last held 13 October 1991; results - UDF (and breakaway factions) 34%,

BSP 33%, MRF 7.5%; seats - (240 total) UDF 110, BSP 106, Movement for

Rights and Freedoms 24

note: 

the UDF split in March 1993 to form the New Union for Democracy (NUD)

with 18 seats, and the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) with 92 seats

Judicial branch: 

Supreme Court, Constitutional Court 

Political parties and leaders: 

Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), Filip DIMITROV, chairman, an

alliance of approximately 20 pro-Democratic parties including United

Democratic Center, Democratic Party, Radical Democratic Party,

Christian Democratic Union, Alternative Social Liberal Party,

Republican Party, Civic Initiative Movement, and about a dozen other

groups; Movement for Rights and Freedoms (mainly ethnic Turkish party)

(MRF), Ahmed DOGAN, chairman; Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Zhan

VIDENOV, chairman; New Union for Democracy (NUD), Dimitar LUDZHEV,

chairman

Other political or pressure groups: 

Ecoglasnost; Podkrepa (Support) Labor Confederation; Fatherland Union;

Bulgarian Democratic Youth (formerly Communist Youth Union);

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB);

Nationwide Committee for Defense of National Interests; Peasant Youth

League; Bulgarian Agrarian National Union - United (BZNS); Bulgarian

Democratic Center; "Nikola Petkov" Bulgarian Agrarian National Union;

Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Union of Macedonian

Societies (IMRO-UMS); numerous regional, ethnic, and national interest

groups with various agendas

Member of: 

ACCT (observer), BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI (participating), CSCE, EBRD,

ECE, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,

INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer),

ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC 

Diplomatic representation in US: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Ognyan Raytchev PISHEV 

chancery: 

1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 

telephone: 

(202) 387-7969 

FAX: 

(202) 234-7973 

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador William D. MONTGOMERY 

embassy: 

1 Saborna Street, Sofia 

mailing address: 

Unit 25402, Sofia; APO AE 09213 

telephone: 

[359] (2) 88-48-01 through 05 

FAX: 

[359] (2) 80-19-77 

Flag: 

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the

national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has

been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat

ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the

dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation

from Nazi control)

@Bulgaria, Economy

Overview: 

The Bulgarian economy continued its painful adjustment in 1993 from

the misdirected development undertaken during four decades of

Communist rule. Many aspects of a market economy have been put in

place and have begun to function, but much of the economy, especially

the industrial sector, has yet to re-establish market links lost with

the collapse of other centrally planned Eastern European economies.

The prices of many imported industrial inputs, especially energy

products, have risen markedly, and falling real wages have not

sufficed to restore competitiveness. The trade deficit, exacerbated by

UN trade sanctions against neighboring Serbia, grew in late 1993,

accelerating the depreciation of the lev. These difficulties in

adjusting to the challenges of a more open system, together with a

severe drought, caused nonagricultural output to fall by perhaps 8% in

1993. The government plans more extensive privatization in 1994 to

improve the management of state enterprises and to encourage foreign

investment in ailing state firms. Bulgaria resumed payments on its $10

billion in commercial debt in 1993 following the negotiation of a 50%

write-off. An IMF program and second agreement with official creditors

on Bulgaria's smaller amount of official debt are required to close

the debt deal.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $33.9 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

-4% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: 

$3,800 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

64% (1993)

Unemployment rate: 

16% (1993)

Budget: 

revenues: 

$14 billion 

expenditures: 

$17.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $610 million (1993

est.)

Exports: 

$3.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities: 

machinery and equipment 30.6%; agricultural products 24%; manufactured

consumer goods 22.2%; fuels, minerals, raw materials, and metals

10.5%; other 12.7% (1991)

partners: 

former CEMA countries 57.7% (USSR 48.6%, Poland 2.1%, Czechoslovakia

0.9%); developed countries 26.3% (Germany 4.8%, Greece 2.2%); less

developed countries 15.9% (Libya 2.1%, Iran 0.7%) (1991)

Imports: 

$2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities: 

fuels, minerals, and raw materials 58.7%; machinery and equipment

15.8%; manufactured consumer goods 4.4%; agricultural products 15.2%;

other 5.9%

partners: 

former CEMA countries 51.0% (former USSR 43.2%, Poland 3.7%);

developed countries 32.8% (Germany 7.0%, Austria 4.7%); less developed

countries 16.2% (Iran 2.8%, Libya 2.5%)

External debt: 

$12 billion (1993)

Industrial production: 

growth rate -10% (1993 est.); accounts for about 37% of GDP (1990)

Electricity: 

capacity: 

11,500,000 kW

production: 

45 billion kWh 

consumption per capita: 

5,070 kWh (1992)

Industries: 

machine building and metal working, food processing, chemicals,

textiles, building materials, ferrous and nonferrous metals

Agriculture: 

climate and soil conditions support livestock raising and the growing

of various grain crops, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, and tobacco;

more than one-third of the arable land devoted to grain; world's

fourth-largest tobacco exporter; surplus food producer

Illicit drugs: 

transshipment point for southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan

route

Economic aid: 

$NA

Currency: 

1 lev (Lv) = 100 stotinki

Exchange rates: 

leva (Lv) per US$1 - 32.00 (January 1994), 24.56 (January 1993), 17.18

(January 1992), 16.13 (March 1991), 0.7446 (November 1990), 0.84

(1989); note - floating exchange rate since February 1991

Fiscal year: 

calendar year

@Bulgaria, Communications

Railroads: 

4,300 km total, all government owned (1987); 4,055 km 1.435-meter

standard gauge, 245 km narrow gauge; 917 km double track; 2,640 km

electrified

Highways: 

total: 

36,930 km 

paved: 

33,902 km (including 276 km expressways)

unpaved: 

earth 3,028 km (1991)

Inland waterways: 

470 km (1987)

Pipelines: 

crude oil 193 km; petroleum products 525 km; natural gas 1,400 km

(1992)

Ports: 

coastal - Burgas, Varna, Varna West; inland - Ruse, Vidin, and Lom on

the Danube

Merchant marine: 

111 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 1,225,996 GRT/1,829,642 DWT,

bulk 48, cargo 30, chemical carrier 4, container 2, oil tanker 16,

passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6,

short-sea passenger 2 

note: 

Bulgaria owns 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,717 DWT operating

under Liberian registry

Airports: 

total: 

487 

usable: 

85 

with permanent-surface runways: 

32 

with runways over 3659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

21 

with runways 1,060-2,439 m: 

36 

note: 

a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip

Telecommunications: 

extensive but antiquated transmission system of coaxial cable and

microwave radio relay; 2.6 million telephones; direct dialing to 36

countries; phone density is 29 phones per 100 persons (1992); almost

two-thirds of the lines are residential; 67% of Sofia households have

phones (November 1988); telephone service is available in most

villages; broadcast stations - 20 AM, 15 FM, and 29 TV, with 1 Soviet

TV repeater in Sofia; 2.1 million TV sets (1990); 92% of country

receives No. 1 television program (May 1990); 1 satellite ground

station using Intersputnik; INTELSAT is used through a Greek earth

station

@Bulgaria, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Frontier Troops, Internal

Troops 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 2,175,921; fit for military service 1,816,484; reach

military age (19) annually 70,306 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures: 

5.77 billion leva, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of

defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate

could produce misleading results

@Burkina, Geography

Location: 

Western Africa, between Ghana and Mali

Map references: 

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

274,200 sq km 

land area: 

273,800 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly larger than Colorado

Land boundaries: 

total 3,192 km, Benin 306 km, Ghana 548 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Mali

1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km 

Coastline: 

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: 

none; landlocked

International disputes: 

the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was

submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983

and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides

agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary

demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger

Climate: 

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Terrain: 

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and

southeast

Natural resources: 

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, antimony,

copper, nickel, bauxite, lead, phosphates, zinc, silver 

Land use: 

arable land: 

10% 

permanent crops: 

0% 

meadows and pastures: 

37% 

forest and woodland: 

26% 

other: 

27% 

Irrigated land: 

160 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: 

current issues: 

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural

activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing;

soil degradation; deforestation

natural hazards: 

recurring droughts

international agreements: 

party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine

Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not

ratified - Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

Note: 

landlocked

@Burkina, People

Population: 

10,134,661 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

2.81% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

48.42 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

18.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

-2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

118.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

47.03 years 

male: 

46.18 years 

female: 

47.9 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

6.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) 

Nationality: 

noun: 

Burkinabe (singular and plural) 

adjective: 

Burkinabe 

Ethnic divisions: 

Mossi (about 2.5 million), Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani 

Religions: 

indigenous beliefs 40%, Muslim 50%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic)

10% 

Languages: 

French (official), tribal languages belong to Sudanic family, spoken

by 90% of the population

Literacy: 

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population: 

18% 

male: 

28% 

female: 

9% 

Labor force: 

NA (most adults are employed in subsistance agriculture; 52% of

population is 15 years of age or older)

by occupation: 

agriculture 80%, industry 15%, commerce, services, and government 5%

note: 

20% of male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for

seasonal employment (1984)

@Burkina, Government

Names: 

conventional long form: 

Burkina Faso 

conventional short form: 

Burkina 

former: 

Upper Volta 

Digraph: 

UV

Type: 

parliamentary 

Capital: 

Ouagadougou 

Administrative divisions: 

30 provinces; Bam, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde,

Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komoe, Kossi,

Kouritenga, Mouhoun, Namentenga, Naouri, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore,

Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa,

Yatenga, Zoundweogo

Independence: 

5 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: 

Anniversary of the Revolution, 4 August (1983) 

Constitution: 

2 June 1991

Legal system: 

based on French civil law system and customary law

Suffrage: 

none

Executive branch: 

chief of state: 

President Captain Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987); election

last held December 1991

head of government: 

Prime Minister Roch KABORE (since March 1994) 

cabinet: 

Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: 

unicameral

Assembly of People's Deputies: 

elections last held 24 May 1992 (next to be held NA); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (107 total), ODP-MT 78, CNPP-PSD

12, RDA 6, ADF 4, other 7

note: 

the current law also provides for a second consultative chamber, which

had not been formally constituted as of 1 July 1992

Judicial branch: 

Appeals Court 

Political parties and leaders: 

Organization for People's Democracy- Labor Movement (ODP-MT), ruling

party, Simon COMPAORE, Secretary General; National Convention of

Progressive Patriots-Social Democratic Party (CNPP-PSD), Moussa BOLY;

African Democratic Rally (RDA), Gerard Kango OUEDRAOGO; Alliance for

Democracy and Federation (ADF), Amadou Michel NANA

Other political or pressure groups: 

committees for the defense of the revolution; watchdog/political

action groups throughout the country in both organizations and

communities

Member of: 

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT,

IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT,

INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO 

Diplomatic representation in US: 

chief of mission: 

(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas Yara KAMBOU 

chancery: 

2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 

telephone: 

(202) 332-5577 or 6895 

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Donald J. McCONNELL 

embassy: 

Avenue Raoul Follerau, Ouagadougou 

mailing address: 

01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 

telephone: 

[226] 30-67- 23 through 25 

FAX: 

[226] 31-23-68 

Flag: 

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow

five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors

of Ethiopia

@Burkina, Economy

Overview: 

One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high

population density, few natural resources, and relatively infertile

soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications

network within a landlocked country. Agriculture provides about 40% of

GDP and is entirely of a subsistence nature. Industry, dominated by

unprofitable government-controlled corporations, accounts for about

15% of GDP.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

0.7% (1992)

National product per capita: 

$700 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

-0.8% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 

NA%

Budget: 

revenues: 

$483 million 

expenditures: 

$548 million, including capital expenditures of $189 million (1992)

Exports: 

$300 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities: 

cotton, gold, animal products

partners: 

EC 42%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, Taiwan 15%

Imports: 

$685 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities: 

machinery, food products, petroleum

partners: 

EC 49%, Africa 24%, Japan 6%

External debt: 

$865 million (December 1991 est.)

Industrial production: 

growth rate 6.7% (1992); accounts for about 15% of GDP

Electricity: 

capacity: 

120,000 kW

production: 

320 million kWh 

consumption per capita: 

40 kWh (1991)

Industries: 

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes,

textiles, gold mining and extraction

Agriculture: 

accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops - peanuts, shea nuts,

sesame, cotton; food crops - sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock;

not self-sufficient in food grains

Economic aid: 

recipient: 

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9

billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $113 million 

Currency: 

1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: 

CFA 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

@Burkina, Communications

Railroads: 

620 km total; 520 km Ouagadougou to Cote d'Ivoire border and 100 km

Ouagadougou to Kaya; all 1.00-meter gauge and single track

Highways: 

total: 

16,500 km 

paved: 

1,300 km 

unpaved: 

improved earth 7,400 km; unimproved earth 7,800 km (1985)

Airports: 

total: 

48 

usable: 

38 

with permanent-surface runways: 

2 

with runways over 3,659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

2 

with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 

8 

Telecommunications: 

all services only fair; microwave radio relay, wire, and radio

communication stations in use; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV;

1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Burkina, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police, People's

Militia 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 2,013,763; fit for military service 1,029,960 

Defense expenditures: 

$NA, NA% of GDP

@Burma, Geography

Location: 

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and

Thailand

Map references: 

Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

678,500 sq km 

land area: 

657,740 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries: 

total 5,876 km, Bangladesh 193 km, China 2,185 km, India 1,463 km,

Laos 235 km, Thailand 1,800 km 

Coastline: 

1,930 km 

Maritime claims: 

contiguous zone: 

24 nm

continental shelf: 

200 nm or to the edge of continental margin

exclusive economic zone: 

200 nm

territorial sea: 

12 nm

International disputes: 

none

Climate: 

tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest

monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild

temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon,

December to April)

Terrain: 

central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands

Natural resources: 

petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal,

some marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas 

Land use: 

arable land: 

15% 

permanent crops: 

1% 

meadows and pastures: 

1% 

forest and woodland: 

49% 

other: 

34% 

Irrigated land: 

10,180 sq km (1989)

Environment: 

current issues: 

deforestation

natural hazards: 

subject to destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and

landslides common during rainy season (June to September)

international agreements: 

party to - Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,

Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Law of the Sea

Note: 

strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes

@Burma, People

Population: 

44,277,014 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

1.86% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

28.45 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

9.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

63.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

59.98 years 

male: 

57.94 years 

female: 

62.15 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

3.64 children born/woman (1994 est.) 

Nationality: 

noun: 

Burmese (singular and plural) 

adjective: 

Burmese 

Ethnic divisions: 

Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Mon 2%, Indian

2%, other 5% 

Religions: 

Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%, Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%,

animist beliefs 1%, other 2% 

Languages: 

Burmese; minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Literacy: 

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population: 

81% 

male: 

89% 

female: 

72% 

Labor force: 

16.007 million (1992)

by occupation: 

agriculture 65.2%, industry 14.3%, trade 10.1%, government 6.3%, other

4.1% (FY89 est.)

@Burma, Government

Names: 

conventional long form: 

Union of Burma 

conventional short form: 

Burma 

local long form: 

Pyidaungzu Myanma Naingngandaw (translated by the US Government as

Union of Myanma and by the Burmese as Union of Myanmar)

local short form: 

Myanma Naingngandaw 

former: 

Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma 

Digraph: 

BM

Type: 

military regime 

Capital: 

Rangoon (sometimes translated as Yangon)

Administrative divisions: 

7 divisions* (yin-mya, singular - yin) and 7 states (pyine-mya,

singular - pyine); Chin State, Irrawaddy*, Kachin State, Karan State,

Kayah State, Magwe*, Mandalay*, Mon State, Pegu*, Rakhine State,

Rangoon*, Sagaing*, Shan State, Tenasserim*

Independence: 

4 January 1948 (from UK)

National holiday: 

Independence Day, 4 January (1948) 

Constitution: 

3 January 1974 (suspended since 18 September 1988); National

Convention started on 9 January 1993 to draft chapter headings for a

new constitution

Legal system: 

has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: 

chief of state and head of government: 

Chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Gen. THAN SHWE

(since 23 April 1992) 

State Law and Order Restoration Council: 

military junta which assumed power 18 September 1988

Legislative branch: 

People's Assembly (Pyithu Hluttaw): 

last held 27 May 1990, but Assembly never convened; results - NLD 80%;

seats - (485 total) NLD 396, the regime-favored NUP 10, other 79; was

dissolved after the coup of 18 September 1988

Judicial branch: 

none; Council of People's Justices was abolished after the coup of 18

September 1988

Political parties and leaders: 

Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), leader NA;

National Unity Party (NUP; proregime), THA KYAW; National League for

Democracy (NLD), U AUNG SHWE

Other political or pressure groups: 

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), headed by

the elected prime minister SEIN WIN (consists of individuals

legitimately elected to Parliament but not recognized by the military

regime; the group fled to a border area and joined with insurgents in

December 1990 to form a parallel government; Kachin Independence Army

(KIA); United Wa State Army (UWSA); Karen National Union (KNU);

several Shan factions, including the Mong Tai Army (MTA); All Burma

Student Democratic Front (ABSDF)

Member of: 

AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,

LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO 

Diplomatic representation in US: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador U THAUNG 

chancery: 

2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 

telephone: 

(202) 332-9044 or 9045 

consulate(s) general: 

New York 

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

(vacant); Deputy Chief of Mission, Charge d'Affaires Franklin P.

HUDDLE, Jr. 

embassy: 

581 Merchant Street, Rangoon 

mailing address: 

American Embassy, Box B, APO AP 96546 

telephone: 

[95] (1) 82055, 82181 

FAX: 

[95] (1) 80409 

Flag: 

red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, all

in white, 14 five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a

stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 14 administrative divisions

@Burma, Economy

Overview: 

Burma has a mixed economy with about 70% private activity, mainly in

agriculture, light industry, and transport, and with about 30%

state-controlled activity, mainly in energy, heavy industry, and

foreign trade. Government policy in the last five years, 1989-93, has

aimed at revitalizing the economy after four decades of tight central

planning. Thus, private activity has markedly increased; foreign

investment has been encouraged, so far with moderate success; and

efforts continue to increase the efficiency of state enterprises.

Published estimates of Burma's foreign trade are greatly understated

because of the volume of black market trade. A major ongoing problem

is the failure to achieve monetary and fiscal stability. Inflation has

been running at 25% to 30% annually. Good weather helped boost GDP by

perhaps 5% in 1993. Although Burma remains a poor Asian country, its

rich resources furnish the potential for substantial long-term

increases in income, exports, and living standards.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $41 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

5% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: 

$950 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

30% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 

NA%

Budget: 

revenues: 

$8.1 billion 

expenditures: 

$11.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)

Exports: 

$613.4 million (FY93)

commodities: 

pulses and beans, teak, rice, hardwood

partners: 

Singapore, China, Thailand, India, Hong Kong

Imports: 

$1.02 billion (FY93)

commodities: 

machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, food products

partners: 

Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia

External debt: 

$4 billion (1992)

Industrial production: 

growth rate 4.9% (FY93 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP

Electricity: 

capacity: 

1,100,000 kW

production: 

2.8 billion kWh 

consumption per capita: 

65 kWh (1992)

Industries: 

agricultural processing; textiles and footwear; wood and wood

products; petroleum refining; mining of copper, tin, tungsten, iron;

construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer

Agriculture: 

accounts for 40% of GDP and 66% of employment (including fish and

forestry); self-sufficient in food; principal crops - paddy rice,

corn, oilseed, sugarcane, pulses; world's largest stand of hardwood

trees; rice and timber account for 55% of export revenues

Illicit drugs: 

world's largest illicit producer of opium (2,575 metric tons in 1993)

and minor producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; opium

production has doubled since the collapse of Rangoon's antinarcotic

programs

Economic aid: 

recipient: 

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $158 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.9

billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $424 million 

Currency: 

1 kyat (K) = 100 pyas

Exchange rates: 

kyats (K) per US$1 - 6.2301 (December 1993), 6.1570 (1993), 6.1045

(1992), 6.2837 (1991), 6.3386 (1990), 6.7049 (1989); unofficial - 105

Fiscal year: 

1 April - 31 March

@Burma, Communications

Railroads: 

3,991 km total, all government owned; 3,878 km 1.000-meter gauge, 113

km narrow-gauge industrial lines; 362 km double track

Highways: 

total: 

27,000 km 

paved: 

bituminous 3,200 km 

unpaved: 

gravel, improved earth 17,700 km; unimproved earth 6,100 km 

Inland waterways: 

12,800 km; 3,200 km navigable by large commercial vessels

Pipelines: 

crude oil 1,343 km; natural gas 330 km 

Ports: 

Rangoon, Moulmein, Bassein

Merchant marine: 

47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 665,628 GRT/941,512 DWT, bulk

15, cargo 15, chemical 1, combination bulk 1, combination ore/oil 1,

container 2, oil tanker 2, passenger-cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 5,

vehicle carrier 2 

Airports: 

total: 

83 

usable: 

78 

with permanent-surface runways: 

24 

with runways over 3,659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

3 

with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 

38 

Telecommunications: 

meets minimum requirements for local and intercity service for

business and government; international service is good; 53,000

telephones (1986); radiobroadcast coverage is limited to the most

populous areas; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (1985); 1 Indian

Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Burma, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Army, Navy, Air Force 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 11,199,531; females age 15-49 11,273,643; males fit

for military service 5,979,710; females fit for military service

6,034,810; males reach military age (18) annually 445,933 (1994 est.);

females reach military age (18) annually 430,738 (1994 est.); both

sexes liable for military service

Defense expenditures: 

$NA, NA% of GDP

@Burundi, Geography

Location: 

Central Africa, between Tanzania and Zaire

Map references: 

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

27,830 sq km 

land area: 

25,650 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries: 

total 974 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km, Zaire 233 km 

Coastline: 

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: 

none; landlocked

International disputes: 

none

Climate: 

temperate; warm; occasional frost in uplands

Terrain: 

mostly rolling to hilly highland; some plains

Natural resources: 

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxide, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not

yet exploited), vanadium 

Land use: 

arable land: 

43% 

permanent crops: 

8% 

meadows and pastures: 

35% 

forest and woodland: 

2% 

other: 

12% 

Irrigated land: 

720 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: 

current issues: 

soil exhaustion and erosion; deforestation; habitat loss threatening

wildlife populations

natural hazards: 

NA 

international agreements: 

party to - Endangered Species; signed, but not ratified -

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

Note: 

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed

Population: 

6,124,747 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

2.26% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

44.02 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

21.38 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

113.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

40.3 years 

male: 

38.31 years 

female: 

42.35 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

6.69 children born/woman (1994 est.) 

Nationality: 

noun: 

Burundian(s) 

adjective: 

Burundi 

Ethnic divisions: 

Africans: 

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1% (other Africans

include about 70,000 refugees, mostly Rwandans and Zairians)

non-Africans: 

Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

Religions: 

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs

32%, Muslim 1% 

Languages: 

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika

and in the Bujumbura area)

Literacy: 

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population: 

50% 

male: 

61% 

female: 

40% 

Labor force: 

1.9 million (1983 est.)

by occupation: 

agriculture 93.0%, government 4.0%, industry and commerce 1.5%,

services 1.5%

note: 

52% of population of working age (1985)

@Burundi, Government

Names: 

conventional long form: 

Republic of Burundi 

conventional short form: 

Burundi 

local long form: 

Republika y'u Burundi 

local short form: 

Burundi 

Digraph: 

BY

Type: 

republic 

Capital: 

Bujumbura 

Administrative divisions: 

15 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega,

Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana,

Ruyigi

Independence: 

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday: 

Independence Day, 1 July (1962) 

Constitution: 

13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a plural political system

Legal system: 

based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 

universal adult at age NA

Executive branch: 

chief of state: 

Interim President Sylvestre NTIBANTUNGANYA, Speaker of the National

Assembly, succeeded deceased President NTARYAMIRA in early April 1994

with a mandate for at least 90 days; on 11 July 1994 the mandate was

extended by the Constitutional Court for three more months at the

request of 12 political parties locked in negotiations on a new

broad-based government; elections will be held later in 1994

note: 

President Melchior NDADAYE died in the military coup of 21 October

1993 and was succeeded on 5 February 1994 by President Cyprien

NTARYAMIRA, who was killed in a mysterious airplane explosion on 6

April 1994

head of government: 

Prime Minister Anatole KANYENKIKO (since 7 February 1994); chosen by

the president 

cabinet: 

Council of Ministers ; appointed by prime minister

Legislative branch: 

unicameral

National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): 

elections last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA): results -

FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats - (81 total) FRODIBU 65, UPRONA 16;

other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the

assembly

note: 

The National Unity Charter outlining the principles for constitutional

government was adopted by a national referendum on 5 February 1991

Judicial branch: 

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) 

Political parties and leaders: 

Unity for National Progress (UPRONA); Burundi Democratic Front

(FRODEBU); Organization of the People of Burundi (RBP); Socialist

Party of Burundi (PSB); People's Reconciliation Party (PRP)

Other political or pressure groups: 

opposition parties legalized in March 1992; Burundi African Alliance

for the Salvation (ABASA); Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social

Development (RADDES)

Member of: 

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, ITU,

LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO 

Diplomatic representation in US: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Jacques BACAMURWANKO, designated (January 1994) 

chancery: 

Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 

telephone: 

(202) 342-2574 

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Leonard J. LANGE 

embassy: 

Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura 

mailing address: 

B. P. 34, 1720, Bujumbura 

telephone: 

[257] (223) 454 

FAX: 

[257] (222) 926 

Flag: 

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and

green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk

superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars

outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two

stars below)

@Burundi, Economy

Overview: 

A landlocked, resource-poor country in an early stage of economic

development, Burundi is predominately agricultural with only a few

basic industries. Its economic health depends on the coffee crop,

which accounts for 80% of foreign exchange earnings. The ability to

pay for imports therefore continues to rest largely on the vagaries of

the climate and the international coffee market. As part of its

economic reform agenda, launched in February 1991 with IMF and World

Bank support, Burundi is trying to diversify its agricultural exports

and attract foreign investment in industry. Several state-owned coffee

companies were privatized via public auction in September 1991.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $4.4 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

-3.8% (1991)

National product per capita: 

$700 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

4.7% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate: 

NA%

Budget: 

revenues: 

$318 million 

expenditures: 

$326 million, including capital expenditures of $150 million (1991

est.)

Exports: 

$40.8 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)

commodities: 

coffee 81%, tea, cotton, hides, and skins

partners: 

EC 57%, US 19%, Asia 1%

Imports: 

$188 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)

commodities: 

capital goods 31%, petroleum products 15%, foodstuffs, consumer goods

partners: 

EC 45%, Asia 29%, US 2%

External debt: 

$970 million (1991)

Industrial production: 

growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 15% of GDP

Electricity: 

capacity: 

55,000 kW

production: 

105 million kWh 

consumption per capita: 

20 kWh (1991)

Industries: 

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of

imported components; public works construction; food processing

Agriculture: 

accounts for 50% of GDP; 90% of population dependent on subsistence

farming; marginally self-sufficient in food production; cash crops -

coffee, cotton, tea; food crops - corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes,

bananas, manioc; livestock - meat, milk, hides and skins

Economic aid: 

recipient: 

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $71 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $10.2

billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $32 million; Communist

countries (1970-89), $175 million 

Currency: 

1 Burundi franc (FBu) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: 

Burundi francs (FBu) per US$1 - 247.94 (November 1993), 208.30 (1992),

181.51 (1991), 171.26 (1990), 158.67 (1989), 140.40 (1988)

Fiscal year: 

calendar year

@Burundi, Communications

Highways: 

total: 

6,285 km 

paved: 

1,099 km 

unpaved: 

gravel, crushed stone 2,500 km; improved, unimproved earth 2,686 km

(1990)

Inland waterways: 

Lake Tanganyika

Ports: 

Bujumbura (lake port) connects to transportation systems of Tanzania

and Zaire

Airports: 

total: 

5 

usable: 

3 

with permanent-surface runways: 

1 

with runways over 3,659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

1 

with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 

0 

Telecommunications: 

sparse system of wire, radiocommunications, and low-capacity microwave

radio relay links; 8,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM,

1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Burundi, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Army (includes naval and air units), paramilitary Gendarmerie 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 1,315,660; fit for military service 687,474; reach

military age (16) annually 67,949 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures: 

exchange rate conversion - $28 million, 3.7% of GDP (1989)

@Cambodia, Geography

Location: 

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand

and Vietnam

Map references: 

Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

181,040 sq km 

land area: 

176,520 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly smaller than Oklahoma

Land boundaries: 

total 2,572 km, Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km 

Coastline: 

443 km 

Maritime claims: 

contiguous zone: 

24 nm

continental shelf: 

200 nm

exclusive economic zone: 

200 nm

territorial sea: 

12 nm

International disputes: 

offshore islands and sections of the boundary with Vietnam are in

dispute; maritime boundary with Vietnam not defined; parts of border

with Thailand in dispute; maritime boundary with Thailand not clearly

defined

Climate: 

tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to October); dry season (December

to March); little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: 

mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north

Natural resources: 

timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower

potential 

Land use: 

arable land: 

16% 

permanent crops: 

1% 

meadows and pastures: 

3% 

forest and woodland: 

76% 

other: 

4% 

Irrigated land: 

920 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: 

current issues: 

deforestation resulting in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in

particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural

fisheries)

natural hazards: 

monsoonal rains (June to November)

international agreements: 

party to - Marine Life Conservation; signed, but not ratified -

Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Note: 

a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle

Sap

@Cambodia, People

Population: 

10,264,628 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

2.87% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

45.09 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

16.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

110.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

49.26 years 

male: 

47.8 years 

female: 

50.8 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

5.81 children born/woman (1994 est.) 

Nationality: 

noun: 

Cambodian(s) 

adjective: 

Cambodian 

Ethnic divisions: 

Khmer 90%, Vietnamese 5%, Chinese 1%, other 4% 

Religions: 

Theravada Buddhism 95%, other 5% 

Languages: 

Khmer (official), French 

Literacy: 

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population: 

35% 

male: 

48% 

female: 

22% 

Labor force: 

2.5 million to 3 million

by occupation: 

agriculture 80% (1988 est.)

@Cambodia, Government

Names: 

conventional long form: 

Kingdom of Cambodia 

conventional short form: 

Cambodia 

local long form: 

Reacheanachak Kampuchea 

local short form: 

Kampuchea 

Digraph: 

CB

Type: 

multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy

established in September 1993 

Capital: 

Phnom Penh 

Administrative divisions: 

20 provinces (khet, singular and plural); Banteay Meanchey,

Batdambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Spoe, Kampong Thum,

Kampot, Kandal, Kaoh Kong, Kracheh, Mondol Kiri, Phnum Penh,

Pouthisat, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Rotanokiri, Siemreab-Otdar

Meanchey, Stoeng Treng, Svay Rieng, Takev

Independence: 

9 November 1949 (from France)

National holiday: 

Independence Day, 9 November 1949 

Constitution: 

promulgated September 1993

Legal system: 

currently being defined

Suffrage: 

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: 

chief of state: 

King Norodom SIHANOUK (reinstated NA September 1993) 

head of government: 

power shared between First Prime Minister Prince Norodom RANARIDDH and

Second Prime Minister HUN SEN 

cabinet: 

Council of Ministers; elected by the National Assembly

Legislative branch: 

unicameral; a 120-member constituent assembly based on proportional

representation within each province was establised following the

UN-supervised election in May 1993; the constituent assembly was

transformed into a legislature in September 1993 after delegates

promulgated the constitution

Judicial branch: 

Supreme Court established under the constitution has not yet been

established and the future judicial system is yet to be defined by law

Political parties and leaders: 

National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and

Cooperative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) under Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH;

Cambodian Pracheachon Party or Cambodian People's Party (CPP) under

CHEA SIM; Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party under SON SANN; Democratic

Kampuchea (DK, also known as the Khmer Rouge) under KHIEU SAMPHAN

Member of: 

ACCT (observer), AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,

IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, ITU,

LORCS, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO 

Diplomatic representation in US: 

Ambassador SISOWATH SIRIRATH represents Cambodia at the United Nations

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Charles H. TWINING 

embassy: 

27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh 

mailing address: 

Box P, APO AP 96546 

telephone: 

(855) 23-26436 or (855) 23-26438 

FAX: 

(855) 23-26437 

Flag: 

horizontal band of red separates two equal horizontal bands of blue

with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat in the

center

@Cambodia, Economy

Overview: 

The Cambodian economy - virtually destroyed by decades of war - is

slowly recovering. Government leaders are moving toward restoring

fiscal and monetary discipline and have established good working

relations with international financial institutions. Despite such

positive developments, the reconstruction effort faces many tough

challenges. Rural Cambodia, where 90% of almost ten million Khmer

live, remains mired in poverty. The almost total lack of basic

infrastructure in the countryside will hinder development and will

contribute to a growing imbalance in growth between urban and rural

areas over the near term. Moreover, the new government's lack of

experience in administering economic and technical assistance

programs, and rampant corruption among officials, will slow the growth

of critical public sector investment. Inflation for 1993 as a whole

was 60%, less than a quarter of the 1992 rate, and was declining

during the year. The government hoped the rate would fall to 10% in

early 1994.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

7.5% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: 

$600 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

60% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 

NA%

Budget: 

revenues: 

$350 million 

expenditures: 

$350 million, including capital expenditures of $133 million (1994

est.)

Exports: 

$70 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)

commodities: 

natural rubber, rice, pepper, raw timber

partners: 

Thailand, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Vietnam

Imports: 

$360 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)

commodities: 

international food aid; fuels, consumer goods, machinery

partners: 

Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Vietnam

External debt: 

total outstanding bilateral official debt to OECD members $248 million

(yearend 1991), plus 840 million ruble debt to former CEMA countries

Industrial production: 

growth rate 15.6% (year NA); accounts for 10% of GDP

Electricity: 

capacity: 

35,000 kW

production: 

70 million kWh 

consumption per capita: 

9 kWh (1990)

Industries: 

rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem

mining

Agriculture: 

accounts for 50% of GDP; mainly subsistence farming except for rubber

plantations; main crops - rice, rubber, corn; food shortages - rice,

meat, vegetables, dairy products, sugar, flour

Illicit drugs: 

secondary transshipment country for heroin produced in the Golden

Triangle

Economic aid: 

recipient: 

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $725 million; Western

(non-US countries) (1970-89), $300 million; Communist countries

(1970-89), $1.8 billion; donor countries and multilateral institutions

pledged $880 million in assistance in 1992

Currency: 

1 new riel (CR) = 100 sen

Exchange rates: 

riels (CR) per US$1 - 2,390 (December 1993), 2,800 (September 1992),

500 (December 1991), 560 (1990), 159.00 (1988), 100.00 (1987)

Fiscal year: 

calendar year

@Cambodia, Communications

Railroads: 

612 km 1.000-meter gauge, government owned

Highways: 

total: 

13,351 km (some roads in serious disrepair)

paved: 

bituminous 2,622 km 

unpaved: 

crushed stone, gravel, or improved earth 7,105 km; unimproved earth

3,624 km 

Inland waterways: 

3,700 km navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 meters; 282 km

navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters

Ports: 

Kampong Saom, Phnom Penh

Airports: 

total: 

20 

usable: 

13 

with permanent-surface runways: 

6 

with runways over 3,659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

2 

with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 

8 

Telecommunications: 

service barely adequate for government requirements and virtually

nonexistent for general public; international service limited to

Vietnam and other adjacent countries; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no

FM, 1 TV

@Cambodia, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Khmer Royal Armed Forces (KRAF): 

created in 1993 by the merger of the Cambodian People's Armed Forces

and the two non-Communist resistance armies; note - the KRAF is also

known as the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF)

Resistance forces: 

National Army of Democratic Kampuchea (Khmer Rouge) 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 2,182,912; fit for military service 1,217,357; reach

military age (18) annually 67,463 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures: 

$NA, NA% of GDP

@Cameroon, Geography

Location: 

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Equatorial

Guinea and Nigeria

Map references: 

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

475,440 sq km 

land area: 

469,440 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly larger than California

Land boundaries: 

total 4,591 km, Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km, Congo

523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km, Nigeria 1,690 km 

Coastline: 

402 km 

Maritime claims: 

territorial sea: 

50 nm

International disputes: 

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; boundary

commission, created with Nigeria to discuss unresolved land and

maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula, has not

yet convened, but a commission was formed in January 1994 to study a

flare-up of the dispute

Climate: 

varies with terrain from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in

north

Terrain: 

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center,

mountains in west, plains in north

Natural resources: 

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower potential 

Land use: 

arable land: 

13% 

permanent crops: 

2% 

meadows and pastures: 

18% 

forest and woodland: 

54% 

other: 

13% 

Irrigated land: 

280 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: 

current issues: 

water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing;

desertification; poaching

natural hazards: 

recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous gases

international agreements: 

party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,

Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate

Change, Nuclear Test Ban

Note: 

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa

@Cameroon, People

Population: 

13,132,191 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

2.91% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

40.53 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

11.41 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

77.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

57.07 years 

male: 

55.03 years 

female: 

59.17 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

5.84 children born/woman (1994 est.) 

Nationality: 

noun: 

Cameroonian(s) 

adjective: 

Cameroonian 

Ethnic divisions: 

Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%,

Northwestern Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%,

non-African less than 1%

Religions: 

indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 33%, Muslim 16% 

Languages: 

24 major African language groups, English (official), French

(official)

Literacy: 

age 15 and over can read and write (1990)

total population: 

55% 

male: 

66% 

female: 

45% 

Labor force: 

NA

by occupation: 

agriculture 74.4%, industry and transport 11.4%, other services 14.2%

(1983)

note: 

50% of population of working age (15-64 years) (1985)

@Cameroon, Government

Names: 

conventional long form: 

Republic of Cameroon 

conventional short form: 

Cameroon 

former: 

French Cameroon 

Digraph: 

CM

Type: 

unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties

legalized 1990)

Capital: 

Yaounde 

Administrative divisions: 

10 provinces; Adamaoua, Centre, Est, Extreme-Nord, Littoral, Nord,

Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Ouest

Independence: 

1 January 1960 (from UN trusteeship under French administration)

National holiday: 

National Day, 20 May (1972) 

Constitution: 

20 May 1972

Legal system: 

based on French civil law system, with common law influence; has not

accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 

20 years of age; universal

Executive branch: 

chief of state: 

President Paul BIYA (since 6 November 1982); election last held 11

October 1992; results - President Paul BIYA reelected with about 40%

of the vote amid widespread allegations of fraud; SDF candidate John

FRU NDI got 36% of the vote; UNDP candidate Bello Bouba MAIGARI got

19% of the vote

head of government: 

Prime Minister Simon ACHIDI ACHU (since 9 April 1992) 

cabinet: 

Cabinet; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: 

unicameral

National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): 

elections last held 1 March 1992 (next scheduled for March 1997);

results - (180 seats) CPDM 88, UNDP 68, UPC 18, MDR 6

Judicial branch: 

Supreme Court 

Political parties and leaders: 

Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), Paul BIYA, president, is

government-controlled and was formerly the only party, but opposition

parties were legalized in 1990

major opposition parties: 

National Union for Democracy and Progress (UNDP); Social Democratic

Front (SDF); Cameroonian Democratic Union (UDC); Union of Cameroonian

Populations (UPC)

Other political or pressure groups: 

NA

Member of: 

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-19, G-77, GATT,

IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,

INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, PCA,

UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Jerome MENDOUGA 

chancery: 

2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 

telephone: 

(202) 265-8790 through 8794 

US diplomatic representation: 

chief of mission: 

Ambassador Harriet ISOM 

embassy: 

Rue Nachtigal, Yaounde 

mailing address: 

B. P. 817, Yaounde 

telephone: 

[237] 23-40-14 and 23-05-12 

FAX: 

[237] 23-07-53 

consulate(s): 

none (Douala closed July 1993) 

Flag: 

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with

a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular

pan-African colors of Ethiopia

@Cameroon, Economy

Overview: 

Because of its offshore oil resources and favorable agricultural

conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed, most diversified

primary commodity economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Still, it faces

many of the serious problems facing other underdeveloped countries,

such as political instability, a top-heavy civil service, and a

generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. The development

of the oil sector led rapid economic growth between 1970 and 1985.

Growth came to an abrupt halt in 1986, precipitated by steep declines

in the prices of major exports: coffee, cocoa, and petroleum. Export

earnings were cut by almost one-third, and inefficiencies in fiscal

management were exposed. In 1990-93, with support from the IMF and

World Bank, the government began to introduce reforms designed to spur

business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, and

recapitalize the nation's banks. Political instability following

suspect elections in 1992 brought IMF/WB structural adjustment to a

halt. Although the 50% devaluation of the currency in January 1994

improves the potential for export growth, mismanagement remains and is

the main barrier to economic improvement.

National product: 

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $19.1 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate: 

NA

National product per capita: 

$1,500 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 

3% (1990 est.)

Unemployment rate: 

25% (1990 est.)

Budget: 

revenues: 

$1.7 billion 

expenditures: 

$2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $422 million (FY90

est.)

Exports: 

$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities: 

petroleum products 51%, coffee, beans, cocoa, aluminum products,

timber

partners: 

EC (particularly France) about 50%, US, African countries

Imports: 

$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1991)

commodities: 

machines and electrical equipment, food, consumer goods, transport

equipment

partners: 

EC about 60% (France 41%, Germany 9%), African countries, Japan, US 4%

External debt: 

$6 billion (1991)

Industrial production: 

growth rate 6.4% (FY87); accounts for 30% of GDP

Electricity: 

capacity: 

755,000 kW

production: 

2.19 billion kWh 

consumption per capita: 

190 kWh (1991)

Industries: 

petroleum production and refining, food processing, light consumer

goods, textiles, sawmills

Agriculture: 

the agriculture and forestry sectors provide employment for the

majority of the population, contributing nearly 25% to GDP and

providing a high degree of self-sufficiency in staple foods;

commercial and food crops include coffee, cocoa, timber, cotton,

rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, livestock, root starches

Economic aid: 

recipient: 

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $479 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $4.75

billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $29 million; Communist

countries (1970-89), $125 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: 

1 July - 30 June

@Cameroon, Communications

Railroads: 

1,003 km total; 858 km 1.000-meter gauge, 145 km 0.600-meter gauge

Highways: 

total: 

65,000 km 

paved: 

2,682 km 

unpaved: 

gravel, improved earth 32,318 km; unimproved earth 30,000 km 

Inland waterways: 

2,090 km; of decreasing importance

Ports: 

Douala

Merchant marine: 

2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,122 GRT/33,509 DWT

Airports: 

total: 

61 

usable: 

49 

with permanent-surface runways: 

11 

with runways over 3,659 m: 

0 

with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 

6 

with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 

21 

Telecommunications: 

good system of open wire, cable, troposcatter, and microwave radio

relay; 26,000 telephones, 2 telephones per 1,000 persons, available

only to business and government; broadcast stations - 11 AM, 11 FM, 1

TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

@Cameroon, Defense Forces

Branches: 

Army, Navy (including Naval Infantry), Air Force, National

Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard 

Manpower availability: 

males age 15-49 2,939,761; fit for military service 1,481,750; reach

military age (18) annually 137,020 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures: 

exchange rate conversion - $219 million, less than 2% of GDP (1990

est.)

@Canada, Geography

Location: 

Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and North

Pacific Ocean north of the US

Map references: 

Arctic Region, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World 

Area: 

total area: 

9,976,140 sq km 

land area: 

9,220,970 sq km 

comparative area: 

slightly larger than US

Land boundaries: 

total 8,893 km, US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)

Coastline: 

243,791 km 

Maritime claims: 

continental shelf: 

200-m depth or to depth of exploitation

exclusive fishing zone: 

200 nm

territorial sea: 

12 nm

International disputes: 

maritime boundary disputes with the US; Saint Pierre and Miquelon is

focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France

Climate: 

varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Terrain: 

mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast

Natural resources: 

nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish,

timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas 

Land use: 

arable land: 

5% 

permanent crops: 

0% 

meadows and pastures: 

3% 

forest and woodland: 

35% 

other: 

57% 

Irrigated land: 

8,400 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment: 

current issues: 

acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; metal

smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting on

agricultural and forest productivity; ocean waters becoming

contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry

activities

natural hazards: 

continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development

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, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air

Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental

Protocol, Law of the Sea

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: 

28,113,997 (July 1994 est.) 

Population growth rate: 

1.18% (1994 est.) 

Birth rate: 

14.1 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Death rate: 

7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Net migration rate: 

5.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) 

Infant mortality rate: 

6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) 

Life expectancy at birth: 

total population: 

78.13 years 

male: 

74.73 years 

female: 

81.71 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 

1.84 children born/woman (1994 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% 

male: 

NA%

female: 

NA%

Labor force: 

13.38 million 

by occupation: 

services 75%, manufacturing 14%, agriculture 4%, construction 3%,

other 4% (1988)