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- Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
- Kategorie: Bildung
- Sprache: Englisch
The 2003 CIA World Factbook is an authoritative reference that compiles a wealth of information about global nations, touching on demographics, geography, government, economy, and various social indicators. It employs a concise, yet informative style characteristic of institutional documentation, offering readers not just statistics but also contextual analyses of geopolitical developments. This edition is particularly notable for the insights it provides into post-9/11 international relations and the emerging global landscape, reflecting the CIA's mission to inform policy through nuanced understandings of world affairs. The Central Intelligence Agency, established in 1947, has always strived to provide accurate and timely information for decision-making at the highest levels of government. The 2003 Factbook reflects the agency's comprehensive approach to analyzing global trends and strategic environments, shaped by historical events such as the Gulf War and the War on Terror. The authorship of this work by the CIA underscores a commitment to presenting a balanced, data-driven perspective, crucial for policy makers, researchers, and scholars in a rapidly changing world. This book is indispensable for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the geopolitical dynamics shaping our world. Scholars, students, and those working in international relations will find the 2003 CIA World Factbook an invaluable resource for reference and analysis, providing critical insights that are as relevant today as they were at publication. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019
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The 2003 CIA World Factbook
Table of Contents
Introduction
"Knowledge is power, and within these pages lies an atlas of understanding that can empower individuals and nations alike." This profound opening from The 2003 CIA World Factbook captures the essence of this annual compendium, serving not merely as a catalog of data but as a vital resource that shapes global awareness and informs human decision-making. The quote encapsulates the book's underlying message: that factual knowledge can equip readers with the insight needed to navigate a complex world filled with varying geopolitical landscapes.
The 2003 CIA World Factbook holds a distinguished place in the pantheon of reference books, revered for its authoritative data and accessible presentation. Its classic status emerges from its unique synthesis of information that spans across geography, economics, and demographics. This text does not merely house figures; it conveys stories, shapes perceptions, and influences policy-making on an international scale—an invaluable resource for scholars, policymakers, and curious citizens alike.
Since its first publication, the CIA World Factbook has evolved into a quintessential tool for understanding the complexities of the world. As it continues to be reissued annually, its influence extends beyond its immediate readership. Subsequent authors in the fields of international relations, geography, and social sciences have drawn upon its wealth of data, fostering a greater comprehension of the interconnections that define global relations. The book stands as a significant historical artifact that reveals how nations define themselves and relate to one another.
Authored by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, The 2003 CIA World Factbook provides a snapshot of the world as it stood at that time. Written in a period marked by various geopolitical challenges, the book compiles critical data covering nearly every nation on the globe. Its concise profiles delve into basic information such as area size, population statistics, economic factors, and cultural highlights, all designed to furnish readers with a fundamental understanding of global dynamics.
In this compilation, the CIA aimed to provide an objective portrayal of countries, free from political bias and rooted in verified data. The 2003 edition particularly reflects the tensions of its time, with discussions surrounding the impending threats posed by terrorism and the burgeoning conflicts in the Middle East. The organization’s intent has always been educational; they sought not only to inform but empower individuals to grasp pressing global issues through hard statistics and factual analysis.
Moreover, the World Factbook has become a staple for educators, students, and researchers, enhancing classrooms and discussions with up-to-date facts and figures. Its concise yet comprehensive entries have sparked debates about the accuracy and interpretation of data in the context of evolving political scenarios. The book’s role in academia cannot be overstated, as it stimulates critical thinking and bridges gaps in knowledge about foreign nations and cultures.
The 2003 edition continues to resonate with themes of globalization and interconnectedness. As contemporary readers immerse themselves in its pages, they encounter a world that is, in many respects, more interconnected than ever before. Each country’s entry elucidates not just its unique identity but also the challenges and opportunities presented by globalization—a concept that carries weight even today in our rapidly changing world.
Importantly, the World Factbook showcases the diversity of human experience. By delving into the cultural, economic, and social dynamics of each nation, readers gain insight into how historical trajectories shape current realities. This emphasis on varying perspectives is vital for cultivating a nuanced understanding of international relations, underscoring that the factors influencing nations are often far from monolithic.
As a resource, The 2003 CIA World Factbook serves as a bridge connecting the abstract realms of geography and statistics with the tangible world around us. It offers a lens through which readers can view and comprehend the intricacies of political relationships, economic systems, and cultural identities across the globe. In doing so, it invites readers to engage thoughtfully with the material rather than passively ingest a series of facts.
The enduring appeal of the World Factbook lies in its commitment to factual accuracy in an era where misinformation is rampant. As global citizens, readers are presented with the essential tools to make informed decisions and build more profound empathetic connections with people from diverse backgrounds. The factbook serves not only as a reference guide but also as an impetus for ongoing learning and exploration of the world.
Themes of resilience and transformation are woven throughout the content, reminding readers that nations have the capacity to adapt and evolve. The book's portrayal of national capabilities and challenges forms a narrative of both struggle and hope, driven by a collective quest for stability and prosperity. These themes remain remarkably relevant today, encouraging readers to recognize the ongoing journeys of nations as they navigate contemporary crises.
The CIA World Factbook's format—a blend of text and data visualizations—enhances its utility, making it an engaging read for those seeking quick access to information. The clear structure enables readers to drill down into specific areas of interest, be it geographic, political, or cultural. This accessibility promotes repeated engagement, allowing for exploration and reinterpretation as the political landscape shifts over time.
Another layer of its significance lies in its comprehensive scope. While many reference works offer snapshots of select regions, the World Factbook aims for inclusivity—encompassing both well-known nations and smaller states that may rarely feature on the global stage. This breadth of coverage is crucial for fostering an understanding of global diversity and the myriad contexts in which different societies operate.
As technological innovations continue to shape the ways in which we access and consume information, the mission behind the CIA World Factbook reminds us of the value of trusted sources. Even as new platforms rise, the World Factbook endures, standing as a testament to the need for reliable data that forms the backbone of informed global citizenship. It challenges its readers to navigate the modern world with discernment, armed with knowledge gleaned from reputable origins.
For students, educators, analysts, and the general public, The 2003 CIA World Factbook offers a first step towards understanding the broader context of international affairs. Its presence in libraries and homes alike ensures that it remains a reference point—a touchstone for anyone seeking to decode a world that often seems tangled and overwhelming. As a result, it serves as an accessible entry point into the complexities of global interconnections.
Ultimately, The 2003 CIA World Factbook emerges as more than just a collection of facts; it is a reflection of our shared human experience, illuminating both the distinctions and commonalities that define us. Its relevance persists, urging readers to cultivate a sense of responsibility in their engagement with global issues. By connecting with the material, readers inevitably become more conscious participants in the world around them.
In conclusion, The 2003 CIA World Factbook embodies the pursuit of understanding in a chaotic landscape. By presenting a wealth of information in a user-friendly manner, it not only serves as an invaluable resource but also inspires readers to take an active role in their quest for knowledge. Through its pages, the spirit of inquiry flourishes, inviting us to embark on our own journeys of discovery and connection while reflecting the complexities of our world.
Synopsis
The 2003 CIA World Factbook is a comprehensive reference book published by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, providing a wealth of information about the countries and regions of the world. It presents key data on geographic, demographic, economic, and political aspects, forming a crucial reference for policymakers, researchers, and the general public. The book aims to deliver an accurate and up-to-date portrayal of global nations, highlighting their significant features and statistics, all assembled in a format that is user-friendly and accessible for various audiences.
The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of the nation-states and territories worldwide. Notably, it includes detailed profiles of individual countries, covering essential topics such as geography, climate, population statistics, ethnic composition, and languages spoken. Each entry is concise yet informative, ensuring users can quickly find the necessary information for both academic and pragmatic purposes.
In addition to country-specific data, the Factbook also includes thematic maps, providing visual representations of global issues and trends. These maps enhance the understanding of political boundaries, environmental challenges, and human geography, facilitating a more rounded comprehension of the various elements that influence global dynamics. The use of maps in conjunction with textual data underscores the interconnectedness of global events and phenomena.
The economic section of the Factbook meticulously outlines crucial information such as GDP, inflation rates, employment statistics, and trade balances among countries. This data allows for a comparative analysis of economic performance and potential, shedding light on the economic stature and fiscal health of different nations. It is particularly valuable for researchers and business leaders looking to analyze market conditions or investment opportunities across various nations.
Governance and political structures are other key elements captured in the Factbook. Each country profile provides insights into governance systems, political stability, and the roles of various state institutions. This information aids in understanding the political landscape of each nation, thus painting a clearer picture of global governance and the interrelations between countries based on their political alignments and historical contexts.
The social indicators section delves into health, education, and living standards, revealing critical aspects of human development across the globe. The inclusion of statistics on literacy rates, life expectancy, and healthcare availability positions the reader to evaluate the quality of life in different regions. This dimension underscores the human aspect of geopolitical metrics, emphasizing how demographics and social conditions impact national and global stability.
The 2003 edition of the World Factbook also chronicles significant demographic trends such as migration patterns, urbanization, and population growth rates, offering insights into societal changes shaping contemporary world dynamics. These demographic shifts often lead to critical challenges or opportunities for nations, thereby influencing their future trajectories. Understanding these trends is essential for anyone engaged in international relations, humanitarian efforts, or economic development.
Additionally, the Factbook reflects on environmental concerns, such as climate change, natural resources, and ecological challenges faced by various regions. This focus highlights the urgent global issues that require cooperative efforts among nations. The urgent narrative surrounding environmental sustainability resonates throughout the data, reminding readers of the shared responsibility toward planetary stewardship amidst complex geopolitical realities.
Overall, the central message of the 2003 CIA World Factbook is to present an authoritative and neutral compendium of global knowledge, enabling informed decision-making in various contexts. Its structured approach provides a clear overview of national strengths and challenges within a rapidly evolving world. As a vital resource for understanding both global patterns and specific local details, the Factbook serves as a foundational tool for engagement with worldwide issues.
Historical Context
The 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook, produced by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, appears against a backdrop of early 21st-century globalization, rapid technological change and major geopolitical shifts. By that year, the world was immersed in the War on Terror, a global response to the September 11, 2001 attacks carried out by al-Qaeda. The United States occupied an unipolar position, influencing international policies and security measures as nations reassessed alliances in the face of emerging threats to stability and economic growth.
One pivotal event reflected in this edition is the September 11 attacks, which prompted the United States to lead a multinational effort against terrorism. Data on defense spending, force size and security expenditures illustrate how governments shifted priorities toward counterterrorism and border controls, and how states aligned themselves with U.S. initiatives to dismantle extremist networks.
The ongoing conflict in Afghanistan also features prominently. After the Taliban regime was removed for harboring al-Qaeda operatives, international forces concentrated on stabilization and support for nascent institutions. Socio-economic indicators for Afghanistan in the publication reveal low literacy rates, limited infrastructure and a heavy reliance on foreign aid, underscoring the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction.
Similarly, the March 2003 invasion of Iraq—which rested on allegations of weapons of mass destruction later found unsubstantiated—casts a long shadow over Middle Eastern data. Information on oil production, export revenues and military expenditures highlights Iraq’s strategic significance and the region’s shifting dynamics, alongside statistics on aid inflows and rebuilding programs following the removal of Saddam Hussein’s government.
On the economic front, continuing globalization is evident in figures for GDP growth, trade balances and foreign direct investment. The burgeoning information-technology sector and deepening financial interdependence appear in country profiles, even as certain indicators foreshadow vulnerabilities that would contribute to the 2008 financial crisis.
Health and demographic statistics draw particular attention to the global response to HIV/AIDS, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalence rates, international aid commitments and health-care access data demonstrate the scale of humanitarian efforts and the uneven distribution of resources among affected regions.
The enlargement of the European Union toward Central and Eastern Europe is documented through economic performance data, labor statistics and legal-framework summaries for candidate countries. Pre-accession reforms and policy alignments with EU standards feature in profiles of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and others, reflecting a drive for regional integration and political stabilization.
Technology metrics—such as telephone subscriptions and internet-user penetration—trace a world in the midst of a digital revolution. These figures show disparate rates of adoption between high-income and developing nations, highlighting the emerging digital divide and the need for investment in telecommunications infrastructure.
In Latin America, economic indicators for Brazil and Argentina illustrate both stabilization efforts and lingering volatility. Data on inflation rates, budget deficits and external debt convey how fiscal and monetary policies sought to restore growth and reduce inequality following Argentina’s 2001 crisis and Brazil’s earlier macroeconomic reforms.
Across Africa, profiles of countries like Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of the Congo present data on governance, security expenditures and humanitarian assistance. Civil-conflict statistics alongside figures on infrastructure and public-health outcomes underscore the role of international peacekeeping and development aid in addressing long-standing challenges.
The rise of China as a global economic power is evident in its rapid GDP growth, expanding trade surpluses and growing foreign-exchange reserves. Country-by-country comparisons place China’s trajectory in the broader context of shifting economic influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ongoing hostilities in the Israeli-Palestinian arena appear through data on population distribution, economic output and trade flows. References to the 2003 Road Map for Peace provide diplomatic context for the region’s persistent territorial disputes and international mediation efforts.
Environmental and resource-use data reflect increasing global concern about climate change and sustainability. Land-use statistics, forest-cover estimates and energy-consumption figures point to growing commitments under treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol, even as they reveal uneven progress in conservation and emissions reduction.
Political-system entries document trends toward electoral governance in parts of Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa. Information on election calendars, party systems and civil-liberties indices illustrates the spread of competitive politics as well as the obstacles faced by emerging democracies.
Finally, the report notes North Korea’s 2003 withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and associated developments in that country’s nuclear program. Political-risk assessments and security advisories underscore the international community’s concerns and the diplomatic efforts to address proliferation.
Taken as a whole, the 2003 publication offers a comprehensive snapshot of global political, economic and social conditions at a moment of significant change. Its country profiles and statistical tables serve as a reference for understanding early 21st-century dynamics in security, development and international relations.
Author Biography
Introduction
Founded in 1947 under the National Security Act, the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) became the nation's lead foreign intelligence service, responsible for human intelligence collection, all-source analysis, and covert action as directed by the President. Over decades, it produced signature products such as National Intelligence Estimates, the President's Daily Brief, and the public-facing World Factbook. Its historical significance is intertwined with the Cold War, the evolution of oversight, and post-9/11 counterterrorism. Celebrated for analytic rigor and clandestine reach, yet scrutinized for controversial operations and errors, the CIA has shaped U.S. policy and global intelligence practice while continually adapting to law, technology, and geopolitics.
Education and Literary Influences
Although not an individual, the Agency's institutional education began with the Office of Strategic Services legacy and the statutory framework that defined its authorities. The National Security Act established a centralized intelligence function under the National Security Council, and subsequent laws and executive orders refined its remit, emphasizing foreign intelligence and prohibiting domestic law enforcement roles. The 1970s investigations and reforms institutionalized congressional oversight, while the post-9/11 reorganization placed the Director of National Intelligence over the Intelligence Community. Training pipelines, tradecraft courses, language schools, and technical programs professionalized a workforce expected to combine discretion, analytic discipline, and operational expertise.
The Agency's analytic and writing culture drew heavily from thinkers who codified intelligence as a profession. Sherman Kent's work on estimative analysis promoted probabilistic language, sourcing transparency, and separation of fact from judgment. Later, Richards J. Heuer Jr.'s Psychology of Intelligence Analysis, published by the CIA's Center for the Study of Intelligence, encouraged structured analytic techniques to mitigate cognitive bias. Internal style guides and Intelligence Community analytic standards reinforced concise, policy-relevant prose for the President's Daily Brief and National Intelligence Estimates. Collectively, these influences favored clarity, testable judgments, and the habit of revising assessments as new evidence emerged.
Literary Career
The Agency's principal outputs were not novels but recurring products and operations. Analysts compiled National Intelligence Estimates on strategic issues, distilled sensitive reporting for the President's Daily Brief, and maintained the World Factbook, a widely used reference on countries and territories. It published Studies in Intelligence to examine tradecraft and history, often later declassified. The stylistic hallmark across these outputs was brevity, sourcing notes, and calibrated estimative language. Professionally, milestones included building global liaison networks, developing technological collection with partners, and honing covert action under legal findings. Public recognition came unevenly, because secrecy shielded successes while magnifying visible failures.
During the early Cold War, the CIA combined human sources with pioneering overhead reconnaissance, including the U-2 program and early satellite efforts managed with other agencies. It participated in covert actions in Iran in the early 1950s and Guatemala in the mid-1950s, and suffered a high-profile failure at the Bay of Pigs in the early 1960s. Vietnam-era programs, domestic surveillance controversies, and projects such as MKUltra later drew condemnation. Revelations in the mid-1970s led to the Church Committee inquiries, statutory oversight, and the creation or strengthening of legal frameworks intended to constrain covert action and protect civil liberties.
In the 1980s, the Agency supported anti-Soviet efforts in Afghanistan and was entangled at the margins of the Iran-Contra affair, which exposed illegal funding schemes within the executive branch and prompted further scrutiny. After the Cold War, budgets and missions adjusted to transnational threats like proliferation and terrorism. The World Factbook moved online, and declassification and FOIA releases expanded public visibility into historical operations. As global politics shifted, assessments covered fragile states, emerging technologies, and economic risks. Critics questioned analytic performance in some crises, while others credited CIA reporting with informing diplomacy and sanctions that avoided costlier interventions.
The attacks of September 11, 2001, drew the CIA into an era defined by counterterrorism. The Agency conducted operations against al-Qa'ida, provided battlefield intelligence, and helped support the 2011 operation that killed Osama bin Laden. Its detention and interrogation program, later ended, became the subject of oversight reviews and a 2014 Senate study that condemned aspects of the program and its effectiveness claims. The flawed 2002 Iraq WMD estimate damaged credibility and prompted analytic reforms. Structural changes followed the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, and the CIA created new directorates, including the Directorate of Digital Innovation, to address cyber and data.
Beliefs and Advocacy
Across periods, the Agency articulated core principles: provide objective, timely intelligence; remain apolitical; and operate under law and oversight. Analytic standards emphasized sourcing, confidence levels, and explicit uncertainty. Operational authorities required presidential findings and briefings to congressional committees. These beliefs were reflected in internal training, inspector general mechanisms, and lessons-learned programs that encouraged candor about failures. The aim, repeatedly stated in public forums and declassified documents, was to inform policy without advocating specific choices, even as intelligence could shape the range of options leaders considered. Tensions persisted wherever secrecy, speed, and moral risk intersected with democratic accountability.
The CIA also advocated for professionalization and innovation in its craft. It sponsored the Center for the Study of Intelligence, analytic outreach to academics and industry, and red-team exercises to challenge assumptions. Recruiting broadened to include linguists, technologists, data scientists, and officers with cultural expertise. Publicly, it expanded digital communication and transparency initiatives—releasing historical collections through FOIA, building the CREST archive online, and explaining tradecraft basics to demystify the profession. The World Factbook served as a global public good, used by students and practitioners alike. These efforts sought to balance necessary secrecy with a modicum of informed public understanding.
Human rights debates shaped the Agency's posture. Executive orders, including those governing foreign intelligence activities, restricted assassination and set parameters for collection. After the detention and interrogation program ended, leaders emphasized lawful conduct, partner vetting, and compliance. Civil society organizations, journalists, and courts kept sustained pressure on transparency, and congressional overseers demanded fuller briefings. Inside the Agency, compliance offices, legal counsel, and training reinforced these boundaries. While controversies persisted—especially over targeted strikes and covert action—the public advocacy message stressed risk management, proportionality, and fidelity to statutory mandates, even as adversaries exploited secrecy to contest narratives and outcomes.
Final Years & Legacy
In recent years, the CIA has adapted to renewed great-power competition, cyber threats, and information warfare. It reorganized mission centers, including a focus on strategic competitors in the early 2020s, and invested in open-source exploitation, data engineering, and partnerships with allied services and the private sector. The U.S. government increasingly used proactive declassification to warn of adversary plans, reflecting a shift in how intelligence can shape the information environment. Recruitment campaigns highlighted diversity and technical skills, while pandemic-era constraints accelerated secure remote analytic collaboration. Throughout, the Agency continued producing the PDB, NIEs, and public reference works relied upon worldwide.
As an institution, the CIA has no final years in the biographical sense; it remains active. Its legacy is complex: it helped pioneer modern intelligence analysis, satellite and aerial reconnaissance partnerships, and covert action doctrine, while leaving a trail of hard lessons about oversight, ethics, and the limits of secret power. Popular culture has amplified myths, but declassification has clarified many episodes. The Agency's methods and standards influenced services in other democracies, and its World Factbook and Studies in Intelligence continue to inform practitioners and scholars. Today, its standing is consequential yet contested, bounded by law and vigilant scrutiny.
The 2003 CIA World Factbook
I
Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy
J
Jamaica Jan Mayen Japan Jarvis Island Jersey Johnston Atoll Jordan Juan de Nova Island
K
Kazakhstan Kenya Kingman Reef Kiribati Korea, North Korea, South Kuwait Kyrgyzstan
L
Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg
M
Macau Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Man, Isle of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Midway Islands Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique
N
Namibia Nauru Navassa Island Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway
O
Oman
P
Pacific Ocean Pakistan Palau Palmyra Atoll Panama Papua New Guinea Paracel Islands Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico
Q
Qatar
R
Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda
S
Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Southern Ocean Spain Spratly Islands Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria
T
Taiwan entry follows Zimbabwe Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tromelin Island Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu
U
Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan
V
Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands
W
Wake Island Wallis and Futuna West Bank Western Sahara World
Y
Yemen
Z
Zambia Zimbabwe
Taiwan
Field Listings
Code Field Description
2001 GDP[2] 2002 Population growth rate (%) 2003 GDP - real growth rate (%) 2004 GDP - per capita 2006 Dependency status[3] 2007 Diplomatic representation from the US 2008 Transportation - note 2010 Age structure (%) 2011 Geographic coordinates 2012 GDP - composition by sector (%) 2013 Radio broadcast stations 2015 Television broadcast stations 2018 Sex ratio (male(s)/female) 2019 Heliports 2020 Elevation extremes (m) 2021 Natural hazards 2022 People - note 2023 Area - comparative 2024 Military manpower - military age (years of age) 2025 Military manpower - fit for military service 2026 Military manpower - reaching military age annually 2028 Background 2030 Airports - with paved runways 2031 Airports - with unpaved runways 2032 Environment - current issues 2033 Environment - international agreements 2034 Military expenditures - percent of GDP (%) 2038 Electricity - production (kWh) 2042 Electricity - consumption (kWh) 2043 Electricity - imports (kWh) 2044 Electricity - exports (kWh) 2045 Electricity - production by source (%) 2046 Population below poverty line (%) 2047 Household income or consumption by percentage share (%) 2048 Labor force - by occupation (%) 2049 Exports - commodities 2050 Exports - partners (%) 2051 Administrative divisions 2052 Agriculture - products 2053 Airports 2054 Birth rate (births/1,000 population) 2055 Military branches 2056 Budget 2057 Capital 2058 Imports - commodities 2059 Climate 2060 Coastline (km) 2061 Imports - partners (%) 2062 Economic aid - donor 2063 Constitution 2064 Economic aid - recipient 2065 Currency 2066 Death rate (deaths/1,000 population) 2067 Military expenditures - dollar figure 2068 Dependent areas 2070 Disputes - international 2075 Ethnic groups (%) 2076 Exchange rates 2077 Executive branch 2078 Exports 2079 Debt - external 2080 Fiscal year 2081 Flag description 2085 Highways (km) 2086 Illicit drugs 2087 Imports 2088 Independence 2089 Industrial production growth rate (%) 2090 Industries 2091 Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births) 2092 Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%) 2093 Waterways (km) 2094 Judicial branch 2095 Labor force 2096 Land boundaries (km) 2097 Land use (%) 2098 Languages (%) 2100 Legal system 2101 Legislative branch 2102 Life expectancy at birth[4] (years) 2103 Literacy (%) 2105 Military manpower - availability 2106 Maritime claims 2107 International organization participation 2108 Merchant marine 2109 National holiday 2110 Nationality 2111 Natural resources 2112 Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population) 2113 Geography - note 2115 Political pressure groups and leaders 2116 Economy - overview 2117 Pipelines (km) 2118 Political parties and leaders 2119 Population 2120 Ports and harbors 2121 Railways (km) 2122 Religions (%) 2123 Suffrage 2124 Telephone system 2125 Terrain 2127 Total fertility rate (children born/woman) 2128 Government type 2129 Unemployment rate[5] (%) 2137 Military - note 2138 Communications - note 2140 Government - note 2142 Country name 2144 Location 2145 Map references 2146 Irrigated land (sq km) 2147 Area (sq km) 2149 Diplomatic representation in the US 2150 Telephones - main lines in use 2151 Telephones - mobile cellular 2152 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2153 Internet users 2154 Internet country code 2155 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) 2156 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS 2157 HIV/AIDS - deaths 2158 Currency code 2172 Distribution of family income - Gini index 2173 Oil - production (bbl/day) 2174 Oil - consumption (bbl/day) 2175 Oil - imports (bbl/day) 2176 Oil - exports (bbl/day) 2177 Median age (years) 2178 Oil - proved reserves (bbl) 2179 Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m) 2180 Natural gas - production (cu m) 2181 Natural gas - consumption (cu m) 2182 Natural gas - imports (cu m) 2183 Natural gas - exports (cu m)
Rank Orders
Guide to Rank Order Pages
Rank Order pages are presorted lists of data from selected Factbook data fields. Rank Order pages are generally given in descending order - highest to lowest - such as Population and Area. The two exceptions are Unemployment Rate and Inflation Rate, which are in ascending - lowest to highest - order. Rank Order pages are available for the following 34 fields in six of the nine Factbook categories.
Geography
Area - total
People
Population Birth rate Death rate Infant mortality rate Life expectancy at birth - total Total fertility rate HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS - deaths
Economy
GDP GDP - real growth rate GDP - per capita Inflation rate (consumer prices) Labor force Unemployment rate Industrial production growth rate Electricity - production Electricity - consumption Oil - production Oil - consumption Oil - exports Oil - imports Oil - proved reserves Natural Gas - proved reserves Exports Imports Debt - external
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use Telephones - mobile cellular Internet users
Transportation
Railways - total Highways - total
Military
Military expenditures - dollar figure Military expenditures - percent of GDP
Factbook fields with Rank Order pages are easily identified with a small bar chart icon to the right of the data field title.
Not all Rank Order pages include the same number of entries because information for a particular field is not available for all countries. In addition, not all data fields are suitable for displaying as Rank Order pages, such as those containing textual information. Textual information is more readily viewed by clicking on the Field Listing icon next to the Data field title. The other icon next to the data field title provides the definition of the field.
All of the Rank Order pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files and can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases. To save a Rank Order page in a spreadsheet, first click on the Download Datafile choice above the Rank Order page you selected; then, at the top of your browser window, click on 'File' and 'Save As'. After saving the file, open the spreadsheet, find the saved file, and 'Open' it.
Additional Rank Order pages being considered for future updates of the Factbook Web site include:
Median age Literacy Population below the poverty line Highways Waterways Airports
This page was last updated on 21 October, 2003
Appendixes
Appendix A - Abbreviations
Appendix B - International Organizations and Groups
Appendix C - Selected International Environmental Agreements
Appendix D - Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes
Appendix E - Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes
Appendix F - Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names
Notes and Definitions
In addition to the updated information[1q], The World Factbook[1] printed version features seven new entries. In the People category, an entry has been added for Median age. In the Economy category, entries have been added for Oil - production, Oil - consumption, Oil - exports, Oil - imports, Oil - proved reserves, and Natural gas - proved reserves. The web site version features four additional entries: Natural gas - production, Natural gas - consumption, Natural gas - exports, and Natural gas - imports. Revision of some individual country maps, first introduced in the 2001 edition, is continued in this edition. The revised maps include elevation extremes and a partial geographic grid. Several regional maps have also been updated to reflect boundary changes and place name spelling changes.
Abbreviations This information is included in Appendix A: Abbreviations, which includes all abbreviations and acronyms used in the Factbook, with their expansions.
Acronyms An acronym is an abbreviation coined from the initial letter of each successive word in a term or phrase. In general, an acronym made up solely from the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered in all capital letters (NATO from North Atlantic Treaty Organization; an exception would be ASEAN for Association of Southeast Asian Nations). In general, an acronym made up of more than the first letter of the major words in the expanded form is rendered with only an initial capital letter (Comsat from Communications Satellite Corporation; an exception would be NAM from Nonaligned Movement). Hybrid forms are sometimes used to distinguish between initially identical terms (WTO: WTrO for World Trade Organization and WToO for World Tourism Organization).
Administrative divisions This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first- order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Age structure This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group (0-14 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.
Agriculture - products This entry is a rank ordering of major crops and products starting with the most important.
Airports This entry gives the total number of airports. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces), but must be usable. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.
Airports - with paved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces). For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.
Airports - with unpaved runways This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m, (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m, (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m, (4) 914 to 1,523 m, and (5) under 914 m. Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all airports have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Appendixes This section includes Factbook-related material by topic.
Area This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of all water surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, including inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers).
Area - comparative This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
Background This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.
Birth rate This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population.
Budget This entry includes revenues, total expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms
Capital This entry gives the location of the seat of government.
Climate This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year.
Coastline This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea.
Communications This category deals with the means of exchanging information and includes the telephone, radio, television, and Internet service provider entries.
Communications - note This entry includes miscellaneous communications information of significance not included elsewhere.
Constitution This entry includes the dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments.
Country data codes see Data codes
Country map Most versions of the Factbook provide a country map in color. The maps were produced from the best information available at the time of preparation. Names and/or boundaries may have changed subsequently.
Country name This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Currency This entry identifies the national medium of exchange and its basic subunit.
Crude oil See "Oil" entries
Currency code This entry gives the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for each country.
Data codes This information is presented in Appendix D: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes and Appendix E: Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Data Codes. This appendix includes the US Government approved Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) codes, and Internet codes for land entities. The appendix also includes the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) codes, Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC; now a part of the National Imagery and Mapping Agency or NIMA) codes, and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) codes for hydrographic entities. The US Government has not yet approved a standard for hydrographic data codes similar to the FIPS 10-4 standard for country data codes.
Date of information In general, information available as of 1 January 2003 was used in the preparation of this edition.
Death rate This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility results in an aging population.
Debt - external This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in foreign currency, goods, or services.
Dependency status This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state.
Dependent areas This entry contains an alphabetical listing of all nonindependent entities associated in some way with a particular independent state.
Diplomatic representation The US Government has diplomatic relations with 185 independent states, including 183 of the 189 UN members (excluded UN members are Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and the US itself). In addition, the US has diplomatic relations with 1 independent state that is not in the UN - Holy See.
Diplomatic representation in the US This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation from the US This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Disputes - international This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Distribution of family income - Gini index This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45-degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45-degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub- Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100.
Economic aid - donor This entry refers to net official development assistance (ODA) from Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations to developing countries and multilateral organizations. ODA is defined as financial assistance that is concessional in character, has the main objective to promote economic development and welfare of the less developed countries (LDCs), and contains a grant element of at least 25%. The entry does not cover other official flows (OOF) or private flows.
Economic aid - recipient This entry, which is subject to major problems of definition and statistical coverage, refers to the net inflow of Official Development Finance (ODF) to recipient countries. The figure includes assistance from the World Bank, the IMF, and other international organizations and from individual nation donors. Formal commitments of aid are included in the data. Omitted from the data are grants by private organizations. Aid comes in various forms including outright grants and loans. The entry thus is the difference between new inflows and repayments.
Economy This category includes the entries dealing with the size, development, and management of productive resources, i.e., land, labor, and capital.
Economy - overview This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends.
Electricity - consumption This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.
Electricity - exports This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
Electricity - imports This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
Electricity - production This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt- hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.
Electricity - production by source This entry states the percentage share of electricity generated from each energy source. These are fossil fuel, hydro, nuclear, and other (solar, geothermal, and wind).
Elevation extremes This entry includes both the highest point and the lowest point.
Entities Some of the independent states, dependencies, areas of special sovereignty, and governments included in this publication are not independent, and others are not officially recognized by the US Government. "Independent state" refers to a people politically organized into a sovereign state with a definite territory. "Dependencies" and "areas of special sovereignty" refer to a broad category of political entities that are associated in some way with an independent state. "Country" names used in the table of contents or for page headings are usually the short-form names as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names and may include independent states, dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty, or other geographic entities. There are a total of 268 separate geographic entities in The World Factbook that may be categorized as follows:
INDEPENDENT STATES 192 Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, NZ, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
OTHER 1 Taiwan
DEPENDENCIES AND AREAS OF SPECIAL SOVEREIGNTY 6 Australia - Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island 2 China - Hong Kong, Macau 2 Denmark - Faroe Islands, Greenland 16 France - Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Guadeloupe, Juan de Nova Island, Martinique, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Reunion, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futuna 2 Netherlands - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles 3 New Zealand - Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau 3 Norway - Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard 15 UK - Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands 14 US - American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island
MISCELLANEOUS 6 Antarctica, Gaza Strip, Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, West Bank, Western Sahara
OTHER ENTITIES 5 oceans - Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean 1 World 268 total
Environment - current issues This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. afforestation - converting a bare or agricultural space by planting trees and plants; reforestation involves replanting trees on areas that have been cut or destroyed by fire. asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. bio-indicators - a plant or animal species whose presence, abundance, and health reveal the general condition of its habitat. biomass - the total weight or volume of living matter in a given area or volume. carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. catchments - assemblages used to capture and retain rainwater and runoff; an important water management technique in areas with limited freshwater resources, such as Gibraltar. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane) - a colorless, odorless insecticide that has toxic effects on most animals; the use of DDT was banned in the US in 1972. defoliants - chemicals which cause plants to lose their leaves artificially; often used in agricultural practices for weed control, and may have detrimental impacts on human and ecosystem health. deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. desertification - the spread of desert-like conditions in arid or semi-arid areas, due to overgrazing, loss of agriculturally productive soils, or climate change. dredging - the practice of deepening an existing waterway; also, a technique used for collecting bottom-dwelling marine organisms (e.g., shellfish) or harvesting coral, often causing significant destruction of reef and ocean-floor ecosystems. drift-net fishing - done with a net, miles in extent, that is generally anchored to a boat and left to float with the tide; often results in an over harvesting and waste of large populations of non- commercial marine species (by-catch) by its effect of "sweeping the ocean clean". ecosystems - ecological units comprised of complex communities of organisms and their specific environments. effluents - waste materials, such as smoke, sewage, or industrial waste, which are released into the environment, subsequently polluting it. endangered species - a species that is threatened with extinction either by direct hunting or habitat destruction. freshwater - water with very low soluble mineral content; sources include lakes, streams, rivers, glaciers, and underground aquifers. greenhouse gas - a gas that "traps" infrared radiation in the lower atmosphere causing surface warming; water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone are the primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. Highlands Water Project - a series of dams constructed jointly by Lesotho and South Africa to redirect Lesotho's abundant water supply into a rapidly growing area in South Africa; while it is the largest infrastructure project in southern Africa, it is also the most costly and controversial; objections to the project include claims that it forces people from their homes, submerges farmlands, and squanders economic resources. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the 125,000 Inuits of Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland in international environmental issues; a panel convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change. metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. overgrazing - the grazing of animals on plant material faster than it can naturally regrow leading to the permanent loss of plant cover, a common effect of too many animals grazing limited range land. ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. pollution - the contamination of a healthy environment by man-made waste. potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. salination - the process through which fresh (drinkable) water becomes salt (undrinkable) water; hence, desalination is the reverse process; also involves the accumulation of salts in topsoil caused by evaporation of excessive irrigation water, a process that can eventually render soil incapable of supporting crops. siltation - occurs when water channels and reservoirs become clotted with silt and mud, a side effect of deforestation and soil erosion. slash-and-burn agriculture - a rotating cultivation technique in which trees are cut down and burned in order to clear land for temporary agriculture; the land is used until its productivity declines at which point a new plot is selected and the process repeats; this practice is sustainable while population levels are low and time is permitted for regrowth of natural vegetation; conversely, where these conditions do not exist, the practice can have disastrous consequences for the environment . soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. ultraviolet (UV) radiation - a portion of the electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun and naturally filtered in the upper atmosphere by the ozone layer; UV radiation can be harmful to living organisms and has been linked to increasing rates of skin cancer in humans. water-born diseases - those in which the bacteria survive in, and is transmitted through, water; always a serious threat in areas with an untreated water supply.
Environment - international agreements This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
Environmental agreements This information is presented in Appendix C: Selected International Environmental Agreements, which includes the name, abbreviation, date opened for signature, date entered into force, objective, and parties by category.
Ethnic groups This entry provides a rank ordering of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population.
Exchange rates This entry provides the official value of a country's monetary unit at a given date or over a given period of time, as expressed in units of local currency per US dollar and as determined by international market forces or official fiat.
Executive branch This entry includes several subfields. Chief of state includes the name and title of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government. Cabinet includes the official name for this body of high-ranking advisers and the method for selection of members. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election.
Exports This entry provides the total US dollar amount of exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis.
Exports - commodities This entry provides a rank ordering of exported products starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
Exports - partners This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
Fiscal year This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but which may begin in any month. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY).
Flag description This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
Flag graphic Most versions of the Factbook include a color flag at the beginning of the country profile. The flag graphics were produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time of preparation. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
GDP This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. GDP dollar estimates in the Factbook are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. See the note on GDP methodology for more information.
GDP methodology In the Economy section, GDP dollar estimates for all countries are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations rather than from conversions at official currency exchange rates. The PPP method involves the use of standardized international dollar price weights, which are applied to the quantities of final goods and services produced in a given economy. The data derived from the PPP method provide the best available starting point for comparisons of economic strength and well-being between countries. The division of a GDP estimate in domestic currency by the corresponding PPP estimate in dollars gives the PPP conversion rate. Whereas PPP estimates for OECD countries are quite reliable, PPP estimates for developing countries are often rough approximations. Most of the GDP estimates are based on extrapolation of PPP numbers published by the UN International Comparison Program (UNICP) and by Professors Robert Summers and Alan Heston of the University of Pennsylvania and their colleagues. In contrast, the currency exchange rate method involves a variety of international and domestic financial forces that often have little relation to domestic output. In developing countries with weak currencies the exchange rate estimate of GDP in dollars is typically one-fourth to one-half the PPP estimate. Furthermore, exchange rates may suddenly go up or down by 10% or more because of market forces or official fiat whereas real output has remained unchanged. On 12 January 1994, for example, the 14 countries of the African Financial Community (whose currencies are tied to the French franc) devalued their currencies by 50%. This move, of course, did not cut the real output of these countries by half. One important caution: the proportion of, say, defense expenditures as a percentage of GDP in local currency accounts may differ substantially from the proportion when GDP accounts are expressed in PPP terms, as, for example, when an observer tries to estimate the dollar level of Russian or Japanese military expenditures. Note: the numbers for GDP and other economic data can not be chained together from successive volumes of the Factbook because of changes in the US dollar measuring rod, revisions of data by statistical agencies, use of new or different sources of information, and changes in national statistical methods and practices.
GDP - composition by sector This entry gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP.
GDP - per capita This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year.
GDP - real growth rate This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent.
Geographic coordinates This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the purpose of finding the approximate geographic center of an entity and is based on the Gazetteer of Conventional Names, Third Edition, August 1988, US Board on Geographic Names and on other sources.
Geographic names This information is presented in Appendix F: Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names. It includes a listing of various alternate names, former names, local names, and regional names referenced to one or more related Factbook entries. Spellings are normally, but not always, those approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Alternate names and additional information are included in parentheses.
Geography This category includes the entries dealing with the natural environment and the effects of human activity.
Geography - note This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere.
GNP Gross national product (GNP) is the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, plus income earned by its citizens abroad, minus income earned by foreigners from domestic production. The Factbook, following current practice, uses GDP rather than GNP to measure national production. However, the user must realize that in certain countries net remittances from citizens working abroad may be important to national well-being.
Government This category includes the entries dealing with the system for the adoption and administration of public policy.
Government type This entry gives the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
Government - note This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere.
Gross domestic product see GDP
Gross national product see GNP
Gross world product see GWP
GWP This entry gives the gross world product (GWP) or aggregate value of all final goods and services produced worldwide in a given year.
Heliports This entry gives the total number of established helicopter takeoff and landing sites (which may or may not have fuel or other services).
Highways This entry states the total length of the highway system and the length of the paved and unpaved parts.
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend.
HIV/AIDS - deaths This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year.
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS.
Household income or consumption by percentage share Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.
Hydrographic data codes see Data codes
