Part 38

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Howland Island Digraph: HQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

@Howland Island, Economy

Overview: no economic activity

@Howland Island, Communications

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only, one boat landing area along the middle of the west coast Airports: airstrip constructed in 1937 for scheduled refueling stop on the round-the-world flight of Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan - they left Lae, New Guinea, for Howland Island, but were never seen again; the airstrip is no longer serviceable Note: Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart

@Howland Island, Defense Forces

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

@Hungary, Geography

Location: Central Europe, between Slovakia and Romania Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe Area: total area: 93,030 sq km land area: 92,340 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,989 km, Austria 366 km, Croatia 329 km, Romania 443 km, Serbia and Montenegro 151 km (all with Serbia), Slovakia 515 km, Slovenia 82 km, Ukraine 103 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Slovakia Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils Land use: arable land: 50.7% permanent crops: 6.1% meadows and pastures: 12.6% forest and woodland: 18.3% other: 12.3% Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1989) Environment: current issues: air pollution; industrial and municipal pollution of Lake Balaton natural hazards: levees are common along many streams, but flooding occurs almost every year international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Note: landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

@Hungary, People

Population: 10,319,113 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: -0.03% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.37 years male: 67.37 years female: 75.58 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Hungarian(s) adjective: Hungarian Ethnic divisions: Hungarian 89.9%, Gypsy 4%, German 2.6%, Serb 2%, Slovak 0.8%, Romanian 0.7% Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Calvinist 20%, Lutheran 5%, atheist and other 7.5% Languages: Hungarian 98.2%, other 1.8% Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 98% Labor force: 5.4 million by occupation: services, trade, government, and other 44.8%, industry 29.7%, agriculture 16.1%, construction 7.0% (1991)

@Hungary, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Hungary conventional short form: Hungary local long form: Magyar Koztarsasag local short form: Magyarorszag Digraph: HU Type: republic Capital: Budapest Administrative divisions: 38 counties (megyek, singular - megye) and 1 capital city* (fovaros); Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Bekescsaba, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Budapest*, Csongrad, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Fejer, Gyor, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Hodmezovasarhely, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Komarom-Esztergom, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nograd, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Pest, Somogy, Sopron, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala, Zalaegerszeg Independence: 1001 (unification by King Stephen I) National holiday: St. Stephen's Day (National Day), 20 August (commemorates the founding of Hungarian state circa 1000 A.D.) Constitution: 18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight Legal system: in process of revision, moving toward rule of law based on Western model Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Arpad GONCZ (since 3 August 1990; previously interim president from 2 May 1990); election last held 3 August 1990 (next to be held NA 1995); results - President GONCZ elected by parliamentary vote; note - President GONCZ was elected by the National Assembly with a total of 295 votes out of 304 as interim President from 2 May 1990 until elected President head of government: Prime Minister Peter BOROSS (since 12 December 1993 on the death of Jozsef ANTALL); new prime minister will probably be Gyula HORN cabinet: Council of Ministers; elected by the National Assembly on recommendation of the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Orszaggyules): elections last held on 8 and 29 May 1994 (next to be held spring 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (386 total) Hungarian Socialist Party 209, Alliance of Free Democrats 70, Hungarian Democratic Forum 37, Independent Smallholders 26, Christian Democratic People's Party 22, Federation of Young Democrats 20, other 2 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Democratic Forum, Sandor LESZAK, chairman; Independent Smallholders (FKGP), Jozsef TORGYAN, president; Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), Gyula HORN, president; Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), Dr. Lazlo SURJAN, president; Federation of Young Democrats (FIDESZ), Viktor ORBAN, chairman; Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), Ivan PETO, chairman note: the Hungarian Socialist (Communist) Workers' Party (MSZMP) renounced Communism and became the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) in October 1989; there is still a small MSZMP Member of: Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-9, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNOMUR, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pal TAR chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 362-6730 FAX: (202) 966-8135 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald BLINKEN embassy: V. Szabadsag Ter 12, Budapest mailing address: Am Embassy, Unit 1320, Budapest; APO AE 09213 telephone: [36] (1) 112-6450 FAX: [36] (1) 132-8934 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green

@Hungary, Economy

Overview: Hungary is still in the midst of a difficult transition from a command to a market economy. Its economic reforms during the Communist era gave it a head start on this process, particularly in terms of attracting foreign investors - Hungary has accounted for about half of all foreign direct investment in Eastern Europe since 1989. Nonetheless, the economy continued to contract in 1993, with real GDP falling perhaps 1%. Although the privatization process has lagged, in December 1993 Hungary carried out the largest privatization yet in Eastern Europe, selling a controlling interest in the Matav telecommunications firm to private investors - including a 30% share to a US-German consortium for $875 million. Overall, about half of GDP now originates in the private sector. Unemployment rose to about 13% in 1993 while inflation remained above 20%, and falling exports pushed the trade deficit to about $3 billion. The government hopes that economic recovery in Western Europe in 1994 will boost exports, lower the trade deficit, and help jump-start the economy. The budget, however, is likely to remain a serious concern; depressed tax revenue pushed up the budget deficit in 1993. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $57 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: -1% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $5,500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 23% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% (1993) Budget: revenues: $10.2 billion expenditures: $12.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 39.6%, machinery 14.5%, consumer goods 22.3%, food and agriculture 20.0%, fuels and energy 3.6% (January-June 1993) partners: EC 49.8% (Germany 27.8%, Italy 9.5%), Austria 10.7%, the FSU 13.1%, Eastern Europe 9.8% (1992) Imports: $12.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fuels and energy 13.9%, raw materials, semi-finished goods, chemicals 35.9%, machinery 22.4%, consumer goods 21.8%, food and agriculture 6.0% (January-June 1993) partners: EC 42.8% (Germany 23.6%, Italy 6.3%), Austria 14.4%, the FSU 16.8%, Eastern Europe 9.2% External debt: $24.7 billion (November 1993) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 7,200,000 kW production: 30 billion kWh consumption per capita: 3,000 kWh (1992) Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), buses, automobiles Agriculture: including forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 16% of employment; highly diversified crop and livestock farming; principal crops - wheat, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, sugar beets; livestock - hogs, cattle, poultry, dairy products; self-sufficient in food output Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southeast Asia heroin transiting the Balkan route Economic aid: recipient: assistance pledged by OECD countries since 1989 about $9 billion Currency: 1 forint (Ft) = 100 filler Exchange rates: forints per US$1 - 93.46 (September 1993), 92.5 (1993), 78.99 (1992), 74.74 (1991), 63.21 (1990), 59.07 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Hungary, Communications

Railroads: 7,765 km total; 7,508 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 222 km narrow gauge (mostly 0.760-meter), 35 km 1.520-meter broad gauge; 1,236 km double track, 2,249 km electrified; all government owned (1990) Highways: total: 130,224 km paved: 61,948 km unpaved: 68,276 km (1988) Inland waterways: 1,622 km (1988) Pipelines: crude oil 1,204 km; natural gas 4,387 km (1991) Ports: Budapest and Dunaujvaros are river ports on the Danube; coastal outlets are Rostock (Germany), Gdansk (Poland), Gdynia (Poland), Szczecin (Poland), Galati (Romania), and Braila (Romania) Merchant marine: 10 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) and 1 bulk totaling 46,121 GRT/61,613 DWT Airports: total: 126 usable: 65 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 18 with runways 1,060-2,439 m: 31 note: a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip Telecommunications: automatic telephone network based on microwave radio relay system; 1,128,800 phones (1991); telephone density is at 19.4 per 100 inhabitants; 49% of all phones are in Budapest; 608,000 telephones on order (1991); 12-15 year wait for a phone; 14,213 telex lines (1991); broadcast stations - 32 AM, 15 FM, 41 TV (8 Soviet TV repeaters); 4.2 million TVs (1990); 1 satellite ground station using INTELSAT and Intersputnik

@Hungary, Defense Forces

Branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, Territorial Defense Manpower availability: males age 15-49 2,636,888; fit for military service 2,105,628; reach military age (18) annually 90,134 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: 66.5 billion forints, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

@Iceland, Geography

Location: Nordic State, Northern Europe, in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Greenland and Norway Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 103,000 sq km land area: 100,250 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Kentucky Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,988 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 1% other: 78% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment natural hazards: subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

@Iceland, People

Population: 263,599 (July 1994 est.) note: population data estimates based on average growth rate may differ slightly from official population data because of volatile migration rates Population growth rate: 0.9% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 16.41 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.72 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.83 years male: 76.57 years female: 81.21 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.11 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Icelander(s) adjective: Icelandic Ethnic divisions: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none 1% (1988) Languages: Icelandic Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.) total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 127,900 by occupation: commerce, transportation, and services 60.0%, manufacturing 12.5%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.8%, agriculture 4.0% (1990)

@Iceland, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Iceland conventional short form: Iceland local long form: Lyoveldio Island local short form: Island Digraph: IC Type: republic Capital: Reykjavik Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944) Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980); election last held on 29 June 1988 (next scheduled for June 1996); results - there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR was unopposed head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Althing): elections last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995); results - Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party 15.5%, People's Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.3%, Liberals 1.2%, other 3.1%; seats - (63 total) Independence 26, Progressive 13, Social Democratic 10, People's Alliance 9, Womens List 5 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur) Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive Party, Steingrimur HERMANNSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance (left socialist), Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON; Women's List Member of: Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Einar BENEDIKTSSON chancery: 2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-6653 through 6655 FAX: (202) 265-6656 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Parker W. BORG embassy: Laufasvegur 21, Box 40, Reykjavik mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, Reykjavik; FPO AE 09728-0340 telephone: [354] (1) 629100 FAX: [354] (1) 629139 Flag: blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

@Iceland, Economy

Overview: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with an extensive welfare system, relatively low unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of the workforce. In the absence of other natural resources - except energy - Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. Iceland's economy has been in recession since 1988. The recession continued in 1993 due to a third year of cutbacks in fishing quotas as well as falling world prices for the country's main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Real GDP declined 3.3% in 1992 and rose slightly, by 0.4%, in 1993. The center-right government's economic goals include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The recession has led to a wave of bankruptcies and mergers throughout the economy, as well as the highest unemployment of the post-World War II period. Inflation, previously a serious problem, declined from double digit rates in the 1980s to only 3.7% in 1992-93. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.2 billion (1993) National product real growth rate: 0.4% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $16,000 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1993) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $191 million (1992) Exports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, ferrosilicon, diatomite partners: EC 68% (UK 25%, FRG 12%), US 11%, Japan 8% (1992) Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles partners: EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US 9% (1992) External debt: $3.9 billion (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.75% (1991 est.) Electricity: capacity: 1,063,000 kW production: 5.165 billion kWh consumption per capita: 19,940 kWh (1992) Industries: fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, geothermal power Agriculture: accounts for about 15% of GDP; fishing is most important economic

## activity, contributing nearly 75% to export earnings; principal crops

- potatoes, turnips; livestock - cattle, sheep; self-sufficient in crops; fish catch of about 1.1 million metric tons in 1992 Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $19.1 million Currency: 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 72.971 (January 1994), 67.603 (1993), 57.546 (1992), 58.996 (1991), 58.284 (1990), 57.042 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year

@Iceland, Communications

Highways: total: 12,537 km paved: 2,690 km unpaved: gravel, earth 9,847 km Ports: Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordhur, Keflavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Siglufjordhur, Vestmannaeyjar Merchant marine: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 33,212 GRT/47,359 DWT, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 Airports: total: 90 usable: 84 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 12 Telecommunications: adequate domestic service; coaxial and fiber-optical cables and microwave radio relay for trunk network; 140,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 147 (transmitters and repeaters) FM, 202 (transmitters and repeaters) TV; 2 submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station carries all international traffic; a second INTELSAT earth station is scheduled to be operational in 1993

@Iceland, Defense Forces

Branches: Police, Coast Guard note: no armed forces, Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Manpower availability: males age 15-49 70,074; fit for military service 62,197 Defense expenditures: none

@India, Geography

Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Pakistan Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 3,287,590 km2 land area: 2,973,190 km2 comparative area: slightly more than one-third the size of the US Land boundaries: total 14,103 km, Bangladesh 4,053 km, Bhutan 605 km, Burma 1,463 km, China 3,380 km, Nepal 1,690 km, Pakistan 2,912 km Coastline: 7,000 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: boundaries with Bangladesh and China; status of Kashmir with Pakistan; water-sharing problems with downstream riparians, Bangladesh over the Ganges and Pakistan over the Indus Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Terrain: upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Natural resources: coal (fourth-largest reserves in the world), iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, diamonds, petroleum, limestone Land use: arable land: 55% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 23% other: 17% Irrigated land: 430,390 sq km (1989) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; huge and rapidly growing population is overstraining natural resources natural hazards: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; subject to earthquakes (a quake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale occurred near Hyderabad killing several thousand people and causing extensive damage in late September 1993) international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea Note: dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes

@India, People

Population: 919,903,056 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.82% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 28.45 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 10.29 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 78.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.58 years male: 58.09 years female: 59.09 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.48 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Indian(s) adjective: Indian Ethnic divisions: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% Religions: Hindu 80%, Muslim 14%, Christian 2.4%, Sikh 2%, Buddhist 0.7%, Jains 0.5%, other 0.4% Languages: English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people, Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official), Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani a popular variant of Hindu/Urdu, is spoken widely throughout northern India note: 24 languages each spoken by a million or more persons; numerous other languages and dialects, for the most part mutually unintelligible Literacy: age 7 and over can read and write (1991 est.) total population: 52.11% male: 63.86% female: 39.42% Labor force: 314.751 million (1990) by occupation: agriculture 65% (1993 est.)

@India, Government