Part 3
Executive branch: chiefs of state: French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) and Spanish Episcopal Coprince Monseigneur Juan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971); each coprince is represented by a veguer (current names NA) head of government: Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne (since 21 December 1994) was elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces cabinet: Executive Council was designated by the executive council president
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council of the Valleys (Consell General de las Valls: elections last held 12 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) AND 8, UL 5, ND 5, CNA 2, IDN 2, other 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Andorra at Perpignan (France) for civil cases, two civil judges appointed by the veguers, one appeals judge appointed by the co-princes alternately; Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Seo de Urgel (Spain) for civil cases; Tribunal of the Courts (Tribunal des Cortes) for criminal cases, presided over by the two civil judges, one appeals judge, the veguers, and two members of the General Council
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Group (AND), Oscar RIBAS Reig and Jordi FARRAS; Liberal Union (UL), Francesc CERQUEDA; New Democracy (ND), Jaume BARTOMEU; Andorran National Coalition (CNA), Antoni CERQUEDA; National Democratic Initiative (IDN), Vincenc MATEU; Liberal Union (UL), Marc FORNE note: there are two other small parties
International organization participation: CE, ECE, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNESCO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juli MINOVES-TRIQUELL (also Permanent Representative to the UN) embassy: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: (212) 750-8064 FAX: (212) 750-6630
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (343) 280-2227; FAX: (343) 205-7705; note - Consul General Maurice S. PARKER makes periodic visits to Andorra
Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania that do not have a national coat of arms in the center
Economy -------
Economic overview: Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 13 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $16,200 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget: revenues: $138 million expenditures: $177 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)
Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), sheep, timber, tobacco, banking
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 35,000 kW production: 140 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,570 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep raising
Exports: $46.2 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: electricity, tobacco products, furniture partners: France 35%, Spain 59%
Imports: $920.2 million (1993) commodities: consumer goods, food partners: France, Spain, US 2.6% (1992)
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes; 1 peseta (Pta) = 100 centimos; the French and Spanish currencies are used
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January 1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991); Spanish pesetas (Ptas) per US$1 - 123.19 (January 1996), 124.69 (1995), 133.96 (1994), 127.26 (1993), 102.38 (1992), 103.91 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 198 km unpaved: 71 km (1991 est.)
Ports: none
Airports: none
Communications --------------
Telephones: 21,258 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges international: landline circuits to France and Spain
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 10,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
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@Angola ------
Civil war has been the norm since independence from Portugal on 11 November 1975; a cease-fire lasted from 31 May 1991 until October 1992 when the insurgent National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) refused to accept its defeat in internationally monitored elections and fighting resumed throughout much of the countryside. The two sides signed another peace accord on 20 November 1994; the cease-fire is generally holding, but most provisions of the accord remain to be implemented.
Map ---
Location: 12 30 S, 18 30 E -- Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Zaire
Flag ----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Geography ---------
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Zaire
Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 1,246,700 sq km land area: 1,246,700 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 5,198 km border countries: Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zaire 2,511 km, Zambia 1,110 km
Coastline: 1,600 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 20 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
Terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Moro de Moco 2,620 m
Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 43% other: 32%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: population pressures contributing to overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest attributable to the international demand for tropical timber and domestic use as a fuel; deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water natural hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification
Geographic note: Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire
People ------
Population: 10,342,899 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,340,804; female 2,275,689) 15-64 years: 53% (male 2,748,417; female 2,706,295) 65 years and over: 2% (male 128,067; female 143,627) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.68% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 44.58 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 17.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 138.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.8 years male: 44.65 years female: 49.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan
Ethnic divisions: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (est.)
Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola
Data code: AO
Type of government: transitional government nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system
Capital: Luanda
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
Independence: 11 November 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
Constitution: 11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979) was originally elected without opposition under a one party system and stood for election in Angola's first multiparty elections on 29-30 September 1992; DOS SANTOS received 49.6% of the total vote, making a run-off election necessary between him and second-place Jonas SAVIMBI; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) disputed the results of the first election; the civil war was resumed head of government: Prime Minister Marcolino Jose Carlos MOCO (since 2 December 1992) was appointed by the president and is answerable to the Assembly cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional): elections last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA); results (disputed) - percentage of vote by party NA; seats (223 total) - seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal da Relacao), judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, is the ruling party and has been in power since 1975; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, is a legal party despite its history of armed resistance to the government; five minor parties have small numbers of seats in the National Assembly
Other political or pressure groups: Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), N'ZITA Tiago, leader of largest faction (FLEC-FAC) note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC (observer), ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio dos Santos FRANCA "N'dalu" embassy: 1819 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald K. STEINBERG embassy: No. 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne, Miramar, Luanda mailing address: C.P. 6484, Luanda; American Embassy, Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 (pouch) telephone: [244] (2) 345-481, 346-418 FAX: [244] (2) 346-924
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)
Economy -------
Economic overview: Angola is an economy in disarray. Despite its abundant natural resources, output per capita is among the world's lowest. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 80%-90% of the population but accounts for less than 15% of GDP. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 50% to GDP. Despite the signing of a peace accord in November 1994 between the Angola Government and the UNITA insurgents, sporadic fighting continues and many farmers remain reluctant to return to their fields. As a result, much of the country's food must still be imported. To take advantage of its rich resources - notably gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and arable land, in addition to its large oil deposits - Angola will need to observe the cease-fire, implement the peace agreement, and reform government policies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 56% services: 32% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% monthly average (1994 est.)
Labor force: 2.783 million economically active by occupation: agriculture 85%, industry 15% (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: 24% with extensive underemployment (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $928 million expenditures: $2.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (1992 est.)
Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco; sugar; textiles; cement; basic metal products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 620,000 kW production: 1.9 billion kWh consumption per capita: 189 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for cocaine and heroin destined for Western Europe and other African states
Exports: $3 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton partners: US, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: capital equipment (machinery and electrical equipment), food, vehicles and spare parts, textiles and clothing, medicines, substantial military deliveries partners: Portugal, Brazil, US, France, Spain
External debt: $12 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993)
Currency: 1 new kwanza (NKz) = 100 lwei
Exchange rates: new kwanza (NKz) per US$1 - 900,000 (official rate 25 April 1995), 1,900,000 (black market rate 6 April 1995), 600,000 (official rate 10 January 1995), 90,000 (official rate 1 June 1994), 180,000 (black market rate 1 June 1994); 7,000 (official rate 16 December 1993), 50,000 (black market rate 16 December 1993); 3,884 (July 1993); 550 (April 1992); 90 (November 1991); 60 (October 1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 2,952 km (1995 est.); note - limited trackage in use because of landmines still in place from the civil war narrow gauge: 2,798 km 1.067-m gauge; 154 km 0.600-m gauge
Highways: total: 72,626 km paved: 18,157 km unpaved: 54,469 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,295 km navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 179 km
Ports: Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malogo, Namibe, Porto Amboim, Soyo
Merchant marine: total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 63,776 GRT/99,863 DWT ships by type: cargo 11, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)
Airports: total: 143 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 11 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 with paved runways under 914 m: 40 with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 24 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 48 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 78,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 13, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 50,000 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, National Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 2,373,087 males fit for military service: 1,195,176 males reach military age (18) annually: 106,456 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 31% of GDP (1993)
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@Anguilla --------
(dependent territory of the UK)
Map ---
Location: 18 15 N, 63 10 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico
Flag ----
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 91 sq km land area: 91 sq km comparative area: about half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 61 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m
Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) international agreements: NA
People ------
Population: 10,424 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 1,491; female 1,450) 15-64 years: 64% (male 3,418; female 3,275) 65 years and over: 8% (male 342; female 448) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.45% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 17.84 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 22.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.7 years male: 73.75 years female: 79.74 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 12 and over can read and write (1984 est.) total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla
Data code: AV
Type of government: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: The Valley
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May
Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a hereditary monarch; represented by Governor Alan HOOLE (since 1 November 1995) head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994) was appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch: High Court, judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA), David CARFY; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Hubert HUGHES; Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate)
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 Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below
Economy -------
Economic overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Output growth has averaged about 7% in recent years, mainly as a result of boom in tourism thanks to economic expansion in North America and the UK. The economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September. Agricultural output had only just begun to recover from a drought in 1994 when Luis hit. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financing sector. A comprehensive package of financial services legislation was enacted in late 1994. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the industrialized nations.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $53 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1994)
Labor force: 4,400 (1992) by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $13.5 million (1993) expenditures: $17.6 million, including capital expenditures of $740,000 (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 2,000 kW production: 6 million kWh consumption per capita: 862 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry; fishing (including lobster)
Exports: $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: lobster and salt partners: NA
Imports: $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: NA partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 890
Telephone system: domestic: modern internal telephone system international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Antarctica ----------
Map ---
Location: 90 00 S, 0 00 E -- continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geography ---------
Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area: total area: 14 million sq km (est.) land area: 14 million sq km (est.) comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US note: second-smallest continent (after Australia)
Land boundaries: 0 km note: see entry on International disputes
Coastline: 17,968 km
Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International disputes
International disputes: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary below); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west