Part 17

Note: second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; nearly 90% of the population is concentrated in the region near the US/Canada border

@Canada:People

Population: 28,434,545 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (female 2,874,705; male 3,016,050) 15-64 years: 67% (female 9,529,272; male 9,531,107) 65 years and over: 12% (female 2,022,324; male 1,461,087) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.09% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 13.74 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.29 years male: 74.93 years female: 81.81 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian

Ethnic divisions: British Isles origin 40%, French origin 27%, other European 20%, indigenous Indian and Eskimo 1.5%

Religions: Roman Catholic 46%, United Church 16%, Anglican 10%, other 28%

Languages: English (official), French (official)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1986) total population: 97%

Labor force: 13.38 million by occupation: services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction 3%, other 4% (1988)

@Canada:Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada

Digraph: CA

Type: confederation with parliamentary democracy

Capital: Ottawa

Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 2 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*

Independence: 1 July 1867 (from UK)

National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

Constitution: amended British North America Act 1867 patriated to Canada 17 April 1982; charter of rights and unwritten customs

Legal system: based on English common law, except in Quebec, where civil law system based on French law prevails; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Romeo LeBLANC (since 8 February 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Jean CHRETIEN (since 4 November 1993) was elected on 25 October 1993, replacing Kim CAMBELL; Deputy Prime Minister Sheila COPPS cabinet: Federal Ministry; chosen by the prime minister from members of his own party sitting in Parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlement) Senate (Senat): consisting of a body whose members are appointed to serve until 75 years of age by the governor general and selected on the advice of the prime minister; its normal limit 104 senators House of Commons (Chambre des Communes): elections last held 25 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998); results - percent of votes by party NA; seats - (295 total) Liberal Party 178, Bloc Quebecois 54, Reform Party 52, New Democratic Party 8, Progressive Conservative Party 2, independents 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party, Jean CHRETIEN; Bloc Quebecois, Lucien BOUCHARD; Reform Party, Preston MANNING; New Democratic Party, Audrey McLAUGHLIN; Progressive Conservative Party, Jean CHAREST

Member of: ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, C, CCC, CDB (non-regional), EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, ESA (cooperating state), FAO, G- 7, G- 8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, ONUSAL, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNOMOZ, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond A.J. CHRETIEN chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (202) 682-1740 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7726 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and Seattle consulate(s): Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador James Johnston BLANCHARD embassy: 100 Wellington Street, K1P 5T1, Ottawa mailing address: P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335, 4470 FAX: [1] (613) 238-5720 consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver

Flag: three vertical bands of red (hoist side), white (double width, square), and red with a red maple leaf centered in the white band

@Canada:Economy

Overview: As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s, Canada registered one of the highest rates of real growth among the OECD nations, averaging about 3.2%. With its great natural resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant, Canada has excellent economic prospects, although the country still faces high unemployment and a growing debt. Moreover, the continuing constitutional impasse between English- and French-speaking areas has observers discussing a possible split in the confederation; foreign investors have become edgy.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $639.8 billion (1994 est.)

National product real growth rate: 4.5% (1994)

National product per capita: $22,760 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (1994)

Unemployment rate: 9.6% (December 1994)

Budget: revenues: $85 billion (Federal) expenditures: $115.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93/94 est.)

Exports: $164.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts; telecommunications equipment partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China

Imports: $151.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable consumer goods, electronic computers; telecommunications equipment and parts partners: US, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea

External debt: $243 billion (1993)

Industrial production: growth rate 4.8% (1993)

Electricity: capacity: 108,090,000 kW production: 511 billion kWh consumption per capita: 16,133 kWh (1993)

Industries: processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, transportation equipment, chemicals, fish products, petroleum and natural gas

Agriculture: accounts for about 3% of GDP; one of the world's major producers and exporters of grain (wheat and barley); key source of US agricultural imports; large forest resources cover 35% of total land area; commercial fisheries provide annual catch of 1.5 million metric tons, of which 75% is exported

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; growing role as a transit point for heroin and cocaine entering the US market

Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $7.2 billion

Currency: 1 Canadian dollar (Can$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (Can$) per US$1 - 1.4129 (January 1995), 1.3656 (1994), 1.2901 (1993), 1.2087 (1992), 1.1457 (1991), 1.1668 (1990)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Canada:Transportation

Railroads: total: 78,148 km; note - there are two major transcontinental freight railway systems: Canadian National (government owned) and Canadian Pacific Railway; passenger service provided by VIA (government operated) standard gauge: 78,148 km 1.435-m gauge (185 km electrified) (1994)

Highways: total: 849,404 km paved: 253,692 km (15,983 km of expressways) unpaved: gravel 595,712 km (1991)

Inland waterways: 3,000 km, including Saint Lawrence Seaway

Pipelines: crude and refined oil 23,564 km; natural gas 74,980 km

Ports: Becancour, Churchill, Halifax, Montreal, New Westminister, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), Saint John's (Newfoundland), Seven Islands, Sydney, Three Rivers, Toronto, Vancouver, Windsor

Merchant marine: total: 71 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 617,010 GRT/878,819 DWT ships by type: bulk 17, cargo 10, chemical tanker 5, oil tanker 23, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2 note: does not include ships used exclusively in the Great Lakes

Airports: total: 1,386 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 17 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 147 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 234 with paved runways under 914 m: 550 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 69 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 353

@Canada:Communications

Telephone system: 18,000,000 telephones; excellent service provided by modern media local: NA intercity: about 300 earth stations for domestic satellite communications international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; 5 INTELSAT earth stations (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 53 (repeaters 1,400) televisions: NA

@Canada:Defense Forces

Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command or LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 7,570,877; males fit for military service 6,522,092; males reach military age (17) annually 151,590 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.0 billion, 1.6% of GDP (FY95/96)

________________________________________________________________________

CAPE VERDE

@Cape Verde:Geography

Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Map references: World

Area: total area: 4,030 sq km land area: 4,030 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 965 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; warm, dry, summer; precipitation very erratic

Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic

Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone, kaolin, fish

Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 0% other: 85%

Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion; demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation; desertification; environmental damage has threatened several indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure visibility; volcanically and seismically active international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification

Note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site

@Cape Verde:People

Population: 435,983 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (female 106,539; male 110,301) 15-64 years: 47% (female 114,931; male 88,029) 65 years and over: 3% (female 9,781; male 6,402) (July 1995 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.98% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 45.32 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 55.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.01 years male: 61.1 years female: 65.01 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.23 children born/woman (1995 est.)

Nationality: noun: Cape Verdean(s) adjective: Cape Verdean

Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs

Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West African words

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 63% male: 75% female: 53%

Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.) by occupation: agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%, industry 14% (1981)

@Cape Verde:Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde conventional short form: Cape Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde

Digraph: CV

Type: republic

Capital: Praia

Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo, Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal

Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22 March 1991; election last held 17 February 1991 (next to be held February 1996); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received 72.6% of vote head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by prime minister from members of the Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular): elections last held 13 January 1991 (next to be held January 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) MPD 56, PAICV 23; note - the 1991 multiparty Assembly election ended 15 years of single-party rule

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de Justia)

Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman; African Party for Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES, chairman

Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN (Cape Verde assumed a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council on 1 January 1992), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jose Eduardo BARBOSA (since 12 February 1994) chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 consulate(s) general: Boston

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARS embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia telephone: [238] 61 56 16 FAX: [238] 61 13 55

Flag: three horozontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horozontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands

@Cape Verde:Economy

Overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles of 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. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in 1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1995 depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the momentum of the government's development program.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $410 million (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1992 est.)

National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 26% (1990 est.)

Budget: revenues: $174 million expenditures: $235 million, including capital expenditures of $165 million (1993 est.)

Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: fish, bananas, hides and skins partners: Netherlands, Portugal, Angola

Imports: $173 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products, transport equipment partners: Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Spain

External debt: $156 million (1991)

Industrial production: growth rate 3.6% (1990 est.); accounts for 8% of GDP

Electricity: capacity: 15,000 kW production: 40 million kWh consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993)

Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garment industry, 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

Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for Western Europe

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 - 85.537 (1st Quarter 1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018 (1992), 71.408 (1991), 70.031 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Cape Verde:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: 1,100 km (1992) paved: 680 km unpaved: 420 km

Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Merchant marine: total: 7 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,609 GRT/19,052 DWT cargo 6, chemical tanker 1

Airports: total: 6 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 5

@Cape Verde:Communications

Telephone system: over 1,700 telephones; telephine density - about 4 telephones/1,000 persons local: NA intercity: interisland microwave radio relay system, high frequency radio links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA

@Cape Verde:Defense Forces

Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army and Navy), Security Service

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 80,867; males fit for military service 47,225 (1995 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA% of GDP (1994)

________________________________________________________________________

CAYMAN ISLANDS

(dependent territory of the UK)

@Cayman Islands:Geography

Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to 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: 12 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: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchment natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November) international agreements: NA

Note: important location between Cuba and Central America

@Cayman Islands:People

Population: 33,192 (July 1995 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 4.3% (1995 est.)

Birth rate: 14.79 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.1 years male: 75.37 years female: 78.81 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (1995 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 has 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 must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $700 million (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1991)

National product per capita: $23,000 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)

Budget: revenues: $141.5 million expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)

Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods partners: mostly US

Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 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: 80,000 kW production: 230 million kWh consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993)

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 narcotics 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 - 0.83 (18 November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Cayman Islands:Transportation

Railroads: 0 km

Highways: total: 160 km (main roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA

Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town

Merchant marine: total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 321,434 GRT/583,348 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 6 ships, India 5, Norway 3, US 3, Greece 1, Sweden 1, UAE 1

Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1

@Cayman Islands:Communications

Telephone system: 35,000 telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station

Radio: broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA

Television: broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA

@Cayman Islands:Defense Forces

Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)

Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

________________________________________________________________________

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

@Central African Republic:Geography

Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire

Map references: Africa

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