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Tuvalu
Tuvalu is a Polynesian island nation, situated in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia. The nearest islands of Tuvalu are Kiribati, Samoa and Fiji. Tuvalu is consisted of 9 coral atolls, in which 4 are reef islands. Tuvalu is the 3rd least populous country in the world and the 2nd least populated member of the United Nations. It is 4th tiniest nation in the world. The city of Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu.
HISTORY:- The Ellice Islands were first inhabited by the Polynesians. In 1892, the islands became British protectorate. In 1915–1916, the islands were annexed by Britain and the British incorporated them into the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. In 1975, these islands were separated from the Gilbert Islands. In the same year, home rule was granted to the islands. The name was changed from Ellice Islands to Tuvalu. In 1978, Tuvalu gained independence within the Commonwealth. In 1979, four United States islands were incorporated into Tuvalu.
GEOGRAPHY:- Tuvalu is located at 8 00 S, 178 00 E in the Oceania. The archipelago comprises 9 coral atolls and spans through 26 sq km area. The coastline is 24 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is unnamed location (5 m). The archipelago is formed of very low-lying and narrow coral atolls.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Tuvalu is predominantly tropical, moderated by the easterly trade winds (March to November). The westerly gales and heavy rains can be seen from November to March.
GOVERNMENT:- Tuvalu has a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The constitution was adopted on 1st October 1978. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Queen Elizabeth II (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the deputy prime minister, and the cabinet. The Queen is represented by the Governor General. The governor general is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister. The prime minister and the deputy prime minister are elected by and from among the members of the Parliament. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Parliament (15 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the High Court with eight Island Courts.
There is no political party in Tuvalu. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Queen Elizabeth II
Governor General Filoimea Telito
Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- There is no administrative divisions of Tuvalu.
CULTURE:- Kilikiti, a similar sport like cricket is the traditional sport of Tavula. Fatele is a famous genre of Tuvaluan dance music. fakanu and fakaseasea are the traditional dances of Tuvalu.
ECONOMY:- Tuvaluan economy mostly rests on Subsistence farming and fishing. The archipelago is very poor in natural resources.
GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $14.94 million; per capita $1,600.
Real growth rate: 3% (2006 est.).
Inflation: 3.8%.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 0%.
Agriculture: coconuts; fish.
Labor force: 3,615 (2004 est.); people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those working abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors).
Industries: Fishing, tourism, copra.
Budget:
Revenues: $21.54 million
Expenditures: $23.05 million (2006)
Debt - external: $NA
Natural resource: fish.
Exports: $1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): copra, fish.
Imports: $31 million c.i.f. (2004 est.): food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods.
Major trading partners: Germany, Fiji, Italy, UK, Poland, Japan, Australia, China, New Zealand (2004).
Monetary unit: Australian dollar
LANGUAGE:- Tuvaluan and English are the official languages of Tuvalu. Samoan, and Kiribati (on the island of Nui) are also spoken in the island nation.
CITIES:- The city of Funafuti is the capital of Tuvalu and it is also the largest city of the country.
POPULATION:- Tuvalu is a densely populous nation. The estimated population of the archipelago is 11,992 with an average growth rate of 1.5%.
Density per sq mi: 1,195
Literacy rate: NA.
RACE:-
Polynesian 96%
Micronesian 4%
RELIGION:-
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%
Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%
Baha'i 1%
Other 0.6%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 22.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.97 years
Total fertility rate: 2.94 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 150
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to social, environmental or political conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promotes awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost. UNICEF partners with civil registrars and health ministries to assist them in birth registration.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 8 km (1999 est.); paved: 0 km; unpaved: 8 km.
Ports and harbors: Funafuti, Nukufetau.
Airports: 1 (2002).
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands are the Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom. The archipelago comprises two island groups- the larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands are located southeast of the Bahamas, north of Hispaniola. It is an autonomous part of the UK. Cockburn Town is the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Defense affairs are looked after by the UK.
HISTORY:- Arawaks were replaced by the Caribs in the islands. Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León explored the archipelago in 1512. The islands were passed from Spanish, to French, to British from the 16th to 18th centuries. In 1799 both the islands were annexed by the British as part of the Bahamas. In 1848, the islands were declared a separate colony under a council president. The islands became the dependency of Jamaica until 1959 when they were again declared a separate colony. After independence of Jamaica from Britain, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a crown colony in 1962.
GEOGRAPHY:- Turks and Caicos Islands are located at 21 45 N, 71 35 W in the Caribbean. The archipelago comprises two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean. The islands occupy total 430 sq km area. The coastline is 389 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Caribbean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is the Blue Hills (49 m). Turks and Caicos Islands comprise low, flat limestone and extensive marshes and mangrove swamps.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Turks and Caicos Islands is mostly tropical, marine, sunny and relatively dry, which is moderated by the trade winds.
GOVERNMENT:- Turks and Caicos Islands are the overseas territory of the UK. The Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order of 2006 is recognized as the formal constitution of the archipelago. The legal system is based on the England and Wales laws with minor influences of the laws of Jamaica and The Bahamas. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Queen Elizabeth II (chief of state), the Premier (head of government), and the cabinet. The Queen is represented by the Governor. The governor is appointed by the monarch. The leader of the majority party is appointed the premier by the governor. The cabinet, consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers, is appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
People's Democratic Movement or PDM and Progressive National Party or PNP are the principal political parties of Turks and Caicos Islands. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Queen Elizabeth II
Governor Gordon Wetherell
Premier Michael Misick
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Turks and Caicos Islands are composed of six administrative districts.
CULTURE:- Turks and Caicos Islands are popular for the ripsaw music.
ECONOMY:- Tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing are the pillars of the economy of Turks and Caicos Islands. Fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts are the major sources of government revenues.
GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $216 million; per capita $11,500.
Real growth rate: 4.9% (2000 est.).
Inflation: 4% (1995).
Unemployment: 10% (1997 est.).
Arable land: 2%.
Agriculture: Corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish.
Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.); about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services (1997 est.).
Industries: Tourism, offshore financial services.
Budget:
Revenues: $47 million
Expenditures: $33.6 million (1997-98 est.)
Natural resources: Spiny lobster, conch.
Exports: $169.2 million (2000): lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells.
Imports: $175.6 million (2000): food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials.
Major trading partners: U.S., UK (2004).
Monetary unit: U.S. dollar
LANGUAGE:- English is the official language of Turks and Caicos Islands but Turks and Caicos Islands Creole is also widely spoken in the islands.
CITIES:- Capital of Turks and Caicos Islands is Cockburn Town while the largest city of the archipelago is Providenciales.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Turks and Caicos Islands is 21,746 with an average growth rate of 2.7%.
Density per sq mi: 131
Literacy rate: 98% (1970 est.)
RACE:-
Black 90%
Mixed, European, or North American 10%
RELIGION:-
Baptist 40%
Anglican 18%
Methodist 16%
Church of God 12%
Other 14% (1990)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 21.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 4.16 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.35 deaths/1,000 live births ]
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.19 years
Total fertility rate: 2.98 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
UNICEF:- UNICEF in the nation is focusing on the child protection on the issues like adoption of children, the legal status of children, advocacy and juvenile justice. UNICEF is rigorously working to set back teenage mothers to school to complete their education. Awareness campaigns are organized to make the youth aware on the HIV as well as sample lessons are tested in pilot schools of the schools of the island. UNICEF also fights against child labour, and violence against children. The Eastern Caribbean region is free from Measles, polio and smallpox.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 121 km; paved: 24 km; unpaved: 97 km (2000).
Ports and harbors: Grand Turk, Providenciales.
Airports: 8 (2001).
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Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, the Turkic country is located in Central Asia. The country shares its border with Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the southwest, Uzbekistan to the northeast, Kazakhstan to the northwest, and the Caspian Sea to the west. It is a single-party state. It was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, namely the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic until 1991. The city of Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan.
HISTORY:- Turkmenistan was a part of the Persian Empire. The Seljuk Turks ruled the land in the 11th century. In the 13th century, the nation came under the Mongol Empire as the region was conquered by Ghenghis Khan. The Mongol domination was ended in the 15th century when the Uzbeks invaded Turkmenistan. The territory of Turkmenia was divided between the khanate of Khiva and the khanate of Bukhara. In 1868, the khanate of Khiva was incorporated into the Russian Empire. The name of Turkmenia was changed to Transcaspia Region of Russian Turkistan. Turkistan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was formed in 1922. In 1925, Turkmenistan became an independent Soviet Socialist Republic. Following the collapse of Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan declared its independence and joined the Commonwealth of Independent States in the same year along with ten other former Soviet republics.
GEOGRAPHY:-Turkmenistan is located at 40 00 N, 60 00 E in Central Asia. The country spans through 488,100 sq km area with no significant internal water source. Turkmenistan is a landlocked nation bordering Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The lowest point is Vpadina Akchanaya (-81 m) and the highest point is Gora Ayribaba (3,139 m). The terrain of Turkmenistan varies from flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south to low mountains along the border with Iran.
CLIMATE:- The Predominant climate of the country is subtropical desert.
GOVERNMENT:- Turkmenistan is a republic under authoritarian presidential rule. The constitution was adopted on adopted 18th May 1992. The legal system is modeled on the civil law system and the Islamic law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), and the Cabinet of Ministers. The president is elected by the popular vote on a 5-year term. The cabinet of ministers is appointed by the president. Authorized power is limited within the executive branch.
Legislative branch comprises two parliamentary bodies, consist of the People's Council (2,500 delegates) and the National Assembly or Mejlis (50 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court. The judges are appointed by the president.
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan is the ruling political part of Turkmenistan. Opposition parties are banned. Suffrage is universally imposed at the age of 18.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow
Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov
Ambassador to the United States Meret B. Orazov
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:-Turkmenistan is composed of 5 provinces and 1 independent city of Ashgabat. The provinces are: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), and Mary Welayaty.
CULTURE:- The music of Turkmenistan is related to Kyrgyz and Kazakh folk forms. Cappella and dutar are the traditional musical instruments of the land. Magtumguly Feraghy is Turkmenistan's national poet.
ECONOMY:- Cotton is the base of the economy of Turkmenistan. It has the 5th largest resource of gas and oil in the world. Turkmenistan is a leading supplier of raw materials, notably natural gas, petrochemicals and raw cotton. Poverty, a poor educational system, government’ misuse of oil and gas incomes, and Ashgabat's delaying to adopt market-oriented reforms are the major hindrances to the economic boons to the country. The present government has introduced a State Agency for Statistics. GDP growth rate is uncertain and irregular and it ranks 11th largest in the world.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $26.73 billion; per capita $5,200.
Real growth rate: 11.6% (IMF est.).
Inflation: 6.4%.
Unemployment: 60% (2004 est.).
Arable land: 4%.
Agriculture: Cotton, grain; livestock.
Labor force: 2.089 million (2004 est.); agriculture 48.2%, industry 14%, services 37.8%.
Industries: Natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing.
Budget:
Revenues: $1.664 billion
Expenditures: $1.624 billion (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $1.4 billion to $5 billion (2004 est.)
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt.
Exports: $4.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, cotton fiber, textiles.
Imports: $4.175 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs.
Major trading partners: Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, Italy, U.S., Russia, UAE, Germany, France, Georgia (2004).
Monetary unit: Manat
LANGUAGE:- Official language of Turkmenistan is Turkmen spoken by 72% of the entire population. Russian is spoken by 12% while Uzbek is spoken by 9% of the population.
CITIES:- The city of Ashgabat is the capital of the country as well as the largest city of Turkmenistan. Other large cities are Turkmenabat, Dashoguz, Mary, and Turkmenbashi.
POPULATION:- The population of Turkmenistan is estimated 5,136,262 with an average growth rate of 1.8%.
Density per sq mi: 27
Literacy rate: 98.9% (1999 est.)
RACE:-
Turkmen 85%
Uzbek 5%
Russian 4%
Other 6% (2003)
RELIGION:-
Muslim 89%
Eastern Orthodox 9%
Unknown 2%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 25.07 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.11 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 51.81 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.6 years
Total fertility rate: 3.07 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2004 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 308
UNICEF:- UNICEF introduced life-skills health education in schools. This campaign educated more than 40,000 children and young people on HIV and HIV prevention. Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian country to achieve optimum iodine nutrition. More than 50% of hospitals are certified as baby friendly. Over 700,000 women, children and teenage girls received iron and folic-acid supplements. UNICEF and its partners provide basic training to thousands of parents and volunteers on child health, nutrition, hygiene and child protection. UNICE with the government combats child labour and violation of children rights. 55% of the population accesses safe drinking water.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 2,440 km (2002).
Highways: total: 24,000 km; paved: 19,488 km; unpaved: 4,512 km (1999 est.).
Waterways: the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway.
Ports and harbors: Turkmenbasy
Airports: 76 (2002).
Turkey
Turkey is a Eurasian country, bordering Bulgaria to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to the southeast, the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus to the south, the Aegean Sea and Archipelago to the west, and the Black Sea is to the north. Turkey is a member of Council of Europe since 1949, NATO since 1952, OECD since 1961, OSCE since 1973 and the G20 industrial nations since 1999. The city of Ankara is the capital of Turkey.
HISTORY:- The Indo-European Hittites occupied Anatolia in 1900 BC. Following the downfall of the Hittites, the region was captured by Phrygians and Lydians. In the 6th century BC, the region came under the Persian Empire, followed by the Roman Empire, then later the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Turks defeated Turkish and Mongols and occupied Turkey. After Sultan Süleyman I’s reign, the Ottoman Empire began shrinking. In the Crimean War (1854–1856), Russian interest over the region was shattered by Britain and France. The Young Turks emerged from the Turkish weakness in 1909. They forced Sultan Abdul Hamid to introduce a liberal government. A new constitution was also adopted. However Turkey faced territorial losses after the World War I, as it sided with Germany. Turkey became a republic in 1923 and Kemal Atatürk became the first president. In the World War II, Turkey sided against Germany and Japan.
GEOGRAPHY:-Turkey is located at 39 00 N, 35 00 E at the juncture of Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Total area of Turkey is 780,580 sq km in which land and internal waters capture 770,760 sq km and 9,820 sq km respectively. The coastline is 7,200 km long along with the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The lowest point is Mediterranean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Mount Ararat (5,166 m). Turkey is composed of high central plateau known as Anatolia, narrow coastal plains, and several mountain ranges.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Turkey is mostly temperate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters while the climate is harsher in the interior.
GOVERNMENT:- Turkey has a republican parliamentary democracy. The constitution was adopted on 7th November 1982. The civil law system of Turkey is based on various European continental legal systems. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the Deputy Prime Ministers, and the Council of Ministers. The president is elected by the National Assembly on a 7-year term. The prime minister is appointed by the president from among members of parliament. The council of ministers is appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey (550 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Constitutional Court, High Court of Appeals, Council of State, Court of Accounts, Military High Court of Appeals, and Military High Administrative Court.
Major political parties to represent in the Parliament include Justice and Development Party (AKP), Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Action Party (MHP), Democratic Society Party (DTP), Democratic Left Party (DSP), Freedom and Democracy Party (ODP), and Grand Unity Party (BBP). Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Abdullah Gül
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Speaker of the Parliament Köksal Toptan
Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek, Hayati Yazici, Nazim Ekren.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Turkey is divided into 81 provinces.
CULTURE:- The culture of Turkey is derived from Oğuz Turkic, Anatolian, Ottoman, and western cultures. The literature of the land is highly influences by Persian and Arabic literature. Football is the most popular sport of Turkey while Yağlı güreş is the national sport of the nation.
ECONOMY:- Turkish economy ranges form a strong agriculture sector to rapidly growing private sector. Textiles and clothing are the largest sector of the economy.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $888 billion; per capita $12,900.
Real growth rate: 5%.
Inflation: 8.8%.
Unemployment: 9.9% (plus underemployment of 4.0%).
Arable land: 30%.
Agriculture: Tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock.
Labor force: 23.53 million (2007); agriculture 35.9%, industry 22.8%, services 41.2% (3rd quarter, 2004).
Industries: Textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper.
Budget:
Revenues: $145.5 billion
Expenditures: $156.1 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 38.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $247.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Natural resources: antimony, coal, chromium, mercury, copper, borate, sulfur, iron ore, arable land, hydropower.
Exports: $72.49 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment.
Imports: $101.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, chemicals, semifinished goods, fuels, transport equipment.
Major trading partners: Germany, UK, U.S., Italy, France, Spain, Russia, China (2004).
Monetary unit: Turkish lira (YTL)
LANGUAGE:- Turkish is the official language of Turkey while Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, and Kabardian are also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The capital of Turkey is Ankara and the largest city is Istanbul. Other major cities include İzmir, Bursa, Adana, Trabzon, Malatya, Gaziantep, Erzurum, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Konya, Mersin, Eskişehir, Diyarbakır, Antalya and Samsun.
POPULATION:- The population of Turkey is estimated 71,158,647 with an average growth rate of 1.0%.
Density per sq mi: 239
Literacy rate: 87.4% (2004 est.)
RACE:-
Turkish 80%,
Kurdish 20% (estimated)
RELIGION:-
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni)
Other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 16.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 36.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.14 years
Total fertility rate: 1.87 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 592
UNICEF:- Turkey is polio free since 1998. UNICEF is promoting breastfeeding and girls’ education in the nation. Maternal and infant mortality rates are declining. Over 100 hospitals are certified as baby friendly. UNICEF partners with Procter & Gamble to educate more than 250000 mothers about parenting. All schoolchildren received vaccination against measles and 64% households received iodized salt. UNICEF supported the Girls’ Education Campaign to increase girls’ enrolment in schools. The minimum age for marriage for girls was raised from 15 to 17. UNICEF fights against discrimination against women and promotes children rights and juvenile justice.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 8,607 km (2002).
Highways: total: 385,960 km; paved: 131,226 km (including 1,749 km of expressways); unpaved: 254,734 km (1999).
Waterways: about 1,200 km.
Ports and harbors: Gemlik, Hopa, Iskenderun, Istanbul, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Icel (Mersin), Samsun, Trabzon.
Airports: 120 (2002).
Tunisia
The Tunisian Republic, located in North Africa, shares its border with Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. The Mediterranean Sea borders Tunisia to the north and northeast. It is the northernmost African nation as well as the smallest nation situated along the Atlas mountain range. The city of Tunis is the capital of Tunisia.
HISTORY:- The Phoenicians settled in the region at the earliest around the 12th century BC. The city of Carthage was the most powerful land in the western Mediterranean around the 6th century BC. But the three successive Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage destroyed the great city of Carthage in 146 BC. The city of Carthage became a part of Vandal Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. The Arabs conquered the region in 648 and it was controlled by various Arab and Berber Empires. In 1570, the land became a part of Ottoman Empire following the Turk conquest. In 1881, the land was occupied by the French. Following years the nation became a French protectorate. Struggle for independence from the French started and France was forced to recognize the independence and sovereignty of Tunisia in 1956. In 1957 Tunisia became a republic with Habib Bourguiba as the first president of the nation. In 1987, Bourguiba was overthrown in a bloodless coup and replaced by Gen. Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
GEOGRAPHY:-Tunisia is located at 34 00 N, 9 00 E in Northern Africa, spanning through 163,610 sq km area in which land masses and internal water sources occupy 155,360 sq km and 8,250 sq km respectively. The coastline is 1,148 km long along with the Mediterranean Sea. The lowest point is Shatt al Gharsah (-17 m) and the highest point is Jebel ech Chambi (1,544 m). The northern part is mountainous. Arable land can be found in north and along the central coasts while the southern part is mostly semiarid or desert. 40% of the terrain is occupied by the Sahara desert.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Tunisia varies from temperate in the north with mild and rainy winters and hot and dry summers to desert in the south.
GOVERNMENT:- Tunisia is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 1st June 1959 but was amended in 1988 and 2002. The legal system is a mixture of the French civil law system and the Islamic law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the Council of Ministers. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The prime minister and the council of ministers are appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral parliament, consists of the Chamber of Deputies (189 seats), and the Chamber of Advisors (126 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the District Courts, the Courts of Appeal, and the Court of Cassation.
Democratic Constitutional Rally is the ruling party of Tunisia. Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties or FDTL, Liberal Social Party or PSL, Movement of Democratic Socialists or MDS, Popular Unity Party or PUP, Unionist Democratic Union or UDU, Progressive Democratic Party or PDP, and Green Party for Progress or PVP are the major opposition political parties of Tunisia. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:-Tunisia is divided into 24 governorates.
CULTURE:- The culture of Tunisia is a fusion of Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Turkish, Spanish, and French cultures. Several popular festivals include Tabarka Jazz Festival, Testour's Arab Andalusian Music Festival, and the Sahara Festival in Douz.
ECONOMY:- The Tunisian economy is ranked high among the Middle Eastern and African nations according to the World Economic Forum. Agricultural, mining, tourism, and manufacturing sectors are the backbones of the economy of Tunisia. Advancement in the non-textile manufacturing, a recovery in agricultural sector, and development in the services sector let the real growth rise from 5% to 6.3% in 2007.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $77 billion; per capita $7,500.
Real growth rate: 6.3%.
Inflation: 3.1%.
Unemployment: 14.1%.
Arable land: 17%.
Agriculture: Olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products.
Labor force: 3.593 million; note: shortage of skilled labor; services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $8.466 billion
Expenditures: $9.475 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 55.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $19.27 billion (December 2007)
Industries: Petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages.
Natural resources: Petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt.
Exports: $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons.
Imports: $12.86 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food.
Major trading partners: France, Italy, Germany, Spain (2004).
Monetary unit: Tunisian dinar
LANGUAGE:- Arabic is the official languages of Tunisia while French is widely used in commerce.
CITIES:- The city of Tunis is the capital and the largest city of Tunisia. Other major cities are Greater Tunis, Sfax, Nabeul, Sousse.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Tunisia is 10,276,158 with an average growth rate of 1.0%.
Density per sq mi: 171
Literacy rate: 74.3% (2004 est.).
RACE:-
Arab 98%
European 1%
Jewish and other 1%
RELIGION:-
Muslim 98%
Christian 1%
Jewish and other 1%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 15.5 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 23.43 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.56 years
Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 477
UNICEF:- The government has undertaken programmes to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality. UNICEF supports new measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and provides support for HIV+ children. The national immunization campaign immunized teenage girls against measles and rubella. UNICEF partners with various organizations to improve health care in Tunisia. Ministry of Education launched a programme of preparatory classes in primary schools to cover 1,250 schools and 24,000 children to increase school enrolment. English has been introduced as a regular part of the education curriculum. The new legislation and a policy broaden the awareness on children rights. More than 1200 social workers received training on protecting vulnerable children. UNICEF ties up with journalists to improve media coverage of issues affecting children in Tunisia.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 2,152 km (2002).
Highways: total: 18,997 km; paved: 12,310 km; unpaved: 6,687 km (2000).
Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis.
Airports: 30 (2002).
Trinidad and Tobago
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a southern Caribbean island nation. Tobago is the smaller island, comprising 6% of the total area and 4% of the population. Port of Spain is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
HISTORY:- Trinidad was inhabited by the Arawaks and Tobago was inhabited by the Carib Indians before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1498. Trinidad was occupied by the Spanish while Tobago was occupied by Britain and France simultaneously in several times. Trinidad was ceded to Britain in 1802 and Tobago was ceded to Britain in 1814. After slavery was outlawed, thousands of workers were brought from India to work on sugarcane plantations in the colonies. In 1889, Trinidad and Tobago were unified into one single colony by the British. In 1925, the colony was granted with a partial autonomy. In 1958, it joined the West Indies Federation and remained with the federation until its dissolution in 1962. In the same year, Trinidad and Tobago gained independence. In 1976, it became a republic within the Commonwealth. Eric Williams ruled the country from 1956 until his death in 1981.
GEOGRAPHY:- Apart form the main two islands- Trinidad and Tobago, there are 21 smaller islands in the archipelago. Trinidad and Tobago is located at 11 00 N, 61 00 W in the Oceania. The islands occupy total 5,128 sq km area in which there is no major interval water source. The coastline is 362 km long along with the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Caribbean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is El Cerro del Aripo (940 m). Trinidad and Tobago is mainly composed of plains with some hills and low mountains around.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is mostly tropical. The rainy season persists from June to December.
GOVERNMENT:- Trinidad and Tobago has a parliamentary democracy. The constitution was adopted on 1st August 1976. The legal system is based on the English common law. The three principal branches of the government and their higher officials are as follows:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the cabinet ministers. The electoral college of the President comprises the members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The president is elected on a 5-year term. The leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives is usually appointed the prime minister by the president. The cabinet ministers are appointed from among the members of Parliament.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament, which consists of the Senate (31 seats) and the House of Representatives (41 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court of Judicature, which consists of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals. The chief justice of the Supreme Court is appointed by the president after consulting with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition parties while other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. The Privy Council in London is the highest court of appeal. Other courts include the High Court of Justice, the Caribbean Court of Appeals member, and the Court of Appeals.
The three major political parties of Trinidad and Tobago are People's National Movement (PNM), United National Congress (UNC), and Congress of the People (COP). Other minor parties include the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR).
President George Maxwell Richards
Prime Minister Patrick Manning
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Trinidad and Tobago is divided into:
9 regional corporations: Talparo, Diego Martin, Rio Claro, Penal, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan, Siparia, and Piarco.
2 city corporations: Port-of-Spain and San Fernando.
3 borough corporations: Arima, Chaguanas, and Point Fortin.
1 ward: Tobago.
CULTURE:- Trinidad and Tobago celebrates many festivities and ceremonies through the year. It is the birthplace of calypso music and the steelpan. The Limbo dance is also very famous. Football and cricket are the most popular sports of Trinidad and Tobago.
ECONOMY:- Trinidad and Tobago has been emerged as the excellent investment site for foreign businesses. It has one of the highest growth rates and per capita incomes among the Latin American nations. Oil and gas are the pillars of the economy of the nation, accounting for 40% of GDP and 80% of exports. Trinidad and Tobago is the highest oil and gas producer in the Caribbean region.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $23.79 billion; per capita $18,300.
Real growth rate: 5.5%.
Inflation: 7.9%.
Unemployment: 6.5%.
Arable land: 15%.
Agriculture: Cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry.
Labor force: 615,000; construction and utilities 17.5%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 12.9%, agriculture 4%, services 65.6% (2006 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $6.415 billion
Expenditures: $6.214 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 26.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $2.826 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Industries: Petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles.
Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, asphalt.
Exports: $9.161 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers.
Imports: $6.011 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals.
Major trading partners: U.S., Jamaica, France, Venezuela, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Italy (2004).
Monetary unit: Trinidad and Tobago dollar
LANGUAGE:- English is the official language of Trinidad and Tobago. Other languages include Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, and Chinese.
CITIES:- The Capital of the nation is Port of Spain whilst the largest city is San Fernando. Other major cities are Chaguanas, Arima, Scarborough (Tobago).
POPULATION:- The estimated population is 1,056,608 with a growth rate of –0.9%.
Density per sq mi: 533
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Indian (South Asian) 40%
African 37.5%
Mixed 20.5%
Other 1.2%
Unspecified 0.8% (2000)
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 26%
Hindu 22.5%
Anglican 7.8%
Baptist 7.2%
Pentecostal 6.8%
Muslim 5.8%
Seventh Day Adventist 4%
Other Christian 5.8%
Other 10.8%
Unspecified 1.4%
None 1.9% (2000)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 13.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 10.93 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 23.59 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67 years
Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 763
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Trinidad and Tobago mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: Railway service was discontinued in 1968 (2001).
Highways: total: 8,320 km; paved: 4,252 km; unpaved: 4,068 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora.
Airports: 6 (2002).
Tonga
The archipelago of the Kingdom of Tonga, also known as the Friendly Islands, is situated in the Oceania. The archipelago comprises 169 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, among which only 36 islands are inhabited. Tonga has the only surviving monarchy among the island nations in the Pacific Ocean. Nukualofa is the capital of Tonga. Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
HISTORY:- Polynesians were the earliest settlers in the region. The Dutch arrived in the land in 1616 followed by British explorer James Cook who arrived in the land in 1773 and 1777. Taufa'ahau Tupou took the name of George I and established the royal dynasty of Tonga in 1831. By 1845, Tonga was unified into one Polynesian kingdom by Taufa'ahau Tupou. In 1875, the region was granted with a constitution. In 1900, when his grandson signed a treaty with the British for friendship, which was revised in 1959, the land became a protectorate of Britain. Tonga was incorporated into the British Western Pacific Territories from 1901-1970. Tonga gained independence in 1970 and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in the same year. Tonga became a member of the United Nations in 1999.
GEOGRAPHY:- Tonga is located at 20 00 S, 175 00 W in the Oceania. The archipelago comprises 169 islands, occupying total 748 sq km area in which land and water portions occupy 718 sq km and 30 sq km respectively. The coastline is 419 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed elevation on Kao Island (1,033 m). Some islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation while some others have limestone overlying volcanic base.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Tonga is predominantly tropical, modified by the trade winds. The warm season persists from December to May, and the cool season persists from May to December.
GOVERNMENT:- Tonga has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was adopted on 4th November 1875 and was revised on 1st January 1967. The legal system is designed after the English common law. The three main branches of the government and their officials are as follows:
Executive branch comprises the King (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the Deputy Prime Minister, the Privy Council and the cabinet. The monarch is hereditary. Both the prime minister and the deputy prime minister are appointed by the monarch. The Privy Council consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and two governors. Among the 14 members of the cabinet, 10 members are appointed by the monarch and remaining 4 members are appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. The judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the monarch.
People's Democratic Party, Friendly Islands Human Rights and Democratic Movement, and Paati Langafonua Tu'uloa are the most prominent political parties of Tonga. Suffrage is universal at the age of 21.
King George Tupou V
Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami Tangi
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Tonga is composed of 3 island groups: Ha'apai, Tongatapu, and Vava'u.
CULTURE:- Before the arrival of the Europeans, Tongan culture was predominantly derived from its Oceanic neighbors. But after Europeanization, Tongan culture had been changed dramatically. Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tongan women are famous for juggling.
ECONOMY:- Agriculture is the base of the Tongan economy. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main economic crops in the open and well-developed economy of Tonga. Tongan economy is largely based on the foreign aid. Tourism is the 2nd largest source of foreign currency earning. The government is giving stress on the privatization and investments.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $526 million; per capita $5,100.
Real growth rate: -3.5%.
Inflation: 5.9%.
Unemployment: 13% (FY03/04 est.).
Arable land: 20%.
Agriculture: Squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish.
Labor force: 33,910 (2003); agriculture 65%, industry and services 35% (1997 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $80.48 million
Expenditures: $109.8 million (FY07/08)
Debt - external: $80.7 million (2004)
Industries: Tourism, fishing. Natural resources: fish, fertile soil. Exports: $34 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops.
Exports - partners: US 34.4%, Japan 20.3%, South Korea 10.5%, NZ 9.5%, Fiji 5.5%, Samoa 4.6% (2006)
Imports: $122 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals.
Imports - partners: Fiji 33.1%, NZ 28%, US 9.2%, Australia 7.8%, China 4.8% (2006)
Major trading partners: Japan, China, U.S., Taiwan, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia (2004).
Monetary unit: Pa'anga
LANGUAGE:- Tongan and English are the official languages of Tonga. Tongan is an Austronesian language which is very similar to Wallisian, Niuean and other Polynesian dialects such as Hawaiian and Samoan.
CITIES:- The city of Nukualofa is the capital of Tonga and the largest city of the country as well.
POPULATION:- The population of is estimated 116,921 with an average growth rate of 1.8%.
Density per sq mi: 422
Literacy rate: 99% (1999 est.)
RACE:-
Polynesian 98%
Europeans 2%
RELIGION:- The predominant religion followed by the Tongans is Christianity.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 21.81 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.44 years
Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 254
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to social, environmental or political conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promotes awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost. UNICEF partners with civil registrars and health ministries to assist them in birth registration.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 680 km; paved: 184 km; unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai.
Airports: 6 (2002).
United States Minor Outlying Islands
The United States Minor Outlying Islands is a combination of 9 insular United States-possessed islands. These islands are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Palmyra Atoll, Kingman Reef, Johnston Atoll, Sand Island, Navassa Island, and Midway Atoll. There is no permanent resident in any island. Only scientific and military personel reside in the islands. Palmyra Atoll is the only incorporated territory of the United States.
The 9 islands are grouped together entirely as a statistical convenience, which are not governed collectively.
Tokelau
Tokelau, comprising three coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, is a Non-Self-Governing territory of New Zealand. There is no formal capital of the archipelago as each atoll has its own administrative centre. Defense of Tokelau is the responsibility of New Zealand.
HISTORY:- The region was originally settled by the Polynesians. In 1889, the British settled a protectorate in Tokelau. In 1925, it passed to New Zealand.
GEOGRAPHY:- Tokelau is located at 9 00 S, 172 00 W in the Oceania. Tokelau comprises three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, spanning across 10 sq km area. The coastline is 101 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is the Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location (5 m). The islands are formed of low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Tokelau is mostly tropical which is moderated by the trade winds from April to November.
GOVERNMENT:- Both Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand. It is a self-administering territory of New Zealand. The islands are governed according to the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948. The legal system is based on the New Zealand law and local statutes. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Queen Elizabeth II (chief of state), the Administrator, the Head of Government, and the Council for the current Government of Tokelau. The Queen is represented by the Governor General of New Zealand. The Administrator represents New Zealand in the territory.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral General Fono (20 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court in New Zealand which exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau.
There is no political party in Tokelau. Suffrage is universal at the age of 21.
ECONOMY:- Subsistence agriculture is the base of the economy of Tokelau. The islands depend heavily on the financial assistances from New Zealand.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.5 million (1993 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $NA
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 (1993 est.)
Labor force: 440 (2001)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Budget:
Revenues: $430,800
Expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.)
Agriculture – products: Coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papayas, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats; fish
Industries: Small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing
Exports:$0 (2002)
Exports - commodities: Stamps, copra, handicrafts
Exports - partners: New Zealand (2006)
Imports:$969,200 c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities: Foodstuffs, building materials, fuel
Imports - partners: New Zealand (2006)
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD)
LANGUAGE:- Tokelauan and English are the official languages of Tokelau.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Tokelau is 1,433 (July 2008 est.) with an average growth rate of -0.011% (2008 est.).
RACE:- Predominantly Polynesians reside in Tokelau.
RELIGION:-
Congregational Christian Church 70%
Roman Catholic 28%
Other 2%
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to social, environmental or political conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promotes awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the region. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost. UNICEF partners with civil registrars and health ministries to assist them in birth registration.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Ports and terminals: None; offshore anchorage only.
Togo
The Togolese Republic is a small country in West Africa. The nation shares its border with Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. Lomé is the capital of Togo.
HISTORY:- The Voltaic and the Kwa peoples were believed to be the earliest inhabitants of Togo. They were followed by the Ewe people in the 14th century and the Ane in the 18th century. Denmark was the first European power to claim the land in the 18th century. But Germany was the first European power to colonize Togo in 1884 with the name of Togoland. Following the World War I, the territory of Togoland was divided between Britain and France under the League of Nations mandates. The region gained United Nations trusteeships later. The British-occupied Togoland became a part of Ghana whist the French part announced independence in 1960 from France with the name of Togo. President Sylvano Olympius was overthrown in 1963 and Nicolas Grunitzky took over the control of the land. Nicolas Grunitzky’s era was ended in a bloodless coup in 1967. Eyadema Gnassingbe became the new president of Togo. Eyadema suspended the constitution and banned all political parties. But in 1993, he was forced to legalize political parties in Togo and in the same year first multiparty presidential election was held in Togo. After 38 years of reign, Eyadema Gnassingbe died in 2005.
GEOGRAPHY:- Togo is located at 8 00 N, 1 10 E in Western Africa. The country possesses total 56,785 sq km in which 54,385 sq km area in covered with land masses and 2,400 sq km area is covered with internal water sources. The coastline is 56 km long along with the Bight of Benin of the Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Mont Agou (986 m). Togo is composed of gently rolling savannas in the north, central hills, southern plateau, and low coastal plains with extensive lagoons and marshes.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Togo is mostly tropical. The climate varies from hot, humid in the south to semiarid in the north.
GOVERNMENT:- Togo is a republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule. The new constitution was approved on 1st July 1992 and adopted by a public referendum on 27th September 1992. The legal system is based on the French-based court system. The three principal branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the Council of Ministers. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The prime minister is appointed by the president. The council of ministers is appointed jointly by the president and the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (81 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Principal political parties of Togo are Rassemblement du Peuple Togolais (RPT), Union des Forces de Changement (UFC), Comite d'action pour le Renouveau (CAR), Pan-African Patriotic Convergence Party (CPP), and Democratic Convention of the Togolese People (CDPA). Suffrage is universal for all adults.
President Faure Gnassingbé
Prime Minister Komlan Mally
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Togo is divided into 5 regions: Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, and Savanes. These regions are further subdivided into 30 prefectures and 1 commune.
CULTURE:- Ewe, Mina, and Kabre cultures are prominent and predominant in Togo’s culture. Football is the most popular sport in Togo.
ECONOMY:- Togo’s economy rests on mainly commercial and subsistence agriculture, providing 65% employment. The 4th largest producer of phosphate in the world, received economic aids from the World Bank and the IMF for economic reforms.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.208 billion; per capita $800.
Real growth rate: 2.1%.
Inflation: 1%.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 44%.
Agriculture: Coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish.
Labor force: 1.302 million (1998); agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.).
Industries: Phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages.
Budget:
Revenues: $481.5 million
Expenditures: $427.7 million (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $2 billion (2005)
Natural resources: Phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land.
Exports: $768 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa.
Imports: $1.047 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products.
Major trading partners: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, Mali, China, India, France, Côte d'Ivoire (2004).
Monetary unit: CFA Franc
LANGUAGE:- French is the official and the language of commerce in Togo. Ewe and Mina are the two major African languages widely spoken in the south whilst Kabye and Dagomba are the two major African languages spoken in the north.
CITIES:- The city of Lomé is the capital and the largest city of Togo as well. Other major cities are Sokodé, Kara, Atakpamé, and Dapaong.
POPULATION:- The population of Togo is estimated 5,701,579 with an average growth rate of 2.7%.
Density per sq mi: 272
Literacy rate: 61% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
African (37 tribes in which largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%
European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%.
RELIGION:-
Christian 29%
Muslim 20%
Indigenous beliefs 51%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 36.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 57.66 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.28 years
Total fertility rate: 4.85 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 10,000 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 67
UNICEF:- Togo is polio-free since 2003. Immunization against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus is going on at a high rate. Thousands of displaced persons received food and other humanitarian assistance from UNICEF and its partners. UNICEF assisted 230 conflict-affected children to reunify with their families. UNICEF partners with the government to improve education system. Teachers are being trained to eliminate discrimination against girls in the classroom. UNICEF fights against child trafficking with a new law in Togo and 35 magistrates are trained to implement the new legislation.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 525 km (2002).
Highways: total: 7,520 km; paved: 2,376 km; unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.).
Waterways: 50 km Mono River.
Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome.
Airports: 9 (2002).
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