The World in Focus: Fast Facts on 192 Countries.Just give me the facts! On these pages, you can find key facts on each of the world's 192 independent countries. Every number tells a story. For example, the 37/39 number in the Life Expectancy Life Expectancy 1. The age until which a person is expected to live. 2. The remaining number of years an individual is expected to live, based on IRS issued life expectancy tables. column for Angola Angola (ăng-gō`lə), officially Republic of Angola (2005 est. pop. 11,191,000), including the exclave of Cabinda, 481,351 sq mi (1,246,700 sq km), SW Africa. tells you that people are dying young in that country. The $1,000 amount under per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. GDP GDP (guanosine diphosphate): see guanine. for North Korea Korea (kôrē`ə, kə–), Korean Hanguk or Choson, region and historic country (85,049 sq mi/220,277 sq km), E Asia. tells you that country is extremely poor. (Compare with the U.S.) To use these tables, begin by looking at the sample entry for China (at right). The surrounding sur·round tr.v. sur·round·ed, sur·round·ing, sur·rounds 1. To extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle. 2. To enclose or confine on all sides so as to bar escape or outside communication. n. boxes explain each item of information. Countries are grouped by continent continent, largest unit of landmasses on the earth. The continents include Eurasia (conventionally regarded as two continents, Europe and Asia), Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. , then listed in alphabetical order. China 3,696,100 1,273,300,000 36 0.9 Beijing Beijing (bā-jĭng) or Peking (pē-kĭng, pā–), city (1994 est. urban pop. 6,093,300; 1994 est. total pop. 7,240,700), capital of the People's Republic of China. It is in central Hebei prov. Area and Population: Taken together, these figures allow you to calculate population density (population divided by area), an important indicator Indicator Anything used to predict future financial or economic trends. Notes: In the context of technical analysis, an indicator is a mathematical calculation based on a securities price and/or volume. The result is used to predict future prices. of a country's potential problems. Population Growth: The high rate of population growth in some poor countries has prompted fears of overcrowding overcrowding overcrowding of animal accommodation. Many countries now publish codes of practice which define what the appropriate volumetric allowances should be for each species of animal when they are housed indoors. Breaches of these codes is overcrowding. , and complicated the struggle to feed the people and combat disease. Urban Population: The percentage of a country's total population living in urban areas. Urbanization has sky-rocketed in developing countries, as people move to cities in search of work. Major Languages Spoken: There are some 6,000 languages in the world, not counting local dialects. Some 975 million people speak Mandarin Mandarin (măn`dərĭn) [Port. mandar=to govern, or from Malay mantri=counselor of state], a high official of imperial China. For each of the nine grades there was a different colored button worn on the dress cap. Chinese--500 million more than speak English 1. English - (Obsolete) The source code for a program, which may be in any language, as opposed to the linkable or executable binary produced from it by a compiler. The idea behind the term is that to a real hacker, a program written in his favourite programming language is . Mandarin, other Chinese dialects The following is a list of Chinese dialects and languages. Classification Linguists classify these languages as the Sinitic branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. Within this broad classification, linguistics identify between seven and fourteen subgroups. , other languages Form of Government and Head: Governments are classified according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. who holds power. In democracies, people elect their leaders; dictatorships keep power away from the people. Communist one-party Adj. 1. one-party - determined by a single party unilateral, one-sided - involving only one part or side; "unilateral paralysis"; "a unilateral decision" state; President Jiang Zemin Jiang Zemin (jyäng` zŭ`mĭn`), 1926–, Chinese government official, general secretary of the Chinese Communist party (1989–2002) and president of China (1993–2003), b. Jiangsu prov. Percent of Population Under Age 15: Developing countries with a high percentage of young people may have trouble providing jobs, schools, and food--and risk overpopulation overpopulation Situation in which the number of individuals of a given species exceeds the number that its environment can sustain. Possible consequences are environmental deterioration, impaired quality of life, and a population crash (sudden reduction in numbers caused by . 23 Literacy literacy Ability to read and write. The term may also refer to familiarity with literature and to a basic level of education obtained through the written word. In ancient civilizations such as those of the Sumerians and Babylonians, literacy was the province of an elite Rate: The percentage of people who can read and write (male/female). Date of Origin: The year a nation was formed, gained independence, or established its present form of government. 1912 90/73 Life Expectancy: The age to which a newborn newborn /new·born/ (noo´born?) 1. recently born. 2. newborn infant. new·born adj. Very recently born. n. A neonate. can expect to live. Improvements in medicine have helped people live longer. The first number is for males; the second, for females. 69/73 Per Capita GDP: The value of all goods and services In economics, economic output is divided into physical goods and intangible services. Consumption of goods and services is assumed to produce utility (unless the "good" is a "bad"). It is often used when referring to a Goods and Services Tax. produced within a country in one year (its gross domestic product), divided by its population. It is one way to gauge gauge In manufacturing and engineering, a device used to determine whether a dimension is larger or smaller than a reference standard. A snap gauge, for example, is formed like the letter C, with outer “go” and inner “not go” jaws, and is used to a nation's wealth. $3,600 HDI HDI Human Development Index (UNDP yardstick of human welfare) HDI Help Desk Institute HDI Humpty Dumpty Institute (New York, New York) HDI High Density Interconnect (Human Development Index): This number measures economic and human well-being on a scale of 0 to 1. It combines life expectancy, literacy, and purchasing power Purchasing Power 1. The value of a currency expressed in terms of the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy. Purchasing power is important because, all else being equal, inflation decreases the amount of goods or services you'd be able to purchase. 2. into one number. 0.718 Mandarin, other Chinese dialects, other languages Communist one-party state; President Jiang Zemin Form of Government and Head: Governments are classified according to who holds power. In democracies, people elect their leaders; dictatorships keep power away from the people. 23 Percent of Population Under Age 15: Developing countries with a high percentage of young people may have trouble providing jobs, schools, and food--and risk overpopulation. 1912 90/73 Literacy Rate: The percentage of people who can read and write (male/female). Date of Origin: The year a nation was formed, gained independence, or established its present form of government. 69/73 Life Expectancy: The age to which a newborn can expect to live. Improvements in medicine have helped people live longer. The first number is for males; the second, for females. $3,600 Per Capita GDP: The value of all goods and services produced within a country in one year (its gross domestic product), divided by its population. It is one way to gauge a nation's wealth. 0.718 HDI (Human Development Index): This number measures economic and human well-being on a scale of 0 to 1. It combines life expectancy, literacy, and purchasing power into one number.
NORTH AMERICA
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Antigua 170 37 St. John's
and Barbuda 100,000 1.6
Bahamas 5,359 84 Nassau
300,000 1.5
Barbados 166 38 Bridgetown
300,000 0.5
Belize 8,865 49 Belmopan
300,000 1.9
Canada 3,849,670 78 Ottawa
31,000,000 0.3
Costa Rica 19,730 45 San Jose
3,700,000 1.8
Cuba 42,803 75 Havana
11,300,000 0.6
Dominica 290 71 Roseau
100,000 0.8
Dominican 18,815 61 Santo
Republic 8,600,000 2.1 Domingo
El Salvador 8,124 58 San Salvador
6,400,000 2.3
Grenada 131 34 St. George's
100,000 1.3
Guatemala 42,042 39 Guatemala
13,000,000 2.9 City
Haiti 10,714 35 Port-au-
7,000,000 1.7 Prince
Honduras 43,278 46 Tegucigalpa
6,700,000 2.8
Jamaica 4,243 50 Kingston
2,600,000 1.5
Mexico 756,062 74 Mexico City
99,600,000 1.9
Nicaragua 50,193 57 Managua
5,200,000 3.0
Panama 29,158 56 Panama City
2,900,000 2.1
Saint Kitts 139 43 Basseterre
and Nevis 40,000 0.9
Saint Lucia 239 30 Castries
200,000 1.3
Saint Vincent 151 44 Kingstown
and the 100,000 1.2
Grenadines
Trinidad 1,981 72 Port-of-Spain
and Tobago 1,300,000 0.7
United States 3,717,796 75 Washington.
284,500,000 0.6 D.C.
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Antigua English, local
and Barbuda dialects
Bahamas English, Creole
Barbados English
Belize English, Spanish,
Mayan, Garifuna
Canada English, French
Costa Rica spanish, English
Cuba Spanish
Dominica English,
French patois
Dominican Spanish
Republic
El Salvador Spanish, Nahua
Grenada English,
French patois
Guatemala Spanish, Amer-
indian dialects
Haiti Creole, French
Honduras Spanish, Amer-
indian dialects
Jamaica English, Creole
Mexico Spanish, Mayan,
other indigenous
languages
Nicaragua Spanish, English,
Amerindian
Panama Spanish, English
Saint Kitts English
and Nevis
Saint Lucia English, French
patois
Saint Vincent English, French
and the patois
Grenadines
Trinidad English, Hindi,
and Tobago French, Spanish
United States English, Spanish,
others
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Antigua Dominant party; 1981
and Barbuda Prime Minister Lester Bird 29
Bahamas Parliamentary democracy; 1973
Prime Minister Hubert 31
Ingraham
Barbados Parliamentary domocracy; 1966
Prime Minister Owen Arthur 23
Belize Parliamentary democracy; 1981
Prime Minister Said Musa 41
Canada Parliamentary democracy; 1867
Prime Minister Jean Chretien 19
Costa Rica Presidential-legislative 1821
democracy; President Miguel 32
Angel Rodriguez Echeverria
Cuba Communist one-party state; 1902
President Fidel Castro Ruz 22
Dominica Parliamentary democracy; 1978
Prime Minister Pierre Charles 33
Dominican Presidential-legislative 1844
Republic democracy; President 35
Hipolito Mejla
El Salvador Presidential-legislative 1821
democracy; President 36
Francisco Flores Perez
Grenada Parliamentary democracy; 1974
Prime Minister Keith Mitchell 38
Guatemala Presidential-legislative democracy; 1821
President Alfonso Portillo Cabrera 44
Haiti Presidential-parliamentary 1804
democracy; 43
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
Honduras Presidential-legislative democracy; 1821
President Carlos Roberto Flores 43
Facusse
Jamaica Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1962
Minister Percival James Patterson 31
Mexico Presidential-legislative democracy; 1810
President Vicente Fox Quesada 34
Nicaragua Presidential-legislative democracy; 1821
President Arnoldo Aleman Lacayo 43
Panama Presidential-legislative democracy; 1903
President Mireya Moscoso 31
Saint Kitts Parliamentary democracy; 1983
and Nevis Prime Minister Denzil Douglas 31
Saint Lucia Parliamentary democracy; 1979
Prime Minister Kenny Anthony 33
Saint Vincent Parliamentary democracy; 1979
and the Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves 32
Grenadines
Trinidad Paliamentary democracy; 1962
and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday 26
United States Presidential-legislative democracy; 1776
President George W. Bush 21
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Antigua 90/88 $8,200
and Barbuda 68/72 NA
Bahamas 99/98 $15,000
70/75 0.820
Barbados 98/97 $14,500
70/75 0.864
Belize 70/70 $3,200
70/74 0.776
Canada 99/99 $24,800
76/81 0.936
Costa Rica 95/95 $6,700
75/79 0.821
Cuba 96/95 $1,700
73/77 NA
Dominica 94/94 $4,000
70/76 NA
Dominican 82/82 $5,700
Republic 67/71 0.722
El Salvador 74/70 $4,000
67/73 0.701
Grenada 98/98 $4,400
63/66 NA
Guatemala 69/59 $3,700
63/68 0.626
Haiti 48/42 $1,800
47/51 0.467
Honduras 73/73 $2,700
64/68 0.634
Jamaica 81/99 $3,700
70/73 0.738
Mexico 92/87 $9,100
73/78 0.790
Nicaragua 65/67 $2,700
66/70 0.635
Panama 91/90 $6,000
72/76 0.784
Saint Kitts 97/98 $7,000
and Nevis 72/76 NA
Saint Lucia 65/69 $4,500
70/73 NA
Saint Vincent 96/96 $2,800
and the 70/73 NA
Grenadines
Trinidad 99/97 $9,500
and Tobago 68/73 0.798
United States 97/97 $36,200
74/80 0.934
SOUTH AMERICA
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Argentina 1,073,514 90 Buenos Aires
37,500,000 1.1
Bolivia 424,162 63 La Paz
8,500,000 2.4 and Sucre
Brazil 3,300,154 81 Brasilia
171,800,000 1.5
Chile 292,135 86 Santiago
15,400,000 1.3
Colombia 439,734 71 Bogota
43,100,000 1.8
Ecuador 109,483 62 Quito
12,900,000 2.2
Guyana 83,000 36 Georgetown
700,000 1.3
Paraguay 157,046 52 Asuncion
5,700,000 2.7
Peru 496,224 72 Lima
26,100,000 1.8
Suriname 63,039 69 Paramaribo
400,000 1.9
Uruguay 68,498 92 Montevideo
3,400,000 0.7
Venezuela 352,143 87 Caracas
24,600,000 2.0
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Argentina Spanish, English,
Italian, German,
French
Bolivia Spanish, Quechua,
Aymara
Brazil Portuguese,
Spanish, English,
French
Chile Spanish
Colombia Spanish
Ecuador Spanish, Amer-
indian dialects
Guyana English,
Amerindian dialects
Paraguay Spanish, Guarani
Peru Spanish,
Quechua, Aymara
Suriname Dutch, Sranang,
Tongo, Hindustani,
English, Javanese
Uruguay Spanish, Portunol,
Brazilero
Venezuela Spanish,
Amerindian dialects
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Argentina Presidential-legislative democracy; 1816
President-Fernando de la Rua 28
Bolivia Presidential-legislative democracy; 1825
President Jorge Quiroga Ramirez 40
Brazil Presidential-legislative democracy; 1822
President Fernando Henrique Cardoso 30
Chile Presidential-legislative democracy; 1810
President Ricardo Lagos Escobar 28
Colombia Presidential-legislative democracy; 1810
President Andres Pastrana Arango 32
Ecuador Presidential-legislative democracy; 1822
President Gustavo Noboa 34
Guyana Parliamentary democracy; 1966
President Bharrat Jagdeo 31
Paraguay Presiential-legislative democracy; 1811
President Luis Gonzalez Macchi 40
Peru Presidential-authoritarian; 1821
President Alejandro Toledo 34
Suriname Presidential-parliamentary 1975
democracy; 33
President Ronald Venetiaan
Uruguay Presidential-legislative democracy; 1825
President Jorge Batile 24
Venezuela Presidential-legislative democracy; 1811
President Hugo Chavez Frias 34
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Argentina 96/96 $12,900
70/77 0.842
Bolivia 91/76 $2,600
60/64 0.648
Brazil 83/83 $6,500
65/72 0.750
Chile 95/95 $10,100
72/78 0.825
Colombia 91/91 $6,200
68/74 0.765
Ecuador 92/88 $2,900
68/73 0.726
Guyana 99/98 $4,800
62/68 0.704
Paraguay 94/91 $4,750
71/76 0.738
Peru 95/83 $4,550
66/71 0.743
Suriname 95/91 $3,400
68/74 0.758
Uruguay 97/98 $9,300
70/78 0.828
Venezuela 92/90 $6,200
70/76 0.765
AFRICA
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Algeria 919,591 49 Algiers
31,000,000 1.9
Angola 481,351 32 Luanda
12,300,000 2.4
Benin 43,483 38 Port-Novo
6,600,000 3.0 and Colonou
Botswana 224,606 49 Gaborone
1,600,000 1.0
Burkina Faso 105,792 15 Ouagadougau
12,300,000 3.0
Burundi 10,745 8 Bujumbura
6,200,000 2.5
Camereon 163,568 48 Yaounde
15,800,000 2.7
Cape Verde 1,556 53 Praia
400,000 3.0
Central African 240,533 39 Bangal
Republic 3,600,000 2.0
Chad 495,753 21 N'Djamena
8,700,000 3.3
Comoros 551 29 Marani
600,000 3.5
Dem. Rep. 905,351 29 Kinshasa
of Congo 53,600,000 3.1
Congo 132,046 41 Brazzaville
Republic 3,100,000 3.0
Cote d'lvoira 124,502 46 Abidjan and
18,400,000 2.0 *
Djibouti 8,958 83 Djibouti
600,000 2.7
Egypt 386,660 43 Cairo
69,800,000 2.1
Equatorial 10,830 37 Malabo
Guinaa 500,000 3.1
Eritrea 45,405 16 Asmara
4,300,000 3.0
Ethiopia 426,371 15 Addis Ababa
65,400,000 2.9
Gabon 103,347 73 Libraville
1,200,000 1.6
Gambia 4,363 37 Banjul
1,400,000 3.0
Ghana 92,100 37 Accra
19,900,000 2.2
Guinea 94,927 26 *
7,000,000 2.3
Guinea-Bissau 13,946 22 Bissau
1,200,000 2.2
Kenya 224,081 20 Nairobi
29,800,999 2.0
Lesothe 11,716 16 *
2,200,000 2.0
Liberia 43,000 45 Monrovia
3,200,000 3.1
Libya 679,359 86 Tripoli
5,200,000 2.4
Madagascar 226,656 22 *
16,400,000 3.0
Malawi 45,745 20 Lilongwe
10,500,000 2.3
Mail 478,838 26 *
11,000,000 3.0
Mauritania 395,954 54 Nouakcholt
2,700,000 2.8
Mauritius 788 43 Port Louis
1,200,000 1.0
Moracco 172,413 55 Rabal
29,200,000 2.0
Mozamblque 309,494 28 Maputo
19,400,000 2.1
Namibia 318,259 27 Windhoek
1,800,000 1.9
Niger 489,100 17 *
10,000,000 2.9
Nigeria 356,668 36 Abuja
126,600,000 2.8
Rwanda 10,170 5 Kigali
7,300,000 1.8
Sao Tome 371 44 *
and Principe 100,000 3.5
Senegal 75,954 43 Dakar
9,700,000 2.8
Seychelles 174 63 Victoria
100,000 1.1
Sierra Leone 27,500 37 *
5,400,000 2.6
Somalia 246,201 28 Mogadishu
7,500,000 3.0
South Africa 471,444 54 Cape Town,
43,600,000 1.2 Pretoria, and
Bloemfontein
Sudan * 27 *
31,000,000 2.4
Swaziland 6,703 25 Mbabane
1,100,000 2.0 and
Lobaraba
Tanzania 364,900 22 Dar es
36,200,000 2.8 Salaam
Togo 21,927 31 *
5,200,000 2.9
Tunisia 63,170 62 Tunis
9,700,000 1.3
Uganda 93,066 15 Kampala
24,000,000 2.9
Zambla * 38 *
* 2.3
Zimbabwe 150,873 32 Harare
11,400,000 0.9
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Algeria Arabic, French,
Berber dialects
Angola Portuguese,
Bantu, others
Benin French, Fon,
Yoruba, others
Botswana English,
Setswana
Burkina Faso French, Sudanic
languages
Burundi Kirundi, French,
Swahili
Camereon English, French,
African languages
Cape Verde Portuguese,
Crioulo
Central African French, Sangho, Arabio,
Republic Hunsa, Swahill
Chad French, Arabic,
Sara, Sango,
others
Comoros Arabic, Franch,
Comoran
Dem. Rep. French, Lingala, Kingwana,
of Congo Kikongo, Tshiluba
Congo French, Lingala,
Republic Monokutuba, Kikongo,
others
Cote d'lvoira French, Dioula,
others
Djibouti French, Arabic,
Somali, Afar
Egypt Arabic, English,
French
Equatorial Spanish, French,
Guinaa pidgin English,
Fang, Bubl, Ibo
Eritrea Amharic, Arabic Afar,
Tigrioya, Tigre,
many others
Ethiopia Amharic, Tigrinya, Orominga,
Arabic, English, others
Gabon Franch, Fang,
Myene, Batake, others
Gambia English, Mandinka,
Wolof, Fula, others
Ghana English, Akan,
others
Guinea French, various
African languages
Guinea-Bissau Portuguese, Criolo,
others
Kenya English, Swahili,
many others
Lesothe Sesomo, English,
Zulu, Xhosa
Liberia English, Niger-Congo
languages
Libya Arabic, Italian,
English
Madagascar French,
Malagasy
Malawi English, Chichewa,
others
Mail French, Bambara,
many others
Mauritania Hasaniya, Arabic,
Pular, Soninke,
Wolof, French
Mauritius English, Creole,
French, Hindi, Urdu,
Hakka, Bojpoori
Moracco Arabic, Barber
dialects, Franch
Mozamblque Portuguese,
African languages
Namibia English, local
African languages
Niger Franch, Hausa,
Dierma
Nigeria English, Hausa,
Vorupa, Ibo,
Futanl
Rwanda Kinyarwanda,
French, English,
Kiswahili
Sao Tome Portuguese
and Principe
Senegal French, Wolof,
Pulasr, Diola,
Mandingo
Seychelles English, French,
Creole
Sierra Leone English, Mende,
Temae, Krio
Somalia Somail, Arabic,
Italian, English
South Africa English, Afrikaans,
Zulu, Xhosa, Swazi,
Sotho, others
Sudan Arabic, Nuban,
Ta Badawie,
English, others
Swaziland English, siSwati
Tanzania Kiswahili, English,
Arabic, many others
Togo French, Ewe,
Mina, Dagomba,
Kabya
Tunisia Arabic French
Uganda English, Luganda,
Swahili, others
Zambla English, Bamba,
Tonga, others
Zimbabwe English, Shona;
Sindebele, others
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Algeria Dominant party; 1962
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika 39
Angola Presidential-legislative 1975
transitional) 48
President-Jose Eduardo des Santos
Benin Presidential-parliamentary 1960
democracy; President 48
Mathieu Kerekou
Botswana Parliamentary democracy and 1966
traditional chiefs; 41
President Festus Mogas
Burkina Faso Dominant party, president 1960
Blaise Compaore 48
Burundi Dictatorship (military-dominated); 1962
President Pierre Buyoya 48
Camereon Dominant party; 1960
President Paul Biya 43
Cape Verde Presidential-parliamentary 1975
democracy; 43
Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves
Central African Presidential-parilament democracy; 1960
Republic President Ange-Felix Patasse 44
Chad Presidential-parilamentary 1960
(military-dominated); 48
President Idriss Deby
Comoros Dominant party, 1975
Co. Assourmani Azail 46
Dem. Rep. Military-backed dictatorship; 1960
of Congo President Joseph Kabila 48
Congo Military-backed dictatorship; 1960
Republic President Denis Sassou-Nguesso 43
Cote d'lvoira Military (transitional); 1960
President Laurent Gbagbo 42
Djibouti Dominant party; 1977
President Ismail Omar Guelleh 43
Egypt Dominant party 1922
President Hosni Mubarak 36
Equatorial Dominant party 1966
Guinaa (military-dominated); 44
President Taodoro Obiang
Nguama Mbasogo
Eritrea One-party; 1993
President Isalas Afwerki 43
Ethiopia Dominant party; 1000 B.C.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi 44
Gabon Dominant party; 1960
Presidnt Omar Bongo 40
Gambia Millitary; 1966
President Yahya Jammah 46
Ghana Presidential-parliamentary 1957
democracy; 43
President John Agyekum Kufuor
Guinea Dominant party; 1958
President Lansana Come 44
Guinea-Bissau Presidential-legislative 1973
(transitional); 44
President Kumba Iala
Kenya Dominant party; 1963
President Daniel arap Moi 44
Lesothe Parliamentary (transitional); 1966
Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisll 40
Liberia Presidential-parliamentary 1847
democracy; 43
President Charles Taylor
Libya One-party dictatorship; 1951
Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi 37
Madagascar Presidential-parliamentary 1960
democracy; President 45
Didler Ratsiraka
Malawi Presidential-parliamentary 1964
democracy; 47
President Bakill Muluzi
Mail Presidential-parliamentary 1960
democarcy: President 47
Alpha Oumar Konare
Mauritania Dominant party; President Maauouya 1960
Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya 44
Mauritius Parliamentary democracy; 1968
Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth 26
Moracco Constitutional monarchy; 1956
King Muhammad VI 33
Mozamblque Presidential-legislative democracy; 1975
President Joaduim Chissano 44
Namibia Presidential-legislative democracy; 1990
President Sam Nujoma 43
Niger Presidential-parliamentary 1960
democracy (tranasitional); 50
President Tandia Mamadou
Nigeria Presidential-parliamentary 1960
democracy (transitional) 44
President Olusegun Obasanjo
Rwanda Dominant party; 1962
Presidet Paul Kagame 44
Sao Tome Presidential-parliamentary 1975
and Principe democracy; President 48
Miguel Trovoada
Senegal Dominant party; 1960
President Abdoulaye Wade 44
Seychelles Presidential-legislative democracy; 1976
President France-Albert Rene 29
Sierra Leone Presidential-legistative 1961
democracy; President Anmad Tejan 46
Kabbah (rebel factions waging
civil war)
Somalia Transitional democracy 1960
disputed by wariords 44
President Abdikassim Salad
South Africa Presidential-legislative democracy; 1910
President Thabo Mbeki 34
Sudan Presidential-parliamentary 1956
(military-dominated); President 43
Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Swaziland Monarchy 1968
King Mswati III 46
Tanzania Dominant Party; 1964
President Benjamin Mkapa 45
Togo Dominant party; President 1960
General Gnassingbe Eyadema 47
Tunisia Dominant party; 1956
President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali 31
Uganda Dominant party; 1962
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 51
Zambla Dominant party; 1964
President Frederick Chiluba 45
Zimbabwe Dominant party; 1980
President Robert Mugabe 44
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Algeria 74/49 $5.500
68/70 0.693
Angola 56/28 $1,000
37/39 0.422
Benin 52/24 $1,030
49/51 0.420
Botswana 81/60 $6,600
41/42 0.577
Burkina Faso 30/9 $1,000
47/47 0.320
Burundi 49/23 $720
46/47 0.309
Camereon 75/52 $1,700
55/56 0.506
Cape Verde 81/64 $1,700
65/72 0.708
Central African 69/52 $1,700
Republic 43/46 0.372
Chad 62/35 $1,000
48/52 0.359
Comoros 64/50 $720
54/59 0.510
Dem. Rep. 87/68 $600
of Congo 45/50 0.429
Congo 83/67 $1,100
Republic 47/52 0.502
Cote d'lvoira 57/40 $1,600
45/47 0.426
Djibouti 60/33 $1,300
44/48 0.447
Egypt 64/39 $3,600
65/68 0.635
Equatorial 90/68 $2,000
Guinaa 46/52 0.610
Eritrea 66/38 $710
53/57 0.416
Ethiopia 46/25 $600
51/53 0.321
Gabon 74/53 $6,300
51/54 0.617
Gambia 58/37 $1,100
51/54 0.398
Ghana 76/54 $1,900
56/59 0.542
Guinea 50/22 $1,300
43/47 0.397
Guinea-Bissau 67/41 $850
44/46 0.339
Kenya 86/70 $1,500
48/49 0.514
Lesothe 72/93 $2,400
52/55 0.541
Liberia 54/22 $1,100
49/52 NA
Libya 88/63 $8,900
73/77 0.770
Madagascar 88/73 $800
52/56 0.462
Malawi 73/43 $900
39/40 0.397
Mail 39/23 $850
45/47 0.378
Mauritania 53/40 $2,000
49/52 0,437
Mauritius 87/79 $10,400
67/74 0.765
Moracco 57/31 $3,500
67/71 0.596
Mozamblque 58/27 $1,000
69/76 0.323
Namibia 45/31 $4,300
47/45 0.601
Niger 21/7 $1,000
41/41 0.274
Nigeria 67/47 $950
52/53 0.455
Rwanda 52/45 $900
39/40 0.395
Sao Tome 85/62 $1,100
and Principe 63/66 NA
Senegal 43/23 $1,600
51/54 0.423
Seychelles 56/60 $7,700
67/73 NA
Sierra Leone 45/18 $510
42/47 0.258
Somalia 36/14 $600
45/48 NA
South Africa 82/82 $8,500
52/54 0.702
Sudan 58/85 $1,000
55/57 0.439
Swaziland 78/76 $4,600
40/41 0.583
Tanzania 79/57 $710
52/54 0.436
Togo 67/37 $1,500
53/58 0.489
Tunisia 79/55 $6,500
70/74 0.714
Uganda 74/50 $1,100
42/43 0.435
Zambla 86/71 $880
37/38 0.427
Zimbabwe 90/80 $2,500
41/39 0.554
EUROPE
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Albania 11,100 46 Tirana
3,400,000 1.2
Andorra 174 93 Andorra
100,000 0.9 Ia Vella
Austria 32,378 65 Vienna
8,100,000 0.0
Belarus 80,154 70 Minsk
10,000,000 -0.4
Belgium 11,787 97 Brussels
10,300,000 0.1
Bosnia and 19,741 40 Sarajevo
Herzegovina 3,400,000 0.4
Bulgaria 42,822 68 Sofia
8,100,000 -0.5
Croatia 21,830 54 Zagreb
4,700,000 -0.2
Czech Republic 30,448 77 Prague
10,300,000 -0.2
Denmark 16,637 72 Copenhagan
5,400,000 0.2
Estonia 17,413 69 Tallinn
1,400,000 -0.4
Finland 130,560 60 Helsinki
5,200,000 0.2
France 212,934 74 Paris
59,200,000 0.4
Germany 137,830 86 Berlin
82,200,000 -0.1
Greece 50,950 59 Athens
10,900,000 -0.0
Hungary 35,919 64 Budapest
10,000,000 -0.4
Iceland 39,768 93 Reykjavik
300,000 0.8
Ireland 27,135 58 Dublin
3,800,000 0.6
Italy 116,320 90 Rome
57,800,000 -0.0
Latvia 24,942 69 Riga
2,400,000 -0.6
Liechtenstein 62 23 Vaduz
30,000 0.6
Lithuania 25,174 68 Vilnlus
3,700,000 -0.1
Luxembourg 999 88 Luxembourg
400,000 0.4
Macedonia 9,927 60 Skopje
2,000,000 0.5
Malta 124 91 Valletta
400,000 0.3
Moldova 13,012 46 Chisinau
4,300,000 -0.1 (Kishinev)
Monaco 1 100 Monaco
30,000 0.3
Netherlands 15,768 62 Amsterdam
16,000,000 0.4 and the Hague
Norway 125,050 74 Oslo
4,500,000 0.3
Poland 124,807 62 Warsaw
38,600,000 0.0
Portugal 35,514 48 Lisbon
10,000,000 0.1
Romania 92,042 55 Bucharest
22,400,000 -0.1
Russia 6,592,819 73 Moscow
144,400,000 -0.7
San Marino 23 89 San Marine
30,000 0.4
Slovakia 18,923 57 Bratislava
5,400,000 0.0
Slovenia 7,819 50 Ljubljana
2,000,000 -0.1
Spain 195,363 64 Madrid
39,800,000 0.0
Sweden 173,730 84 Stockholm
8,900,000 -0.0
Switzerland 15,942 68 Bern
7,200,000 0.2
Ukkraine 233,089 68 Kiev
49,100,000 -0.7
United Kingdom 94,548 90 London
(Great Britain) 60,000,000 0.1
Vatican City 109 acres NA Vatican City
870 1.2
Yugoslavia (3) 39,448 52 Belgrade and
(Serbia and 10,700,000 0.1 Podgoricar
Montenegro)
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Albania Albanian, Greek
Andorra Catalan, French,
Castilian
Austria German
Belarus Byelorussian,
Russian, others
Belgium Flemish, French
German
Bosnia and Serbo-Croatian
Herzegovina
Bulgaria Bulgarian,
others
Croatia Serbo-Croatian,
others
Czech Republic Czech, Slovak
Denmark Danish, Greenlandic
Faroese, German
Estonia Estonian,
Ukrainian,
Russian, others
Finland Finnish, Swedish,
Lapp, Russian
France French,
regional dialects
Germany German
Greece Greek, English,
French
Hungary Hungarian,
others
Iceland Icelandic
Ireland English, Gaelic
Italy Italian, German,
French, Slovene
Latvia Lettish, Lithuanian,
Russian, others
Liechtenstein German,
Alemannic dialect
Lithuania Lithuanian,
Polish, Russian
Luxembourg Luxembourgan,
German, French,
English
Macedonia Macedonian,
Albanian, others
Malta Maltese, English
Moldova Moldovan, Russian,
Gagauz
Monaco French, English,
Italian,
Monegasque
Netherlands Dutch
Norway Norwegian, Lapp,
Finnish
Poland Polish
Portugal Portuguese
Romania Romanian,
Hungarian,
German
Russia Russian, other
languages
San Marino Italian
Slovakia Slovak,
Hungarian
Slovenia Slovenian, Serbo-
Croation, others
Spain Spanish, Catalan,
Galician, Basque
Sweden Swedish, Lapp,
Finnish
Switzerland German, French, Italian,
Romansch, others
Ukkraine Ukrain, Russian, Romanian
Polish, Hungarian
United Kingdom English, Welsch
(Great Britain) Scottish, Gaelic
Vatican City Italian, Latin,
others
Yugoslavia (3) Serbo-Croatian,
(Serbia and Albanian
Montenegro)
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Albania Presidential-parliamentary 1912
democracy; Prime Minister Hir Meta 33
Andorra Parliamentary democracy; Executive 1278
Council President Marc Forne Moine 15
Austria Parliamentary democracy; 1156
Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel 17
Belarus Presidential dictatorship; 1991
President Aleksandr Lukashenko 19
Belgium Parliamentary democracy; 1830
Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt 18
Bosnia and Presidential-parliamentary in 1992
Herzegovina transition; rotating Chairman 20
of the Presidency (2)
Bulgaria Parliamentary democracy; 1908
Prime Minister Simeon Saxe- 16
Coburg-Gotha
Croatia Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; President Stipe Mesic 20
Czech Republic Parliamentary democracy; 1993
Prime Minister Milos Zeman 17
Denmark Parliamentary democracy; 900s
Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen 18
Estonia Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; 18
Prime Minister Mart Laar
Finland Presidential-Parliamentary 1917
democracy; President Tarja Halonen 18
France Presdiential-parliamentary 486
democracy; President Jacques Chirac 19
Germany Parliamentary democracy; 1871
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder 16
Greece Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1829
Minister Konstandinos Simitis 15
Hungary Parliamentary democracy; 1001
Prime Minister Viktor Orban 17
Iceland Parliamentary democracy; 1944
Prime Minister David Oddsson 23
Ireland Parliamentary democracy; 1921
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern 22
Italy Parliamentary democracy; 1861
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi 14
Latvia Presidential-Parliamentary 1991
democracy; 18
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Liechtenstein Constitutional monarchy; 1719
Prince Hans Adam II 19
Lithuania Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; President Valdas 20
Adamkus
Luxembourg Parliamentary democracy; 1839
Prime Minister Jean-Claude 19
Juncker
Macedonia Parliamentary democracy; 1991
Prime Minister Ljubco 23
Georgievski
Malta Parliamentary democracy; 1964
Prime Minister Eddie Fenech 21
Adami
Moldova Presidential-parlimentary 1991
democracy; President Vladimir 24
Voronin
Monaco Constitutional monarchy; 1419
Prince Rainier III 15
Netherlands Parliamentary democracy; 1579
Prime Minister Wim Kok 19
Norway Parliamentary democracy; 1905
Prime Minister Jens 20
Stoltenberg
Poland Presidential-parliamentary 1918
democracy; President 20
Aleksander Kwasniewski
Portugal Presidential-parliamentary 1140
democracy; Prime Minister 17
Antonio Guterres
Romania Presidential-parliamentary 1878
democracy; Prime Minister 18
Adrian Nastase
Russia Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; President Vladimir 18
Putin
San Marino Parliamentary democracy; 301
Co-Captains Regent elected 15
every six months from the
Great and General Council
Slovakia Parliamentary democracy; 1993
Prime Minister Mikulas 20
Dzyrubda
Slovenia Presidential-parliamentary
democracy 1991
Prime Minister Janez Drnovesek 16
Spain Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1492
Minister Jose Maria Aznar 15
Lopez
Sweden Parliamentary democracy; 1523
Prime Minister Goran Persson 19
Switzerland Parliamentary democracy; 1291
President Mortiz Leuenberger 18
Ukkraine Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; President Leonid 18
Kuchma
United Kingdom Parliamentary democracy; 900s
(Great Britain) Prime Minister Tony Blair 19
Vatican City No political parties; papal 1929
state; Pope John Paul II --
Yugoslavia (3) Presidential-parliamentary; 1992
(Serbia and President Vojislav Kostunica (3) 21
Montenegro)
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Albania 90/76 $3,000
69/75 0.725
Andorra NA $18,000
NA NA
Austria 99/99 $25,000
75/81 0.921
Belarus 99/97 $7,500
62/74 0.782
Belgium 99/99 $25,300
75/81 0.935
Bosnia and NA $1,700
Herzegovina 67/72 NA
Bulgaria 99/98 $6,200
68/75 0.772
Croatia 99/95 $5,800
70/77 0.803
Czech Republic 99/99 $12,900
71/78 0.844
Denmark 99/99 $25,500
74/79 0.921
Estonia 99/99 $10,000
65/76 0.812
Finland 99/99 $22,900
74/81 0.925
France 99/99 $24,400
75/83 0.924
Germany 99/99 $23,400
74/81 0.921
Greece 98/93 $17,200
76/81 0.881
Hungary 99/98 $11,200
66/75 0.829
Iceland 99/99 $24,800
78/81 0.932
Ireland 99/99 $21,600
74/79 0.916
Italy 99/98 $22,100
76/82 0.909
Latvia 99/99 $7,200
65/76 0.791
Liechtenstein 99/99 $23,000
N/A N/A
Lithuania 99/98 $7,300
67/77 0.803
Luxembourg 99/99 $36,400
75/81 0.924
Macedonia NA $4,400
70/75 0.766
Malta 87/90 $14,300
74/80 0.866
Moldova 99/94 $2,500
64/72 0.699
Monaco 99/99 $27,000
NA NA
Netherlands 99/99 $24,400
75/81 0.931
Norway 99/99 $27,700
76/81 0.939
Poland 99/98 $8,500
68/77 0.828
Portugal 94/89 $15,800
72/79 0.874
Romania 98/95 $5,900
67/74 0.772
Russia 99/97 $7,700
59/72 0.775
San Marino 97/95 $10,200
76/83 0.831
Slovakia 99/99 $12,000
69/77 0.874
Slovenia
99/99 $12,000
72/79 0.874
Spain 98/97 $18,000
74/82 0.908
Sweden 99/99 $22,200
77/82 0.936
Switzerland 99/99 $28,600
77/83 0.924
Ukkraine 99/97 $3,850
63/74 0.742
United Kingdom 99/99 $22,800
(Great Britain) 75/80 0.923
Vatican City 100 NA
NA NA
Yugoslavia (3) 97/89 $2,300
(Serbia and 70/75 NA
Montenegro)
ASIA
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Afghanistan 251,772 22 Kabul
26,800,000 2.4
Armenia 11,506 67 Yerevan
3,800,000 0.3
Azerbaijan 33,436 51 Baku
8,100,000 0.9
Bahrain 266 88 Manama
700,000 1.9
Bangladesh 55,598 21 Dhaka
133,500,000 2.0
Bhutan 18,147 15 Thimphu
900,000 3.1
Brunei 2,228 67 Bandar Seri
300,000 2.0 Begawan
Cambodia 69,900 16 Phnom Penh
13,100,000 1.7
China 3,696,100 36 Beijing
1,273,300,000 0.9
Cyprus 3,571 66 Nicosia
900,000 0.6
Georgia 26,911 56 Tbilisi
5,500,000 0.0
India 1,269,340 28 New Delhi
1,033,000,000 1.7
Indonesia 735,355 39 Jakarta
206,100,000 1.7
Iran 630,575 64 Tehran
66,100,000 1.2
Iraq 169,236 68 Baghdad
23,600,000 2.7
Israel (6) 8,131 91 Jerusalem
6,400,000 1.6
Japan 145,869 78 Tokyo
127,100,000 0.2
Jordan 34,444 79 Amman
5,200,000 2.2
Kazakhstan 1,049,151 56 Astana
14,800,000 0.5
Korea, North 46,541 59 Pyongyang
22,000,000 1.5
Korea, South 38,324 79 Seoul
48,800,000 0.9
Kuwait 6,880 100 Kuwait
2,300,000 1.8
Kyrgyzstan 76,641 35 Bishkek
5,000,000 1.3
Laos 91,429 17 Vientiane
5,400,000 2.5
Lebanon 4,015 88 Beirut
4,300,000 1.7
Malaysia 127,317 57 Kuala
22,700,000 2.0 Lumpur
Maldives 116 25 Male
300,000 3.2
Mongolia 604,826 57 Ulaanbaatar
2,400,000 1.4 (Ulan Bator)
Myanmar 261,228 27 Yangon
(Burma) 47,800,000 1.6 (Rangoon)
Nepal 56,826 11 Kathmandu
23,500,000 2.4
Oman 82,031 72 Muscat
2,400,000 3.5
Pakistan 307,375 33 Islamabad
145,000,000 2.8
Philippines 115,830 47 Manila
77,200,000 2.2
Qatar 4,247 91 Doha
600,000 2.7
Saudi Arabia 829,996 83 Riyadh
21,100,000 2.9
Singapore 239 100 Singapore
4,100,000 0.9
Sri Lanka 25,332 22 Colombo
19,500,000 1.2
Syria 71,498 50 Damascus
17,100,000 2.6
Taiwan 13,969 77 Taipei
22,500,000 0.8
Tajikistan 55,251 27 Dushanbe
6,200,000 1.4
Thailand 198,116 30 Bangkok
62,400,000 0.8
Turkey 299,158 66 Ankara
66,300,000 1.5
Turkmenistan 188,456 44 Ashgabat
5,500,000 1.3
United Arab 32,278 84 Abu Dhabi
Emirates 3,300,000 1.4
Uzbekistan 172,741 38 Tashkent
25,100,000 1.7
Vietnam 128,066 24 Hanoi
78,700,000 1.4
Yemen 203,849 26 Sanaa
18,000,000 3.3
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Afghanistan Pashtu, Afghan
Persian, Turkic,
others
Armenia Armenian,
Russian, others
Azerbaijan Azeri, Russian,
Armenian, others
Bahrain Arabic, English,
Farsi, Urdu
Bangladesh Bangla, English
Bhutan Dzongkha, Tibetan
and Nepalese
dialects
Brunei Malay, English,
Chinese
Cambodia Khmer, French
China Mandarin, other
Chinese dialects,
other languages
Cyprus Greek, Turkish,
English
Georgia Georgian, Russian,
Armenian, Azeri,
Ossetian, others
India Hindi, English,
many others
Indonesia Bahasa Indonesian,
English, Dutch,
others
Iran Persian, Turkic,
Kurdish, Luri,
others
Iraq Arabic, Kurdish,
Assyrian, Armenian
Israel (6) Hebrew, Arabic,
English
Japan Japanese
Jordan Arabic, English
Kazakhstan Kazakh, Russian,
Ukrainian, others
Korea, North Korean
Korea, South Korean, English
Kuwait Arabic, English
Kyrgyzstan Kirhiz,
Russian
Laos Lao, French,
English, others
Lebanon Arabic, French,
Armenian,
English
Malaysia Malay, English, Chinese deta
Chinese dialects,
many others
Maldives Maldivian Divehi,
English
Mongolia Khalkha Mongol,
Turikic, Russian,
Chinese
Myanmar Burmese,
(Burma) others
Nepal Nepali, others
Oman Arabic, English
Baluchi, Urdu,
others
Pakistan Punjabi, Sindhi,
Siraiki, Urdu
English, others
Philippines Pilipino, English
Qatar Arabic, English
Saudi Arabia Arabic
Singapore Chinese, Malay,
Tamil, English
Sri Lanka Sinhala, Tamil,
English
Syria Arabic, Kurdish,
Armenian, French,
others
Taiwan Mandarin Chinese,
Taiwanese, others
Tajikistan Tajik, Russian
Thailand Thai, English
regional dialects
Turkey Turkish, Kurdish,
Arabic
Turkmenistan Turkmen, Uzbek,
Russian, others
United Arab Arabic, Persian,
Emirates English, Hindi
Urdu
Uzbekistan Uzbek, Russian,
Tajik, others
Vietnam Vietnamese, French,
Chinese, English,
Khmer, others
Yemen Arabic
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Afghanistan Rule by extremist religious regime; 1919
competing warlords 43
Armenia Presidential-parliamentary 1918
democracy; 24
President Robert Kocharyan
Azerbaijan Dominant party; 1991
President Heydar Aliyev 32
Bahrain Monarchy; 1971
Emir Hamad ibn 'Isa Al Khalifah 31
Bangladesh Parliamentary democracy 1971
(transitional) (4) 40
Bhutan Monarchy; 1949
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck 42
Brunei Monarchy; 1984
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir Muda 32
Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzadin
Waddaulah
Cambodia Dominant party; 1949
Prime Minister Hun Sen 43
China Communist one-party state; 1912
President Jiang Zemin 23
Cyprus Presidential-legislative democracy; 1960
President Glafcos Clerides 23
Georgia Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; 20
President Eduard Shevardnadze
India Parliamentary democracy; 1947
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee 36
Indonesia Presidential-parliamentary 1945
democracy; 31
President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Iran Presidential-parliamentary under 1502
Islamic religious control; 36
President Mohammad Khatami
Iraq One-party presidential 1932
dictatorship; 42
President Saddam Hussein
Israel (6) Parliamentary democracy; 1948
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 29
Japan Parliamentary democracy; 660 B.C.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi 15
Jordan Constitutional monarchy; 1946
King Abdullah II 40
Kazakhstan Dominant party; 1991
President Nursultan Nazarbayev 28
Korea, North Communist one-party state; 1945
General Secretary Kim Jong II 26
Korea, South Presidential-parliamentary 1945
democracy; President 22
Kim Dae Jung
Kuwait Constitutional monarchy; 1961
Emir and Prime Minister 26
Saad al-Abdullah al-Salim
Al Sabah
Kyrgyzstan Presidential-parliamentary 1991
democracy; 35
President Askar Akayev
Laos Communist one-party state; 1949
President Khamtai Siphandon 44
Lebanon Presidential-parliamentary 1943
with heavy foreign influence; 29
President Emile Lahoud
Malaysia Dominant party; 1957
Prime Minister Datuk Seri 33
Mahathir ibn Mohamad
Maldives Presidential-legislative; 1965
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom 46
Mongolia Presidential-parliamentary 1921
democracy; Prime Minister 34
Nambaryn Enkhbayar
Myanmar Military; 1948
(Burma) Prime Minister General 33
Than Shwe
Nepal Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1768
Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba 41
Oman Monarchy; 1650
Prime Minister and Sultan 41
Qabus ibn Sa'id Al Sa'id
Pakistan Military; 1947
Chief Executive Pervez 42
Musharraf
Philippines Presidential-legislative 1946
democracy; President Gloria 37
Macapagal-Arroyo
Qatar Monarchy; 1971
Emir Hamad ibn Khalifah 27
A1 Thani
Saudi Arabia Monarchy; 1932
King and Prime Minister 43
Fahd ibn Abd al-Aziz Al Sa'ud
Singapore Dominant party; 1965
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong 17
Sri Lanka Presidential-parliamentary 1948
democracy; President Chandrika 28
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
Syria Dominant party (military- 1946
dominated): President 41
Bashar al-Assad
Taiwan President-legislative 1947
democracy; President Chen 21
Shui-bian
Tajikistan Presidential (transitional); 1991
President Imomali Rakhmonov 42
Thailand Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1238
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra 24
Turkey Presidential-parliamentary 1923
democracy; Prime Minister 30
Bulent Ecevit
Turkmenistan Presidential dictatorship; 1991
President Saparmurad Niyazov 38
United Arab Federation of traditional 1971
Emirates monarchies; President Sheikh Zaid 26
ibn Sultan Al Nahayan
Uzbekistan Dominant party; 1991
President Islam Karimov 38
Vietnam Communist one-party state; 1945
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai 33
Yemen Dominant coalition; 1990
President Ali Abdullah Saleh 48
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Afghanistan 47/15 $800
46/44 NA
Armenia 99/98 $3,000
71/76 0.745
Azerbaijan 99/96 $3,000
68/75 0.738
Bahrain 89/79 $15,900
70/75 0.824
Bangladesh 63/49 $1,570
59/59 0.470
Bhutan 56/28 $1,100
66/66 0.477
Brunei 93/83 $17,600
71/76 0.857
Cambodia 48/22 $1,300
54/58 0.541
China 90/73 $3,600
69/73 0.718
Cyprus 98/91 $16,000 GREEK
75/79 $5,300 (5) TURKISH
0.877
Georgia 99/98 $4,600
69/77 0.742
India 66/38 $2,200
60/61 0.571
Indonesia 90/78 $2,900
65/70 0.677
Iran 78/66 $6,300
69/71 0.714
Iraq 71/45 $2,500
58/60 NA
Israel (6) 97/93 $18,900
76/80 0.893
Japan 99/99 $24,900
77/84 0.928
Jordan 93/79 $3,500
69/71 0.714
Kazakhstan 99/96 $5,000
60/71 0.742
Korea, North 99/99 $1,000
67/73 NA
Korea, South 99/97 $16,100
71/78 0.875
Kuwait 82/75 $15,000
72/73 0.818
Kyrgyzstan 99/96 $2,700
65/72 0.707
Laos 70/44 $1,700
51/54 0.476
Lebanon 91/82 $5,000
68/73 0.758
Malaysia 89/78 $10,300
70/75 0.774
Maldives 93/93 $2,000
60/63 0.739
Mongolia 98/98 $1,780
61/65 0.569
Myanmar 89/78 $1,500
(Burma) 54/57 0.551
Nepal 41/14 $1,360
58/57 0.480
Oman 78/58 $7.700
69/73 0.747
Pakistan 55/29 $2,000
60/61 0.498
Philippines 95/94 $3,800
64/70 0.749
Qatar 79/80 $20,300
69/74 0.801
Saudi Arabia 72/50 $10,500
66/69 0.754
Singapore 97/90 $26,500
76/80 0.876
Sri Lanka 93/87 $3,250
70/74 0.735
Syria 86/56 $3,100
70/70 0.700
Taiwan 93/79 $17,400
72/78 NA
Tajikistan 99/97 $1,140
66/71 0.660
Thailand 96/92 $6,700
70/75 0.757
Turkey 94/77 $6,800
67/71 0.735
Turkmenistan 99/97 $4,300
63/70 0.730
United Arab 79/80 $22,800
Emirates 71/76 0.809
Uzbekistan 99/99 $2,400
68/73 0.698
Vietnam 97/91 $1,950
63/69 0.682
Yemen 53/26 $820
57/61 0.468
OCEANIA
URBAN
POP. (%)
POP.
AREA (SQ MI) (1) ANNUAL
COUNTRY POPULATION (1) RISE (%) (1) CAPITAL
Australia 2,988,888 85 Canberra
19,400,000 0.6
Fiji 7,054 46 Suva
800,000 1.9
Kirbati 282 37 Tarawa
100,000 2.4
Marshall 69 65 Majuro
Islands 100,000 2.2
Micronesia 270 27 Palikir
100,000 2.5
Nauru 9 100 Yaren
10,000 1.4
New Zealand 104,452 77 Wellington
3,900,000 0.8
Palau 178 71 Koror
20,000 1.0
Papua New 178,703 15 Port Moresby
Guinea 5,000,000 2.3
Samoa (7) 1,097 33 Apia
200,000 2.4
Solomon 11,158 13 Honiara
Islands 500,000 3.4
Tonga 290 32 Nuku'alofa
100,000 2.1
Tuvalu 10 18 Funafuti
10,000 2.1
Vanuatu 4,707 21 Port-Vila
200,000 3.0
MAJOR
COUNTRY LANGUAGES (1)
Australia English, Aboriginal
languages
Fiji English, Fijian,
Hindustani
Kirbati English,
Gilbertese
Marshall English, Marshallese
Islands dialects, Japanese
Micronesia English, Trukese,
Pohnpein, Yapese,
Kosraean
Nauru Nauruan, English
New Zealand English, Maori
Palau English
Sonsorolese,
Palauan, others
Papua New English, pidgin
Guinea English, Moto,
many others
Samoa (7) Samoan, English
Solomon Melanesian pidgin,
Islands English, others
Tonga Tongan, English
Tuvalu Tuvaluan, English
Vanuatu English, French,
Bislama
DATE OF
ORIGIN
% OF POP.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER
COUNTRY AND HEAD (1) 15 YEARS (1)
Australia Parliamentary democracy; 1901
Prime Minister John Howard 20
Fiji Parliamentry democracy and 1970
traditional chieftains; 33
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase
Kirbati Parliamentary democracy; 1979
President Teburoro Tito 40
Marshall Parliamentary democracy; 1986
Islands President Kessai H. Note 49
Micronesia Parliamentary democracy; 1986
President Leo A. Falcam 44
Nauru Parliamentary democracy; 1968
President Rene Harris 43
New Zealand Parliamentary democracy; 1907
Prime Minister Helen Clark 23
Palau Presidential-legislative democracy; 1994
President Tommy Remengesau 28
Papua New Parliamentary democracy; 1975
Guinea Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta 39
Samoa (7) Parliamentary democracy and; 1962
traditional chieftains; Prime 32
Minister Tuilaepa Sailele
Malielagaoi
Solomon Parliamentary democracy; Prime 1978
Islands Minister Manasseh Sogavare 43
Tonga Constitutional monarchy; 1970
King Taufa'ahau IV 41
Tuvalu Parliamentary democracy; 1978
Prime Minister Faimalaga Luka 34
Vanuatu Parliamentary democracy; 1980
Prime Minister Edward Natapei 42
LITERACY RATE
(%) PER CAPITA
LIFE GDP (1)
COUNTRY EXPECTANCY (1) HDI (1)
Australia 99/99 $23,200
76/82 0.936
Fiji 94/89 $7,300
65/69 0.757
Kirbati NA $850
59/65 NA
Marshall 99/88 $1,670
Islands 63/67 NA
Micronesia 91/88 $2,000
65/67 NA
Nauru NA $5,000
57/65 NA
New Zealand 99/99 $17,700
74/80 0.913
Palau 93/90 $7,100
64/71 NA
Papua New 81/63 $2,500
Guinea 56/55 0.534
Samoa (7) 97/97 $3,200
65/72 0.701
Solomon NA $2,000
Islands 67/68 NA
Tonga 98/99 $2,200
70/72 NA
Tuvalu NA $1,100
64/70 NA
Vanuatu 57/48 $1,300
64/67 NA
* Unreadable in original source.
(1)For definitions of these terms, see the explanatory boxes with
pointers to the China example above.
(2) Bosnia has a three-member collective presidency (one Croat, one
Muslim, and one Serb). Chairman rotates approximately every 8 months.
(3) Yugoslavia, headed by President Vojislav Kostunica, consists of the
republics of Serbia and Montenegro.
(4) Under caretaker government; elections scheduled Oct. 1, 2001.
(5) Figures are broken down into Greek and Turkish populations,
respectively.
(6) Israel's area and population do not include the Occupied
Territories of Gaza and the West Bank, which are in transition to
Palestinian control.
(7)Formerly called Western Samoa.
SOURCES: For area, population, urban population, population annual rise,
percent of population under 15 years, and life expectancy: 2001 World
Population Data Sheet (Population Reference Bureau)
For capital, major languages, date of origin, literacy rate, and per
capita GDP: The World Factbook 2001 and 2000 editions (CIA)
For term of government: Based on information from Freedom in the World:
1999-2000, a publication of Freedom House (a nonprofit human-rights
organization), and the U.S. Department of State
For head of government: Based on information from the GeoCities "Rulers"
Web site (rulers.org), the U.S. Department of State, the CIA Web site
(www.odci.gov/cia/publications/ chiefs), and Freedom House
For HDI: Human Development Report 2001 (United Nations Development
Program).
The information on form and bead of government is up-to-date as of
September 14, 2001.
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