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



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





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

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Background

Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic co-ordinates

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 102 sq km ; land: 102 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area- comparative

About half the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Terrain

Flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Natural resources

Salt, fish, lobster

Natural Hazards

Frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Nationality

Noun: Anguillan(s) ; adjective: Anguillan

Languages

English (official)

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Anguilla

Capital

Name: The Valley ; geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 04 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

National holiday

Anguilla Day, 30 May

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Currency code

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Internet code

.ai

Ports and terminals

Blowing Point, Road Bay

Antarctica

Background

Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.

Location
Continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle

Geographic co-ordinates

90 00 S, 0 00 E

Map references

Antarctic Region

Area

Total: 14 million sq km ; land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) ; note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe

Area comparative

Slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US


Climate

Severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing.

Terrain

About 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent.

Natural resources

Iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries

Natural hazards

Katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf.

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Antarctica

Flag

Antigua and Barbuda

Background

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic co-ordinates

17 03 N, 61 48 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) ; land: 442.6 sq km ; water: 0 sq km ; note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

Area –comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

Mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Natural resources

NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Natural hazards

Hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

Nationality

Noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) ; adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan

Languages

English (official), local dialects

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda

Capital

Name: Saint John's ; geographic coordinates: 17 06 N, 61 51 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

National holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Currency code

East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Internet code

.ag

Ports and Terminals

Saint John's

Argentina

Background

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. Eventually, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their own way, but the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were subsequently heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. The economy has since recovered strongly since bottoming out in 2002. The government renegotiated its public debt in 2005 and paid off its remaining obligations to the IMF in early 2006.

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Geographic co-ordinates

34 00 S, 64 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

Total: 2,766,890 sq km ; land: 2,736,690 sq km ; water: 30,200 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Land boundaries

Total: 9,861 km ; border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay

Climate

Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Terrain

Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Natural resources

Fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium

Natural hazards

San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

Nationality

Noun: Argentine(s) ; adjective: Argentine

Languages

Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French

Country name

Conventional long form: Argentine Republic ; conventional short form: Argentina ; local long form: Republica Argentina ; local short form: Argentina

Capital

Name: Buenos Aires ; geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 27 W ; time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city* (distrito federal); Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires Capital Federal*, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur, Tucuman ; note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

National holiday

Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Flag



Industries

Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Currency code

Argentine peso (ARS)

Internet code

.ar

Ports and Terminals

Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin, San Nicolas

Armenia

Background

Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Location

Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey

Geographic co-ordinates

40 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 29,800 sq km ; land: 28,400 sq km ; water: 1,400 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries

Total: 1,254 km ; border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km

Climate

Highland continental, hot summers, cold winters

Terrain

Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley

Natural resources

Small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina

Natural hazards

Occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Nationality

Noun: Armenian(s) ; adjective: Armenian

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Armenia ; conventional short form: Armenia ; local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun ; local short form: Hayastan ; former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic

Capital

Name: Yerevan ; geographic coordinates: 40 11 N, 44 30 E ; time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative division

11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1991)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Diamond-processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy

Currency code

Dram (AMD)

Internet code

.am

Aruba

Background

Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Location

Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Geographic co-ordinates

12 30 N, 69 58 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 193 sq km ; land: 193 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

Flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Natural resources

NEGL; white sandy beaches

Natural hazards

Lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt

Nationality

Noun: Aruban(s) ; adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Languages

Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Aruba

Capital

Name: Oranjestad ; geographic coordinates: 12 33 N, 70 06 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

None (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National holiday

1 January 1986

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining

Currency code

Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)

Internet code

.aw

Ports and terminals

Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas

Ashmore and Cartier Island

Background

These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.

Location

Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between
northwestern Australia and Timor Island

Geographic co-ordinates

12 14 S, 123 05 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

Total: 5 sq km ; land: 5 sq km ; water: 0 sq km ; note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island

Area comparative

About eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical

Terrain

Low with sand and coral

Natural resources

Fish

Natural hazards

Surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards

Country name

Conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands ; conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Flag



Ports and Terminals

None; offshore anchorage only

Australia

Background

Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.

Location

Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean

Geographic co-ordinates

27 00 S, 133 00 E

Map references

Oceania

Area

Total: 7,686,850 sq km ; land: 7,617,930 sq km ; water: 68,920 sq km ; note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Climate

Generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north

Terrain

Mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast

Natural resources

Bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, petroleum.

Natural hazards

Cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires.

Nationality

Noun: Australian(s) ; adjective: Australian

Country name

Conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia ; conventional short form: Australia

Capital

Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March (ended first Sunday in April 2006) ; note: Australia is divided into three time zones

Administrative division

6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

National holiday

Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the 1915 landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Flag



Industries

Mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Currency code

Australian dollar (AUD)

Internet code

.au

Ports and terminals

Brisbane, Dampier, Fremantle, Gladstone, Hay Point, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Port Walcott, Sydney

Austria

Background

Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic Monetary Union in 1999.

Location

Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia

Geographic co-ordinates

47 20 N, 13 20 E

Map references

Europe

Area

Total: 83,870 sq km ; land: 82,444 sq km ; water: 1,426 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

Terrain

In the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping

Natural resources

Oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Natural hazards

Landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Nationality

Noun: Austrian(s) ; adjective: Austrian

Languages

German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in Carinthia), Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official in Burgenland)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Austria ; conventional short form: Austria ; local long form: Republik Oesterreich ; local short form: Oesterreich

Capital

Name: Vienna ; geographic coordinates: 48 12 N, 16 22 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

9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland); Burgenland, Kaernten (Carinthia), Niederoesterreich, Oberoesterreich, Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Tirol, Vorarlberg, Wien (Vienna)

National holiday

National Day, 26 October (1955)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism

Currency code

Euro (EUR)

Internet

.at

Ports and Terminals

Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna

Azerbaijan

Background

Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 528,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range.

Geographic co-ordinates

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 86,600 sq km ; land: 86,100 sq km ; water: 500 sq km ; note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

Dry, semiarid steppe

Terrain

Large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea.

Natural resources

Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, alumina

Natural hazards

Droughts

Nationality

Noun: Azerbaijani(s), Azeri(s) ; adjective: Azerbaijani, Azeri

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan ; conventional short form: Azerbaijan ; local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi ; local short form: Azarbaycan ; former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

Capital

Name: Baku (Baki, Baky) ; geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 51 E ; time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) ; rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu ; cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari ; autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi

National holiday

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Currency code

Azerbaijani manat (AZM)

Internet code

.az

Ports and Terminals

Baku (Baki)

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Bahamas, The

Background

Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US

Location

Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Geographic co-ordinates

24 15 N, 76 00 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 13,940 sq km ; land: 10,070 sq km ; water: 3,870 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Connecticut

Climate

Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain

Long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills

Natural resources

Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Natural hazards

Hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage

Nationality

Noun: Bahamian(s) ; adjective: Bahamian

Languages

English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Country name

Conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas ; conventional short form: The Bahamas

Capital

Name: Nassau ; geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W ; time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nichollstown and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay

National holiday

Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe

Currency code

Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Internet code

.bs

Ports and Terminals

Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point

Bahrain

Background

In 1782, the Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years, however, with opposition parties taking part in elections, street demonstrations, and low-level violence. Wifaq, the largest Shia opposition movement, in late 2006 won a plurality of seats in the elected half of the legislature.

Location

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Geographic co-ordinates

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

Total: 665 sq km ; land: 665 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Terrain

Mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Natural resources

Oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Natural hazards

Periodic droughts; dust storms

Nationality

Noun: Bahraini(s) ; adjective: Bahraini

Languages

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Country name

Conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain ; conventional short form: Bahrain ; local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn ; local short form: Al Bahrayn ; former: Dilmun

Capital
Name: Manama ; geographic coordinates: 26 13 N, 50 35 E ; time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat ; note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor

National holiday

National Day, 16 December (1971)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing, tourism

Currency code

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Internet code

.bh

Ports and Terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Bangladesh

Background

Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area of Bangladesh in the 16th century; eventually the British came to dominate the region and it became part of British India. In 1947, West Pakistan and East Bengal (both primarily Muslim) separated from India (largely Hindu) and jointly became the new country of Pakistan. East Bengal became East Pakistan in 1955, but the awkward arrangement of a two-part country with its territorial units separated by 1,600 km left the Bengalis marginalized and dissatisfied. East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan in 1971 and was renamed Bangladesh. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.

Location

Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

Geographic co-ordinates

24 00 N, 90 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 144,000 sq km ; land: 133,910 sq km ; water: 10,090 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Iowa

Climate

Tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Terrain

Mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Natural resources

Natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Natural hazards

Droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season

Nationality

Noun: Bangladeshi(s) ; adjective: Bangladeshi

Languages

Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Country name

Conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh ; conventional short form: Bangladesh ; local long form: Gana Prajatantri Banladesh ; local short form: Banladesh ; former: East Bengal, East Pakistan

Capital

Name: Dhaka ; geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 25 E ; time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

6 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet

National holiday

16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh

Independence Day, 26 March (1971)

Flag



Industries

Cotton textiles, jute, garments, tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical fertilizer, light engineering, sugar

Currency code

Taka (BDT)

Internet code

.bd

Ports and Terminals

Chittagong, Mongla Port

Barbados

Background

The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Location

Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic co-ordinates

13 10 N, 59 32 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 431 sq km ; land: 431 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Terrain

Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Natural resources

Petroleum, fish, natural gas

Natural hazards

Pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers

Nationality

Noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) ; adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Barbados

Capital

Name: Bridgetown ; geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas

National holiday

Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Currency code

Barbadian dollar (BBD)

Internet code

.bb

Ports and Terminals

Bridgetown

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Belarus

Background

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Alexandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue.

Location

Eastern Europe, east of Poland

Geographic co-ordinates

53 00 N, 28 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

Total: 207,600 sq km ; land: 207,600 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area Comparative

Slightly smaller than Kansas

Climate

Cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime

Terrain

Generally flat and contains much marshland

Natural resources

Forests, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay

Nationality

Noun: Belarusian(s) ; adjective: Belarusian

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Belarus ; conventional short form: Belarus ; local long form: Respublika Byelarus' ; local short form: Byelarus' ; former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

Capital

Name: Minsk ; geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 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

Administrative division

6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel', Horad Minsk*, Hrodna, Mahilyow, Minsk, Vitsyebsk ; note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers

National Holiday


Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, chemical fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators

Currency code

Belarusian ruble (BYB/BYR)

Internet code

.by

Ports and Terminals

Mazyr

Belgium

Background

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Location

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Geographic co-ordinates

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

Total: 30,528 sq km ; land: 30,278 sq km ; water: 250 sq km

Area comparative

About the size of Maryland

Climate

Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain

Flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Natural resources

Construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Natural hazards

Flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Nationality

Noun: Belgian(s) ; adjective: Belgian

Country name

Conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium ; conventional short form: Belgium ; local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie ; local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Capital

Name: Brussels ; geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 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

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen ; note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities

National Holiday

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Flag



Industries

Engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Currency code

Euro (EUR)

Internet code

.be

Ports and Terminals

Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Belize

Background

Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime.

Location

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Geographic co-ordinates

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total: 22,966 sq km ; land: 22,806 sq km ; water: 160 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate

Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Terrain

Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Natural resources

Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Natural Hazards

Frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Nationality

Noun: Belizean(s) ; adjective: Belizean

Languages

English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Belize ; former: British Honduras

Capital

Name: Belmopan ; geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W ; time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

National holiday

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Garment production, food processing, tourism, construction

Currency code

Belizean dollar (BZD)

Internet code

.bz

Ports and Terminals

Belize City

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Benin

Background

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI BONI, a political outsider and independent.

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

Geographic co-ordinates

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Map references

Africa

Area

Total: 112,620 sq km ; land: 110,620 sq km ; water: 2,000 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain

Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Natural resources

Small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Natural hazards

Inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Nationality

Noun: Beninese (singular and plural) ; adjective: Beninese

Languages

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Benin ; conventional short form: Benin ; local long form: Republique du Benin ; local short form: Benin ; former: Dahomey

Capital

Name: Porto-Novo (official capital) ; geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; note: Cotonou (seat of government)

Administrative division

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

National holiday

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Currency code

Internet code

.bj

Ports and Terminals

Cotonou

Bermuda

Background

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.

Location

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South
Carolina (US)

Geographic co-ordinates

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Map references

North America

Area

Total: 53.3 sq km ; land: 53.3 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

About one-third the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Terrain

Low hills separated by fertile depressions

Natural resources

Limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Natural hazards

Hurricanes (June to November)

Nationality

Noun: Bermudian(s) ; adjective: Bermudian

Languages

English (official), Portuguese

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Bermuda ; former: Somers Islands

Capital

Name: Hamilton ; geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 46 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative division

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

National holiday

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

International business, tourism, light manufacturing

Currency code

Bermudian dollar (BMD)

Internet code

.bm

Ports and Terminals

Hamilton, Saint George

Bhutan

Background

In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land to British India. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the government's draft constitution - which would introduce major democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its approval. A referendum date has yet to be named.

Location

Southern Asia, between China and India

Geographic co-ordinates

27 30 N, 90 30 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 47,000 sq km ; land: 47,000 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

About half the size of Indiana

Climate

Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Terrain

Mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Natural resources

Timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbonate

Natural hazards

Violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season

Nationality

Noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) ; adjective: Bhutanese

Languages

Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects

Country name

Conventional long form: Kingdom of Bhutan ; conventional short form: Bhutan ; local long form: Druk Gyalkhap ; local short form: Druk Yul

Capital

Name: Thimphu ; geographic coordinates: 27 28 N, 89 39 E ; time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Dagana, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang ; note: there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse

National holiday

National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)

Suffrage

Each family has one vote in village-level elections; note - in late 2003 Bhutan's legislature passed a new election law

Flag



Industries

Cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbid

Currency code

Ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)

Internet code

.bt

Bolivia

Background

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and countercoups. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands.

Location

Central South America, southwest of Brazil

Geographic co-ordinates

17 00 S, 65 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

Total: 1,098,580 sq km ; land: 1,084,390 sq km ; water: 14,190 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Climate

Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Terrain

Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Natural resources

Tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower

Natural hazards

Flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Nationality

Noun: Bolivian(s) ; adjective: Bolivian

Languages

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia ; conventional short form: Bolivia ; local long form: Republica de Bolivia ; local short form: Bolivia

Capital

Name: La Paz (administrative capital) ; geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; note: Sucre (constitutional capital)

Administrative division

9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

Suffrage

18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single)

Flag



Industries

Mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing

Currency code

Boliviano (BOB)

Internet code

.bo

Ports and Terminals

Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Background

Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR plans to phase out its mission beginning in 2007.

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia

Geographic co-ordinates

44 00 N, 18 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

Total: 51,129 sq km ; land: 51,129 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate

Hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

Terrain

Mountains and valleys

Natural resources

Coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, cobalt, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, forests, hydropower

Natural hazards

Destructive earthquakes

Nationality

Noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) ; adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinia

Languages

Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina ; local long form: none ; local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina ; former: People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Capital

Name: Sarajevo ; geographic coordinates: 43 52 N, 18 25 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

2 first-order administrative divisions and 1 internationally supervised district* - Brcko district (Brcko Distrikt)*, the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Federacija Bosna i Hercegovina) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska; note - Brcko district is in northeastern Bosnia and is an administrative unit under the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the district remains under international supervision

National holiday

National Day, 25 November (1943)

Suffrage

18 years of age, universal

Flag



Industries

Furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining

Currency code

Marka (BAM)

Internet code

.ba

Ports and Terminals

Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, and Brcko (all inland waterway ports on the Sava), Orasje

Botswana

Background
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves.Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Location

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Geographic co-ordinates

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

Total: 600,370 sq km ; land: 585,370 sq km ; water: 15,000 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Terrain

Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Natural resources

Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibilityNatural hazards

Nationality

Noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) ; adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Botswana ; conventional short form: Botswana ; local long form: Republic of Botswana ; local short form: Botswana ; former: Bechuanaland

Capital

Name: Gaborone ; geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E ; time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

National holiday

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles

Currency code

Pula (BWP)

Internet code

.bw

Bouvet Island

Background

This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.

Location

Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

Geographic co-ordinates

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Map references

Antarctic Region

Area

Total: 49 sq km ; land: 49 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

About 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Antarctic

Terrain

Volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

Natural resources

None

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Bouvet Island

Flag



Ports and Terminals

None; offshore anchorage only

Brazil

Background

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem.

Location

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Geographic co-ordinates

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

Total: 8,511,965 sq km ; land: 8,456,510 sq km ; water: 55,455 sq km ; note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than the US

Climate

Mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Terrain

Mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Natural resources

Bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Natural hazards

Recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Nationality

Noun: Brazilian(s) ; adjective: Brazilian

Languages

Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French

Country name

Conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil ; conventional short form: Brazil ; local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil ; local short form: Brasil

Capital

Name: Brasilia ; geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W ; time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February ; note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha islands

Administrative division

26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins

National holiday

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

Suffrage

Voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote

Flag



Industries

Textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

Currency code

Real (BRL)

Internet code

.br

Ports and Terminals

Gebig, Itaqui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, San Sebasttiao, Santos, Sepetiba Terminal, Tubarao, Vitoria

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Background

Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia.

Location

Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia

Geographic co-ordinates

6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E

Map references

Political Map of the World

Area

Total: 54,400 sq km ; land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km ; water: 54,340 sq km ; note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands

Area comparative

Land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain

Flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation)

Natural resources

Coconuts, fish, sugarcane

Country name

Conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory ; conventional short form: none ; abbreviation: BIOT

Flag



Ports and Terminals

Diego Garcia

British Virgin Islands

Background

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

Location

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic co-ordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 153 sq km ; land: 153 sq km ; water: 0 sq km ; note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

Area comparative

About 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Terrain

Coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Natural hazards

Hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Nationality

Noun: British Virgin Islander(s) ; adjective: British Virgin Islander

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: British Virgin Islands ; abbreviation: BVI

Capital

Name: Road Town ; geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag





Industries

Tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

Currency code

US dollar (USD)

Internet code

.vg

Ports and Terminals

Road Town

Brunei

Background

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the developing world.

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

Geographic co-ordinates

4 30 N, 114 40 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

Total: 5,770 sq km ; land: 5,270 sq km ; water: 500 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Delaware

Climate

Tropical; hot, humid, rainy

Terrain

Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west

Natural resources

Petroleum, natural gas, timber

Natural hazards

Typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Nationality

Noun: Bruneian(s) ; adjective: Bruneian

Languages

Malay (official), English, Chinese

Country name

Conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam ; conventional short form: Brunei ; local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam ; local short form: Brunei

Capital

Name: Bandar Seri Begawan ; geographic coordinates: 4 52 S, 114 55 E ; time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong

National holiday

National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection

Flag





Industries

Petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Currency code

Bruneian dollar (BND)

Internet code

.bn

Ports and Terminals

Lumut, Muara, Seria






Background

The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey

Geographic co-ordinates

43 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references

Europe

Area

Total: 110,910 sq km ; land: 110,550 sq km ; water: 360 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly larger than Tennessee

Climate

Temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers

Terrain

Mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast

Natural resources

Bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land

Natural hazards

Earthquakes, landslides

Nationality

Noun: Bulgarian(s) ; adjective: Bulgarian

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Bulgaria ; conventional short form: Bulgaria ; local long form: Republika Balgariya ; local short form: Balgariya

Capital

Name: Sofia ; geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 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

Administrative divisions

28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Khaskovo, Kurdzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofiya, Sofiya-Grad, Stara Zagora, Turgovishte, Varna, Veliko Turnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol

National holiday

Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel

Currency code

Lev (BGL)

Internet code

.bg

Ports and Terminals

Burgas, Varna

Burkina Faso

Background

Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.

Location

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Geographic co-ordinates

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

Total: 274,200 sq km ; land: 273,800 sq km ; water: 400 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly larger than Colorado

Climate

Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain

Mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast

Natural resources

Manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt

Natural hazards

Recurring droughts

Nationality

Noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) ; adjective: Burkinabe

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Burkina Faso ; local long form: none ; local short form: Burkina Faso ; former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

Capital

Name: Ouagadougou ; geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W ; time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo

National holiday

Republic Day, 11 December (1958)

Suffrage

universal

Flag




Industries

Cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Currency code

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)

Internet code

.bf

Burma

Background

Britain conquered Burma over a period of 62 years (1824-1886) and incorporated it into its Indian Empire. Burma was administered as a province of India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony; independence from the Commonwealth was attained in 1948. Gen. NE WIN dominated the government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler, then as self-appointed president, and later as political kingpin. Despite multiparty legislative elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party - the National League for Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory, the ruling junta refused to hand over power. NLD leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient AUNG SAN SUU KYI, who was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 and 2000 to 2002, was imprisoned in May 2003 and subsequently transferred to house arrest, where she remains virtually incommunicado. In February 2006, the junta extended her detention for another year. Her supporters, as well as all those who promote democracy and improved human rights, are routinely harassed or jailed.

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Geographic co-ordinates

22 00 N, 98 00 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

Total: 678,500 sq km ; land: 657,740 sq km ; water: 20,760 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

Tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

Terrain

Central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Natural resources

Petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower

Natural hazards

Destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Nationality

Noun: Burmese (singular and plural) ; adjective: Burmese

Country name

Conventional long form: Union of Burma ; conventional short form: Burma ; local long form: Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar) ; local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw ; former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma

Capital

Name: Rangoon (Yangon) ; geographic coordinates: 16 47 N, 96 10 E ; time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; note: Nay Pyi Taw is administrative capital

Administrative divisions

7 divisions (taing-myar, singular - taing) and 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne) ; divisions: Ayeyarwady, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon ; states: Chin State, Kachin State, Kayah State, Kayin State, Mon State, Rakhine State, Shan State

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag





Industries

Agricultural processing; knit and woven apparel; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; cement; natural gas

Currency code

Kyat (MMK)

Internet code

.mm

Ports and Terminals

Moulmein, Rangoon, Sittwe

Burundi

Background

Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Over 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges.

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic co-ordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Map references
Africa

Area

Total: 27,830 sq km ; land: 25,650 sq km ; water: 2,180 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

Equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); 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; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to Januar)

Terrain

Hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains

Natural resources

Tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Natural hazards

Flooding, landslides, drought

Nationality Noun: Burundian(s) ; adjective: Burundian

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Burundi ; conventional short form: Burundi ; local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi ; local short form: Burundi ; former: Urundi

Capital

Name: Bujumbura ; geographic coordinates: 3 23 S, 29 22 E ; time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Flag



Industries

Light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing

Currency code

Burundi franc (BIF)

Internet code

.bi

Ports and Terminals

Bujumbura

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Cambodia

Background

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863. Cambodia became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a five-year struggle, Communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the remaining Khmer Rouge leaders are awaiting trial by a UN-sponsored tribunal for crimes against humanity. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed.

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos

Geographic co-ordinates

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

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

Natural resources

Oil and gas, timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential

Natural hazards

Monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts

Nationality

Noun: Cambodian(s) ; adjective: Cambodian

Languages

Khmer (official) , French, English

Country name

Conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia ; conventional short form: Cambodia ; local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic pronunciation) ; local short form: Kampuchea ; former: Kingdom of Cambodia, Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia

Capital

Name: Phnom Penh ; geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E ; time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

20 provinces (khaitt, singular and plural) and 4 municipalities* (krong, singular and plural) ; provinces: Banteay Mean Cheay, Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum, Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Krachen, Mondol Kiri, Otdar Mean Cheay, Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanah Kiri, Siem Reab, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev ; municipalities: Keb, Pailin, Phnum Penh (Phnom Penh), Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville)

National holiday

Independence Day, 9 November (1953)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag




Industries

Tourism, garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles

Currency code

Riel (KHR)

Internet code

.kh

Ports and Terminals

Phnom Penh, Preah Seihanu (Sihanoukville)

Cameroon

Background

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy headed by President Paul BIYA.

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Geographic co-ordinates

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

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

Natural resources

Petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

Natural hazards

Volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

Nationality

Noun: Cameroonian(s) ; adjective: Cameroonian

Languages

24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Cameroon ; conventional short form: Cameroon ; local long form: Republique du Cameroun/Republic of Cameroon ; local short form: Cameroun/Cameroon ; former: French Cameroon, British Cameroon, Federal Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Cameroon

Capital

Name: Yaounde ; geographic coordinates: 3 52 N, 11 31 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest

National holiday

Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Flag





Industries

Petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair

Currency code

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

Internet code

.cm

Ports and Terminals

Douala, Limboh Terminal

Canada

Background

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across an unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services, as well as responding to separatist's concerns in predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

Location

Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US

Geographic co-ordinates

60 00 N, 95 00 W

Map references

North America

Area

Total: 9,984,670 sq km ; land: 9,093,507 sq km ; water: 891,163 sq km

Area comparative

Comewhat larger than the US

Climate

Varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Terrain

Mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Natural resources

Iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Natural hazards

Continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains

Nationality

Noun: Canadian(s) ; adjective: Canadian

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Canada

Capital

Name: Ottawa ; geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 40 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 ; note: Canada is divided into six time zones

Administrative divisions

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*

National holiday

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag




Industries

Transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Currency code

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Internet code

.ca

Ports and Terminals

Fraser River Port, Halifax, Montreal, Port Cartier, Quebec, Saint John's (Newfoundland), Sept Isles, Vancouver

Cape Verde

Background

The uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cape Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cape Verde continues to exhibit one of Africa's most stable democratic governments. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cape Verde's expatriate population is greater than its domestic one. Most Cape Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents.

Location

Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Geographic co-ordinates

16 00 N, 24 00 W

Map references

Political Map of the World

Area

Total: 4,033 sq km ; land: 4,033 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

Slightly larger than Rhode Island

Climate

Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic

Terrain

Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Natural resources

Salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum

Natural hazards

Prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

Nationality

Noun: Cape Verdean(s) ; adjective: Cape Verdean

Languages

Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde ; conventional short form: Cape Verde ; local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde ; local short form: Cabo Verde

Capital

Name: Praia ; geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W ; time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

17 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Miguel, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag




Industries

Food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair

Currency code

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Internet code

.cv

Ports and Terminals

Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Cayman Islands

Background

The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency


Location

Caribbean, three island (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) group in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

Geographic co-ordinates

19 30 N, 80 30 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

Total: 262 sq km ; land: 262 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area comparative

1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain

Low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Natural resources

Fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Natural hazards

Hurricanes (July to November)

Nationality

Noun: Caymanian(s) ; adjective: Caymanian

Languages

English

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Capital

Name: George Town (on Grand Cayman) ; geographic coordinates: 19 20 N, 81 23 W ; time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

National holiday

Prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture

Currency code

Caymanian dollar (KYD)

Internet code

.ky

Ports and Terminals

Cayman Brac, George Town

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

Central African Republic

Background

The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist.

Location

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic co ordinates

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

Total: 622,984 sq km ; land: 622,984 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area-comparative

Slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Terrain

Vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Natural resources

Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Natural hazards

Hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common

Nationality

Noun: Central African(s) ; adjective: Central African

Languages

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Country name

Conventional long form: Central African Republic ; conventional short form: none ; local long form: Republique Centrafricaine ; local short form: none ; former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire ; abbreviation: CAR

Capital

Name: Bangui ; geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Suffrage


21 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Currency code

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

Internet country code

.cf

Ports and terminals

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Chad

Background

Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution, and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite several peace agreements between the government and the rebels. In 2005 new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and have made probing attacks into eastern Chad. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits.

Location

Central Africa, south of Libya

Geographic co ordinates

15 00 N, 19 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

Total: 1.284 million sq km ; land: 1,259,200 sq km ; water: 24,800 sq km

Area-comparative

Slightly more than three times the size of California

Land boundaries

Total: 5,968 km ; border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Climate

Tropical in south, desert in north

Terrain

Broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south

Natural resources

Petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Natural hazards

Hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues

Nationality

Noun: Chadian(s) ; adjective: Chadian

Languages

French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Chad ; conventional short form: Chad ; local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad ; local short form: Tchad/Tshad

Capital

Name: N'Djamena ; geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 15 03 E ; time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile ; note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department) and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti

National holiday

Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Currency code

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

Internet country code

.td

Chile

Background

Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were not completely subjugated by Spain until the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern lands. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation..

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Geographic co ordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Map references

South America

Area

Total: 756,950 sq km ; land: 748,800 sq km ; water: 8,150 sq km ; note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Area-comparative

Slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Land boundaries

Total: 6,339 km ; border countries: Argentina 5,308 km, Bolivia 860 km, Peru 171 km

Climate

temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Terrain

Low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east

Natural resources

Copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Natural hazards

Severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

Nationality

Noun: Chilean(s) ; adjective: Chilean

Languages

Spanish

Country name

Conventional long form: Republic of Chile ; conventional short form: Chile ; local long form: Republica de Chile ; local short form: Chile

Capital

Name: Santiago ; geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W ; time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) ; daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in March

Administrative division

13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso ; note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Flag



Industries

Copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Currency code

Chilean peso (CLP)

Internet country code

.cl

Ports and terminals

Antofagasta, Arica, Huasco, Iquique, Lirquen, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso

__________________
Time is the longest distance between two places.

China

Background

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

Location

Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

Geographic co ordinates

35 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

Total: 9,596,960 sq km ; land: 9,326,410 sq km ; water: 270,550 sq km

Area-comparative

Slightly smaller than the US


Climate

Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Terrain

Mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east

Natural resources

Magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)

Natural hazards

Earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence

Nationality

Noun: Chinese (singular and plural) ; adjective: Chinese

Country name

Conventional long form: People's Republic of China ; conventional short form: China ; local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo ; local short form: Zhongguo ; abbreviation: PRC

Capital

Name: Beijing ; geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 116 24 E ; time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural) ; provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) ; autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Xizang (Tibet) ; municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianji

National holiday

Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Flag



Industries

Mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites

Currency code

Yuan (CNY)

Internet country code

.cn

Ports and terminals

Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai

Christmas Island

Background

Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.

Location

Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia

Geographic co ordinates

10 30 S, 105 40 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

Total: 135 sq km ; land: 135 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area-comparative

About three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season (December to April)

Terrain

Steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau

Natural resources

Phosphate, beaches

Natural hazards

Loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining

Nationality

Noun: Christmas Islander(s) ; adjective: Christmas Island

Languages

English (official), Chinese, Malay

Country name

Conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island ; conventional short form: Christmas Island

Capital

Name: The Settlement ; geographic coordinates: 18 44 N, 64 19 W ; time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

None (territory of Australia)

National holiday

Australia Day, 26 January (1788)

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Ports and terminals


Flying Fish Cove

Clipperton Island

Background

This isolated island was named for John CLIPPERTON, a pirate who made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France, which took possession in 1935.

Location

Middle America, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico

Geographic co ordinates

10 17 N, 109 13 W

Map references

Political Map of the World

Area

Total: 6 sq km ; land: 6 sq km ; water: 0 sq km

Area-comparative

About 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees C, wet season (May to October)

Country name

Conventional long form: none ; conventional short form: Clipperton Island ; local long form: none ; local short form: Ile Clipperton ; former: sometimes called Ile de la Passion

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Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Background

There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island.

Location

Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka

Geographic co ordinates

12 30 S, 96 50 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

Total: 14 sq km ; land: 14 sq km ; water: 0 sq km ; note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island

Area-comparative

About 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Climate

Tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

Terrain

Flat, low-lying coral atolls

Natural resources

Fish

Natural hazards

Cyclone season is October to April

Nationality

Noun: Cocos Islander(s) ; adjective: Cocos Islander

Languages

Malay (Cocos dialect), English

Country name

Conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands ; conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Capital

Name: West Island ; geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 55 E ; time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative division

None (territory of Australia)

National holiday

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992

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Currency code

Australian dollar (AUD)


Internet country code

.cc

Ports and terminals

Port Refuge

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