km, Mali 1,376 km, Mauritania 463 km, Morocco 1,559 km, Niger 956km, Tunisia 965 km, Western Sahara 42 km
Climate
Arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
Terrain
Mostly high plateau and desert; some mountains; narrow, discontinuous coastal plai
Natural resources
Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc
Natural hazards
Mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season
Nationality
Noun: Algerian(s) ; adjective: Algerian
Languages
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Country name
Conventional long form: People's Democratic Republic of Algeria ; conventional short form: Algeria ; local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah ; local short form: Al Jaza'ir republic
Capital
Name: Algiers ; geographic coordinates: 36 47 N, 2 03 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative division
48 provinces (wilayat, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Ain Defla, Ain Temouchent, Alger, Annaba, Batna, Bechar, Bejaia, Biskra, Blida, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Bouira, Boumerdes, Chlef, Constantine, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, El Tarf, Ghardaia, Guelma, Illizi, Jijel, Khenchela, Laghouat, Mascara, Medea, Mila, Mostaganem, M'Sila, Naama, Oran, Ouargla, Oum el Bouaghi, Relizane, Saida, Setif, Sidi Bel Abbes, Skikda, Souk Ahras, Tamanghasset, Tebessa, Tiaret, Tindouf, Tipaza, Tissemsilt, Tizi Ouzou, Tlemcen
National holiday
Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing
Currency code
Algerian dinar (DZD)
Internet code
.dz
Ports and terminals
Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Ski
American Samoa
Background
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century . International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic co- ordinates
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references
Oceania
Area
Total: 199 sq km ; land: 199 sq km ; water: 0 sq km ; note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area – comparative
Slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Climate
Tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
Five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island
Natural resources
Pumice, pumicite
Natural hazards
Typhoons common from December to March
Nationality
Noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) ; adjective: American Samoan
Languages
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% ; note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Country name
Conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa ; conventional short form: American Samoa ; abbreviation: AS
Capital
Name: Pago Pago ; geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W ; time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative division
None (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
National holiday
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
Tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Currency code
US dollar (USD)
Internet code
.as
Andorra
Background
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Location
Southwestern Europe, between France and Spain
Geographic co ordinates
42 30 N, 1 30 E
Map references
Europe
Area
Total: 468 sq km ; land: 468 sq km ; water: 0 sq km
Area comparative
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
Total: 120.3 km ; border countries: France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Climate
Temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Terrain
Rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Natural resources
Hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Natural hazards
Avalanches
Nationality
Noun: Andorran(s) ; adjective: Andorran
Languages
Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese
Country name
Conventional long form: Principality of Andorra ; conventional short form: Andorra ; local long form: Principat d'Andorra ; local short form: Andorra
Capital
Name: Andorra la Vella ; geographic coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative division
7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
National holiday
Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
Tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, banking, tobacco, furniture
Currency code
Euro (EUR)
Internet code
.ad
Angola
Background
Angola is slowly rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold legislative elections in 2007, but 2008 may be more realistic.
Location
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic co –ordinates
12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references
Africa
Area
Total: 1,246,700 sq km ; land: 1,246,700 sq km ; water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative
Slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries
Total: 5,198 km ; border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Climate
Semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain
Narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
Natural resources
Petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Natural hazards
Locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Nationality
Noun: Angolan(s) ; adjective: Angolan
Languages
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Angola; conventional short form: Angola ; local long form: Republica de Angola ; local short form: Angola ; former: People's Republic of Angola
Capital
Name: Luanda; geographic coordinates: 8 48 S, 13 14 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative division
18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
National holiday
Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Flag
Industries
petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
Currency code
kwanza (AOA)
Internet code
.ao
Ports and terminals
Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo