Part 17

Overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, a serious, long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture's share of GDP is only 20%; the fishing sector accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. In 1988 fishing represented only 3.5% of GDP. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid. Economic reforms launched by the new democratic government in February 1991 are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $415 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.3% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $1,070 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 25% (1988) Budget: revenues: $104 million expenditures: $133 million, including capital expenditures of $72 million (1991 est.) Exports: $6 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: fish, bananas, hides and skins partners: Portugal 40%, Algeria 31%, Angola, Netherlands (1990 est.) Imports: $145 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment partners: Sweden 33%, Spain 11%, Germany 5%, Portugal 3%, France 3%, Netherlands, US (1990 est.) External debt: $156 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 18% (1988 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 15 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1991) Industries: fish processing, salt mining, clothing factories, ship repair, construction materials, food and beverage production Agriculture: accounts for 20% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming; bananas are the only export crop; other crops - corn, beans, sweet potatoes, coffee; growth potential of agricultural sector limited by poor soils and scanty rainfall; annual food imports required; fish catch provides for both domestic consumption and small exports Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY75-90), $93 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $586 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $12 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $36 million Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 85.992 (December 1993), 80.574 (1993), 68.018 (1992), 71.408 (1991), 70.031 (1990), 77.978 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Cape Verde, Communications

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Mindelo, Praia Merchant marine: 7 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,717 GRT/19,000 DWT Airports: total: 6 usable: 6 with permanent-surface runways: 6 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: interisland microwave radio relay system, high-frequency radio to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; over 1,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 1 TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Cape Verde, Defense Forces

Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP) (including Army and Navy), Security Service Manpower availability: males age 15-49 78,153; fit for military service 45,804 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

@Cayman Islands

Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)

@Cayman Islands, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, nearly halfway between Cuba and Honduras Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 260 sq km land area: 260 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 160 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 23% other: 69% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes international agreements: NA Note: important location between Cuba and Central America

@Cayman Islands, People

Population: 31,790 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 4.33% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 15.06 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.46 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Caymanian(s) adjective: Caymanian Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant denominations Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 8,061 by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction 12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers 5.9% (1979)

@Cayman Islands, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cayman Islands Digraph: CJ Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: George Town Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July) Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 Legal system: British common law and local statutes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council Michael GORE (since 15 September 1992) cabinet: Executive Council; 3 members are appointed by the governor, 4 members elected by the Legislative Assembly Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: election last held November 1992 (next to be held November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) Judicial branch: Grand Court, Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

@Cayman Islands, Economy

Overview: The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $670 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.4% (1991) National product per capita: $23,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (1992) Budget: revenues: $141.5 million expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports: $2.6 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners: mostly US Imports: $262.2 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan External debt: $15 million (1986) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 74,000 kW production: 256 million kWh consumption per capita: 8,780 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, building materials, furniture making Agriculture: minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drug profits; transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $26.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $35 million Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.85 (22 November 1993) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Cayman Islands, Communications

Highways: total: 160 km (main roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: George Town, Cayman Brac Merchant marine: 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 368,037 GRT/581,060 DWT, bulk 9, cargo 8, chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 3, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 note: a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: 35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

@Cayman Islands, Defense Forces

Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Central African Republic, Geography

Location: Central Africa, between Chad and Zaire Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 622,980 sq km land area: 622,980 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total 5,203 km, Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 64% other: 28% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa Population: 3,142,182 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.16% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 42.3 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 20.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 137.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.54 years male: 41.07 years female: 44.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French) Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 27% male: 33% female: 15% Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry 3%, government 3% note: about 64,000 salaried workers; 55% of population of working age (1985)

@Central African Republic, Government

Names: conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Central African Empire Abbreviation: CAR Digraph: CT Type: republic; one-party presidential regime since 1986 Capital: Bangui Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic) Constitution: 21 November 1986 Legal system: based on French law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Felix (Ange) PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) election last held 19 September 1993; PATASSE received 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%; next election schelduled for 1998 head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Jean-Luc MANDABA (since 25 October 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 19 September 1993; results - percentage vote by party NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3, others 22 note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together they are called the Congress (Congres) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the party of the new president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Central African Democratic Party (RDC), Laurent GOMINA-PAMPALI; Council of Moderates Coalition includes; Union of the People for Economic and Social Development (UPDS), Katossy SIMANI; Liberal Republican Party (PARELI), Augustin M'BOE; Central African Socialist Movement (MSCA), Michel BENGUE; Concerted Democratic Forces (CFD), a coalition of 13 parties, including; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Francois PEHOUA; Central African Republican party (PRC), Ruth ROLLAND; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Enoch DERANT-LAKOUE; Civic Forum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor KOMBOT-NAGUEMON; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), Felix (Ange) PATASSE Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-7800 or 7801 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert E. GRIBBIN embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61-02-00, 61-25-78, 61-43-33, 61-02-10 FAX: [236] 61-44-94 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

@Central African Republic, Economy

Overview: Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, remains the backbone of the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in the countryside. In 1990 the agricultural sector generated about 42% of GDP. Timber accounted for about 26% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, and a weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral development assistance, particularly from France, plays a major role in providing capital for new investment. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -3% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: 30% (1988 est.) in Bangui Budget: revenues: $175 million expenditures: $312 million, including capital expenditures of $122 million (1991 est.) Exports: $123.5 million (f.o.b.1992) commodities: diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco partners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US Imports: $165.1 million (f.o.b.1992) commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products partners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria External debt: $859 million (1991) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 40,000 kW production: 95 million kWh consumption per capita: 30 kWh (1991) Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Agriculture: accounts for 42% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except for grain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops - manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $52 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $1.6 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $38 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05 (January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year

@Central African Republic, Communications

Highways: total: 22,000 km paved: bituminous 458 km unpaved: improved earth 10,542 km; unimproved earth 11,000 km Inland waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river Airports: total: 65 usable: 51 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 20 Telecommunications: fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, with low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Central African Republic, Defense Forces

Branches: Central African Army (including Republican Guard), Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 701,728; fit for military service 367,264 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $23 million, 1.8% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Chad, Geography

Location: Central Africa, between the Central African Republic and Libya Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1.284 million sq km land area: 1,259,200 sq km comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of California Land boundaries: total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad, and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya had withdrawn its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but as of June 1994 still maintained an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria Climate: tropical in south, desert in north Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad) Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 36% forest and woodland: 11% other: 51% Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; subject to locust plagues international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping Note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

@Chad, People

Population: 5,466,771 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.15% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 42.12 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 20.59 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 131.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.79 years male: 39.7 years female: 41.94 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Chadian(s) adjective: Chadian Ethnic divisions: north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba) south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa) nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25% Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), Sango (in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects are spoken Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic (1990 est.) total population: 30% male: 42% female: 18% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 85% (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)

@Chad, Government