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Sudan
Sudan, world’s 10th largest and largest African nation, borders Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, Kenya and Uganda to the southeast, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west and Libya to the northwest. Most recently Sudan is ranked the world's most unstable country according to the Failed States Index. Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.
HISTORY:- The kingdom of Nubia, the present-day Sudan was incorporated into the Egyptian Empire around 2600 BC. Christian missionaries introduced Christianity in the 6th century. But the Muslim Arabs overshadowed Christianity with Islam. The Funj people conquered Sudan from Egypt and black communities like Dinka, Shilluk, Nuer, and Azande migrated into the land during the 1500. In 1874, Egypt re-conquered Sudan. In 1882, when the British annexed Egypt, they also seized Sudan from the Egyptians in 1898. From 1898 to 1955, the land was known as the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, as Sudan was governed by British-Egypt coalition. In 1953, Sudan gained autonomy and in 1956, it achieved its independence. In 1983, Sudan embraced a fundamentalist Islamic law under Maj. Gen. Gaafar Mohamed Nimeiri. This enraged disagreement between the Arab north, the seat of the government, and the black African animists and Christians in the south. These racial tensions led to a civil war between the two groups. Sudan had been turned into a heaven for the terrorists. In 2002, a cease-fire was declared between the Sudanese government and the southern black rebels’ the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). In 2004, signing a legal agreement in the issue of power-sharing, the 20-years long civil war was ended. 2005 agreement granted the southern rebels autonomy for 6 years. After Darfur massacre in 2003, the UN took over Darfur to stabilize.
GEOGRAPHY:- Sudan is located at 15 00 N, 30 00 E in Northern Africa, occupying total 2,505,810 sq km area in which 129,810 sq km area in covered with internal water sources. The coastline is 853 km long along with the Red Sea. The lowest point is Red Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Kinyeti (3,187 m). The terrain of Sudan is generally flat and featureless plain. The southern, northeastern, and western parts are mountainous while the northern part is formed of desert.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Sudan is varied from tropical in the south, to arid desert in the central and north. The rainy season varies by region.
GOVERNMENT:- An authoritarian dictatorship government rules Sudan. Government of National Unity (GNU), the National Congress Party (NCP), and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a coalition government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the First Vice President, the Vice President, and the Council of Ministers. The council of ministers is appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral National Legislature, consists of a Council of States (50 seats) and the National Assembly (450 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Constitutional Court of nine justices, the National Supreme Court, the National Courts of Appeal, and other courts.
There are several political parties in Sudan but all political parties were outlawed after the 1989 military coup. Suffrage is universal at 17.
President Lt. General Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir
First Vice President General Salva Kiir Mayardit
Vice President Ali Osman Muhamad Taha
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Sudan is composed of 25 states.
CULTURE:- 578 tribes reside in Sudan. Sudan has a rich musical culture. Basketball is the most famous sport in Sudan.
ECONOMY:- Sudanese economy is the 6th fastest growing economy in the world. Agriculture provides 80% employment and 33% of GDP. The Darfur conflict caused a massive economic disaster to the land.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $80.71 billion; per capita $2,200.
Real growth rate: 10.5%.
Inflation: 8%.
Unemployment: 18.7% (2002 est.).
Arable land: 7%.
Agriculture: Cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock.
Labor force: 11 million (1996 est.); agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13% (1998 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $8.665 billion
Expenditures: $10.89 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 98.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $29.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Industries: Oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly.
Natural resources: Petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower.
Exports: $6.989 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar.
Imports: $5.028 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat.
Major trading partners: China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Germany, Australia (2004).
Monetary unit: Dinar
LANGUAGE:- Arabic is the official language while English, Nubian, Ta Bedawie, various dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, and Sudanic languages are widely spoken in Sudan.
CITIES:- The capital city of Sudan is Khartoum while the largest city is Omdurman. Other major cities are Port Sudan, Kassala, Kosti, and Juba. Juba is the capital of southern region.
POPULATION:- The estimated population is 42,292,929 with a growth rate of 2.5%.
Density per sq mi: 46
Literacy rate: 61% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Black 52%
Arab 39%
Beja 6%
Foreigners 2%
Other 1%
RELIGION:-
Sunni Muslim 70% (in north)
Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
Indigenous beliefs 25%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 34.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 13.64 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.28 years
Infant mortality rate: total: 86.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Total fertility rate: 4.58 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 23,000 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 54
UNICEF:- After the Southern Sudan peace agreement, thousands of displaced women and children are returning their homes. UNICEF along with other partners provides shelter, medical and nutritional assistance, educational materials and training, sanitation and safe water. UNICEF immunized over 10 million children against measles, 7 million children against polio, 1.5 million against yellow fever. UNICEF also supplies vitamin A supplements. Child mortality rates in Darfur and northern Sudan are very low. UNICEF organized feeding programmes in Southern Sudan for 100,000 malnourished children, while in Darfur, almost 50% children receive proper nutrition. UNICEF rebuilds schools and school enrolment is reaching its peak in Darfur.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 5,978 km (2002).
Highways: total: 11,900 km; paved: 4,320 km; unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 5,310 km navigable.
Ports and harbors: Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin.
Airports: 63 (2002).
Sierra Leone
The Republic of Sierra Leone is situated in West Africa, bordering Guinea in the northeast, Liberia in the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest. It is the lowest ranked nation on the Human Development Index and 7th lowest nation on the Human Poverty Index. Sierra Leone is member of Commonwealth of Nations. Freetown is the capital of Sierra Leone.
HISTORY:- The Bulom people were believed to be the earliest dwellers of the region. Later in the 15th century the Mende and Temne peoples migrated into the land, followed by the Fulani peoples. First European encounter was established when the Portuguese explorers arrived in the country. In 1787, England helped 400 freed slaves to return in the land in Freetown. In 1808, Freetown was colonized by the British. After a prolonged struggle for independence, Sierra Leone gained freedom in 1961. The civilian government was overthrown in a military coup in 1967 only to re-affirm the civilian rule in the next year. In 1971, Sierra Leone became a republic. The Prime Minister Siaka Stevens became the first president of the country. The country became a one-party-state (People's Congress Party) under Stevens’s presidency in 1978. Joseph Saidu Momoh succeeded Stevens in 1985. In 1992, Joseph Momoh was overthrown in a rebellion demanding for multi-party-system in Sierra Leone. Following another coup on the same issue, the country became a multi-party-state in 1996. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, the candidate of the People's Party became the first democratically elected president of the nation. Kabbah was overthrown in a military coup in 1997 but returned in power in 1998.
GEOGRAPHY:- Sierra Leone is located at 8 30 N, 11 30 W in Western Africa, spanning through 71,740 sq km area in which land and internal waters occupy 71,740 sq km and 120 sq km respectively. The coastline is 402 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Loma Mansa (1,948 m). The coastal belt of Sierra Leone is mostly composed of Mangrove swamps and beaches. The interior is formed of hills and upland plateau while the eastern part is mountainous.
CLIMATE:- The predominant climate of Sierra Leone is tropical, hot, and humid. There is two rainy seasons- the summer rainy season (May to December) and the winter dry season (December to April).
GOVERNMENT:- Sierra Leone has a constitutional democracy. The constitution was adopted on 1st October 1991and was amended several times later. The legal system is based on the English law and customary laws. The three principal branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), the Vice President, and the Ministers of State. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The ministers of state are appointed by the president on the approval of the House of Representatives. The cabinet ministers are responsible to the president.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Parliament (124 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, the Appeals Court, and the High Court.
Most of the political parties are inactive. The major political parties of Sierra Leone include Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), All People's Congress (APC), Peace and Liberation Party (PLP), and People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Ernest Bai Koroma
Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Sierra Leone is divided into 3 provinces and 1 area (Western Area). The provinces are: Eastern, Northern, and Southern. These provinces are again subdivided into 12 districts.
CULTURE:- Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the country while cricket and basketball are also widely practiced.
ECONOMY:- Sierra Leone is a very poor nation having major problem of income inequality. The IMF has undertaken Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program to improve economic crisis of the country. Alluvial diamond mining is the major source of foreign earning.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $3.971 billion; per capita $700.
Real growth rate: 6.8%.
Inflation: 11.7%.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 8%.
Agriculture: Rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish.
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.).
Industries: Diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair.
Natural resources: Diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite.
Budget:
Revenues: $96 million
Expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.)
Debt - external: $1.61 billion (2003 est.)
Exports: $216 million f.o.b. (2006): diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish.
Imports: $560 million f.o.b. (2006): foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals.
Major trading partners: Belgium, Germany, U.S., UK, Côte d'Ivoire, China, Netherlands, South Africa, France (2004).
Monetary unit: Leone
LANGUAGE:- English is the official language but spoken by a minority population. Mende is the principal vernacular in the south while Temne is the principal vernacular in the north. Krio is spoken by 10% and understood by 95% of the population.
CITIES:- The capital and the largest city is Freetown. Other major cities are Bo, Kenema, Koidu Town, Makeni and Magburaka.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Sierra Leone is 6,144,562 with a growth rate of 2.3%.
Density per sq mi: 222
Literacy rate: 35.1% (2004 est.)
RACE:-
20 African ethnic groups (including Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%) 90%
Creole (Krio) 10%.
A few numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians also reside in Sierra Leone.
RELIGION:-
Muslim 60%
Christian 10%
Indigenous beliefs 30%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 45.08 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 22.26 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 156.48 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.93 years
Total fertility rate: 5.95 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 11,000 (2001 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 41
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Sierra Leone focuses on children health, basic education, children protection, and provision for better water and sanitation system. UNICEF is fighting against diseases like yellow fever, tetanus, malaria, and diarrhea by increasing immunizations and vaccinations. UNICEF also tries to reduce high maternal mortality rates. In education sector, new schools are being established and gender discrimination is gradually decreasing, UNICEF provided furniture in primary schools. UNICEF keeps close eyes to children’ rights protection, but issues like sexual violence and street children should cater more attention.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 84 km used (2001).
Highways: total: 11,330 km; paved: 904 km; unpaved: 10,396 km (2002).
Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round.
Ports and harbors: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel.
Airports: 10 (2007).
Switzerland
Switzerland is situated in Western Europe bordering France to the west, Italy to the southeast, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, and Germany to the north and northeast. The landlocked country is one of the richest nations in the world. The cities of Zurich and Geneva rank 1st and 2nd respectively in the quality of life index in the world. The city of Berne is the capital of Switzerland.
HISTORY:- Helvetians were the original inhabitants of Helvetia, the modern-day Switzerland. In the 1st century BC, Helvetia was incorporated into the Roman Empire and in 1291 it became a league of cantons in the Roman Empire. The Germanic tribes invaded the land during the fall of the Holy Roman Empire. Switzerland gained its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1648 under the Treaty of Westphalia. But in 1798, the French revolutionary troops invaded and seized the land with a new name of Helvetic Republic. In 1815, political equality had been given to the French and Italian speaking peoples of Switzerland. In the same year, both the neutrality and independence of Switzerland had been recognized by the Congress of Vienna. In 1847 civil war, the Catholic cantons were reunified in the federation. The 1848 Swiss constitution adopted a union modeled on the U.S union. In 1874 federal constitution introduced direct democracy by popular referendum and supreme centralized power in the hand of the central government. In the both the World Wars, Switzerland maintained its neutrality. In 2002, Switzerland abandoned its neutrality to be the 190th member of the United Nations.
GEOGRAPHY:- Switzerland is located at 47 00 N, 8 00 E in Central Europe. The country occupies total 41,290 sq km area in which land and internal waters occupy 39,770 sq km and 1,520 sq km respectively. It is a complete landlocked nation. The lowest point is the Lake Maggiore (195 m) while the highest point is the Dufourspitze (4,634 m). Switzerland is mainly composed of mountains- the Alps in the south, and the Jura in the northwest. The central plateau is formed of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. Almost 60% of the territory is mountainous.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Switzerland is predominantly temperate, with little variations for altitude and season. It has cold, cloudy, rainy, and snowy winters and cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional rains.
GOVERNMENT:- Switzerland has a direct democracy under a Federal parliamentary republic. The 1874 constitution was revised and approved by the Federal Parliament in 1998, and was adopted by a referendum in 1999, which finally came into force on 1st January 2000. The legal system is based on the customary law and the judicial reviews of legislative acts. 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 Federal Council. The president and the vice president are elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council on a 1-year term. The Federal Council is chosen by the Federal Assembly from among its members on a 4-year term.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Federal Assembly, consists of the Council of States (46 seats), and the National Council (200 seats).
Judicial branch comprise the Federal Supreme Court. All the judges are elected by the Federal Assembly on 6-year terms.
The major political parties of Switzerland include the Swiss People's Party (SVP), Social Democratic Party (SP), Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Christian Democratic Party (CVP). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Pascal Couchepin
Vice President Hans-Rudolf Merz
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Switzerland is administratively divided into 26 cantons.
CULTURE:- Swiss culture is derived from the neighbouring countries. Football is the most famous sport of Switzerland.
ECONOMY:- The Swiss economy is a stable prosperous and one of the most powerful modern market economy with under-unemployment, skilled labours. The per capital GDP is higher than the other European nations. Glencore, Nestlé, Novartis, Roche, ABB, UBS AG, Zurich Financial Services, Credit Suisse, Swiss Re, The Swatch Group and Adecco are the largest swiss companies. Major industries include Chemicals, health and pharmaceutical, measuring instruments, Musical instruments, real estate, banking and insurance, tourism, and international organizations.
GDP/PPP (2005 est.): $264.1 billion; per capita $35,300.
Real growth rate: 1.8%.
Inflation: 1.2%.
Unemployment: 3.8%.
Arable land: 10%.
Agriculture: Grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs.
Labor force: 3.8 million; services 69%, industry 26%, agriculture 5% (1998).
Budget:
Revenues: $149.5 billion
Expenditures: $143.1 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 45.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $1.34 trillion (30 June 2007)
Industries: Machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments.
Natural resources: Hydropower potential, timber, salt.
Exports: $148.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products.
Imports: $135 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles.
Major trading partners: Germany, U.S., France, Italy, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Austria (2004).
Monetary unit: Swiss franc
LANGUAGE:- German, French, Italian, and Romansch are the national and official languages of Switzerland.
German 63.7%
French 20.4%
Italian 6.5%
Serbo-Croatian 1.5%
Albanian 1.3%
Portuguese 1.2%
Spanish 1.1%
English 1%
Romansch 0.5%
Other 2.8% (2000)
CITIES:- The capital city of Switzerland is Berne while the largest city is Zurich. Other large cities are Geneva, Basel, and Lausanne.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Switzerland is 7,554,661 with an average growth rate of 0.4%.
Density per sq mi: 492
Literacy rate: 99% (1980 est.)
RACE:-
German 65%
French 18%
Italian 10%
Romansch 1%
Other 6%
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 41.8%
Protestant 35.3%
Muslim 4.3%
Orthodox 1.8%
Other Christian 0.4%
Other 1%
Unspecified 4.3%
None 11.1% (2000)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 9.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 8.54 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.74 years
Total fertility rate: 1.44 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 4,088
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Switzerland mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 4,511 km (2002).
Highways: total: 71,011 km; paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 km of expressways); unpaved: 0 km (2000).
Waterways: 65 km; Rhine (Basel to Rheinfelden, Schaffhausen to Bodensee); 12 navigable lakes.
Ports and harbors: Basel.
Airports: 66 (2002).
Slovenia
The Republic of Slovenia is situated in Central Europe, sharing the border with Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north. The Adriatic Sea lies to the southwest of Slovenia. The city of Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. Slovenia enjoys the memberships of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen area, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe and NATO.
HISTORY:- The Illyrian and Celtic peoples inhabited in the present-day Slovenia. It was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. The Slovenes migrated into the land in the 6th century. Slovenia became a part of the Habsburg Empire in the 14th century. Croatia joined Slovenia when the dual kingdom of Austro-Hungarian kingdom was established in 1867. After the World War I the dual kingdom was broken down. In 1918, Slovenia declared its independence to join with Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia to form the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was later renamed as Yugoslavia in 1929. During World War II, when Germany occupied Yugoslavia, the territory of Slovenia was divided amongst Germany, Italy, and Hungary. After the defeat of Germany in the World War II, Slovenia was re-amalgamated with Yugoslavia in 1945. Demands for the greater autonomy started in 1980s and 1990 elections witnessed the formation of non-Communist government in Slovenia. Slovenia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Slovenia resisted Yugoslavian efforts to bring back Slovenia into the communist state.
GEOGRAPHY:- Slovenia is located at 46 07 N, 14 49 E in Central Europe. Slovenia possesses total 20,273 sq km area in which land masses and internal water sources occupy 20,151 sq km and 122 sq km respectively. The coastline is 46.6 km long bordering the Adriatic Sea. The lowest point is Adriatic Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Triglav (2,864 m). The terrain of Slovenia varies from the short coastal strip on the Adriatic region, to an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy and Austria, to mixed mountains and valleys with various rivers in the east.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Slovenia is predominantly temperate, with regional variations. Mediterranean climate lies along the coasts, while continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters lies in the plateaus and valleys in the east.
GOVERNMENT:- Slovenia has a parliamentary republic. The constitution was adopted on 23rd December 1991. 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 popular vote on a 5-year term. The leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition normally gains the nomination to become the prime minister by the president and is elected by the National Assembly. The council of ministers is elected by the National Assembly on the nomination of the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament, consisting of the National Assembly (90 seats), and the National Council (40 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Constitutional Court, the regular courts, and a public prosecutor.
Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), Social Democrats (SD), Liberal Democracy of Slovenia (LDS), New Slovenia - Christian People's Party (NSi), Slovene People's Party (SLS), Zares, Slovene National Party (SNS), Lipa, and Democratic Party of Slovenian Pensioners (DeSUS) are the principal political parties of Slovenia. Suffrage is universal at 18 but employed persons gain suffrage at 16.
President Danilo Türk
Prime Minister Janez Janša
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Slovenia is divided into 182 municipalities.
CULTURE:- Slovenia is very rich in literature. France Prešeren, Srečko Kosovel, Edvard Kocbek, Dane Zajc, Ivan Cankar, Vladimir Bartol, Alojz Rebula, Drago Jančar, Boris Pahor, Tomaž Šalamun and Aleš Debeljak are among the greatest writes of Slovenia. Slavko Avsenik, Laibach, Vlado Kreslin, Pero Lovšin, Pankrti, Zoran Predin, Lačni Franz, New Swing Quartet, DJ Umek, Valentino Kanzyani, Siddharta, and Big Foot Mama are some of the popular names in contemporary music in Slovenia.
ECONOMY:- Slovenia has the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe. Slovenia became the first transition nation to uplift its status from borrower to donor partner in the World Bank in 2004.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $54.67 billion; per capita $27,200.
Real growth rate: 6.1%.
Inflation: 3.6%.
Unemployment: 4.8%.
Arable land: 9%.
Agriculture: Potatoes, hops, wheat, sugar beets, corn, grapes; cattle, sheep, poultry.
Labor force: 920,000; agriculture 6%, industry 40%, services 54% (2002).
Industries: Ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools.
Natural resources: Lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver, hydropower, forests.
Budget:
Revenues: $19.17 billion
Expenditures: $19.04 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 24.1% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $40.42 billion (30 June 2007)
Exports: $18.53 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food.
Imports: $19.62 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, food.
Major trading partners: Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004).
Monetary units: Slovenian tolar, euro (since 1/1/07)
LANGUAGE:- Slovenian is the official language spoken by 91.1%.
Serbo-Croatian 4.5%
Other or unspecified 4.4% (2002)
CITIES:- Ljubljana is the capital and the largest city of Slovenia. Other major cities are Maribor, Kranj, Celje, and Koper.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Slovenia is 2,009,245 with a growth rate of 0.1%.
Density per sq mi: 257
Literacy rate: 100% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Slovene 83.1%
Serb 2%
Croat 1.8%
Bosniak 1.1%
Other or unspecified 12% (2002)
RELIGION:-
Catholic 57.8%
Muslim 2.4%
Orthodox 2.3%
Other Christian 0.9%
Unaffiliated 3.5%
Other or unspecified 23%
None 10.1% (2002)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 8.99 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 10.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.73 years
Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 4,724
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Slovenia mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 1,201 km (2002).
Highways: total: 20,177 km; paved: 20,157 km (including 427 km of expressways); unpaved: 20 km 2000).
Waterways: NA.
Ports and harbors: Izola, Koper, Piran.
Airports: 16 (2002).
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Somalia
The Somali Republic is situated in the Horn of Africa in Eastern Africa, bordering Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden, and Yemen to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. The city of Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia.
HISTORY:- The Arabs and Persians established trading posts in the coastal regions of the land between 7th to 10th centuries while the Nomadic tribes seized the interiors of present-day Somalia. During the 16th century, the northern coast came under the Turks and the southern part came under the sultans of Zanzibar. The French, British, and Italians arrived in the land in the 9th century. In 1920, Somalia was occupied by the British and the Italians. By 1941, the entire territory came under the British rule. In 1950, Italy returned in power as the United Nations trustee. In 1960, Britain and Italy granted independence to their respective regions. In the same year the two separate regions unified to form the Republic of Somalia. When Britain granted a republic to the Northern Frontier District of Kenya, Somalia broke up all political ties with Britain. In 1961, the first constitution was adopted in the country. President Abdi Rashid Ali was assassinated and Maj. Gen. Mohamed Siad Barre assumed the presidency. After Siad Barre fled from Somalia, anarchy reigned supreme. In 1991, Somaliland in the north declared independence.
GEOGRAPHY:- Somalia is located at 10 00 N, 49 00 E in Eastern Africa. Somalia captures total 637,657 sq km area in which 627,337 sq km and 10,320 sq km are occupied by land and internal water sources respectively. The coastline is 3,025 km long along with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The lowest point is the Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Shimbiris (2,416 m). The country is mostly formed of flat to undulating plateau which rises to the hilly region in the north.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Somalia is mostly desert. In the northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate climate can be seen in the north and hot climate in the south while in the southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid climate is noticed in the north and hot climate in the south. There is irregular rainfall, hot and humid climate between the two monsoons.
GOVERNMENT:- Somalia has a Transitional Federal Government with Semi-presidential Republic. The constitution was adopted in 1979. There is no nationalized legal system in Somalis but legal procedures are carried out on the models of the English common law, the Italian law, the Islamic Shari\'a, and Somali customary law. The two major braches of the government are:
Executive branch comprise the Transitional Federal President (chief of state), the Prime Minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The President is elected by the Transitional Federal Assembly. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister on the approval of the Transitional Federal Assembly.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Transitional Federal Assembly (275 seats).
The Supreme Court is not functioning following the breakdown of the central government. There are no political parties in Somalia. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Somalia is divided into 18 administrative regions.
CULTURE:- Pork and alcohol are completely outlawed. Nuruddin Farah is the most notable writer of Somalia. The Somali music is predominantly love-oriented. Somali traditional music is blended with rock, bossa nova, hip hop, and jazz music.
ECONOMY:- Somalia has a stable informal economy in spite of the lawless government of the country. The economy is mainly based on livestock, money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Agriculture and livestock together account for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of foreign earnings. A large number of Somalis still receive food aid. A dreadful tsunami caused nearly 150 deaths and destroyed several properties in coastal areas in 2004.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.575 billion; per capita $600.
Real growth rate: 2.6%.
Inflation: NA.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 2%.
Agriculture: Bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish.
Labor force: 3.7 million (majority is unskilled labours); agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%.
Industries: A few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication.
Debt - external: $3 billion (2001 est.)
Natural resources: Uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves.
Exports: $241 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal.
Imports: $576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat.
Major trading partners: UAE, Yemen, Oman, Djibouti, Kenya, India, Brazil (2004).
Monetary unit: Somali shilling
LANGUAGE:- Somali is the official language of Somalia while Arabic, Italian, and English are also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The city of Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and the largest city as well. Other major cities of the country are Beledweyne, Kismayo, Baidoa, Jowhar, Merca, Gaalkayo, Bosasso, Hargeisa, and Berbera.
POPULATION:- The population of Somalia is estimated 9,118,773 with an average growth rate of 2.8%.
Density per sq mi: 38
Literacy rate: 38% (2001 est.)
RACE:-
Somali 85%
Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)
RELIGION:- Sunni Islam is the only and predominant religion in Somalia.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 44.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 15.89 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 110.97 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.25 years
Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 18
UNICEF:- UNICEF distributed 33,000 insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce malaria cases. The Global Fund granted an $8.8 million grant along with policy, prevention, treatment, education and monitoring to combat AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. UNICEF started vaccination against measles and diphtheria and provided vitamin A supplements for over one million children. UNICEF-undertaken ‘The Safe Motherhood’ project supplied more than 20,000 Clean Delivery Kits to reduce maternal mortality rates. Over 11,000 malnourished children received hundreds of tons of foods every year. UNICEF provides community training on HIV. UNICEF built two urban water-supply systems. UNICEF also fights against issues like sexual abuse, female genital mutilation and child prostitution.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 22,100 km; paved: 2,608 km; unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu.
Airports: 60 (2002).
The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands, comprising more than thousand islands, is situated in Melanesia and east of Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands and Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea together form the North Solomon Islands. The capital city of the Solomon Islands is Honiara, which is located in the island of Guadalcanal. The Solomon Islands is a member of the British Commonwealth.
HISTORY:- Solomon Islands were first explored in 1568 by Alvaro de Mendana of Spain. In 1886 the islands were divided into Great Britain and Germany. The southern Solomon Islands became British protectorate in 1893. By 1900, the entire territory of the Solomons came under the British control. During the World War II, the Japanese troops invaded Solomon Islands. After some bloodiest battles, most notably the battle of Guadalcanal, the British re-asserted its hold upon the islands in 1945. In 1976, the islands gained autonomy. In the next year, the Solomon Islands achieved independence. During 1900s, the border-tensions with Papua New Guinea reached a culminating point when Papua New Guinea forces penetrated into the Solomons. In 1999, the government declared a state of emergency for four months when the Isatabu Freedom Movement expelled over 20,000 Malaitans from the island. In spite of signing the peace agreement, the country remained in chaos and lawlessness. In 2003, Australian intervention to restore peace in the country finally brought back stability to the Solomons.
GEOGRAPHY:- Solomon Islands are located at 8 00 S, 159 00 E in the Oceania. The islands occupy total 28,450 sq km area in which 27,540 sq km area is captured by land and 910 sq km area is captured by internal water sources. The coastline is 5,313 km long along with the South Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is the Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is the Mount Makarakomburu (2,447 m). The archipelago is composed of rugged mountains with some low coral atolls.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Solomon Islands is mostly tropical monsoon with few extremes of temperature and weather.
GOVERNMENT:- The Solomon Islands has a parliamentary democracy. The constitution was adopted on 7th July 1978. The legal system is based on the English common law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the Queen Elizabeth II (chief of state), the Governor General, the Prime Minister (head of government), the Deputy Prime Minister, and the cabinet. The governor general is appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament on a 5-year term. The leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected the prime minister by the Parliament. The deputy prime minister is appointed by the governor general from among the members of the Parliament on the advice of the prime minister. The 20-member cabinet is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Parliament (50 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Court of Appeal.
The prominent political parties of the Solomon Islands are Association of Independent Members (AIM), People's Alliance Party (PAP), Socred, Rural Advancement Party (RAP), Lafari Party, Christian Alliance Party, Democratic Party, National Party, Liberal Party, and Labour Party. Suffrage is universal at the age of 21.
Queen Queen Elizabeth II
Governor-General Sir Nathaniel Waena
Prime Minister Derek Sikua
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- The Solomon Islands is divided into 9 provinces and 1 capital territory (Honiara). The provinces are: Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, and Western province.
CULTURE:- The culture of the Solomon Islands is rooted in the age-old customs.
ECONOMY:- The lesser developed economy of the Solomon Islands mostly depends on subsistence farming and fishing, engaging 75% of the population. The islands have unexplored mineral resources like lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $948 million; per capita $1,900.
Real growth rate: 5.4%.
Inflation: 6.3%.
Unemployment: NA.
Arable land: 1%.
Agriculture: Cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; timber; cattle, pigs; fish.
Labor force: 26,840 (1999); agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.).
Industries: Fish (tuna), mining, timber.
Natural resources: Fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel.
Exports: $171 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa.
Imports: $159 million f.o.b. (2004): food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals.
Major trading partners: China, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Philippines, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea (2004).
Monetary unit: Solomon Islands dollar
LANGUAGE:- Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca) is the most commonly spoken language in the Solomon Islands. The official language English is spoken by only 1%-2% of the population. There are other 120 indigenous languages in the archipelago.
CITIES:- The city of Honiara is the capital as well as the largest city of the Solomon Islands. Other large towns are Gizo, Auki, and Kirakira.
POPULATION:- The population of the Solomon Islands is 566,842 with an average growth rate of 2.5%.
Density per sq mi: 53
Literacy rate: NA.
RACE:-
Melanesian 94.5%
Polynesian 3%
Micronesian 1.2%
Other 1.1%
Unspecified 0.2% (1999)
RELIGION:-
Church of Melanesia 32.8%
Roman Catholic 19%
South Seas Evangelical 17%
Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%
United Church 10.3%
Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%
Other Christian 4.4%
Other 2.4%
Unspecified 0.3%
None 0.2% (1999)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 28.48 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 3.81 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.67 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.44 years
Total fertility rate: 3.65 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 92
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: 1,360 km; paved: 34 km; unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.).
Ports and harbors: Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina.
Airports: 32 (2002).
Slovakia
Slovakia, the landlocked nation in central Europe, was founded in 1993 from Czechoslovakia. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. The city of Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Slovakia is a member of the European Union, NATO, OECD, WTO, etc. and will join the Eurozone in 2009.
HISTORY:- The Slovaks settled in the region of present-day Slovakia around the 6th century. The region became a part of the Great Moravian Empire in the 9th century. Around 907, the Moravian Empire collapsed as a result of the Germans and the Magyars invasions and the region was incorporated into the Kingdom of Hungary in the early 10th century. Following the World War I, Czech lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and part of Silesia were merged with Slovakia to form the state of Czechoslovakia in 1918 under the Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Trianon. In 1939, Germany captured the newly born land and set up a protectorate. Germany established a puppet government with Monsignor Josef Tiso as the Prime minister in Czechoslovakia. The Soviets seized Czechoslovakia from the Germans in 1945. In 1948, when communist era started, the power centralized in the hand of the Czech-dominated government. This enlightened dissatisfaction between the two republics. In 1969, the country became a federation of the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic. The communist era was ended in 1989 with Vaclav Havel as the president of Czechoslovakia. Negotiations over the formation of two republics out of Czechoslovakia began in 1991. In 1993 through the Velvet Divorce, two republics were founded.
GEOGRAPHY:- Slovakia is located at 48 40 N, 19 30 E in Central Europe, occupying total 48,845 sq km area in which only 45 sq km area is occupied by internal waters. Slovakia is a landlocked nation, bordering Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine. The lowest point is Bodrok River (94 m) while the highest point is Gerlachovsky Stit (2,655 m). The central and northern parts are rugged mountainous and the southern part is formed of lowlands. The Danube, the Váh and the Hron are the major rivers of Slovakia.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Slovakia is mostly temperate with cool summers and cold, cloudy, humid winters.
GOVERNMENT:- Slovakia has a parliamentary democracy. The constitution was ratified in 1992, which came to effect in 1993, amended in 1998 to allow direct presidential election and re-amended in 2001 to apply for NATO and EU membership. The civil law system is based on the Austro-Hungarian codes. 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 cabinet. The president is elected by popular vote on a 5-year term. The leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed the prime minister by the president. The cabinet is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic (150 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.
Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU), Slovak National Party (SNS), Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK), Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), and Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH) are the major political parties of Slovakia. Suffrage is universal at 18.
President Ivan Gašparovič
Prime Minister Robert Fico
President of National Council Pavol Paška
Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan Caplovic, Robert Kalinak, Stefan Harabin, Jan Mikolaj.
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Slovakia is divided into 8 kraje: Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, and Zilinsky.
CULTURE:- Slovakian cuisine is mainly consisted of meats and wine. The Slovakian music ranges from waltzes, polkas, and czardas folk genres to American jazz, R&B, and rock and roll.
ECONOMY:- Since 1993, Slovakia’s centrally-planned economy is trying to transform into a modern market economy. The banking sector is almost entirely in private hands. The high-income economy of Slovakia has one of the fastest growth rates in EU and OECD.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $109.6 billion; per capita $20,300.
Real growth rate: 10.4%.
Inflation: 2.8%.
Unemployment: 8.4%.
Arable land: 30%.
Agriculture: Grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products.
Labor force: 2.24 million (Sept. 30, 2005, est.); agriculture 5.8%, industry 29.3%, construction 9%, services 55.9% (2003).
Industries: Metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products.
Budget:
Revenues: $34.34 billion
Expenditures: $35.99 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 35.9% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $36.63 billion (31 December 2007)
Natural resources: Brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land.
Exports: $32.39 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): vehicles 25.9%, machinery and electrical equipment 21.3%, base metals 14.6%, chemicals and minerals 10.1%, plastics 5.4% (2004).
Imports: $34.48 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and transport equipment 41.1%, intermediate manufactured goods 19.3%, fuels 12.3%, chemicals 9.8%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 10.2% (2003).
Major trading partners: Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Poland, U.S., Hungary, Russia (2004).
Monetary unit: Koruna
LANGUAGE:- Slovak is the official language spoken by 83.9%.
Hungarian 10.7%
Roma 1.8%
Ukrainian 1%
Other or unspecified 2.6% (2001)
CITIES:- Bratislava is the capital city and the largest city of Slovakia.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Slovakia is 5,447,502 with a growth rate of 0.1%.
Density per sq mi: 289
Literacy rate: 99.6% (2001 est.)
RACE:-
Slovak 85.8%
Hungarian 9.7%
Roma 1.7%
Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%
Other and unspecified 1.8% (2001)
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 68.9%
Protestant 10.8%
Greek Catholic 4.1%
Other or unspecified 3.2%
None 13% (2001)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 10.64 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 9.5 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.17 years
Total fertility rate: 1.34 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2001 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 1,130
UNICEF:- UNICEF Slovakia committee is started in 1993. UNICEF established child-friendly schools in Slovakia. UNICEF provided financial and technical support to ChildLine and a 24-hour telephone hotline.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 3,668 km (2002).
Highways: total: 42,717 km; paved: 37,036 km (including 296 km of expressways); unpaved: 5,681 km (2000).
Waterways: 172 km on the Danube. Ports and harbors: Bratislava, Komarno.
Airports: 37 (2002).
Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles, a composition of 115 islands, is located in the Indian Ocean, east of African continent, and northeast of the island of Madagascar. The archipelago is surrounded by Zanzibar to the west, Mauritius and Réunion to the south, Comoros and Mayotte to the southwest, and the Suvadives of the Maldives to the northeast. Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles. It is the least populous nation of Africa.
HISTORY:- Before the arrival of the British East India Company in 1609 in Seychelles, the region was completely barren. In 1756, France annexed the island and incorporated the island into the colonial territory of Mauritius. Under the treaty of Paris in 1814, the island came under the British control. Being separated from Mauritius in 1903, Seychelles became a crown colony of Britain. In 1975, the Seychelles gained autonomy. In the next year, the region became a republic within the Commonwealth with James Mancham as the first president of Seychelles. James Mancham was overthrown in a coup in 1977 by his Prime Minister France-Albert René. In 1979 constitution, declaring Seychelles a socialist state, he replaced multiparty system with a one-party system. But he reintroduced multiparty system in 1991. First multi-party elections were held in 1992.
GEOGRAPHY:- The Seychelles is located at 4 35 S, 55 40 E in the Indian Ocean. The archipelago, consists of 115 islands (though according to the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles the number is 155), occupies total 455 sq km with no major internal water sources. The coastline is 491 km long along with the Indian Ocean. The lowest point is located at Indian Ocean (0 m) while the highest point is the Morne Seychellois (905 m). The Mahe Group of Islands is granitic, rocky, hilly, with narrow coastal strip while other islands are flat, with coral and elevated reefs.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Seychelles is mostly tropical marine and humid. The cooler season is dominated by the southeast monsoon (late May to September) and the warmer season is dominated by the northwest monsoon (March to May).
GOVERNMENT:- Seychelles is a republic. The new constitution was adopted on 18th June 1993. The legal system is modeled on the English common law, the French civil law, and the customary law. 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 Council of Ministers. The president is the head of Defense, Police, Internal Affairs, legal affairs, and Risk and Disaster Management system while the vice president is the head of Transport and Tourism and Public Administration. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The president appoints the council of ministers.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National Assembly (34 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The judges of both the courts are appointed by the President.
Democratic Party (DP), Seychelles National Party (SNP), and Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) are the principal political parties of the Seychelles. Voting rights are given at the age of 18.
President James Michel
Vice President Joseph Belmont
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Seychelles is composed of 25 regions.
CULTURE:- Seychelles has a matriarchal society. The music of the archipelago ranges from folk music to English contredanse, polka and mazurka; from French folk and pop, to sega. African, Polynesian, Indian and Arcadian influences are also prominent in the various music genres of Seychelles.
ECONOMY:- The economy of the archipelago rests on tourism and fishing. In the recent years, the services sector accounts for 70% of GDP. The government also tries to focus on farming, fishing, small-scale manufacturing and the offshore sector to lessen the dependence on tourism, which faced a drop due to overvalued exchange rate and the Gulf War.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $1.378 billion; per capita $16,600.
Real growth rate: 5.3%.
Inflation: 5.7%.
Unemployment: 2% (2006 est.).
Arable land: 2%.
Agriculture: Coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna.
Labor force: 30,900 (1996); industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989).
Industries: Fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages.
Natural resources: Fish, copra, cinnamon trees.
Budget:
Revenues: $372.4 million
Expenditures: $355.2 million (2007 est.)
Public debt: 144.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exports: $434 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (re-exports).
Exports – partners: UK 25.1%, France 19.3%, Mauritius 10.8%, Japan 8.1%, Italy 5.6%, Spain 5% (2006)
Imports: $721 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals.
Imports - partners: Saudi Arabia 16.4%, Germany 10.1%, South Africa 9.2%, France 7.6%, Spain 7.1%, Singapore 5.4% (2006)
Major trading partners: UK, France, Spain, Japan, Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa (2004).
Monetary unit: Seychelles rupee
LANGUAGE:- English, French, and Seychellois Creole are the official languages of Seychelles. Creole is most commonly spoken language (91.8%) in Seychelles while English is spoken by 4.9% of the population. (2002)
CITIES:- The capital city of Victoria is the largest city of Seychelles as well.
POPULATION:- Almost 90% of the population lives in the Mahe Island. The estimated population of the Seychelles is 81,895 with an average growth rate of 0.4%.
Density per sq mi: 465
Literacy rate: 91.8% (2002)
RACE:- Mostly mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arabs reside in Seychelles.
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 82.3%
Anglican 6.4%
Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%
Other Christian 3.4%
Hindu 2.1%
Muslim 1.1%
Other non-Christian 1.5%
Unspecified 1.5%
None 0.6% (2002
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 15.6 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.6 years
Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 764
UNICEF:- UNICEF in Seychelles mainly focuses on children health, children and women protection, provision of basic education, and HIV awareness and prevention.
TRANSPORTATION:- Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 458 km; paved: 440 km; unpaved: 18 km (2003). Ports and harbors: Victoria. Airports: 15 (2007).
Senegal
The Republic of Senegal is situated in western Africa and south of the Senegal River, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south. Dakar is the capital city of Senegal.
HISTORY:- The Toucouleur people were one of the original inhabitants of Senegal. They were converted to Islam in the 11th century. Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great Britain contested in setting up the trading outposts on the banks of the Senegal River in the 15th century. In 1677 French started trading in the land. Gorée Island was turned into major center for the Atlantic slave trade during the 1700s. France annexed the land in 1840 and incorporated it in the French West Africa in 1895. Along with other French West African territories, Senegal became a French overseas territory in 1946. In the same year, Senegal and the French Sudan were unified to form the Mali Federation. After the collapse of the federation in 1960, Senegal proclaimed independence. Leopold Sedar Senghor became the first president of Senegal. He introduced an authoritarian regime in Senegal. Senegal joined the Gambia to create the confederation of Senegambia in 1982, but the federation was broke up in 1989. After Senghor’s retirement, Abdou Diouf became president in 1981. He introduced state participation in economy.
GEOGRAPHY:- Senegal is located at 14 00 N, 14 00 W in Western Africa, occupying total 196,190 sq km area in which land and water span through 192,000 sq km and 4,190 sq km respectively. The coastline is 531 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed elevation near Nepen Diakha (581 m). Senegal is generally formed of low, rolling, plains rising to the foothills in the southeast.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Senegal is mostly tropical, hot, and humid. The rainy season (May to November) is dominated by a strong southeast winds while the dry season (December to April) is dominated by hot, dry, and harmattan wind.
GOVERNMENT:- Senegal is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 7th January 2001. The legal system is based on the French civil law system, and the judicial reviews of legislative acts in Constitutional Court. 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 by the prime minister after consulting with the president.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral Parliament, consists of the National Assembly (150 seats), and the Senate (100 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Constitutional Court, the Council of State, the Court of Final Appeals, and the Court of Appeals.
There are 72 registered political parties in Senegal in which the Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS), Rewmi, Socialist Party (PS), the Alliance of Forces for Progress (AFP), "AND JEF/PADS", the Union for Democratic Renewal (URD), “JEF JEL”, the National Democratic Rally (RND), and the Independence and Labor Party (PIT) are prominently major once. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Abdoulaye Wade
Prime Minister Cheikh Hadjibou Soumaré
President of the Senate Pape Diop
President of the National Assembly Macky Sall
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Senegal is composed of 11 regions: Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thies, and Ziguinchor. These regions are subdivided into 34 Departements and 103 Arrondissements.
CULTURE:- Senegal has a rich musical heritage. Sabar drumming is very popular worldwide.
ECONOMY:- Fish, phosphates, peanuts, tourism, and services are the backbones of the Senegalese economy. It is highly dependent of foreign financial assistance. It is a member of West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $20.61 billion; per capita $1,700.
Real growth rate: 5%.
Inflation: 5.9%.
Unemployment: 48%; including urban youth 45% (2007 est.).
Arable land: 13%.
Agriculture: Peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish.
Labor force: 4.82 million (2005 est.); agriculture 77%, industry and services 23% (1990 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $2.271 billion
Expenditures: $2.815 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 22.6% of GDP (2007)
Debt - external: $2.13 billion (31 December 2007)
Industries: Agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials, ship construction and repair. Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore.
Exports: $1.725 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton.
Imports: $3.673 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): foods and beverages, capital goods, fuels.
Major trading partners: India, Mali, France, Italy, Spain, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Nigeria, Thailand (2004).
Monetary unit: CFA Franc
LANGUAGE:- French is the official language while Wolof is spoken by 94% population. Pulaar, Jola, and Mandinka are also spoken.
CITIES:- The capital of Senegal Dakar is the largest city of the country. Other large cities are Diourbel, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Rufisque, Saint-Louis, Thies, Tambacounda, Ziguinchor, Fatick, Matam, Kedougou, and Sedhiou.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Senegal is 12,521,851 with an average growth rate of 2.6%.
Density per sq mi: 169
Literacy rate: 40% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Wolof 43.3%
Pular 23.8%
Serer 14.7%
Jola 3.7%
Mandinka 3%
Soninke 1.1%
European and Lebanese 1%
Other 9.4%
RELIGION:-
Muslim 94%
Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic)
Indigenous beliefs 1%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 36.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 10.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 58.93 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.08 years
Total fertility rate: 4.86 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,500 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 69
UNICEF:- Senegal spends 40% of its national budget to education and 10% to health sector. Children mortality rates are decreasing in areas like Kedougou and Velingara. 80% under-5 children received vaccinations, vitamin A supplements, de-worming treatment, and insecticide mosquito nets. Over 12000 children in Mbour, Bignona and Velingara received hygiene and nutrition kits in 2005. Girls’ enrolment is schools are rising. Female genital mutilation practices are reduced.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 906 km (2002).
Highways: total: 13,576 km; paved: 3,972 km; unpaved: 9,604 km (2003).
Waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on the Saloum river.
Ports and harbors: Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor.
Airports: 20 (2007).
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
The Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is located in Northern North America, south of Newfoundland, and in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island nation consists of eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the island of Miquelon. It is a part of France and thereby a member of the European Union. According to the European Union nationals, the non-citizens of France can not exercise free movement and trading establishment in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Saint-Pierre is the capital of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
HISTORY:- French and English contested for the possession of the islands before the 17th century. From 1713 to 1763, Britain governed the islands. In 1763, the French took over the islands under the Treaty of Paris.
GEOGRAPHY:- Saint Pierre and Miquelon is located at 46 50 N, 56 20 W in the Northern part of North America, spanning across 242 sq km area. The archipelago comprises eight small islands in the Saint Pierre island groups and the Miquelon group of islands. The coastline is 120 km long bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is Morne de la Grande Montagne (240 m). The archipelago is mostly formed of barren rocks.
CLIMATE:- The climatic condition of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is cold and wet, with much mist and fog, while the springs and the autumns are windy.
GOVERNMENT:- Saint Pierre and Miquelon is an autonomous territorial overseas collectivity of France. The French constitution is the officially followed in the islands. The legal system is based on the French codes. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President of France (chief of state), the Prefect, and the President of the Territorial Council (head of government). The prefect is appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior whilst the president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the council.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Territorial Council (19 seats).
Judicial branch comprise the Superior Tribunal of Appeals.
Archipelago Tomorrow or AD, Cap sur l'Avenir, Left Radical Party or PRG, Rassemblement pour la Republique or RPR, Saint Pierre and Miquelon 2000/Avenir Miquelon or SPM 2000/AM, Socialist Party or PS, Union pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF are the major political parties of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President of France Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the Territorial Council Stéphane Artano
Prefect Yves Fauqueur
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is divided into 2 communes: Miquelon-Langlade and Saint-Pierre.
CULTURE:- Basque Festival is the most popular festival of the islands. Hockey is the most popular sport of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The roads derive their names in accordance with the nicknames and the names of nearby residents.
ECONOMY:- Most of the population lives on fishing. Tourism, fish farming, crab fishing and agriculture are the other major economic activities of the islands.
GDP/PPP (2003 est.): $48.3 million, supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million; per capita $7,000 (2001 est.).
Real growth rate: NA.
Inflation: 2.1% (1991–1996 average).
Unemployment: 9.8% (1997).
Arable land: 13%.
Agriculture: Vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish.
Labor force: 3,450 (2005); fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.).
Budget:
Revenues: $70 million
Expenditures: $60 million (1996 est.)
Industries: Fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism.
Natural resources: Fish, deepwater ports.
Exports: $5.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): fish and fish products, soybeans, animal feed, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts.
Imports: $68.2 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials.
Major trading partners: Belgium, U.S., Spain, France, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Italy (2004).
Currency: euro (EUR)
LANGUAGE:- French is the official language of Saint Pierre and Miquelon but a local dialect similar to Norman language is also widely spoken.
CITIES:- The city of Saint-Pierre is the capital as well as the largest city of the archipelago.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is 7,026 with an average growth rate of 0.2%.
Density per sq mi: 76
Literacy rate: 99% (1982 est.)
RACE:- Predominantly Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) reside in the islands.
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 99%
Other 1%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 12.92 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.91 years
Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 114 km; paved: 69 km; unpaved: 45 km.
Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre.
Airports: 2 (2007).
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