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Thailand
The Kingdom of Thailand, the Southeast Asian country borders Laos and Burma to the north; Laos and Cambodia to the east; the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south; and the Andaman Sea and Burma to the west. It is the 50th largest country in terms of area and 20th largest country in terms of population in the world. The city of Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.
HISTORY:- The Thais first settled in Thailand around the 6th century. The Thais remained engaged in conflicts with the Cambodians to the east and the Burmese to the west for near 400 years. In 1824, Britain colonized Thailand. In 1896, the independence of Thailand had been ensured in an Anglo-French accord. 1932 bloodless revolution brought in a new constitutional monarchy with universal suffrage. At the time of the World War II, Thailand was an ally of Japan but at the end of the war, it became an ally of the United States. Military rule was ended in 1973 but returned into power in 1976. All political parties were outlawed. Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda was elected as the prime minister by the national assembly in 1980, 1983 and 1986 elections.
GEOGRAPHY:- Thailand is located at 15 00 N, 100 00 E in Southeastern Asia. Thailand spans through total 514,000 sq km area in which land masses and internal waters capture 511,770 sq km and 2,230 sq km areas respectively. The coastline is 3,219 km long along with the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The lowest point is the Gulf of Thailand (0 m) and the highest point is Doi Inthanon (2,576 m). The terrain of Thailand varies from central plain to Khorat Plateau in the northeast, to mountainous west. The southern isthmus connects Thailand with Malaysia.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Thailand is mostly tropical while the southern isthmus is always hot and humid. There are two rainy seasons- cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September) and dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March).
GOVERNMENT:- Thailand has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was signed by the King in 2007. The legal system is a blend of civil law system and the common law system. The principal branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the King (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the Deputy Prime Ministers, and the Council of Ministers and the Privy Council. The monarch is hereditary following the 2007 constitution. After the national elections of the House of Representatives, the leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed the prime minister by the king.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral National Assembly, consists of the Senate (150 seats), and the House of Representatives (480 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court. The judges are appointed by the monarch.
Democrat Party or DP, Matchima Thippatai, Motherland Party, People Power Party, Royalist People's Party, Ruam Jai Thai Party, and Thai Nation Party are the major political parties of Thailand. Communist Party is prohibited. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana, Man Pattanothai, Sahas Banditkun, Sanan Kachornprasat, Somchai Wongsawat, Surapong Suebwonglee
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Thailand is composed of 75 provinces and 2 special governed districts- the capital Bangkok and Pattaya.
CULTURE:- India, China, Cambodia, and Southeast Asian cultures influence the culture of Thailand. Respect towards ancestors, strong sense of hospitality and generosity, strong sense of social hierarchy, priorities to the elders in families are derived from Asian culture. Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand. Thai cuisine is a fusion of five fundamental tastes- sweet, spicy, sour, bitter and salty. The tourism sector of Thailand also recovered from the economic crisis caused by 2004 tsunami by the end of 2007.
ECONOMY:- Export-dependent Thai economy has a developed infrastructure. Thailand has made up from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. In the financial year of 2002-04, Thailand emerged as one of the best performers in East Asia. Thailand is world's 2nd largest tungsten producer and 3rd largest tin producer.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $519.4 billion; per capita $7,900.
Real growth rate: 4.8%.
Inflation: 2.2%.
Unemployment: 1.4%.
Arable land: 28%.
Agriculture: Rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans.
Labor force: 36.9 million; agriculture 49%, industry 14%, services 37% (2000 est.).
Industries: Tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts.
Budget:
Revenues: $44.09 billion
Expenditures: $49.84 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 37.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $58.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Natural resources: Tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land.
Exports: $105.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances.
Imports: $107 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels.
Major trading partners: U.S., Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan (2004).
Monetary unit: baht
LANGUAGE:- Thai is the official language of Thailand. English is the secondary language of the elite while many ethnic and regional dialects are widely spoken.
CITIES:- Bangkok is the capital and the largest city of Thailand. Other large cities are Nonthanburi and Chiang Mai.
POPULATION:- The population is estimated 65,068,149 with an average growth rate of 0.7.
Density per sq mi: 329
Literacy rate: 96% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Thai 75%
Chinese 14%
Other 11%
RELIGION:-
Buddhist 94.6%
Muslim 4.6%
Christian 0.7%
Other 0.1% (2000)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 13.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 18.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.83 years
Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 58,000 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 323
UNICEF:- children mortality rate is reduced by 50% and immunization coverage reached above 90% children in Thailand. UNICEF focuses on provision for social services for vulnerable children. ‘Child-friendly’ schools are being set up. UNICEF works against gender discrimination, HIV, violation of children rights, and child trafficking in the nation.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 4,071 km (2002).
Highways: total: 64,600 km; paved: 62,985 km; unpaved: 1,615 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 4,000 km.
Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla.
Airports: 111 (2002).
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania, an East African nation, borders Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania. Tanzania is member of Commonwealth of Nations.
HISTORY:- Around 700, the Arab traders started colonizing the region. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to gain the possession of Tanganyika in 1500. The sultan of Oman conquered the region in the 17th century. Along with Burundi and Rwanda, Tanganyika became the colonial territory of German East Africa in 1885. Following the World War I, the region came under League of Nations mandate and was administrated by the British Empire. Later the territory became a United Nations trust territory. Tanganyika gained independence in 1961. Tanganyika and Zanzibar were merged to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The name of the republic was changed from the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to Tanzania after six months. Uganda invaded Tanzania in 1978 which resulted into a counterattack by the Tanzanians. President Julius Nyerere was overthrown by his vice president Ali Hassan Mwinyi in 1985. In 1995, Tanzania emerged as the multi-party state and first multiparty elections of the nation were held in the same year.
GEOGRAPHY:- Tanzania is located at 6 00 S, 35 00 E in Eastern Africa. The country occupies total 945,087 sq km area in which 886,037 sq km and 59,050 sq km areas are captured by land and internal water parts respectively. The territory of Tanzania includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar. The coastline is 1,424 km long along with the Indian Ocean. The lowest point is Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Kilimanjaro (5,895 m). Tanzania is formed of plains along the coasts, plateau in central, and highlands in the north and south.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Tanzania varies from tropical along coasts to temperate in highlands.
GOVERNMENT:- Tanzania is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 25th April 1977 and was amended in 1984. The legal system is based on the English common law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Vice President, the Prime minister, and the cabinet. The president and vice president are elected on the same ballot by popular vote on 5-year terms. The prime minister is appointed by the president. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly. Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for the internal affairs of Zanzibar.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Court of Appeals, High Courts, Resident Magistrate Courts, district courts, and primary courts in mainland Tanzania while Zanzibar has the High Court, people's district courts, and kadhis court (Islamic courts).
Some major political parties of Tanzania include Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM), The Civic United Front (CUF), Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Union for Multiparty Democracy (UMD), National Convention for Construction and Reform (NCCR-Mageuzi), National League for Democracy (NLD), National Reconstruction for Alliance (NRA). Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda
Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein
President of Zanzibar Amani Abeid Karume
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Tanzania is divided into 26 regions.
CULTURE:- African root is predominant in the music of Tanzania. The music of the country ranges from rumba to string-based taarab to a hip hop genre known as bongo flava. Godfrey Mwakikagile, Mohamed Said, Prof. Joseph Mbele, Juma Volter Mwapachu, Prof. Issa Shivji, Jenerali Twaha Ulimwengu are some of the notable writers of Tanzania.
ECONOMY:- Being one of the most impoverished nations in the world, Tanzanian economy is based on agriculture, which provides 40% of GDP, 85% of exports, and 80% employment. Tanzania received financial assistance form the World Bank and the IMF.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $48.94 billion; per capita $1,300.
Real growth rate: 7.3%.
Inflation: 7%.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 5%.
Agriculture: Coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats.
Labor force: 20.04 million; agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.).
Industries: Agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer.
Budget:
Revenues: $3.148 billion
Expenditures: $3.577 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 19.7% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $4.379 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Natural resources: Hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel.
Exports: $1.581 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton.
Imports: $2.391 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil.
Major trading partners: India, Spain, Netherlands, Japan, UK, China, Kenya, South Africa, UAE, U.S. (2004).
Monetary unit: Tanzanian shilling
LANGUAGE:- English and Kiswahili or Swahili are the official languages of Tanzania while Arabic is widely spoken in Zanzibar. Many local languages are also spoken.
CITIES:- The capital of Tanzania is Dodoma while the largest city is Dar es Salaam.
Other major cities are Arusha, Mwanza, Mbeya, Mtwara, and Stonetown in Zanzibar.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Tanzania is 38,139,640 with a growth rate of 1.8%.
Density per sq mi: 111
Literacy rate: 78% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Mainland:
African 99% (95% are Bantu comprising more than 130 tribes)
Other 1% (comprising Asian, European, and Arab).
Zanzibar: Arab, African, mixed Arab and African.
RELIGION:-
Mainland:
Christian 30%
Muslim 35%
Indigenous beliefs 35%.
Zanzibar:
More than 99% Muslim
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 35.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 12.92 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 70.46 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.45 years
Total fertility rate: 4.62 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 160,000 (2003 est.)
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Tanzania rigorously combats HIV. UNICEF provided health care to 70,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and 100,000 under-5 children in refugee camps. With the help of the Ministry of Health’s immunization programme, immunization reached 90%. UNICEF distributed vitamin A supplementation, insecticide-treated bednets, and de-worming treatments. Tanzania is free from maternal neonatal tetanus. 85% households can access iodized salt. UNICEF partners with the government to protect orphans and other vulnerable children.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 3,690 km (2002).
Highways: total: 88,200 km; paved: 3,704 km; unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.). Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa.
Ports and harbors: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar.
Airports: 124 (2007).
Tajikistan
The Republic of Tajikistan is a landlocked nation in Central Asia. Tajikistan shares its border with Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. The capital of Tajikistan is Dushanbe. It is one of the most impoverished countries in the world.
HISTORY:- The present Tajik Republic was once a part of the ancient Persian Empire, which was later conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC. During the 7th century and the 8th century, Islam was introduced in the region with the advent of the Arabs. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan conquered the region successively. Russia claimed Tajikistan in 1860. Tajikistan was consolidated into a newly formed Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1924. It was an administrative part of the Uzbek SSR until the formation of republic of Tajikistan in 1929. In 1991, after the downfall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan declared its independence. Tajikistan joined with ten other former Soviet republics in the same year in the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 1992, presidential rule was replaced by a parliamentary republic. The civil war between the Communist government and Islamic and democratic opposition forces, which was started after independence ended in 1997 with signing peace accords in Moscow.
GEOGRAPHY:-Tajikistan is located at 39 00 N, 71 00 E in Central Asia. Tajikistan occupies total 143,100 sq km area in which 142,700 sq km area is captured by land masses and remaining 400 sq km area is captured by internal water sources. Tajikistan is a landlocked country. The lowest point is Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) (300 m) and the highest point is Qullai Ismoili Somoni (7,495 m). Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate the landscape of Tajikistan. Western Fergana Valley lies in the north while Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys are situated in the southwest.
CLIMATE:- The predominant climate of Tajikistan is mid-latitude continental with hot summers and mild winters whilst semiarid to polar climate can be seen in Pamir Mountains.
GOVERNMENT:- Tajikistan is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 6th November 1994. The legal system is based on the civil law 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 7-year term. The prime minister is appointed by the president. The council of ministers is appointed by the president on the approval of the Supreme Assembly.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Supreme Assembly, consists of the National Assembly (34 seats), and the Assembly of Representatives (63 seats). The president is the chairman of the Supreme Assembly.
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court. The judges are appointed by the president.
Agrarian Party of Tajikistan, Democratic Party, Islamic Revival Party, Party of Economic Reform, People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan, Social Democratic Party, Socialist Party, and Tajik Communist Party are the major political parties of Tajikistan. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Emomalii Rahmon
Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Tajikistan is divided into 2 provinces of Viloyati Khatlon and Viloyati Sughd; 1 autonomous province of Gorno-Badakhshan; and the Region of Republican Subordination.
CULTURE:- The culture of Tajikistan is very similar to the culture of Persia. Persian root is prominent in the cuisine of Tajikistan. Central Asian influences are dominant in the music of the nation.
ECONOMY:- Among the 15 former Soviet republics, Tajik economy has the lowest per capita GDP. It is one of the poorest nations in the world. Cotton is the main economic crop of Tajikistan but debt and inadequate infrastructure hinder the development of cotton industry. Is spite of lacking proper infrastructure, the country has a hydropower potential.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $11.82 billion; per capita $1,800.
Real growth rate: 7.8%.
Inflation: 13.2%.
Unemployment: 2.4% official rate; actual unemployment is higher.
Arable land: 7%.
Agriculture: Cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats.
Labor force: 2.1 million (2007); agriculture 67.2%, industry 7.5%, services 25.3% (2000 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $700 million
Expenditures: $673 million (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $1.56 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Industries: Aluminum, zinc, lead; chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers.
Natural resources: Hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold.
Exports: $950 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles.
Imports: $1.25 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): electricity, petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs.
Major trading partners: Netherlands, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Latvia, Switzerland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, U.S., China, Ukraine (2004).
Monetary unit: Somoni
LANGUAGE:- Tajik is the official language of Tajikistan but Russian is also widely used in government and business.
CITIES:- The city of Dushanbe is the largest and capital city of Tajikistan. Another large city of the nation is Khodzhent.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Tajikistan is 7,076,598 with a growth rate of 1.9%.
Density per sq mi: 128
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Tajik 79.9%
Uzbek 15.3%
Russian 1.1%
Kyrgyz 1.1%
Other 2.6% (2000)
RELIGION:-
Sunni Muslim 85%
Shi'a Muslim 5%
Other 10% (2003)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 27.18 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 42.31 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.97 years
Total fertility rate: 3.04 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 67
UNICEF:- UNICEF and its partners assisted the government in water shortages, water contamination and typhoid in the Varzob River flood in Dushanbe in 2004. Tajikistan is polio-free since 2002. 3 million children received vaccination against measles in 2004. Iodized salt is now available in Talikistan through the Universal salt iodization legislation. The president doubled the salaries of the health-care workers in 2005 and promised to increase teachers’ scales by 25%. The government raised the share of GDP spent on education fund since 2005. Malnutrition was reduced between 2003 and 2004. 2.7 million women received iron pills and vitamin A supplements. UNICEF partners with several organizations to combat HIV. UNICEF and its partners provided heat and sanitary facilities to schools.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 482 km (2002).
Highways: total: 27,767 km (2000).
Ports and harbors: none.
Airports: 66 (2002).
Taiwan
Taiwan, an island in East Asia, is commonly used to refer to the territories governed by the Republic of China and sometimes to ROC itself. The island groups of Taiwan and Penghu are governed as Taiwan Province of the ROC. Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa, is situated to the east of mainland China and southwest of the main islands of Japan. The city of Taipei is the capital of Taiwan.
HISTORY:- The Portuguese explored the region in 1590. In 1624, the northern part of the region was possessed by the Spanish and the southern part was possessed by the Dutch. The island came under complete Dutch control in 1641 and remained under Dutch possession until 1661 when Chinese general Koxinga established an independent kingdom in Taiwan. The Manchus gained the possession of the island in 1683 and retained its authority until 1895. In 1895, following the first Sino-Japanese War, the island was ceded to Japan. After the World War II, Taiwan again came under Chinese control. Chiang Kai-shek, retreating from Mainland China, governed the island until 1975. Taiwan remained a one-party state. During the 1960s and 1970s and during the Cold War, most Western nations and the United Nations regarded the Republic of China (ROC) as the only legitimate government of China and the de-facto government of Taiwan. In the 1970s, most nations recognized the authority of the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.). In Taiwan’s first free presidential election, Lee Teng-hui won.
Taiwan is currently claimed by the People's Republic of China (P.R.C) although the P.R.C has never controlled Taiwan or any of the ROC territory. The P.R.C justifies its claim by pointing out that the ROC had ruled Taiwan for 5 years from 1945 to 1949 and in 1949, the P.R.C succeeded the ROC.
GEOGRAPHY:- Taiwan is located at 23 30 N, 121 00 E in Eastern Asia, spanning through 35,980 sq km area in which 32,260 sq km area is covered with land and 3,720 sq km area is covered with internal waters. The Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands are included in the territory of Taiwan. The coastline is 1,566.3 km long along with the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait. The lowest point is South China Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Yu Shan (3,952 m). The eastern half is mostly constituted by rugged mountains while the western half is formed of flat to gently rolling plains.
CLIMATE:- The predominant climate of Taiwan is Maritime subtropical. The sky remains cloudless through out the year.
GOVERNMENT:- Taiwan has a multiparty democracy. The constitution was adopted on 25 December 1946 which came into force on 25th December 1947. The constitution went through several amendments in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2005. The legal system is based on the civil law system. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Vice President, the Premier (head of government), the Vice Premier, and the Executive Yuan. The president and the vice president are elected on the same ticket by a popular vote on 4-year terms. The premier is appointed by the president and the vice premier is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier. The Premier is the President of the Executive Yuan. The ministers of the Executive Yuan are appointed by president on the recommendation of the premier.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Judicial Yuan. The justices are appointed by the president with consent of the Legislative Yuan.
There are two major political parties of Taiwan: the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Suffrage is universal at the age of 20.
President Ma Ying-jeou
Vice President Vincent Siew
Premier Lio Chao-hsuan
Vice Premier Paul Chiu
Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng
Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Taiwan is divided into 18 counties and 2 special municipalities.
CULTURE:- The culture of Taiwan is a fusion of Confucianist Han Chinese cultures, Japanese, European, American, global, local and indigenous cultures. Basketball and baseball are the most popular sports of Taiwan. Cheerleading, billiards, and Badminton are also greatly watched.
ECONOMY:- Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy based on electronics, petroleum, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, and pharmaceuticals. Taiwan’s foreign reserves are one of the largest in the world. Agriculture accounts for 2% of GDP.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $695.4 billion; per capita $30,100.
Real growth rate: 5.7%.
Inflation: 1.8%.
Unemployment: 3.9%.
Arable land: 24%.
Agriculture: Rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish.
Labor force: 10.78 million; agriculture 5.3%, industry 36.8%, services 57.9%.
Budget:
Revenues: $76.2 billion
Expenditures: $75.65 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 27.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $98.44 billion (31 December 2007)
Industries: Electronics, petroleum refining, armaments, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals.
Natural resources: Small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos.
Exports: $189.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): computer products and electrical equipment, metals, textiles, plastics and rubber products, chemicals (2002).
Exports - partners: China 32.3%, US 12.8%, Hong Kong 8.8%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 5% (2007 est.)
Imports: $181.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and electrical equipment 44.5%, minerals, precision instruments (2002).
Imports - partners: Japan 22.1%, US 13%, China 10.9%, South Korea 7.3%, Saudi Arabia 4.8%, Singapore 4.5% (2007 est.)
Major trading partners: China, U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea (2005).
Monetary unit: Taiwan dollar
LANGUAGE:- Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan but Taiwanese (Min) and Hakka dialects are also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The capital of Taiwan is Taipei and it is also the largest city of the island. Other large cities are Kaohsiung, Tai Chung, Tainan, and Keelung.
POPULATION:- The population of Taiwan is estimated 23,174,294 with an average growth rate of 0.6%.
Density per sq mi: 1,860
Literacy rate: 96.1% (2003)
RACE:-
Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%
Mainland Chinese 14%
Indigenous 2%
RELIGION:-
Mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%
Christian 4.5%
Other 2.5%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 8.99 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.65 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.76 years
Total fertility rate: 1.13 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 1,108 km (519 km electrified) (2002).
Highways: total: 35,931 km; paved: 31,583 km (including 608 km of expressways); unpaved: 4,348 km (2000).
Ports and harbors: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung.
Airports: 39 (2002).
Sweden
The Kingdom of Sweden is situated in the Scandinavian region in Northern Europe. Sweden is bordered by Norway and Finland. Sweden is connected with Denmark through the Oresund Bridge. Sweden is a member of European Union since 1995. Sweden is the largest nation in Northern Europe and the 7th largest among the European nations. The city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.
HISTORY:- During the 7th and 8th century, the Swedes evolved as strong sea-reaching traders. During the 11th and 12th century, Sweden gradually became a Christian kingdom with Olaf Sköttkonung as the first king to adopt baptism. The attempt to merge Sweden, Norway, and Denmark into one state through the Kalmar Union resulted into strife between Denmark and Sweden, keeping Norway and Denmark on one side and Sweden and Finland on the other. In 1520, Sweden was conquered by the Danish king Christian II. During the 16th century, struggle for independence was started under Gustav Vasa’s leadership. In the 17th century, Denmark, Russia, and Poland were unified against Sweden and defeated by the Sweden-Finland tie. Vasa broke with the Catholic Church and Lutheran Swedish church became the state church. In the Thirty Years' War, Sweden emerged as a dominant power in the world. Sweden gained western Pomerania and some neighboring area on the Baltic region through the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. Livonia, Ingria, Estonia, and parts of Finland were incorporated into Sweden in 1700. During the Napoleonic wars, Sweden lost Finland to Russia in 1809. Sweden and Norway were amalgamated in an artificial union which dissolved in 1905. Sweden maintained its neutrality in both the world wars.
GEOGRAPHY:- Sweden is located at 62 00 N, 15 00 E in Northern Europe. Sweden possesses total 449,964 sq km area in which land and internal waters occupy 410,934 sq km area and 39,030 sq km area respectively. The coastline is 3,218 km long along with the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The lowest point is bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad (-2.41 m) and the highest point is Kebnekaise (2,111 m). Sweden is mostly composed of flat or gently rolling lowlands. The eastern region is mountainous.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Sweden is temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers while the northern part is subarctic.
GOVERNMENT:- Sweden has a constitutional monarchy. The constitution was adopted on 1st January 1975. The civil law system is based on the customary law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the King (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The monarchy is hereditary. The prime minister is elected by the parliament. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court. The judges are appointed jointly by the prime minister and the cabinet.
The Moderate Party (conservative), the Liberal Party, the Center Party, the Christian Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party, the Left Party, and the Green Party are the principal political parties of Sweden. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Monarch King Carl XVI Gustaf
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt
Speaker of the Riksdag Per Westerberg
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Sweden is composed of 21 counties: Blekinge, Dalarnas, Gavleborgs, Gotlands, Hallands, Jamtlands, Jonkopings, Kalmar, Kronobergs, Norrbottens, Orebro, Ostergotlands, Skane, Sodermanlands, Stockholm, Uppsala, Varmlands, Vasterbottens, Vasternorrlands, Vastmanlands, and Vastra Gotalands
CULTURE:- August Strindberg, Astrid Lindgren, Selma Lagerlöf and Harry Martinson are the most notable writers of Sweden. Seven Swedes writers have been awarded with the Nobel Prizes in Literature. Swedish music ranges from medieval folk ballads to hip hop music. Fish, meat and potatoes constitute a major part of Swedish cuisine. Association football and ice hockey are most widely watched sports while football, horse sports are widely practiced.
ECONOMY:- The export-oriented market economy of Sweden has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force. Privatized firms account for about 90% of industrial output. Some largest companies of Sweden are Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, etc. Agriculture accounts for nearly 1% of GDP and 2% of total employment.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $300.2 billion; per capita $41,100.
Real growth rate: 3.1%.
Inflation: 0.9%.
Unemployment: 2.5%.
Arable land: 6%.
Agriculture: Barley, wheat, sugar beets; meat, milk.
Labor force: 3.95 million; agriculture 2%, industry 24%, services 74% (2000 est.).
Industries: Iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles.
Budget:
Revenues: $253.4 billion
Expenditures: $240.5 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 41.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $598.2 billion (30 June 2006)
Natural resources: Zinc, iron ore, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, hydropower.
Exports: $126.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery 35%, motor vehicles, paper products, pulp and wood, iron and steel products, chemicals.
Imports: $104.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel; foodstuffs, clothing.
Major trading partners: U.S., Germany, Norway, UK, Denmark, Finland, France, Netherlands, Belgium (2004).
Monetary unit: Krona
LANGUAGE:- The official de facto language of Sweden is Swedish while Finnish, Meänkieli, Sami, Romani, and Yiddish are also spoken.
CITIES:- The city of Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden. Other large cities are Göteborg, Malmö, and Uppsala.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Sweden is 9,031,088 with an average growth rate of 0.2%.
Density per sq mi: 57
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
RACE:- Predominantly Swedish people reside in Sweden along with some small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities.
RELIGION:-
Lutheran 87%
Other including Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist 13%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 10.15 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 10.24 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 2.75 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.74 years
Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 3,012
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Sweden mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 11,481 km (2002).
Highways: total: 210,402 km; paved: 166,523 km; unpaved: 45,879 km (2000).
Waterways: 2,052 km navigable for small steamers and barges.
Ports and harbors: Gavle, Goteborg, Halmstad, Helsingborg, Hudiksvall, Kalmar, Karlshamn, Malmo, Solvesborg, Stockholm, Sundsvall.
Airports: 245 (2002).
Swaziland
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, and surrounded by South Africa except to the east where it is bordered by Mozambique. The country is a member of Commonwealth of Nations. The city of Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland.
HISTORY:- Khoisan hunter-gathering people were the first inhabitants of the region. During Bantu migration, Bantu tribes replaced them in the 16th century. The various tribal groups were unified in the 19th century to combat Zulu invasions in the area. In 1840, Mswati, the ruler of the region appealed to the British in South Africa to help them in Zulu resistance. During the reign of Mswati, first European settlement was occurred in the land. Swaziland was ensured independence by The British and the Transvaal governments in 1881. South Africa established a protectorate in region in 1894 and maintained it until 1899. Following the Boer War, the region was passed to the British Empire in 1902. In 1963, British protectorate was set up in Swaziland. In 1968, Swaziland gained its independence. During 1980s, political parties were outlawed and the king retained ultimate power. In 1987, a new parliament had been elected and a new cabinet was appointed. In the country’s first constitution in 2005, the king signed for continuous ban on all opposition parties.
GEOGRAPHY:- Swaziland is located at 26 30 S, 31 30 E in southern Africa. The total area of the country is 17,363 sq km in which 17,203 sq km area is covered with land masses and 160 sq km area is covered with interval waters. Swaziland is a landlocked nation bordering Mozambique and South Africa. The lowest point is the Great Usutu River (21 m) and the highest point is Emlembe (1,862 m). Swaziland is mostly mountainous and hilly. The eastern part is formed of savannas while the northwestern part is formed of rainforest.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Swaziland varies from tropical to near temperate.
GOVERNMENT:- Absolute Monarchy reigns in Swaziland. The constitution was signed by the King in 2005 which was imposed on 8th February 2006. The South African Roman-Dutch law is followed in the statutory courts while the Swazi traditional law and custom is followed in the traditional courts. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the King (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The monarch is hereditary and the prime minister is appointed by the monarch from among the elected members of the House of Assembly. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprise the bicameral Parliament, consists of the Senate (30 seats) and the House of Assembly (65 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the High Court and the Supreme Court. All the judges are appointed by the King.
There is no registered political party in Swaziland. But the new constitution does not clearly ban political parties. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
King Mswati III
Prime Minister A. T. Dlamini
Deputy Prime Minister Constance Simelane
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Swaziland is divided into 4 districts, 9 municipal governments, and 55 tinkhundla centers.
The districts are: Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, and Shiselweni.
CULTURE:- Swaziland is famous for the Reed Dance. The music of the nation ranges from the folk music to modern contemporary music genres like rock, pop and hip hop. Kudu horn, calabash, rattles and reed flute are the traditional musical instruments. Incwala and Umhlanga are the biggest festivals of Swaziland.
ECONOMY:- Subsistence agriculture is the main economic activity of the small economy of the country, which provides employment for 70% of the population. Sugar industry is also gradually developing since 2007. 69% of the population lives below the poverty.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.626 billion; per capita $4,800.
Real growth rate: 2.4%.
Inflation: 8.2%.
Unemployment: 40%.
Arable land: 10%.
Agriculture: Sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep.
Labor force: 155,700 (2003).
Industries: Mining (coal, raw asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel.
Natural resources: Asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, talc.
Exports: $1.991 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit.
Imports: $2.149 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals.
Major trading partners: South Africa, EU, U.S., Mozambique, Japan, Singapore (2004).
Budget:
Revenues: $1.13 billion
Expenditures: $1.143 billion (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $524 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Monetary unit: Lilangeni
LANGUAGE:- English and siSwati are the official languages of Swaziland.
CITIES:- The city of Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital of Swaziland while the city of Mbabane is the administrative capital of the country. The largest city of Swaziland is Manzini.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Swaziland is 1,133,066 with a growth rate of –0.3%.
Density per sq mi: 171
Literacy rate: 82% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
African 97%
European 3%
RELIGION:-
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship)
Roman Catholic 20%
Muslim 10%
Other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 26.6 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 30.7 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 69.59 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 31.99 years
Total fertility rate: 3.34 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 17,000 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 360
UNICEF:- UNICEF and its partners promote a framework to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and also provide training for hundreds of nurses and counselors. UNICEF partners with faith-based organizations and churches to fight against HIV. Anti-retroviral treatment reached 13000 people by the end of 2005. Through Neighbourhood Care Points’ communities, almost 30000 orphans and vulnerable children received food, clothing, roofing sheets, water treatment materials and social services. The government-endorsed ‘Education For All programme’ promotes schooling for 80,000 orphans and vulnerable children. ‘Advocacy by action’ programmes focus on the sexual abuse of children and HIV. UNICEF provides training for over 1,500 child protection workers.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 301 km (2002).
Highways: total: 3,247 km (1998).
Ports and harbors: none.
Airports: 18 (2002).
Syrian Arab Republic
Syrian Arab Republic, a South-west Asian nation, is bordered by Lebanon, the Mediterranean Sea and the island of Cyprus to the west, Israel to the southwest, Jordan to the south, Iraq to the east, and Turkey to the north. Damascus is the capital of Syria.
HISTORY:- Egypt conquered the ancient Syria around 1500 BC. Hebrews, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, and Persians invaded and occupied Syria successively. To the Ancient Macedonia, the region came under Roman Empire from 64 B.C to 636 AD. In 1260, the Mongols invaded the land. The Ottoman Turks incorporated the nation into the Turkish provinces in 1516 until the World War I. After the World War, The League of Nations imposed French mandate over Syria. Under the mandate, Syria became a republic in 1930. In 1940 after the fall of France, Syria came under the Vichy Government and remained until 1941, when the British and Free French annexed Syria in 1941. Syrian nationalists pressurized the French troops to evacuate in 1946. United Arab Republic was formed with the amalgamation of Egypt and Syria. After a military coup, Syria declared independence in 1961. During the Arab-Israeli War of 1967, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel. In 1970, Hafez al-Assad, the leader of the Socialist Ba'th Party took over the presidency in the bloodless coup. Hafez al-Assad was succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad in 2000.
GEOGRAPHY:- Syria is located at 35 00 N, 38 00 E in Middle East. The country has captured total 185,180 sq km area in which 184,050 sq km and 1,130 sq km areas are captured by land and water portions respectively. The coastline is 193 km long along with the Mediterranean Sea. The lowest point is an unnamed location near Lake Tiberias (-200 m) whist the highest point is Mount Hermon (2,814 m). Syria is composed of narrow coastal plains with a double mountain belt in the west and large, semiarid and desert plateau in the east.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Syria is predominantly desert, hot, and dry, with sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along the coasts. Periodical cold weather with snow or sleet can be seen in Damascus.
GOVERNMENT:-Syria is a republic under an authoritarian military regime. The constitution was adopted on 13th March 1973. The legal system is a blend of the French and the Ottoman civil law, while the Islamic law is used in the family court system. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), the Vice Presidents, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and the Council of Ministers. The president is approved by the popular referendum on a 7-year term. The vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers are appointed by the president. The council of ministers is also appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral People's Council (250 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Constitutional Court, the High Judicial Council, the Court of Cassation, and the State Security Courts.
Principal political parties of Syria include Arab Socialist Resurrection (Ba'ath) Party, Syrian Arab Socialist Party, Arab Socialist Union, Syrian Communist Party, Arab Socialist Unionist Movement, and Democratic Socialist Union Party. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Bashar Al-Asad
Vice President Farouk al-Shar'a
Vice President Najah al-Attar
Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:-Syria is divided into 14 provinces: Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah, Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq, Halab, Hamah, Hims, Idlib, Rif Dimashq, and Tartus.
CULTURE:- Syria was one-time famous for handicrafts. Syrian cuisine has been influenced by Southern Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish, French, and South-west Asian dishes. Many Syrians contributed much to the Arabic literature.
ECONOMY:- Syrian middle-income and developing economy rests on agriculture, oil, industry, and tourism. It is a government-controlled economy and the present president signed legislative decrees to increase corporate ownership reforms allowing the Central Bank to issue Treasury bills and bonds for government debt.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $87.09 billion; per capita $4,500.
Real growth rate: 3.9%.
Inflation: 7%.
Unemployment: 9%.
Arable land: 25%.
Agriculture: Wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar beets; beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, milk.
Labor force: 5.462 million (2007 est.); agriculture 23.6%, industry 27.5%, services 48.9% (2007 est.).
Industries: Petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining.
Natural resources: Petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower.
Budget:
Revenues: $8.848 billion
Expenditures: $11.21 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 37.8% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $6.465 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exports: $6.344 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): crude oil, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat.
Imports: $5.973 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment, electric power machinery, food and livestock, metal and metal products, chemicals and chemical products, plastics, yarn, paper.
Major trading partners: Italy, France, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, China, Russia, U.S., South Korea (2004).
Monetary unit: Syrian pound
LANGUAGE:- Arabic is the official language of Syria but Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian are widely understood. French and English are also understood.
CITIES:- Damascus is the capital and the largest city of Syria. Other large cities are Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Idleb, al-Hasakeh, Dayr al-Zur, Latakia, Dar'a, al-Raqqa, and Tartous.
POPULATION:- The population is estimated 19,314,747 with a growth rate of 2.2%.
Density per sq mi: 272
Literacy rate: 73.6% (2004 est.)
RACE:-
Arab 90.3%
Kurds
Armenians and other 9.7%
RELIGION:-
Sunni Muslim 74%
Other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%
Christian (various denominations) 10%
And Jewish belief in small communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 26.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 4.68 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 26.78 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.9 years
Total fertility rate: 3.21 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 200 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 110
UNICEF:- Primary schooling is free and compulsory in Syria but some issues like quality of education, Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) and school dropouts especially girls should be treated with more care. UNICEF fights against other social issues like child labour, children of divorced parents, abandoned children, orphans, disabled children, conflict-affected children, children victims of abuse and violence, women rights and discrimination of girls.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 2,743 km (2002).
Highways: total: 43,381 km; paved: 10,021 km (including 877 km of expressways); unpaved: 33,360 km (1999).
Waterways: 870 km; minimal economic importance.
Ports and harbors: Baniyas, Jablah, Latakia, Tartus.
Airports: 92 (2002).
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is an overseas territory of Britain, located in the Southern South America in the South Atlantic Ocean. King Edward Point is the capital of the archipelago. The British government is responsible for all defense issues.
HISTORY:- Britain annexed South Georgia in 1775 and the South Sandwich Islands in 1908. In 1982, Argentina occupied the islands for a brief period after the Falklands War. But in 1985, the British re-possessed the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Earlier thought to be administered as a Falkland Islands Dependency, later the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands became a separate territory.
GEOGRAPHY:- The South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are located at 54 30 S, 37 00 W in the Southern South America. The archipelago occupies total 3,903 sq km area including Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the 11 islands of South Sandwich Islands. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Mount Paget, located in South Georgia (2,934 m). Most of the islands are rugged and mountainous. South Georgian islands are mostly barren and have steeply, glacier-covered mountains while the South Sandwich Islands are volcanic in origin.
CLIMATE:- The climate of the islands is predominantly cold maritime. The South Sandwich Islands are much colder than the South Georgian islands.
GOVERNMENT:- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is the overseas territory of the UK. The islands are administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is also the governor of the Falkland Islands. The commissioner is the representative of the Queen Elizabeth II in the islands. There is a Magistrates Court, which is presided over by the senior magistrate from the Falkland Islands.
ECONOMY:- Harvesting finfish and krill are the major sources of income in the islands while the other sources are postage stamps produced in the UK, sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fares from tourist ships.
LANGUAGE:- English is the official language in the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
CITIES:- King Edward Point is the capital of the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
POPULATION:- There is no indigenous population in the archipelago. As the military garrison withdrew from South Georgia, they had been replaced a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey. The South Sandwich Islands are still uninhabited.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Ports and terminals: Grytviken
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
Svalbard
Svalbard is located in the north of Europe, between Norway and the North Pole, and in the Arctic Ocean. The archipelago is situated to the northernmost part of Norway. Longyearbyen is the capital of Svalbard. Norway handles the defense affairs.
HISTORY:- The Norwegians discovered the islands in the 12th century. In 1920, Norway's sovereignty over the islands was recognized under the Svalbard Treaty.
GEOGRAPHY:- Svalbard is located at 78 00 N, 20 00 E in Northern Europe. The total area of the archipelago is 61,020 sq km. The coastline is 3,587 km long along with the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea. The lowest point is Arctic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Newtontoppen (1,717 m). Svalbard is wild and rugged mountainous. Majority of the highland is covered with ice. The western coast remains clear of ice about one-half of the year. There are several fjords along the west and north coasts.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Svalbard is arctic, tempered by the warm North Atlantic Current, with cool summers, and cold winters. The North Atlantic Current flows along the west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year.
GOVERNMENT:- Svalbard is a territory of Norway. The archipelago is administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor known as sysselmann. The legal system is based on the laws of Norway. The chief of the state is the King Harald V of Norway. Governor Per Sefland is the head of government. The Assistant Governor is Rune Baard Hansen.
ECONOMY:- The economy of Svalbard rests on coal mining. The Norwegian and Russian companies are mining presently in the islands. Almost 60% of the population lines on mining.
Budget:
revenues: $25.07 million
Expenditures: $NA (2004 est.)
Exports: $197.6 million (2004)
Imports: $NA
Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)
LANGUAGE:- Norwegian is the official language of Svalbard while Russian is also spoken.
CITIES:- The city of Longyearbyen is the capital and the largest city of Svalbard.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Svalbard is 2,165 (July 2008 est.) with an average growth rate of -0.023%.
RACE:-
Norwegian 55.4%
Russian and Ukrainian 44.3%
Other 0.3% (1998)
TRANSPORTATION:-
Airports: 4 (2007); paved runways: total: 1 (2007); unpaved runways: total: 3 (2007).
Heliports: 1 (2007)
Ports and terminals: Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden
Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen Island in situated in the Arctic Ocean. The larger northeast part of Nord-Jan of the island is connected with the smaller part of Sør-Jan by an isthmus. It is a part of the Kingdom of Norway. Defense is the responsibilities of Norway. The dormant Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg volcano became active in 1970 while the most recent eruption was occurred in 1985.
HISTORY:- From 1614 to 1638, the island was used as a whaling base by the Dutch. Norwegian sovereignty was recognized in 1929.
GEOGRAPHY:- Jan Mayen is located at 71 00 N, 8 00 W in Northern Europe. The island occupies total 377 sq km area. The coastline is 124.1 km long along with the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea. The lowest point is Norwegian Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg (2,277 m). The island is mostly volcanic while it is partly covered by glaciers. Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg is the northernmost active volcano in the world.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Jan Mayen Island is mostly arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog.
GOVERNMENT:- Jan Mayen is a territory of Norway. The island is administered from Oslo through the county governor or fylkesmann of Nordland. The administrative authority has been given to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service.
ECONOMY:- The island is a volcanic island. Economic activities rest on the employment of Norway's radio and meteorological stations.
POPULATION:- There are no indigenous inhabitants in the island.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Airports: 1 (2007); unpaved runways: total: 1.
Ports and terminals: none
Suriname
The Republic of Suriname is situated in northern South America, sharing its border with Guyana to the west, French Guiana to the east and Brazil to the south. The North Atlantic Ocean bounds the country to the north. It is one of the three non-Spanish-speaking South American countries and it is the only independent Dutch-speaking nation in the Western Hemisphere. Suriname is the tiniest state of South America in terms of area and population. The city of Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname.
HISTORY:- The Surinen Indians were the earliest inhabitants of Suriname. Later the South American Indians migrated into the land. In the 16th century, Europeans arrived in the region. Spain is the first European power to explore Suriname in 1593. The Dutch settled in Suriname in 1602, followed by Britain. In 1667, under the Treaty of Breda, the British ceded the land to the Dutch in exchange of New Amsterdam. The land was known as the Dutch Guiana. Dutch colonization remained restricted within the coastal strip until 1863, when slavery was outlawed by the Netherlands in Suriname. The region was incorporated into the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1948. Dutch Guiana achieved home rule in internal affairs in 1950. Over the issues like unemployment and inflation, the Netherlands was forced to grant independence to Suriname in 1975. In 1980, military rule started. Lieut. Col. Dési Bouterse became the all in all of the country. Bush Negro guerrilla group initiated a guerrilla movement. In 1991 free elections, military reign was ended. The government and several guerrilla groups signed a peace treaty in 1992.
GEOGRAPHY:- Suriname is located at 4 00 N, 56 00 W in Northern South America. Suriname possesses total 163,270 sq km area in which 161,470 sq km area in covered with land masses and 1,800 sq km area is covered with internal waters. The coastline is 386 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is an unnamed location in the coastal plain (-2 m) while the highest point is Juliana Top (1,230 m). The interior of Suriname is mostly formed of rolling hills while swamps can be seen in the narrow coastal plains. The southern part is composed of rain forest and savanna.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Suriname is tropical, moderated by the trade winds.
GOVERNMENT:- Suriname has a constitutional democracy. The constitution was ratified on 30th September 1987 which came to effect since 30th October 1987. The legal system is based on the Dutch legal system with some influences of French penal theory. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Vice President, and the Cabinet of Minister. The president and vice president are elected by the National Assembly. The cabinet of ministers is appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (51 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Cantonal Courts and the Court of Justice.
The Governing coalition include National Party of Suriname (NPS), Progressive Reform Party (VHP), Pertjaja Luhur, A - Combination, a coalition of General Interior Development Party (ABOP), Brotherhood and Unity in Politics (BEP), and Seeka. Other major political parties in the National Assembly are National Democratic Party (NDP), Democratic National Platform 2000 (DNP 2000), Alternative 1 (A1), Party for Renewal and Development (BVD), and Javanese Indonesian Peasants Party (KTPI). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Runaldo Ronald Venetiaan
Vice President Ramdien Sardjoe
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Suriname is divided into 10 districts: Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, and Wanica. These districts are further divided into 62 resorts.
CULTURE:- Football is the most popular sport in Suriname. Frank Rijkaard, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Aron Winter, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Stanley Menzo, Ryan Babel and Fabian Wilnis are some of the Surinamese names who represent in the Netherlands football team.
ECONOMY:- Mining industry is the backbone of Surinamese economy. Bauxite industry is the major industry of Suriname. Alumina, gold, and oil account for about 85% of exports and 25% of state income. Suriname receives financial aid from the Netherlands, Belgium, and the European Development Fund.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $4.073 billion; per capita $7,800.
Real growth rate: 5.5%.
Inflation: 6.4%.
Unemployment: 9.5% (2004).
Arable land: 0.4%.
Agriculture: Paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts, plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; shrimp; forest products.
Labor force: 156,700 (2004); agriculture 8%, industry 14%, services 78%.
Industries: Bauxite and gold mining, alumina production; oil, lumbering, food processing, fishing.
Budget:
Revenues: $392.6 million
Expenditures: $425.9 million (2004)
Debt - external: $504.3 million (2005 est.)
Natural resources: Timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore.
Exports: $881 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish, rice, bananas.
Imports: $750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton, consumer goods.
Major trading partners: Norway, U.S., Canada, Belgium, France, UAE, Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, China, Brazil (2004).
Monetary unit: Surinamese dollar
LANGUAGE:- Dutch is the official language but Sranan Tongo, Hindi, English, Hindustani, Javanese, Marathi, Bhojpuri, Hakka, Cantonese, Boni, Saramaccan, Paramakan, Ndyuka, Kwinti, Matawai, Cariban, Arawakan, Aluku, and Kalina are also spoken.
CITIES:- The capital of Suriname Paramaribo is the largest city of the country as well. Other major cities are Nieuw Nickerie, Moengo, Brownsweg, Albina.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Suriname is 470,784 with a growth rate of 1.1%.
Density per sq mi: 8
Literacy rate: 89.6% (2004 est.)
RACE:-
East Indian 37%
Surinamese Creole 31%
Javanese 15%
Surinamese Maroon 10%
Amerindian 2%
Chinese 2%
Other 2%
White 1%.
RELIGION:-
Hindu 27.4%
Protestant 25.2% (mostly Moravian)
Roman Catholic 22.8%
Muslim 19.6%
Indigenous beliefs 5%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.48 years
Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 500 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 325
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Suriname mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 166 km (single track) (2001).
Highways: total: 4,492 km; paved: 1,168 km; unpaved: 3,324 km (2000).
Waterways: 1,200 km; most important means of transport.
Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam, Wageningen.
Airports: 46 (2002).
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