East Timor – Liberia

EAST TIMOR (Asia)   5,743 sq. mi.

(smaller than Hawaii)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 1.1 mil (2025) 1.4 mil. (2050) 1.9 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: .1.17%

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 65.9.

In 2005, 41% of the pep[;e were under the age of 15 & 3% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was estimated at 47.41 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005, there were approximately 2,000 health workers including 567 doctors . Most health workers left the country after independence. Many health facilities were damaged or destroyed during the rebellion. A number of world organizations provide health assistance. Endemic diseases include malaria, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, tuberculosis & dengue fever. HIV-AIDS prevalence information was not given by the U.N.

CAPITOL:   Dili

LANGUAGE: Tetun Portuguese & 14 other indigenous tongues.

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $400; economic growth rate, 1.0%; inflation, 1.0%; people with income below poverty level, 42%.

LOCATION: Eastern half of Timor, an island that lies between Asia &Australia and is part of the East Indies.

LAND USE:   Not given

TOPOGRAPHY: Rugged mountains, lagoons and lowland forests.

WATER: Heavy tropical rainy season and subject to typhoons..

CLIMATE: tropical, with hot days & generally cool nights.

GOVERNMENT: Parliament with Prime Minister

RELIGION: (2005) 90% Roman Catholic.

NATURAL RESOURCES: agriculture, marble, fishing, oil and natural gas.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 8 mil.   Import, 237 mil. Deficit, 228 mil..

OVERVIEW: It is a new nation, at odds with its nearest neighbor, Indonesia but with strong ties with Australia. East Timor was over 50% forest. Logging nearly wiped out the forests. Reestablishing forest areas is a prime goal.*

 

ECUADOR (Latin Am.) 103,484 sq. mi.

(same size as Colorado)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 14.5 mil (2025) 17.9 mil (2050) 21.1 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.2% The quality of life will suffer greatly in the years to come if this population growth remains high.

LIFE EXPECTANCY Life expectancy in 2005 was 76.2 years.

33% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 7% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 23.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 324 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Major health problems are malaria and infant morality. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003\8 was 0.30% of adults. Health infrastructure to deal with AIDS is marginal.

CAPITOL:     Quito

LANGUAGE: Spanish, (official) generally Quechua

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 90%; female, 84%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $3,000; economic growth rate, 3.05%; inflation, 2.0k%; people with income below poverty level, 45%   It is among the poorer countries in the Americas.

LOCATION: Western S. America, bordering the Pacific at the equator, between Colombia & Peru.

LAND USE: Arable land, 6%; permanent crop, 3%; pastures, 17%; forests, 51%; other, 23%.. irrigated land, 2,000 sq miles.

TOPOGRAPHY: coastal plains, inter-Andean, and flat to rolling Eastern Jungle.

WATER:   up to 50 inches with more in the tropical lowlands.

CLIMATE: tropical along the coast, becoming cooler inland.:

GOVERNMENT: Republic Ecuador is involved in disputes with foreign Corporations.

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 95%

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, fish, timber

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 6.0 bll. Import, 6.2 bil. Deficit, 200 mil.

OVERVIEW: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural land but has been unable to fully utilize them. Oil is its environmental nemesis. Unless population growth and the spread of HIV-AIDS can be contained, the country has a difficult future.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EGYPT (Africa) 386,662 sq. mi. (1 ½ times the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 79 mil   (2025) 104 mil (2050) 1387mil.

POPULATIOON GROWTH: (2005), 1.25 Current rate of growth is about the same. Egypt is unable to support its present population without aid from the U.S.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 71 years.

36% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 5% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 32.59 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were approximately 515 physicians, dentists, and nurses per100,000 people. Major diseases include schistosomiasis, malaria, hookworm, trachoma, tuberculosis, dysentery, beriberi, and typhus. HIV-AIDS prevalence was less than 1 per thousand adults in 2008.

CAPITOL: Cairo

LANGUAGE:            Arabic (official) English & French are widely understood..

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 65%; female, 34%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $4,000; growth rate 4.4%; inflation, 4.5%k, people with income below the poverty level, 17%

LOCATION: North Africa, bordering Mediterranean Sea. E. of Libya.

LAND USE: Arable land, 3%; permanent crop, 2%; pastures, none; forests, none; other (Sahara Desert), 95%

TOPOGRAPHY: In Egypt proper the altitude ranges from 436 feet to below sea level in the Libyan desert. In the Sinai it ranges to 8,660. .95% of Egypt is desert. See section on deserts and on rivers.

RIVERS: The Nile is the only river in Egypt. It has no tributaries in Egypt. Nearly the entire population of Egypt lives within miles of the river.

WATER: Rainfall averages 8 inches along the Mediterranean and about 1 inch South of Cairo. Virtually the only source of water now available to the country is the Nile. A large aquifer West of the Nile, has not been exploited.

CLIMATE: Dry subtropical climate. Interior areas are very hot.

GOVERNMENT: Military Tribunal   Mobarik was President from 1980 to 2011. Major rioting occurred in February 2011. Elections have not been held in 2011   A new constitution is being drawn up.

RELIGION: Sunni Islamic, 81%;

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, natural gas, phosphate, manganese, limestone.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 8.75 bil.   Import, 14.75 bil.   Deficit, 6.0 bil.

OVERVIEW: Population is growing far beyond resources. Aswan High Dam may well be silting up. The Nile delta is gradually sinking into the Sea because the annual floods no longer renew the silt or remove the sludge and pollution that accumulates. The current Democratic executive is strongly supported by the affluent.   40% of the populace is now living from day to day. A serious upheaval seems imminent. Also ref p. 242 “Islam*

 

 

 

 

 

EL SALVADOR (Latin A) 8,124 sq. mi.

(The same size as New Jersey)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 7.2 mil. (2025)      9.1 mil. (2050) 12.1 mil

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.5% Trade deficit is 30% of total trade. Any increase in population strains the economy.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 71.2 years

33% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 5% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 23 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were about 357 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. 23% of children under 5 are malnourished. Major causes of death are gastroenteritis, influenza, malaria, measles, pneumonia and bronchitis. HIV-aids prevalence was 0.8% of the adult population in 2008. The medical infrastructure is in need of expansion to deal with current and future needs.

CAPITOL:   San Salvador

LANHGUAGE: Spanish (official language)

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 76%; female, 70%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $5,000; economic growth rate, 2%; inflation, 4.55%; people with income below poverty level, 36%

LOCATION: smallest Central American Country, on the Pacific Ocean and shares boundaries with Guatemala & Honduras.

LAND USE: arable land, 27%; permanent crops, 8%; pastures, 29%; forests, 6%; other, 30%.

TOPOGRAPHY: It is a land of mountains and once fertile uplands. It has a hot narrow belt along the Pacific, the central plateau at about 2,700 feet, and the N. lowland formed by the wide Lempa R. valley, bonded by a high mountain range along the Honduras border.

WATER: Average rainfall is 72 inches although some areas require irrigation.

CLIMATE: Tropical with dry winter and wet summer

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 75%. Protestant groups are very active.

NATURAL RESOURCES:    hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 3.16 bil. Import, 5.46 bil. Deficit, 2.30 bil.

OVERVIEW: Population is growing at an alarming rate with a projected 100% increase in the next 45 years. Major crop is coffee, subject to international fluctuation.

2.5 million Salvadorians send over 3 billion to their homeland each year.*

 

“National Geographic” September, 1995 (pp108ff)

In 1931, a Junta, led by Duarte, led an insurrection in which 62,000 died and the republic was toppled in 1932. During the rule by Duarte, the landed gentry, expanded their holdings and the peasants were little more than serfs. The Junta was toppled in 1981 reinstated the republic. Since then, much of the land has been parceled to the peasants. The tropical forests are virtually gone but some effort has been made to replant forests in land that is seriously eroded by tropical rains.

 

 

EQUATORIAL GUINEA (Africa)   10,831 sq. mi.

(the same size as Maryland)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 633 Th. (2025) 9350 Th. (2050) 1.428 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 1.7%. AIDS will materially change the population growth pattern in the coming years.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 49.7 years.

43% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 4% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 91.16 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were about 68 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Major health concerns are malaria, parasitic diseases, upper respiratory infections, gastroenteritis and complications of pregnancy. HIV-Aids prevalence was 3.4% in 2008.

CAPITOL: Malabo (formerly Santa Isabel)

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official) vernacular, Fang

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 77%; female, 48%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $50,200; growth rate, not available; inflation, 5.0%. people with income below poverty level, not available. Oil revenues in 2005 were 257 billion dollars.

LOCATION: W. coast of Africa. The country consists of mainland & 5 inhabited islands S. of Cameroon & N. of Gabon.

LAND USE: Arable land, 8%; permanent crops, 4%; pasture, 4%; forest, 51%; other (volcanic outcroppings & mountains), 33%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Islands are volcanic and mainland rises to a plateau..

WATER: rainfall from 103 inches to 430 inches..

CLIMATE: tropical.

GOVERNMENT: (2005) Dictatorship with Teodoro ObiangNguema in power since 1979.   There have been a number of arrests and violence in the country.

RELIGION: nominally Christian and predominately Roman Catholic

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, timber, gold

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 2.10 bil.   Import, 1.37 bil.   Surplus, 730 mil.

Oil revenue was 257 billion. The above figures must be questioned.

OVERVIEW: Population is expected to double by 2050, seriously straining resources. Drinking and cooking water must be stored in cisterns or tanked on the islands. Some of the land on the mainland is suffering from desertification. Oil revenues are expected to maintain a high level for decades to come, in view of additional discoveries.

There has been some loss of revenue through fraud and misappropriation. *

 

 

ERITREA (Africa)     45,4006 sq. mi.

(the same size as Pennsylvania)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 536 mil (2025) 8.0 mil. (2050)     11.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 2.46%. An alarming rate, especially for a country already in a trade deficit situation and with net per capita GDP in decline after factoring in the present inflation. Droughts have reduced crops below current needs.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 58.4 years.

45% of population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 47.41 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were about 20 (twenty) physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Pharmacies are less than 1 per 100,000 people. In 2004, HIV-AIDS prevalence was 2,7%. The absence of adequate medical facilities portends a full-scale epidemic.

CAPITOL: Asmara

LANGUAE: Tigrin. & Kunala

LITERACY: NA

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $1,000; economic growth rate, 2.0%; inflation, 15%; people with income below poverty level, 50%. This will be increased unless inflation can be controlled.

LOCATION: Eastern Africa bordering the Red Sea. Between Djibouti & Sudan

LAND USE: arable land, 3%; permanent crops, 2%; pasture, 40%; forest, 5%; other (mainly desert), 50%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Ethiopian Highlands descending to a coastal desert plain in the North and hilly to the S.

WATER: dry in lowlands and up to 24 inches in the highlands. The country is subject to periodic droughts.

CLIMATE: hot & dry along the Red Sea and cooler in the central highlands.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with Isayas Afewerko in power since 1991.

RELIGION: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Catholic, Protestant

NATURAL RESOURCES: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt and probably oil.

WORLD TRADE: (2004)   Export, 56 mil.   Import, 60 mil.     Deficit,   4 mil.

OVERVIEW:   Current concerns include famine, deforestation, overgrazing, and loss of infrastructure due to civil war. It was separated from Ethiopia in 1993. It is a small, very poor country with an exploding population.

An uneasy peace exists between Eritrea and Ethiopia. 65,000 troops were demobilized in 2004. In view of drought, burgeoning population, dictatorship, and AIDS, the country has 4 strikes against it.

“National Geographic”, June, 1990 (pp 85-105) Eritrea Wins its Peach

The war for independence from Ethiopia lasted from 1961 to1990 with the loss of 65,000 guerillas and hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians. The rebellion was made up of many groups, both Christian and Muslim. Since the war, women have equal right with men, unusual for Africa, even for property and in case of divorce. The reporter saw a willingness to work and many were volunteering for extra jobs such as rebuilding the railroad from the port. The GNP has quadrupled in 14 years, more than three times the inflation rate.*

 

ESTONIA (Europe) 17,413 sq. mi.

(7/10 the size of W. Virginia)

(former Soviet state)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 1.2 mil (205) 1.1 mil (2050) 865 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH: Negative. Mature society. Fertility rate of women

in 2000 was 1.2, insufficient to support a maturing people and among the lowest in the world..

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 71.72 years.

16% of the people are under 16 years of age and 16% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 7.87 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were an estimated 950 physicians per 100,000 people. In 2003, HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 1.331%. A vigorous program of treatment and control is likely within the capacity of the health system.

CAPITOL: Tallimn

LANGUAGE: Estonian (official) Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 100%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $18,000; economic growth rate, 7.4%; inflation, 4.0%; people with income below poverty level, 8.0%

LOCATION: on Baltic Sea & Gulf of Finland between Latvia& Russia

LAND USE: Arable land, 22%; pastures, 11%; forests, 41%; other, 26%

TOPOGRAPHY: mostly lowlands

WATER: average rainfall is 28 inches

CLIMATE:   cool summers, cold winters.

GOVERNMENT: Republic It joined NATO & the European Union in 2004.

RELIGION: Lutheran

NATURAL RESOURCES: shale oil, peat, phosphorous, amber

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 4.08 bil. Import, 5.54 bil. Deficit, 1.46 bil.

OVERVIEW: Current concern is air that is heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide. It is an ageing population with negative population growth.   Workers will need to be imported.

It is necessary to develop products to balance trade deficit. *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ETHIOPIA (Africa)               426,373 sq. mi.

(1 7/10 the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 88.5 mil.       (2025) 108 mil.         (2050) 145 mill.

(WA 2010) (2009) 85 mil.   (2025) 140 mil.   (2050) 278 mil.(a)

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.9%.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was only48.8 years.

44% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 93.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were only about 253 physicians, nurses and midwives per 100,000 people in 2003. Periodic famines have cost hundreds of thousands of lives. Widespread diseases include malaria, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, leprosy, dysentery, and schistosomiasis. In 2004 HIV-AIDS prevalence was 4.8%, epidemic in light of inadequate health infrastructure.

CAPITOL: Addis Ababa

LANGUAGE:   Annaharic (official) Tigrinya At least 77 languages and dialects are spoken in Ethiopia.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 35%; female, 16%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimate) per capita GDP, $800; economic growth rate, 6.5%; inflation, 11.6%; people with income below poverty level, 50%. Inflation will erode incomes even more.

LOCATION: East coast of Africa, W. of Somalia.

LAND USE: Arable land, 12%; permanent crops, 1%; pastures, 41%; forests, 24%: other, 22%.

TOPOGRAPHY: lands vary from the Denakil depression at 386 feet bellow sea level to 15,000 feet elevation in the mountains Mt. Ras Dashm is 15,148 ft above sea level.. Most distinctive is northern part of Great Rift Valley, which bisects the country SW. to NE with elevations of 4,900 to 9,800 feet.. West of the Rift is a rugged high plateau. East is the Somali plateau, arid and rocky. In the N. is the Danakil desert, running to the Red Sea.

RIVERS: Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile. which wends its way in a great circling a canyon reaching depths of 4,000 feet. In the SW.

WATER   Rainfall in the E. is less than 4 inches but averages 80 inches in the West, although there have been severe droughts.

CLIMATE: Climate is according to area and varies greatly with desert in the NE. Mountain temperatures in the W, are moderate.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with Meles Zenawa in power since 1995.   The Kingdom is in transition to a Republic.

RELIGION: Muslim, 45%; Ethiopian Orthodox, 35%, anamist, 12%

NATURAL RESOURCES: gold, platinum, copper, potash

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export 537 mil. Import   1.964 bil. Def. 1.43 bil.

OVERVIEW: Current concerns include deforestation, soil erosion, desertification & overgrazing. Much of the country suffers from periodic drought, accompanied by starvation. Ethiopia is classified as being one of the poorest and most undeveloped countries of Africa. Its rapidly growing population is a major concern. A border dispute with Eritrea has not been resolved.   *

(a) World Almanac for 2010.

FIJI (Pacific Is.)   7,056 sq. mi.

(larger than Hawaii)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 944 Th (2025) 1.1 mil. (2050)    1.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.2% between 2005 and 2025

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 69 years.

30% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 4% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 12.62 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were 234 doctors & nurses and 132 hospital beds per 100,000 people. Major health problems are diabetes, hypertension, & venereal disease. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was less than 1 in 1,000 adults.

CAPITOL: Suva

LANGUAGE: English is official language but Fijian & Hindi are spoken.

LITERACY:  (can read and write) male, 90%; female 84%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $6,000; economic growth rate, 2.0%; inflation, 1.6%; people with income below poverty level, 25%

LOCATION :   oceanic island group in the South Pacific about 2/3 of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

LAND USE: Arable land, 8%; permanent crops, 5%; pastures, 3%; forest, 65%; other (m1ountain))\ 19%.,

TOPOGRAPHY: Large islands are volcanic with rugged peaks. There are flatlands where rivers have built deltas.

WATER:   rainfall averages 112 inches in Suva. On leeward areas rainfall is about 70 inches.

CLIMATE: Temperatures range from 61 to 90 F.   Fiji is subject to occasional devastation by typhoons.

`           GOVERNMENT:   Republic. Economic problems & political corruption have hampered the democratic process..

RELIGION: Virtually all are Christian. Methodist, 85%; Roman Catholic, 12%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: timber, fishing, gold, offshore petroleum

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 609 mil. Import, 845 mil. Deficit, 236 mil.

Income from tourism equals trade deficit.

OVERVIEW: Current concerns are deforestation and soil erosion. Economy is based on agriculture. Price fluctuations and drought have affected economy. As in other developing countries, population growth is difficult to deal with. The expansion of health facilities should be a priority.*

FINLAND (Europe)  130,553 sq. mi.

(larger than New Mexico)

 

POPULATION:   (20095) 5.3 mil.   (2025) 5.3 mil.   (2050) 4.8 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: No growth, mature society. Fertility rate of women in 2005 was 1.7 children.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 78.33 years.

18% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 16% was over 65

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 3.57 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the lowest in the world. In 2005 there were over 2475 physicians and nurses plus 91 dentists, 77 midwives and 193 pharmacies per 100,000 people, the highest in the world. Deaths from cardiovascular disease in Finland are higher than many other Western countries. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was under 1 per 1,000 adults.

CAPITOL: Helsinki

LANGUAGE: Finnish

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 100%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP was $30,200; economic growth rate, 2.0%; inflation, 1.6%; people with income below poverty level, n.a. All residents have health coverage and there are no known homeless.

LOCATION: East side of the northern Baltic, bordered by Norway, Sweden,

& Russia.

LAND USE: arable land, 8%; forest, 76%; other (tundra & swamps), 16%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Western Finland is a low plain with severely indented coastline and a myriad of small islands. The country has some 60,000 lakes. Northern Finland is a densely forested upland, with tundra in the far N to the Arctic Ocean.

WATER: Precipitation ranges from 17 inches in the North to 23 inches in the S.

CLIMATE: Climate is comparatively mild with snow on the ground from 90 days in the S. to 250 days in the far North.

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Evangelical Lutheran, 89%

NATONAL RESOURCES: lumber, iron ore, zinc, copper

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 54.3 bil. Import, 37.4 bil. Surplus, 16.9 bil.

OVERVIEW: Current concern is air pollution from manufacturing and power plants. It has a stable economy and hard-working people. The country is highly industrialized and has as excellent prospects for the future as any country. Finland claims there are no homeless. *

 

 

FRANCE (Europe)     212,935 sq. mi.

(5/6 the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 64 mil     (2025)     68 mil   (2050) 69 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: zero growth; mature society. Total fertility rate in 2000 was 1.9 children per woman. Immigration from Morocco has maintained population balance..

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy rate in 2005 was 79.6 years.

15% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 16% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 4.26 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were about 1,060 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. HIV-Aids prevalence in 2009 was 0.40% of the adult population.

CAPITOL: Paris

LANGUAGE:   French

LITERACY:   (can read & write): total population, 99%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $29,900; economic growth rate, 1.2%; inflation, 2.2%; people with income below poverty level, 6.5%

LOCATION: west coast of Europe, facing English Channel, Atlantic Ocean. & the Mediterranean Sea on the S. It borders Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland & Andorra.

LAND USE: Arable land, 32%; permanent crops, 2%; pastures, 23%; forest, 27%; other, 16%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Extremely varied with mountains in E. & SW., valleys and forests. The core is the Paris area of the Seine River drainage area.

RIVERS: Seine running from E. to W. through Paris to the English Channel.. The Rhone runs S. through Lyon to the Mediterranean.   The Loire flows through central France to the Atlantic.

WATER: Rain varies from 27 to 39 inches. Water problems are mostly from pollution

CLIMATE: Western (oceanic) with small temperature ranges, ample rainfall and cool summers; Eastern (continental) with colder winters and snow; Southern (Mediterranean) with lighter rainfall and warmer temperatures.

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 90%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potash.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 346 bil. Import, 339 bil. Surplus, 7 bil.

OVERVIEW: current problems include air pollution from industrial emissions and water pollution from agricultural runoff. It is one of the world’s most highly developed societies, It is largely self-sufficient. Most electric power is from nuclear plants. Import of natural gas makes it vulnerable to supplier, Russia

An attempt to adjust the cost of pensions in 2011 was greeted by riots. An ageing population and resistance to increased taxes have created an impasse. *

 

 

 

 

GABON (Africa) 103,347 sq. mi.

(larger than Wyoming)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 1.5 mil. (2025) 2.0 mil (2050) 3.28 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 2.0%   It seems unlikely that population will continue to expand as forecast in view of the HIV-AIDS epidemic.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 55.0 years.

In 22005, 40% of the population was under 15 years of age and 4% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 55.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were an estimated 29 physicians per 100,000 people. Gabon has one of the best health infrastructures in West Africa. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 8.1% of adults which is epidemic. Diseases under partial control are Ebola, leprosy, sleeping sickness, malaria, filariasis, intestinal worms, and tuberculosis.   The health system cannot cope with the HIV-AIDS epidemics.

CAPITOL:   Libreville

LANGUAGE: French (official), native also speak Fang, Bantu, Bateke, and others.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 74%; female, 48%. Higher education facilities are inadequate with a shortage of qualified teachers.

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) , per capita GDP, $5,800; economic growth rate, 1.0%; inflation, 1.5%; people with income below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Western Africa bordering the Atlantic. Gabon shares orders with Cameroon, Congo, & Equatorial Guinea.

LNAND USE: arable land, 1%; permanent crops, 1%; pasture, 18%; forest, 78%; other, 2%

TOPOGRAPHY: narrow coastal lowlands; broad, rocky escarpment, ranging from 1,400 to 1,900 feet high; a rough plateau with lakes in the interior. . The Northern coast is deeply indented with bays, estuaries as far as the Ogooue River.

RIVERS: Ogooue R.

WATER: Rainfall is over 100 inches.

CLIMATE:   hot climate of the tropics.

GOVERNMENT: The President has nearly dictatorial powers through the use of veto, calling for new elections and dismissing the legislature for up to 18 months at a time. Republic, multiparty, with President.

RELIGION:   Christian 55%-75%

NATURAL RESOURCES: fishing, timber, manganese, offshore oil.

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export. 2,7 bil,   import, 1.4 bil. Surplus,   1.3 bil.

OVERVIEW: current issues are deforestation and poaching. The country is sparsely populated and seems able to absorb a growing population.   Per-capita income is high for sub-Sahara. The economy, at last report, was disorganized. An over-riding issue is AIDS. It may well dwarf all other factors in the economy and society itself. *

 

 

GAMBIA (Africa)     4,361 sq. mi. .

(smaller than Connecticut)

 

POPULATION:   (20090) 1.8 mil.   (2025) 2.6 mil    (2050) 3.9 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 2.5% Current projections are consistent with prior figures. The country cannot economically sustain this number of people.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 53.75 years.

45% of the population was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 73.02 deaths per1,000 live births. There were fewer than 20 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Female genital mutilation is practiced on nearly every woman in The Gambia. Government policy discourages the practice. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 1.2% of adult population.

CAPITOL: Banjul

LANGUAGE: English (official). There are 21 distinct languages spoken.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 39); female, 16%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $1,900; economic growth rate, 7.0%; inflation, 8.5%; people with income below poverty level, 57%.

LOCATION: West coast of Africa with Atlantic to the W. and Senegal on all other sides.

LAND USE: Arable land, 16%; pasture, 9%; forest, 20%; other, 55%.

TOPOGRAPHY: The Gambia R. dominates the country. Brown mango swamps line the river on both sides.. The land on either side of the river is open savannah. with wooded slopes along the drainage channels.

RIVERS: Gambia R. rises in Guinea and follows a twisted path for 1,000 miles.. In last 294 miles it flows through the Gambia. Narrowing to 3 miles. During the dry season, tidal salt water travels up to 250 miles up the river.

WATER: Rainfall ranges from 30 to 51 inches a year.

CLIMATE: It is a typical subtropical climate with distinct hot and cool seasons.

GOVERNMENT:   Republic, multiparty

RELIGION: Muslim, 90%; Christian, 9%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: fish

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 156 mil.   Import, 271 mil.   Deficit, 115 mil.

OVERVIEW: Current issues, include deforestation, desertification and waterborne diseases. There are no important natural resources. The Gambia had a revolution in the early 90’s. The country is poorly prepared for any increase in population, yet it is expected to nearly triple in the next 50 years. Many are fleeing the country for lack of opportunity. Its education system is one of the poorest in the world.*

GEORGIA (Europe) 26,911 sq. mi.

(larger than W. Virginia)

(former Soviet state)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 4.6 mil.   (2025) 4.3 mil.   (2050) 3.9 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: Negative growth

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 75.8 years.

19% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 13% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 18.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were about 822 physicians, dentists, nurses and midwives per 100,000 people.

Diphtheria is a major health concern.   HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was under 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: T’bilisi

LANGUAGE: Armenian, 7%; Azeri, 6%; Georgian, 71%

LITERACY: (can read & write) males, 100%; females, 98%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $3,400; economic growth rate, 10%; inflation, 8.0%; people with income below poverty level, 54%

LOCATION: on the Black Sea between Turkey & Russia.

LAND USE:   arable land, 11%; permanent crops, 4%; pastures, 29%; forests, 38%; other, 18%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Caucasus Mountains are in N.; In S are lowlands and fertile, have rich soil. Georgia is open to the Black Sea in the West. The highest mountain is Shakhara at 17,004 feet,

RIVERS: The Kura River with rich soil in its valley.

WATER: Average rainfall is 20 inches. There is an inadequate supply of potable

water.

CLIMATE: warm & pleasant

GOVERNMENT: Republic, subject to civil strife . Voting was from party lists.

There were 34 parties. Parties with less than a set voting total were disenfranchised.

RELIGION: Georgian Orthodox, 65%; Muslim, 10%; Armenian orthodox, 8%; Russian Orthodox, 10%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: forests, manganese, petroleum, coal, iron ore

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 615 mil. Import, 1,250 mil. Deficit, 635 mil.

OVERVIEW: Current concerns include heavy pollution of Mikvari R. Economy has revolved around agriculture & tourism. . The weak area is its dependence on foreign fuels. Domestic peace seems the key to economic tranquility. Internal strife and attempt to remain independent of Russia are continuing problems.*

 

 

GERMANY (Europe)   137,847 sq. mi.

(smaller than Montana)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 82.4 mil. (2025) 80.6 mil. (2050) 73.9 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (-0.11%) Mature society

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 78.5 years.

15% of the people in 2005 were under 15 years of age and 18% were over65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 4.16 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were about 1375 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was under 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL:   Berlin

LANGUAGE: German

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 99%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $29,700; economic growth rate, 0.8%; inflation, 1.1%; people living below poverty level, 10%

LOCATION: Western Europe with seaports on Baltic & North Seas. It has common borders with Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Netherlands..

LAND USE arable land, 34%; permanent crops, 1%; pastures, 16%; forests, 30%; other, 19%.: Irrigation is on 1500 sq miles.

TOPOGRAPHY: The lowlands near the Baltic & North Seas are sandy. The land rises gradually to the foothills leading to the black forest & the Alps. . Lake Constance is shared by Germany, Austria, & Switzerland.. It is 118 sq mi.

RIVERS: Elbe; Oder; Rhine, Mosel, Main, and Danube

WATER: Precipitation occurs throughout the year with 27 to 60 inches brought by prevailing winds from the West. The Bavarian Alps have as much as 80 in. of precipitation. In Eastern Germany, precipitation averages 24 inches.

CLIMATE: Moderate with little snow. Summers are rarely hot.

GOVERNMENT: Federal Republic. Germany’s position as the most influential member of the European Union has caused considerable controversy.

RELIGION: Protestant, 45%; Roman Catholic, 37%

NTURAL RESOURCES: iron ore, coal potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 697 bil. import 585 bill. Surplus, 108 bil.

OVERVIEW:   Current issues include emissions from coal-burning power plants and manufacturing plants. Germany has taken a lead in the European Union. Its economy appears very strong and its fiscal policies are sound. Reports indicate that Eastern Germany still has economic problems that are not fully solved.   Its heavy debt load is now near the critical stage. *

Germany has considerable bonded debt. About 45% of its exports are within the E.U..   The current debt emergencies in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal affect German banks that hold Bonds of these countries. Germany is deeply involved in Southern Europe. Newsweek, March 15, 2010, p. 7.

 

GHANA (Africa)   92,096 sq. mi.

(smaller than Wyoming)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 23.9 mi     (2025) 30 9il.     (2050) 40.3 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 1.6%   The prevalence of HIV-AIDS and the lack of an adequate health system make the estimates doubtful.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 58 years.

40% of the people in 2005 were under 15 years of age and 3% were over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 56.36 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there ware approximately 93 physicians, nurses, and midwives per 100,000 people. Waterborne diseases are a widespread health hazard. Development of irrigation systems has led to increase in malaria, sleeping sickness, and schistosomiasis.

The upper Volta is afflicted with onchocerciasis, a parasitic worm. 26%of children under 5 were malnourished. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2004 was 3.10 per hundred adults.

CAPITOL: Accra

LANGUAGE: English (official) various African languages.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 70%; female, 51%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita, GDP, $2,500; economic growth rate, 4.5%; inflation, 15.0%; people with income below poverty level, 39%

LOCATION: Western Africa, bordering the N. Atlantic. Land borders: Burkina, Cote d’Ivoty, & Togo.

LAND USE: Arable land, 5%; permanent crops, 7%; pastures, 15%; forest, 37%; other, 36%.:

TOPOGRAPHY: mostly low plains with a dissected plateau in S. central area.

RIVERS: Volta with dams and irrigation systems.

WATER: rainfall ranges from 37 to 80 inches.

CLIMATE: tropical, warm, comparatively dry along southern coast, hot & humid in SW., hot & dry in North.

GOVERNMENT: constitutional democracy

RELIGION: indigenous beliefs, 38%; Muslim, 30%; Christian, 24%

NATURAL RESOURCES: industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, gold, timber.

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 2.64 bil. Import, 3.24 bil. Deficit, 600 mil.

OVERVIEW:   Of long-term concern is the health and medical problem. Current issues are deforestation, overgrazing, and periodic drought. The country is relatively well off so far as natural resources are concerned. Much of the deficit is covered by current investment in the country by outside interests. It is, nevertheless, a debtor nation and the rate of growth of the population is a serious threat to its future.

It relies heavily on international assistance but is well endowed with natural resources. The economy depends heavily on subsistence agriculture. Population growth is projected to taper off after 2025. Assistance from other countries may well be withdrawn, with severe adjustment necessary.*

 

GREECE (Europe) 50,949 sq. mi.

(larger than Pennsylvania)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 10.7 mil   (2025) 10.7 mil.   (2050) 10.0 mil.

The U>N. estimates 2005 population at 11,100,000.

POPULATION STATUS: No change is expected. This is a mature society.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 79 years.

15% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 18% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 5.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were 410 physicians per 100,000 people. Air pollution is a serious problem in the Athens area. Major health problems now limited are pulmonary tuberculosis, dysentery, and malaria. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 0.2% of the population.

CAPITOL: Athens

LANGUAGE: Greek (official), English, French

LITERACY: (can read & write) males, 98%; females, 93%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $22,800; economic growth rate, 3.3%; inflation, 3.3%; people with income below poverty level, n.a.:

LOCATION:: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, the Ionian Sea & the Mediterranean. It has mainland and a number of islands. On the N. it borders Macedonia & Bulgaria& on the NE. by Turkey.

LAND USE: Arable land, 23%; permanent crops, 8%; pastures, 40%; forest, 20%; other (mostly mountain), 9%

TOPOGRAPHY   4/5 of Greece is mountainous and includes more than 1,400 islands in Aegean & Ionian Seas.

WATER: Average annual rainfall varies from 20 to 44 inches

CLIMATE: Southern Greece & the islands have hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. In the North, the summers are moderate & cold winters.

GOVERNMENT: Limited monarchy with President & Parliament.

RELIGION: Greek Orthodox, 98%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: bauxite, lignite, magnesium, petroleum, marble.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 13.1 bil. Import, 34.4 bil. Deficit, 25.3 bil.

OVERVIEW:   Trade deficit is largely balanced by tourism and shipping interests. The country is suffering from air pollution with deterioration of many buildings by acid rain, a product of pollution. Marble is particularly vulnerable to its effects.

In 2010, the government defaulted on bonds and was forced to apply for relief from the EU. Total GDP is insufficient to satisfy the expectations of the populace.

The populace has strongly resisted reduction in entitlements and there is strong resistance to tax increases*

Excessive entitlements have brought Greece to the brink of bankruptcy. Bank bailouts are in process but the country is still unable to meet all obligations. As of July, 2012, the problem has not been resolved.

GRENADA ( W. Indies)   133 sq. mi.

(1/10 the size of Rhode Island)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 90 Th.   (2025) 90 Th.   (2050) 89 Th.

The U.N. estimates population in 2006 at 101,000.

POPULATION STATUS: projection is for no net change in the next 40 years.

LIFE EXPECTANCY:   Life expectancy in 2005 was 64.53 years.

35% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 8% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 14.92 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 438 physicians and nurses per 100,000 people. Officials have an active program to eradicate mosquitoes hosting malaria and yellow fever.   HIV-Prevalence in 2003 was less than 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: St. George

LANGUGE: English is legal & commercial language

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 98%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $5,000; economic growth rate, 2.5% inflation, 2.8%; people with income below poverty level, 38%.`

LOCATION: Caribbean island N of Trinidad.

LAND USE: Arable land, 15%: permanent crops, 26%; pastures, 3%; forests, 9% other, 47%

TOPOGRAPHY:   It is volcanic in origin. The coastline is indented with many small bays & beaches.

WATER: Rainfall ranges from 60 to 150 inches in various areas.

CLIMATE: tropical, tempered by northern trade winds. Rainfall is periodic throughout the year. Tropical storms are common in the 3rd quarter of the year. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan wiped out nearly all the crops in this agriculture-based country.

GOVERNMENT:   Parliament and a Prime Minister who is appointed by the Governor General and the parliament. The Governor General is appointed by the British Crown.

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 95%

NATURAL RESOURCES: land & beaches.

WORLD TRADE: (2004). Export, 46 mil. Import, 208 mil. Deficit, 162 mil.

Tourism is a factor in balancing trade deficits.

OVERVIEW: Economy is essentially agricultural and depends on spices & tropical plants.   The country is heavily dependent on assistance from other countries.

Tourism is a factor in balance of payments.*

GUATEMALA (LA) 42.042 sq. mi.

(larger than Ohio)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 13.2 mil     (2025) 17.6 mil.   (2050) 22.9 mil

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 1.79%   .

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 69.06 years.

42% of the population in 2005 was less than 15 years of age and 4% was over 65

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 32 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 511 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Chief causes of death are heart disease, intestinal parasites, bronchitis, influenza and tuberculosis. Other major causes of death include prenatal conditions, intestinal infectious diseases, and nutritional deficiencies. HIV-AIDS prevalence was 1.1% of the adult population.

CAPITOL: Guatemala City

LANGUAHGE: Spanish is the official language. 28 dialects of 5 major languages are spoken locally.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 63%; female, 47%.

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $42,00; economic growth rate, 3.1%; inflation, 9.1%; people with income below poverty level, 75%.

LOCATION: Pacific coast of Central America. It borders Mexico on the NW., & N., & Belize, Honduras, & El Salvador on the E.

LAND USE: Arable land, 12%; permanent crops, 4%; pastures, 12%; forests, 40%; other, 32%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Tropical plain is along the Pacific. From it rises a Piedmont region from 300 ft. to 4,500 ft. above sea level. Above this, rises lies 2/3 of the country. Containing volcanic mountains, the highest of which is Mt. Tajumuico at 13,816 ft. ft. The large towns & Lake Atilan are located in this area at altitudes from 5,000 to 8,000 ft. altitude.

WATER: Rainfall ranges from 30 to 60 inches over much of the country. In the North, rainfall ranges from 80 to 150 inches.

CLIMATE: Climate varies with altitude. The lowlands are tropical and the uplands are temperate. It is called the land of Eternal Spring.

GOVERNMENT: Republic, Citizens over 18 and literate are obliged to vote.

RELIGION: predominantly Roman Catholic but large parts of population are Protestant and many other beliefs including ancient animism.

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, nickel, rare woods

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 2.76 bil. Import, 5.75 bil. Deficit, 2.99 bil

OVERVIEW:   60% of labor force is employed in agriculture. Rapid population growth and a large number of ethnic language groups will lead to chaos and possible disintegration of government.   The current government in 2004 took major steps to curb violence, especially to women, and establish women’s rights. Pending health problems suggest that the health system be significantly expanded. Expanding education is a long-term goals. Many families depend on payments from workers in other countries. *

 

 

 

GUINEA (S. Africa) 94,926 sq. mi.

(smaller than Oregon)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 10.0 mil. (2025) 15.2 mil. (2050) 26.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 2.7%.   Population growth is at a dangerous rate. AIDS is on the verge of changing the picture.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 49.36 years.

44% of population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 91.45 deaths per 1,000 live births.   In 2004 there were about 80 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Only about 48% of the people had access to safe drinking water. Goiter is common. Other major diseases are leprosy, malaria, yaws, and sleeping sickness. Schistosomiasis remains widespread. Many children suffer from diarrhea and 26% of all children under 5 years of age suffer from malnutrition. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2004 was 3.20% of the adult population.

CAPITOL: Conakry

LANGUAGE: French is official language. There are 8 principal local languages.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 32%; female, 13%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $2,200; economic growth rate, 3.0%; inflation, 35.0%; people with income below poverty level, 40%

LOCATION: On the Atlantic Ocean N. of Sierra Leone. Bounded on the N. by Senegal; and by Mali, Cote d’Ivory, & Liberia

LAND USE: Arable land, 6%; pastures, 12%; forests, 42%; other, 40%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Its geographic areas begin with an alluvial coastal plain, rising through an area deeply cut with narrow valleys to a gently undulating Savanna with occasional rocky outcrops. Finally there are the heavily forested highlands, composed of rocky formations including Mt. Nimba, 5,747 ft.

WATER: Rainfall in various areas range from 60 to 169 inches.

CLIMATE: The coastal plain and much of the inland area have a tropical climate with relatively high temperature and humidity.   In the drier savannah, the temperatures will vary during the dry season.

GOVERNMENT: Multiparty Republic

RELIGION: Muslim, 85%; Christian, 8%.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 726 mil.   Import, 646 mil. Surplus, 80 mil.

OVERVIEW: Slash & burn has been practiced for decades. Much of the forest has become savannah. The projected population growth is alarming. The diverse languages make it even more difficult the process of teaching people the dangers of large families and the practice of safe sex. Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world although its potential for development is great in agriculture, hydropower, and mineral exploitation. The country needs major assistance to deal with current epidemics and the development of educational facilities.*

.

 

 

 

 

GUINEA-BISSAU (Africa)   13,947 sq. mi.

(1.3 the size of Maryland)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 1.5 mil.   (2025) 2.0 mil.     (2050) 3.0 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH:   1.8%   Fertility rate in 2005 was5.6 birth per woman reaching the age of 45. Projection for a doubling of population by 2050 is extremely unlikely in view of the prevalence of AIDS.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 46.61 years.

46% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was estimated at 107 per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were about 127 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people and only 1 pharmacy per 100,000 people. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2004 was 10.60% of adult population.\

CAPITOL: Bissau

LANGUAGE: Portuguese (official)

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 50%; female, 24%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $800; growth rate, 2.8%; inflation, 4.0%; people with income below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Western Africa, on Atlantic Ocean. Border on N. by Senegal and on E. & SE. by Guinea.. 10% of land submerged by high tides.

LAND USE: Arable land, 10%; permanent crops, 1%; pastures, 43%; forest, 38%; other, 8%.

TOPOGRAPHY: The land is swampy along the coast and low lying except in the North. There are a number of islands offshore. Much of island and shoreline is submerged in time of high tide.

RIVERS: Cacheu, Manso, Geba, & Corubal

WATER: rain from 79 to 82 inches.

CLIMATE: hot, humid tropical climate with rainy season from mid-May to mid-November with a cooler, dry season the rest of the year..

GOVERNMENT: Republic, formerly highly centralized

RELIGION: indigenous beliefs, 65%; Muslim, 30%; Christian,5%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, fish, timber.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 54 mil.   Import, 104 mil.   Deficit, 50 mil.

OVERVIEW:   It ranks among the poorest countries of the world. The economy is based on agriculture. Resources have not been available to the national government to develop the infrastructure to exploit the natural resources.   The country will likely remain underdeveloped for some time. HIV-AIDS epidemic is out of control.*

GUYANA (Latin Am.)          83,0900 sq. miles

Smaller than Minnesota)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 752 Th.   (2025) 786 Th.   (2050) 868 Th.

POPULATION STATUS: No growth is projected

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 65.5 years.

38% of the population is under 15 years of age and 5% is over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 33.2y deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 279 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Major causes of illness and death are malaria, filariasis, enteric fever, helminthiasis, nutritional deficiencies, and venereal diseases. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 2.5% of adult population.

CAPITOL: Georgetown

LANGUAGE: English (official) is used in government & schools. Chinese, Portuguese, and Amerindian are also in common use..

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 98%; female, 95%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $3,000; economic growth rate, 0.55%; inflation, 5.5%; people with income below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION:   NE. coast of S. America.   Bounded on E. by Surinam, on the SE. & S. by Brazil, & on the W. by Venezuela.

LAND USE:   Arable land, 3%; pasture, 6%; forests, 84%; other, 7%/

TOPOGRAPHY:   Lowland, just above sea level & stretching inland 10 to30 miles. Some dikes have been built to restrict the effects of high tides. Inland is rolling countryside . To S. & SW are mountains.

RIVERS: major rivers are the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice. None are commercially navigable.

WATER: rainfall is 91 inches along the coast, & 59 inches in the SW.

CLIMATE: subtropical and rainy with little seasonal variation.

GOVERNMENT:   Republic

RELIGIONS: Christian, 57%; Hindu, 31%; Muslim, 9%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: bauxite, gold, diamonds, fishing, shrimp

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 512 mil. Import, 612 mil. Deficit, 100 mil.

OVERVIEW: Guyana is one of the poorest countries in Western Hemisphere. Fortunately it has a small population which is not projected to expand. Problems that plagued the economy such as inflation, show signs of abating and the near future shows promise. Statistics indicate the inability of the health system to cope with current epidemics. HIV-AIDS is epidemic. Early control is vital.*

 

HAITI (Latin Am.)   10,714 sq. mi.

(slightly larger than Maryland)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 9.0 mil.   (2025) 12.0 mil.   (2050) 16.1 mil,

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 2.3%, the highest in the Western Hemisphere   The prevalence of AIDS will change predictions and likely duplicate the problems seen in Africa..

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was estimated at 52.9 years.. 42% of the population is under 15 years of age and 3% is over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 75.45 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were only 27 physicians and nurses per 100,000 people. Cuba is presently training 125 Haitians for medical practice and lending some professional aid. Vaccination and inoculation of children lags far behind most countries. Only half the urban population has access to safe water, and city sewerage systems are inadequate. World organizations are helping deal with several diseases. Major concerns include Malaria, Yaws, tuberculosis, and gastrointestinal diseases. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 5.6% of the adult population,

CAPITOL: Port-au-Prince

LANGUAGE:   French (official) Creole

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 37%; female, 32%. Most schools are

non-government.

INCOME: (2005 estimates) per capita GDP, $1,600; economic growth rate, 3.5; inflation, 13.5%; people with income below poverty level, 85%, the highest in the world.

LOCATION: Western 1/3 of the island called Hispania, sharing the Island with the Dominican Republic.

LAND USE: Arable land, 20%; permanent crops, 13%; pastures, 18%; forest, 4%; other, 45%. 99% of forests have been cut down, creating serious erosion.

TOPOGRAPHY:   Coastal plains rise to mountain ridges. There are 3 mountain ranges. Nearly half of Haiti is mountain, virtually useless for agriculture..

WATER: Haiti lacks water, both in quality and quantity. Some land is irrigated. Rainfall ranges to 51 inches with some mountain areas receiving much less.

CLIMATE: tropical with some variation depending on altitude. Haiti is subject

to tropical storms including occasional force 4 hurricanes. It was hit by 4 major hurricanes in 2008.

GOVERNMEN: Republic established in 2006 with Rene Preval as the first elected president. Haiti has suffered from 2 centuries of corrupt dictatorships.

RELIGONS: Roman Catholic; however an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo.

NATURAL RESOURCES: bauxite.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 321 mil.   Import, 1,028 mil. Deficit, 707 mil.

OVERBVIEW: Agriculture employs 2/3 of work force, mostly subsistence farming. 1% of the population owns 99% of wealth. 4 hurricanes destroyed much of the infrastructure in 2008. An earthquake on 1/12/2010 killed 250,000 people and completely destroyed infrastructure in a large area around Port-au-Prince. *

Haiti – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 4/13/2010

 

HONDURAS (Latin Am.)     43,277 sq. mi.

(same size as Pennsylvania)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 7.8 mil.   (2025) 10.1 mil.     (2050) 12.9 mil.

POPULAION GROWTH: 1.6% Population growth since 1995 is consistent with the projected growth to 2025. The future is bleak.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 69.30.

41% of the population was under 15 years of age and 4% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 26.42 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2005 there were about 109 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. Nearly 39% of children under 5 years of age were considered malnourished.. Major causes of illness & death are intestinal diseases, intestinal parasites, accidents, suicides, influenza, cancer, and infant diseases. Major health problems are impure water, sewerage, malnutrition, and housing. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 1.80% of adult population.

CAPITOL:   Tegucigalpa

LANGUAGE: Spanish (official) English is used extensively and several native languages are commonly used.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 76%; female, 71%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $2,900; economic growth, 4.0%; inflation, 9.2%; people with income below poverty level, 55%

LOCATION: Central America with Caribbean Sea to North.   Guatemala is NW,

El Salvador is W, & Nicaragua is S.

LAND USE: Arable land, 14%; permanent crops, 2%; pastures, 30%; forest, 34%; other, 20%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Honduras is mountainous with the exception of the valleys of the Ulua & Patuca Rivers in the Caribbean coastal area. Many mountain valleys and the Pacific slopes are settled.

WATER: Rainfall varies from 95 inches along to coast to 35 inches in the mountains.

CLIMATE: Caribbean area has a wet tropical climate but the interior is cooler and drier.. Several hurricanes have caused millions in damage and thousands of lives. A hurricane in the late 90’s caused flooding and mud slides that required up to 10 years to undo.

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 97%

NATURAL RESOURCES: timber, gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, iron ore, antimony, coal.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 1.37 bil. Import, 3.11 bil. Deficit, 1.74 bil.

OVERVIEW: Natural resources are limited and food and raw materials must be imported. An economy that was doing well in the early 90’s, is still recovering from the last hurricane and many roads and bridges are still being replaced. Population growth is a serious problem with no solution in sight. HIV-AIDS is nearing the epidemic state..*

 

 

 

HUNGARY; (Europe) 35,920 sq. mi.

(slightly larger than Maine)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 9.9 mil.   (2025) 9.4 mil.   (2050) 8.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: birth and death rate are balanced at about 12.44 per 1,000 people. It is an ageing Society

LIFE EXPECTANCY:   Life expectancy in 2005 was 72.4 years.

16% of the population In 2005 was under 15 years of age and 16% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 1,192 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. An ageing population will put a strains on the health system and costs involved. The major cause of death is heart disease. Pressures from work and widespread smoking are contributing factors. HIV-AIDS prevalence was under 1 per thousand adults in 2009.

CAPITOL: Budapest

LANGUAGE: Hungarian

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 99%; female, 98%

INCOME: (2005 estimates), per capita GDP, $15,000; current economic growth, 3.7%; inflation, 5.7%; people with income below poverty level, 17%

LOCATION   Central Europe, NW of Romania. It is bisected by the Danube River.

LAND USE: Arable land, 51%; permanent crops, 6%; pasture, 12%; forest, 18%; other, 13%.

TOPOGRAPHY: 80% of Hungary is a low plain. The Matra Mountains. NW of Budapest, rise to a height of 3,600 ft. Mountains with fertile valleys are in NE. Generally, the soil is fertile.

RIVERS: Major rivers are the Danube &Tisza, which are generally navigable.

LAKE: L. Balaton with area of 231 sq. males, is 48 miles long and from 2 to 9 miles wide.

WATER: Rainfall averages 25 inches with more in W. & less in E.

CLIMATE: Yearly temperatures vary from a low of 7 degrees to a maximum of 90 F..

GOVERNMENT:   Republic. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004. Voting turnout has been low with 48% for joining the EU and only 28% for a general election

RELITGION: Roman Catholic, 67%; Calvinist, 20%;

NATURAL RESOURCES: Bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soil

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 42.0 bil. Import, 46.1 bil. Deficit, 4.1 bil

OVERVIEW: Economic reforms, beginning during the Communist era, have aided the country to attain relative stability. A declining birth rate has created a population that is now top heavy with older people.   Entitlements for elderly and a shortage of workers portends a crisis in the near future *

 

ICELAND (Europe)               39,769 sq. mi.

(smaller than Virginia)

 

POPULATION:   (209) 306 Th.     (2025) 338 th.     (2050) 351 th.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1%. Population growth is within the capacity of the economy. The ideal is zero growth, considering the world population.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 80.19 years.

23% of the population in 2005 was under 15 and 12% was over 654\

HEALTH:   Infant mortality in 2005 was 3.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Health costs were19% of GDP. In 2004 there were about 1,439 physicians, dentists, nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Major causes of death were circulatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, cancers and diseases of the respiratory system. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 0.2% of adults.

CAPITOL: Reykjavik

LANGAGE: Icelandic (closely related to Scandinavian)

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 100%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $34,000; economic growth, 5.9%; inflation, 4.1%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Island, located in N. Atlantic, E. of Greenland

LAND USE;   arable land, 1%; pastures, 20%; forests, 1%; other (ice, snow, volcanoes), 78k%. :

TOPOGRAPHY:   It is mainly a volcanic plateau with elevation of 2,300 to 2,600 ft. ringed by mountains. There are many active volcanoes, ice fields, lava beds and lakes.

WATER: precipitation in the N. ranges from 12 to 28 inches and in the S. from 31 to 5jj0 inches.

CLIMATE: Climate is fairly mild because of the Gulf Stream., with frequent weather changes,   Winters are mild and summers are cool..

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Evangelical Lutheran, 96%

NATURAL RESOURCES: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 2.37 bil. Import, 2.59 bil. Deficit, 220 mil.

OVERVIEW: Economy is capitalistic but with an extensive welfare system. Economy is vulnerable to world fish prices and developing regulation of fishing as some species become affected by over fishing especially by Denmark & Portugal..   The government is deeply in debt and is seeking assistance from other countries. It seems likely that such assistance will be severely handicapped by worldwide problems of a similar nature. *

The economy is described to have disintegrated in 2008 with the collapse of the country’s major commercial banks. Newsweek, March 18, 2012, p 8.

INDIA (Asia)                         1,269,129 sq. mi,.

(slightly more than 1/3 the size of the U.S.)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 1.156 billion (2025) 1.390billion (2050) 1.657 billion

POPULATION GROWTH; 1.755% The population grew by 65 million in the 10 years from 1995 to 2004. The population growth, combined with the shear numbers involved, is of concern to the entire world because of the demands this economy will have on the world economy.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy was 64.5% in 2005.

36% of the population was under 15 years of age & 4% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 56.5 deaths per 1,000 in 2005. There were about 123 doctors &nurses per 100,000 people in 2003. Major health problems include malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonic plague, childhood malnutrition, hypertension & AIDS. HIV-AIDS prevalence in200 was 0.90% of adults. There are about 5,100,000 Indians with HIV positive.

CAPITOL: New Delhi

LANGUAGE: Hindi is the principal tongue and commonly used by 30% of the population. English is most important language. A 1961 census indicates that there are   10,652 distinct dialects & languages in India.

LITERACY: (age 15 & over can read & write) male, 64%; female, 39%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $3,400; current economic growth, 7.1%; inflation, 4.4%; people with incomes below poverty level, 25%.

LOCATION:   South Asia and called the Indian sub-continent.

LAND USE: Arable land, 55%; permanent crop, 1%; pasture, 4%; forest, 23%; other, 17%.. Irrigated land is about 200,000 acres.

TOPOGRAPHY: In the North are the Himalayas & related ranges as young formations,. In the middle is the peninsula, a huge, stable massif of ancient crystalline rock severely eroded and weathered. In the Southeast are the Ganges-Brahamputra lowlands, an alluvial plain with the rivers that carry water and soil from the Himalayas. In the far West is desert.

RIVERS: Ganges, Brahamputra, Indus,

WATER: Rainfall in the desert West is 5 inches and ranges up to 450 inches in an area of Assam. India is highly dependent on the monsoon season

CLIMATE: Climate ranges from subtropical in the South to Alpine in the far North and desert in the far West with temperatures up to 120 F..

GOVERNMENT: Parliament & Prime Minister

RELIGION: Hindu, 80%^; Muslim, 14%;

NATURAL RESOURCES: coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, titanium ore, chromate, natural gas, petroleum, limestone

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 57 bil. Import, 74 bil. Deficit, 17 bil.

OVERVIEW: CIA reports indicate that 40% of India’s people are too poor to have an adequate diet. The great increase in population in the next 45 years may well bring chaos to the economy by 2050. The country has about 1/10th the number of health workers it needs to cope with health problems. All branches of government are inadequate. Legislative, executive, and judicial systems suffer from rampant corruption. *

 

INDONESIA (Asia)          735,358 sq. miles

(2 ¾ the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 240 mil   (2025) 279 mil     (2050) 313 mil.

The U.N. estimates population in 2005 at 221.932,000.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.00%, this rate is an extension of previous experience. The diversity of dialects makes education and family planning quite difficult. Java, the main population center, is already heavily populated. A decline in the standard of living is inevitable. From 1995 to 2050, the population is likely to nearly double.

LIFE EXPTANCY: Life expectancy was 69 years in 2005.

30% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age & 5% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 30.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. Health services have low priority. There were 65 doctors, nurses & midwives per 100,000. Overcrowded cities & poor sanitation are common. Endemic diseases are cholera and malaria.  HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 0.2% of adults.

CAPITOL: Jakarta

LANGUAGE: Bahamas Indonesia is official language. Malay, Dutch, English

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 88%l female, and 75%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capital GDP, $3.700; current growth, 5.3%; inflation, 9.3%; people with incomes below poverty level, 15%

LOCATION: Islands N. of Australia and S. of Asia.

LAND USE: Arable land, 8%; permanent crops, 3%; pastures, 7%; forests, 67%, other (mostly mountains), 15%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Larger islands are volcanic in origin. Many have some coral buildup. There are a great number of active volcanoes. New Guinea is particularly mountainous. There is heavy jungle on many islands. Indonesia is subject to both volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. An earthquake in December 2004 off the coast of Sumatra caused a tsunami that killed over 100,000 people in Indonesia.

RIVERS: None of significance.

WATER: Rainfall is about 80 inches.

CLIMATE: Indonesia straddles the equator. Its climate is tropical, except at high altitude.

GOVERNMENT: Republic, The first elected head of government took office in 2004.

RELIGION: Muslim 88%

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, coal, gold silver, and fertile soil.

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 63.8 bil.   Import, 42.0 bil. Surplus, 21 bil.

OVERVIEW: The population increase is troublesome, though not as fast as other developing countries. Modernization has made the country self- sufficient in many areas. Timber sales have caused some soil erosion. The government is actively promoting reforestation. Earthquakes and active volcanoes continue to threaten major areas of Sumatra and Java. *

 

 

IRAN (ASIA)             636,377 sq. miles

(2.4 times the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 68 million.   (2025) 77 mil.   (2050) 81 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 0.78%%. The government has had considerable success in reducing the fertility rate.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 69.9 years.

30% of population was under 15 years of age & 4% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant morality was 41.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 22005. 16% of all children were malnourished. There were about 370 doctors & nurses per 100,000 people in 2004. Major health concerns were low body weight of children at birth, malnourished children, and malaria. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 0.2% of the adult population.

CAPITOL:   Tehran

LANGUAGE:   Persian (Farsi)

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 75%, and female, 50%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $7,000; current economic growth, 5.0%; inflation, 17.3%; people with incomes below poverty level, 53%.

LOCATION:   Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman.   Land boundaries are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.

LAND USE: Arable land, 8%; pastures, 27%; forest, 11%; other, (desert

& mountains) 54%

TOPOGRAPHY:   Most of the land consists of a plateau about 4,000 ft. above sea level and strewn with mountains. Zagros & Elburz ranges form a V with the apex in the NW. Within the mountains are salt flats & desert. Most of the drainage from these ranges is into the interior desert. The tallest mountain is Mt. Damavand at 18,606 ft.

RIVER: Karun

WATER: Much of Iran receives 5 to 12 inches of rainfall. Snow falls heavily on mountain peaks with annual precipitation of 40 to 60 inches. Hydropower may be developed.

CLIMATE: Cool winters & hot summers. :

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with Sayvo Al Khamenei in power since 1989. Theocracy (highly centralized under Muslim law with church leader most influential). 2009 elections confirmed the control of government by a largely conservative parliament.

The religious leader is considered the most powerful man in Iran.

RELIGION: Muslim, 96% (mostly Shiite) (Seel Iraq)

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, lead, iron ore

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 28.8 bil. Import, 25.2 billion;     Surplus, 3.6 billion

OVERVIEW: State ownership of all large enterprises and oil. Smaller operations are private. The theocracy has faced opposition from within the country. There is indication that the country is managing to limit the growth of population. In view of various economic and political factors, Iran poses little threat beyond its borders with the exception of Iraq in which a large majority of the people are Shiite.

 

IRAQ (ME)               169,233 sq. miles

(larger than California)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 29.8 mil (2025) 40 mil (2050) 56 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 2.4%.   It’s population growth is one of the highest in the world. The chaotic state of the government, with active revolutionary elements and a major conflict between Sunni & Shiite faction makes social development unlikely. There is no organization presently able to address the mater of population growth.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 68,5 years.

42% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age & 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality was 50 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004. Almost 60,000 children die each year of malnutrition and diarrhea. There are about 360 doctors & nurses per 100,000 people. Major health concerns are malnutrition, tuberculosis, and loss of homes and health facilities during the conflict beginning in2002 and not resolved in 2007. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was under 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Baghdad

LANGUAGE: Arabic, Kurdish

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 90%; and female, 88%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $3,400; current economic growth, 2.0%; inflation, 4.0%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a. The current chaotic economic conditions make it impossible to make accurate predictions.

LOCATION: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf. It shares common borders with Syria, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

LAND USE: Arable land, 12%; Permanent crop, 1%; pasture, pasture, 9%; forests, 3%; other (mainly desert), 75%

TOPOGRAPHY: There are three distinct zones: the desert in the West & Southwest, the plains, & the highlands in the NE, which rise to 10,000 feet.

RIVERS: Tigris & Euphrates join near the Persian Gulf to form a river called Shatt al-Arab. The Tigris begins in the Iraq highlands. The Euphrates begins in Turkey.

WATER: Rainfall in most of Iraq is less than 15 inches and irrigation is needed.

CLIMAT   From November to May, the country is warm. The rest of the year will have temperatures up to 120 F.

GOVERNMENT: A republic has been formed under U.S. & U.N. supervision. It is opposed by Sunni Muslims who are a minority that once ruled the country. Bombings and scattered actions by terrorist minorities continue to plague the country, causing an estimated 100 or more deaths each week. Leaders in 2011 favor close relations with Iran.

RELIGION: Shiite Muslim, Sunni Muslim, Kurd

NATURAL RESOURCES: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 7.5 bil. Import, 6.5 billion;   Surplus, 1.0 bil.

OVERVIEW: Iraq is very rich in petroleum. The current Shiite controlled government is strongly opposed. The Kurds in the NW, form a separate enclave that awaits its disposition. Population increase is a separate problem that has not been dealt with but must be. Turkish plans to divert much of the waters of the Tigris & Euphrates, if implemented, would be a disaster since these rivers are the only source of water for much of Iraq.   Baghdad, in 2011, has made a remarkable recovery. National Geographic, July, 2011, pp 76ff.   also, ref. P. 242. “Islam” *

IRELAND (Europe)               27,133 sq. miles

(4/5 the size of Maine)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 4.2 mil   (2025) 4.8 mil. (2050) 5.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: under 1%

LIFE EXPECTANCY. Life expectancy in 2005 was 77.56 years.

9% of the population was under 15 years of age and 11% was over 65,

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 5.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 278 physicians and dentists and 1662 nurses per 100,000 people.   Major causes of death are from heart disease and cancer, particularly lung cancer, typical of an ageing population with many heavy smokers. HIV0AIDS prevalence was 0.2% of the adult population.

CAPITOL: Dublin

LANGUAGE: English, Irish (Gaelic)

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 98%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates), per capita GDP, $34,100; current economic growth, 4.9%; inflation, 2.7%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a. .

LOCATION: Island in Eastern Atlantic N. of England and part of British Isles.

LAND USE: arable land, 14%; pastures, 71%; woodland, 5%; other, 10%

TOPOGRAPHY: Limestone based plateau, rimmed with highlands.   The land is characterized by many bogs, swamps, and lakes. Low mountains mark the border with Ulster.

RIVERS   The River Shannon is the principal river. It rises in the mountains of the Ulster area.

WATER: Rainfall is about 30 inches except in the mountains where it is as much as 100 inches.

CLIMATE: moderate with cool summers and warm winters.

GOVERNMENT: republic

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 96%.

NATURAL RESOURCES: (figures not available)

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 98.3 bil. Import, 57.5 bil. Surplus, 40.8 bil.

OVERVIEW: Prior to entry into the EU, Ireland had a struggling economy. Today, it was doing well until the recession in 2009. Entitlements and low taxes have created a fiscal crisis In view of world population explosion, the projected increase may be troublesome. The increase in population is mainly because of an increase in life expectancy.   Its future will depend in part on the continued fiscal stability of the EU. *

 

 

 

 

 

ISRAEL (Middle E.)               8,130 sq. mi.

(The size of Massachusetts)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 7.2 mil.   (20255) 8.9 mil.     (2050) 10.8 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 0.92% IN 2005.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy was 79.9 years in 2005.

28% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age & 10% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality was 7 deaths per 1,000 live births. There are about 1,005 doctors & nurses per 100,000 people. No major medical problems are listed. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was under 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Jerusalem:

LAGUAGE: Hebrew (official) Arabic for the minority, English

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 97%; female, 93%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita, $22,000; current economic growth, 4.3%; inflation, 1.3%; people with incomes below poverty rate, n.a. Eventually the Palestinians, although functioning as a separate country, must be taken into consideration.

LOCATION: on E. Mediterranean coast between Lebanon and the Egyptian Sinai. Jordan & Syria are to E.

LAND USE: Arable land, 17% permanent crop, 5%; pasture, 40%; forest, 6%; other, (desert &arid), 32%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Mediterranean shore area, the hills of Galilee, and the Jordan valley.

RIVER: The only river is the Jordan, which flows into the Dead Sea

WATER:   Rainfall ranges from 43 inches along the coast to less than one in the Jordan valley.   Water is always at a premium. The Israeli have made a science of using it most frugally.

CLIMATE: The weather is temperate with summers below 100 F. and winters are near 60. Snow occasionally falls in the hills. Temperatures at the Dead Sea might reach 120 F in August.

GOVERNMENT: Republic, strongly conservative.

RELIGION: Judaism, 82%%, Muslim is minority.

NATURAL RESOURCES: copper, phosphates, bromine, potash, clay, sand, and sulfur.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 29.2 bil. Import, 32.3 bil. Deficit, 3.1 bil.

OVERVIEW: Market economy with substantial government participation.   Israel depends on the U.S. for subsidies. For the future of Israel, read the Torah. Relations with Palestine West Bank continue to require special attention. Certain Muslim organizations are dedicated to the destruction of Israel. The unrest in Egypt is of serious concern to Israel since Israel’s longest border is with Egypt.*

 

SATELLITE REVELATION, a new look at the Holy Land. Of special interest is the extension of the Great Rift Valley of Africa, which extends to the Dead Sea and the Jordan R. The Golan Heights and the Dead Sea make a natural barrier for Israel.

 

ITALY (Europe)                     116,340 sq miles

(The size of Arizona)

POPULATION: (2009) 58 million   (2025) 56 mil.   (2050) 50 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: no growth forecast. Mature Society. These figures

Seem to ignore the necessity for importing labor to support the economy.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 79.8 years.

14% of the population in 2005 was under; 15 years of age and 19% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 5.91 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 600 physicians, 440 nurses, and 59 dentists per 100,000 people.   The major cases of death were circulatory diseases, heart disease, cancer, and alcoholism. HIV-AIDA prevalence in2004 was 0.4% of population.

CAPITOL       ROME

LANGUAGE: Italian, (official) German, French.   There are several distinct

Dialects, especially Neapolitan and Sicilian.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 98%; female, 96%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $28,500; current economic growth, 1.9%; inflation 2.1%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: central Mediterranean. On the North, it borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

LAND USE: Arable land, 32%; permanent crops, 10%; pastures, 17%; forest, 22%; other (mountain), 19%

TOPOGRAPHY: A mountain spine runs the length of Italy and forms the border with France, Switzerland, and Austria. The Po valley and narrow belts along the coast are the major fertile lands in mainland Italy. Much of the country is subject to seismic activity. Mt. Vesuvius & Mt. Etna are active volcanoes.

RIVERS: Tiber, Po,

LAKES: L. Como, L. Maggio, & L. Garda

WATER: 20 inches in Sicily, Sardinia & SE coast of Italy, up to 80 inches in the Alps.

CLIMATE: warm and relatively sunny except in mountain areas.

GOVERNMENT: Republic. Governments are reorganized quite frequently.

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 98%

NATURAL RESOURCES: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 278 bil. Import, 271 bil. Surplus, 7 bil

OVERVIEW:   Italy has developed an industrial economy on a par with France & UK. The country is divided into an industrial North and an Agricultural South. Population is now declining and young workers are coming from other countries. The government is presently seriously in debt (2011). An ageing population expects support from the government.

Government financing is in crisis because of entitlements, heavy borrowing and inadequate taxing system. Many have avoided paying taxes. Financial problems have not been fully addressed as of July, 2012. *

 

 

 

 

JAMAICA (Caribbean)                      4,243 sq. miles

(Twice the size of Delaware)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 2.8 mil.   (2025) 3.1 mil         (2050) 3.6 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: (1995) .75%. Growth rate projection is consistent with prior records.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 73.3 years.

Approximately 31% of the population was under 15 years of age and 7% was over 65.

HEALTH:   Infant mortality in 2005 was 16.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2003. In 2004 there were about 250 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people. Health problems include tuberculosis, hookworm, venereal disease, yaws, and malaria.   HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 1.6% of adults (epidemic).

CAPITOL: Kingstown

LANGUAGE: English speaking country

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 77%; female, 86%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $4,000; current economic growth rate, 3.2%; inflation, 14.9%; people with incomes below poverty level, 19%.

LOCATION: 90 miles S. of Cuba in the Caribbean.

LAND USE: Arable land, 19%; permanent crops, 6%; pastures, 18%; forest, 28%; other, 29%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Most of Jamaica is a plateau with a limestone base at 1,500 ft elevation. The interior is mountainous. Blue Mountain Peak, at 7,402 ft. is the highest peak. Coastal plains are largely alluvial.

WAT ER: The mean average rainfall is 78 inches. The South coast has areas where rainfall is about 30 inches per year.

CLIMATE: The climate ranges from tropical at sea level to temperate at higher elevations.

GOVERNMENT: Parliamentarian Democracy

RELIGION:   Protestant, 56%

NATURAL RESOURCES: bauxite, gypsum, limestone

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 1.36 bil. Import, 3.26 bil. Deficit, 1.9 bil.

Tourism is an important part of GNM.

OVERVIEW: Export of Bauxite and tourism are key factors in balance of payment. The island has a stable government and population growth seems under control. Jamaica has taken steps to control drug passage from S. America through Jamaica to the U.S. Current population growth and limited deposits of bauxite portend a troublesome future. *

 

 

JAPAN (ASIA)                      143,881 sq. mi.

(Slightly smaller than Montana)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 127 mil.   (2025) 118 mil.   (2050) 94 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: projections are for a declining population. There were only 10 births per thousand people in 2000. There will not be enough of a working force to support the expectations of the people.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 81.15 years.

14% of population in 2005 was under 15 years of age & 20% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 3.26 deaths per 1,000 live births. There are about 1,095 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. Major causes of death are age related. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was less than 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Tokyo

LANGUAGE: Japanese

LITERACY: (can read & write) total population, 99%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $30,400; current growth rate, 2.1%; inflation, (-0.2%); people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Eastern Asia, island chain between N. Pacific & Sea of Japan. They number in the thousands. The chain stretches for over 1,800 miles.

LAND USE: Arable land, 13%; permanent crops, 1%; pastures, 1%; forest, 67%; other, 18%

TOPOGRAPHY:   The islands are the peaks of a vast chain of mountains that circle the Pacific. They are part of the “Circle of Fire” .77% of land is in mountains. Notable among the mountains is Mt. Fuji, which is 12,388 ft. There are few good harbors. The three best are Yokohama, Kobe, and Nagoya.

RIVEWRS:   Rivers in Japan are short and swift. None are over 250 miles long.

WATER: Rainfall varies from 40 to 120 inches.

CLIMATE: Japan is located at the northern edge of the Asia monsoon belt. It is also affected by the Siberian weather system. Climate tends to be moderate with relatively high humidity. Only the North islands have snow and cold weather. Ocean currents flow North from the warmer Central Pacific, both E &W. of the main islands.

GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary democracy with Prime Minister. The Emperor has little power but continues to be the symbolic head of state.

RELIGION: Shinto & Buddhist rites are observed by 84% of people.

NATURAL RESOURCES: negligible, apart from coal deposits.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 447 bil. Import, 342 bil.   Surplus, 1jj04.5 bil.

OVERVIEW:   The Tsunami in 201 reduced Japan’s electrical output by a sixth. Other loss was in agriculture and loss of homes. Japan’s economy was stagnated by a lack of industrial development and a lack of demand for its products. The economy never recovered fully from the serious loss in property values. A decline in the birthrate to less than 1.5 in the 2000’s is adding the burden of an ageing population to Japan’s other woes.

Japan’s future seems to be one of struggle and a possible relaxation of tight controls on importation of labor.   Long-term recovery will depend on setting up new power plants. Pollution of air and water are current problems. *

 

JORDAN (Middle E.)                        35,467 sq. mi.

(The same size as Pennsylvania)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 6.2 mil.     (2025) 7.9 mil.     (2050) 11.2 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: the current rate is 2.0%. Between 1995 & 2004 the population grew 20%. The government has indicated that it views the population growth with alarm.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy was 78.2 years in 2005.

37% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age & 3% was over 65.

HEALTH:   Infant mortality was 30 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004. There were about 425 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people in 2004. 96% of the population had access to safe drinking water and over 90% had sanitary disposal conditions. Major diseases are trachoma, hepatitis, typhoid fever, intestinal parasites, and acute skin inflammation. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was less than 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Amman

LANGUAGE: Arabic (official) English is in frequent use

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 91%; female, 75%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates); per capita GDP $4,800; current economic growth rate, is 5.3%; inflation, 3.9%; people with incomes below poverty level, 30%.

LOCATION: Middle East, just East of Israel. It has common borders with West Bank, Saudi Arabia, & Iraq. It is landlocked.

LAND USE: Arable land, 4%; permanent crops, 0.5%; pasture, 1%; forest, 0.5%; other (desert & mountains), 94%

TOPOGRAPHY: The land rises to the East from the Dead Sea at 1,302 ft. below sea level to highlands at 5,400 ft.   The desert occupies 88% of the East Bank.

RIVER: Jordan, which is shared with Israel. (See Dead Sea)

WATER: The desert regions have a rainfall of less than 8 inches. The West Bank has up to 23 inches

CLIMATE: Winters are pleasant but summers are very hot and may reach 120 degrees F. in the Jordan valley and well over 100 F. on the desert. Desert temperatures may vary by 60 degrees in a single day.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship: The King has wide powers under a constitutional monarchy. A small group of terrorists had operations in Jordan in 2004, aimed at disrupting governmental functions, and with a possible take over. General disturbances in many Arabic countries have occurred in 2011 with demands for democracy and self-rule.

RELIGION: Sunni Muslim, 92%

NATURAL RESOURCES: Shale oil, potash, phosphates

WORLD TRADE: (2004)   Export, 2.9 bil. Import, 5.0 bil. Deficit, 2.1 bil.

OVERVIEW:  Serious current problems are hazardous waste and water pollution. Without aid from other countries, Jordan would be near collapse. It must import nearly all of its needs. A doubling of the population by 2050 can only mean severe crisis for Jordan and for its companion Arabic States. Political unrest is developing in 2011 with major disruption probable in years to come. Also ref. P. 242, “Islam”.*

 

KAMPUCHIA           (see CAMBODIA)

 

KAZAKHKHSTAN (Asia)   1,0049,151 sq. miles

(Former Soviet state)

(Less than 1/3 the size of the U.S.)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 15.4 mi   (2025) 16.0 mil.   (2050) 15.1 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH   : virtually static

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 66.5 years.

27% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 8% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate was 29.8 deaths per 1,000 live births. There are about 925 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people. Major health problems are cardio-vascular disease and injuries. No other diseases are listed as major. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 0.2% of the adult population.

CAPITOL:   Almaty (Ama-Ata) New Capital is Astama

LANGUAGE: Kazakh, Russian

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 99%; female, 98%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $8,700; current economic growth rate, 9.0%; inflation, 7.4%; people with incomes below poverty level, 19%

LOCATION: Central Asia, N. of China. Land borders: China, Kyrgyz Stan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. It touches the Caspian Sea on the West.

LAND USE: Arable land, 15%; pastures, 57%; forests, 4%; other, 24%. Irrigated land is 10, 000 sq miles.

TOPOGRAPHY:   It extends E. from the Volga to the Altai Mountains, and extends South from Siberia to deserts and oases in Central Asia.

LAKE: It borders on the Caspian Sea.

RIVERS: Volga,

WATER:   rainfall ranges from 10 to 15 inches

CLIMATE: cool winters & hot summers

GOVERNMENT:   Dictatorship with a “Republic” façade. (The validity of the 2004 election was questioned). It is a virtual dictatorship. The last election failed to meet the OSCE criteria for a democratic election. Karin Masinov took office in 2007 as Prime Minister.

RELIGION: Muslim, 47%; Russian Orthodox, 44%

NATURAL RESOURCES: petroleum, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel cobalt, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium

WORLD TRADE:(2008) Export, 72 bil. Import, 38 bil.   Surplus, 34 bil.

OVERVIEW: Major areas of country need cleaning from military testing during Soviet era. Irrigation has dried up rivers to Aral Sea, which has ceased to be a commercial asset as it dries up. Much irrigated land needs to be flushed to remove pesticides & excess fertilizer.   Country is rich in natural resources and has a stable population. The political future will have much-increased disturbance.*

 

 

KENYA (Africa)                    224,081 sq. miles

(5/6 the size of Texas)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 39.0 mil. (2025) 51.3 mil. (2050) 65.2 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.80%.   Fertility rate for women in 2005 was 4.7 children. Population growth is probably greatly overstated in view of the high prevalence of HIV-AIDS.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 47.9 years.

43% of the population in 2005 was less than 15 years of age and 2% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 61.47 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 105 physicians, nurses, and dentists per 100,000 people. Major health problems are tuberculosis and protein deficiency diseases especially among growing children. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2004 was 6.7% of adults.

CAPITOL: Nairobi

LANGUAGE: English (official) Swahili (official) m numerous indigenous languages.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 81%; female, 62%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $1,200; current economic growth rate, n.a.; inflation, 12%; people with incomes below poverty level, 50%

LOCATIO N: eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean; and bordering Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.

LAND USE: Arable land, 3%; permanent crop, 1%; pastures, 7%; forest, 4%; other, 85%.

TOPOGRAPHY: The Indian Ocean shore is dotted with island and coral reefs. The narrow, fertile lowlands rise gradually to a dry region. At about an altitude of over 5,000ft. feet, & 300 miles inland, it becomes a high plateau rising in places to10,000 feet. This is where most people live. The northern section of Kenya, about 3/5 of area, is arid semiarid desert on the high plateau, known as the Kenya Highlands. The highest points are Mt. Kenya (17,057 ft.); Mt. Elgon (14,140 ft); & the Aberdare Range, (13,120 ft.). The plateau is split by the Great Rift Valley.   In the North is Lake Rudolf (L. Turkana). West of the Great Rift Valley, the plains gradually descend to Lake Victoria

RIVERS: Athi & Tana which flow SE to the Indian Ocean, and the Ewaso which flows NE to the Loran swamps.

LAKES: Lake Rudolph

WATER: Rainfall varies from 5 in. in the arid region to 76 in. near L. Victoria.

CLIMATE: Climate varies from tropical near the ocean to Mt. Kenya which is snow covered. The plateau is temperate with cool & hot seasons.

GOVERNMENT: Republic in form. The Assembly has limited powers.

RELIGION: Protestant, including Anglican, 30%; Roman Catholic, 26%; indigenous, 28%

NATURAL RESOURCES: gold, limestone, soda ash, barites, salt,

WORLD TRADE: (2008) Export, 5.014 bil.   Import, 11.114 bil.   Deficit, 6.1 bil.

OVERVIEW: Projections indicate a slower population growth than in earlier years. Deforestation and soil erosion are attributed to population growth. The government has made it illegal to kill wild animals. Success, at this time, is doubtful.*

 

KIRIBATI (Pacific I.)                        280 sq. mi.

(1/4 the size of Rhode Island)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 112 Th. (2025) 158 Th. (2050) 256 Th.

POPULATION GROWTH: (2005) 2.0%.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 20095 was 61.71 years.

40% of the population was under 15 years of age and 3% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2002 was 48.52 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were 270 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people in 2003. Major health concern is tuberculosis. Other endemic diseases are leprosy, filariasis, and dysentery. HIV-AIDS prevalence is not available.

CAPITOL: Tarawa

LANGUAGE: Principle languages are Gilbertese & English

LITERACY: na

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $800; current economic growth

rate, 1.5%; inflation, 2.5%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: They are 33 islands in Central Pacific.

LAND USE: permanent crops, 51%; forest, 3%; other, 46%

TOPOGRAPHY: With one exception, the islands are all coral atolls, lying about 13 feet above sea level. Banaba is an up thrust of an atoll and rises to a height of 266 ft. on the Western Island of Bamabi.

WATER: Rainfall is 40 inches near the equator &120 inches farther away.

CLIMATE: Maritime tropical climate.

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Roman Catholic, 52%; Congregational (Protestant), 40%

NATURAL RESOURCES: no significant resources except fishing.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 35 mil. Import, 83 mil. Deficit, 48 mil.

OVERVIEW: Islands have few resources and no room for expansion. Growth in population offers no reason for optimism. Global warming may well lead to the necessity for partial or total evacuation to – where?

The government recognized Taiwan in 2004. China withdrew its diplomatic representatives.*

The government is negotiating with Fiji for 6,000 acres of land for a new location as its country is expected to disappear ass the ocean rises. Fiji seems agreeable. This would seem inadequate since Kiribati’s population is over 100,000 and expected to continue to increase to over 250,000 by 2062, the target date of the move to Fiji. Newsweek, March Mach 19, 2012. p. 8.

 

KOREA, NORTH                  47,399 sq. miles

(Larger than Ohio)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 22 7il.   (2025) 23.6 mil.   (2050) 22.9 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: under 1%

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy rate in 2000 was 71.73 years.

27% of the population was under 15 years of age and 8% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 24 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 475 doctors and nurses per 100,000 people. Major health hazard is industrial pollution. The government has not reported other health hazards.

CAPITOL:   Pyongyang

LANGUAGE: Korean

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 99%; female, 99%

INCOME:   (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $1,800; current economic growth rate, 1.0%; inflation, n.a.; people with incomes below the poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION:   North half of Korean peninsula in Eastern Asia, between the Korean Bay and Sea of Japan. It borders S. Korea, China, & Russia

LAND USE: Arable land, 18%; permanent crop, 1%; forests, 74%; other, 7%.

TOPOGRAPHY: North Korea is bisected by a range of mountains that rise as high as 9,000 feet. The lowlands that are along the shores of the Korean Bay, the Sea of Japan, and the Yalu River make up only 20% of the land area but have most of the population.

RIVER: Yalu

WATER: Rainfall averages 30-40 inches but only 20 in. at Pyongyang.

CLIMATE:   January temperature averages 1 F. on N. Central border but much warmer farther South. Summer temperatures average 75 F.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with Kim Jong-un came into power in December, 2011 after his father’s death. Kim Il Sung was President and Dictator from 1972 to1990. Communist state has an Assembly with 687 members. It meets for a few days each year to approve the actions of the President..

RELIGION: Organized religion is not encouraged.

NATURAL RESOURCES: gold, lead, tungsten, magnesium, iron ore, coal, graphite, copper

WOURLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 1.04 bil. Import, 2.04 bil. Deficit, 1.0 bil.

OVCERVIEW: The inability to provide sufficient food and consumer goods for the people has hampered the country’s development. Virtually the entire economy is state owned. Farming has been collectivized and food production is inadequate for population. A major problem today is inadequate power for industry. The continued emphasis on the military sector has literally starved the economy. Atomic Energy has been hampered by the determination of the government to produce nuclear weapons. The use of belligerent acts may well escalate into a major incident with the U.S. and South Korea. It is possible that China’s support of the North Korean government is based on an avoidance of a flood of North Koreans looking for relief from famine and inadequate life style.   China also does not wish to have a n American ally on its borders. Newsweek, November 22, 2010, p7.*

 

 

KOREA, SOUTH (ROK)                  38,328 sq. miles

(Smaller than Kentucky)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 48.5 mil.   (2025) 49.4 m     (2050) 43.3 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: Ultimately negative. Current fertility rate is 1.4 children per woman.   Projections are that South Korea will reach a maximum of 51 million and then gradually decline in the manner of fully developed ageing economies.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 76.8 years.

19% of the population was under 15 and 9% was over 65 years of age.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 6.28 deaths per 1,000 live births. Medical services are adequate with hospitals and clinics throughout the country. 92% of the people have safe drinking water and 65% have adequate sanitary facilities. Leading causes of death are cardiovascular disease and traffic deaths. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was under 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Seoul

LANGUAGE: Korean

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 99%; female, 94%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $20,300; current economic growth rate, 3.7%; inflation, 2.8%; people living below poverty level, 4%

LOCATION: Southern half of Korean peninsula, situated between the Sea of Japan & the Yellow Sea. It shares a common border with North Korea.

LAND USE: Arable land, 21%; permanent crop, 1%; pasture, 1%; forests, 67%; other, 10%

TOPOGRAPHY: About 30% of the country is lowland mostly along the Yellow Sea. The mountains in the center of the peninsula are heavily forested.

WATER:   Most of the country receives 30 to 40 inches of rain. The Southeast receives 50 inches. Water pollution has become a factor to be dealt with.

CLIMATE: Temperatures range from 23. F. to 81 F. over the year. The climate is relatively comfortable.

GOVERNMENT: Republic. President is elected by direct ballot.

RELIGION: Christian, 48%; Buddhist, 47%

NATURAL RESOURCES: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower

WORLD TRADE: (2004) export, 201.3 bil   Import, 175.6 bil. Surplus, 24.7 bil.

OVERVIEW: South Korea has taken a place alongside Japan in the development of a world market economy. It is thriving. In future decades ageing population will be a burden.*

Relations with North Korea have switched between accommodations and hard

line. The current government has made demands with poor results. Newsweek, April 26, 2010,p. 8.

 

 

KUWAIT (Middle E.)                        6,880 sq. mi.

(Larger than Connecticut)

 

POPPULATION:   (2009) 2.7 mil. (2025) 4.2 mil. (2050) 6.4 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 2.7%. Growth rate is deceiving since much of the population growth has been the influx of workers. Actual birth rate is relatively low and not likely to rise. The population growth is of concern since the workers will find it difficult to relocate when gulf oil production begins to decline.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy rate in 2005 was 77.00 years.

26% of the population was under 15 years of age in 2005 and 2% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 9.95 deaths per 1,000 live births. Public health service is highly advanced. There were about 575 doctors, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people in 2005. Major medical concerns are influenza and measles. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 0.12% of the adult population.

CAPITOL: Kuwait

LANGUAGE: Arabic (official language)

LITERACY: can read & write) male, 78%; female, 69%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $22,100; current economic growth rate, 4.5%; inflation, 3.5%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Western head of the Persian Gulf It shares common borders with Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

LAND USE: pasture, 8%; other (desert), 92%.

TOPOGRAPHY: Desert

WATER: Rainfall is less than 4 inches per year.

CLIMATE:   Winters are pleasant with temperatures between 32F & 80F. Summer temperatures can climb as high as 120F.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with rule by the family of Emir Mubarakas-Sabah.

RELIGION:   Muslim, 85%

NATURAL RESOURCES: Petroleum

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export. 22.6 bil. Import, 9.2 bil. Surplus, 13.4 bil.

OVERVIEW: Kuwait was separated from Iraq in 1971 by influential sheiks. They then sought protection by the UK.. The name of the game is oil. In 1985 over 95% of the residents in Kuwait maintained citizenship in other countries. I have no way to judge the accuracy of the above figures. If they are correct, Kuwait will be a basket case by 2050 with declining oil production and no water to speak of.*

 

 

 

KYRGYZSTAN (Asia)          75,869 sq. miles

(Former Soviet state)

(Smaller than S. Dakota)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 5.4 mil   (2025) 6.7 mil.   (2050) 8.2 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.19%. Population growth will create difficult in this, one of the poorer countries. Its economy is not fully self- supporting.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 68 years.

35% of the population was under 15 years of age in 2005, and 6% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate was 35.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 960 physicians, dentists, and nurses, all in the public health system, in 2005. Major causes of illness and death are communicable disease and economic hardship. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was less than 1 per thousand adults.

CAPITOL: Bishkek

LANGUAGE: Kirghiz

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 99%; female, 996%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $1,800; current economic growth rate, 2.0%; inflation, 4.2%; people with incomes below poverty level, 40%

LOCATION: Central Asia, West of China. Borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Russia.

LAND USE: Arable land, 7%; pasture, 42%; forest, none; other, 51%

TOPOGRAPHY: mountain peaks and valleys

WATER:

CLIMATE: subtropical in SW, dry continental to polar at high altitudes,

GOVERNMENT: on. A coup in April, 2010 gives promise of a more democratic government. Most of new leaders seem to favor democracy Newsweek, April 19, 2010, p. 7.

RELIGION: Muslim, 70%, Russian Orthodox NA.

NATURAL RESOURCES: abundant hydroelectric potential, significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals, coal, oil, natural gas & other minerals.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 1.8 bil.. Import, 3.8 bil. Def. 2.0 bil.

OVERVIEW: It is one of the smallest and poorest of the former Soviet states. It had serious inflation during its early years after its separation from the Soviet in 1990. Its economy is based on outmoded industrial machinery and on agriculture. Its economy was heavily dependent on subsidies from Moscow. Universal literacy is in its favor.*

 

“National Geographic”, February, 2002: (pp 114-115)

630,000 Russians remain in Kyrgyz Stan, about 13% of the population. The government recognized Russian as a second official language to encourage skilled workers to remain in the country. In spite of restrictions, an independent press and political parties still survive. The government has promise of stability. Both Russia and the United States have lent support to development. Newsweek, April 10, 2010, p. 8.

 

 

LAOS (Asia)                           91,429 sq. miles

(Smaller than Oregon)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 6.8 mil.   (2025) 9.5 mil.   (2050) 13.2 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 1.9%.   As the population grows, the crowding will increase the effect of disease. The above projections may be too high.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy rate in 2005 was 55.05 years.

40% of the population in 2005 is under 15 years of age and 4% is over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 85.22 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 167 physicians, dentists and nurses per 100,000 people in 2005. In 2000, 90% of the population had safe drinking water and 46% had adequate sanitary systems. Major health problems are acute respiratory infections, cholera, diarrhea & dysentery, parasites, skin problems, yaws, hepatitis, venereal disease & tuberculosis. 25% of children of school age were reported to have goiter. HIV-AAIDS prevalence in 2009 was 0.2% of adult population.

CAPITOL: Vientiane

LANGUAGE: Lao (official) French, English

LOCATION: Southeast Asia, NE of Thailand. It is bordered on the N by China, E by Vietnam, S by Cambodia, and on the NE by Burma.

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 65%; female, 35%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $1,900; current economic growth rate, 7.2%; inflation, 4.4%; people with incomes below poverty level, 44%.

LAND USE: Arable land, 4%; pastures, 3%; forest, 58%, other, 35%.

TOPOGRAPHY: The terrain is rugged &mountainous, especially in the North and in the Annam cordillera along the border with Vietnam.   The fertile Bolovens plateau reaches a height of 3,500 feet. Fertile alluvial soil is found only along the Mekong where rice is grown.

RIVER:   Mekong

WATER: During 5 month monsoon season rainfall will be 11 to 12 inches a month with virtually no rain the rest of the year.

CLIMATE: Laos has two seasons of 5 months, wet, and 7 months dry. It is in a tropical monsoon area.

GOVERNMENT: Dictatorship with Chounnaly Sayasonne in power since 2006. Communist state. It has liberalized its stand on property ownership and has had a significant improvement in International relations.

RELIGION: Buddhist, 60%; animist & other, 40%

NATURAL RESOURCES: timber, hydropower, tin, gypsum, gold, gemstones

WORLD TRADE:   (2004) Export, 332 mil. Import, 492 mil. Deficit, 170 mil.

OVERVIEW: Although a communist state, the government has been decentralizing and encouraging private enterprise. It has been struggling for some time to become self-sufficient. Periodic floods and pests have created shortages. The possibility of overpopulation is worrisome. Steps need to be made to educate women and give them more self-determination. Education and worker training are keys to improvement of the country’s future.*

 

 

 

LATVIA (Europe)                  24,749 sq. mi.

(Former Soviet state)

(The same size as W. Virginia)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 2.2 mil. (2025) 2.0 mil         (20500) 1.5 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: population in decline, mature state with many in migration. Fertility rate of women in 2005 was 1.2 children. The country will need to import workers as the population ages.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 71.05 years.

15% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 16% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality rate in 2005 was 9.55 deaths per 1,000 live births. In 2004 there were 874 physicians, dentists, nurses, and midwives per 100,000 people.   Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2009 was 0.82% of adult population.

CAPITOL: Riga

LANGUAGE: Russian, other

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 100%; female, 99%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $12,100; current economic growth rate, 2.8%; inflation, 5.9%; people with incomes below poverty level, n.a.

LOCATION: Baltic Sea, between Estonia & Lithuania

LAND USE: Arable land, 27%; pastures, 13%; forest, 39%; other, 21%

TOPOGRAPHY:   low plain

WATER: about 40 inches.

CLIMATE: similar to Eastern Poland, moderate, damp winters and moderate

summers.

GOVERNMENT: Republic

RELIGION: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

NATURAL RESOURCES: Amber, Peat

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 3.00 bil. Import, 4.92 bil. Deficit, 1.92 bil.

OVERVIEW: Difficulty in dealing with air & water pollution. Economic advancement is limited in scope. The economy is not fully self- supporting. Latvia has found it difficult to support diplomatic missions to many other countries. Much of its population is from Russia with Russian ethnic ties an ageing population puts special stress on economics.*

 

 

 

LEBANON Middle E.)          4,075 sq. mi.

(4/5 the size of Connecticut)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 4.0 mil. (2025) 4.6 mil. (2050)    5.0 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: under 1.0% Lebanon is in turmoil an will likely be unable to address such issues as high birth rate for some time.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 72.6 years.

28% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 6% over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 100 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 540 physicians, dentists, and nurses per 100,000 people in2005. 100% had safe drinking water and 99% had adequate sanitary facilities. Major health problems include hypertension, diabetes and asthma. Vitamin deficiencies are a problem. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 20099 was less than 1 per 5housand people.

CAPITOL: Beirut

LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French (official)

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 88%; female, 73%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $5,200; current economic growth rate, 0.5%; inflation, 2.9%; people with incomes below poverty level, 39%.

LOCATION: Eastern Mediterranean, N. of Israel & W. of Syria

LAND USE: Arable land, 21%; permanent crops, 9%; Pasture, 1%. Forest, 8%; other, 61%.

TOPOGRA PHY: Low mountains & valleys. Harbors tend to be shallow.

WATER: rainfall is about 50 inches W, of mountains & 15 in. E. Of the mountains. Abundant springs provide water for cultivation up to 4,900 ft. elevation.

CLIMATE: moderate Mediterranean, with temperature rarely above 85 except W of the mountains.

GOVERNMENT: Republic with top officials divided among Christian, Sunni

and Shear Muslim.

RELIGION: Islamic, Christian

NATURAL RESOURCES: iron ore, salt, limestone, and water surplus in an areas W of mountains.

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export, 1.36 bil. Import, 6.007 bil. Deficit, 4.71 bil.

OVERVIEW: Lebanon seems incapable of controlling its future so long as Syria, on the one hand, and dissident Islamic elements, on the other hand, continues to control much of the country. It is heavily dependent on tourist trade & foreign aid for its function. Anti-Jewish elements have caused periodic incursions into the country by Israel, further delaying self-determination.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LESOTHO (Africa)                11,720 sq. miles

(Larger than Vermont)

 

POPULATION:   (2009) 2.1 mil. (2025) 2.1 mil. (2050) 1.9 mil.

POPULATION STATUS: available statistics indicate some loss of population. The constant flow of peoples between S. Africa and Lesotho renders a separate estimate relatively meaningless. Fertility rate for women in 2005 was 4.4 live births.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2006 was 34.45 years.

38% of population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 5% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant morality in 2005 was 88.75 deaths per 1,000 live births. There were about 60 physicians and nurses per 100,000 people in 2004. Tuberculosis and venereal disease are serious problems. 45% of children under 5 years of age are malnourished. About 43% of children suffer from goiter. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 28.9% of the adult population and 23.2% of total population in 2009.

CAPITOL: Maseru

LANGUAGE:   Lesotho, English (official)

LITERACY: (can read & write) male, 44%; female, 68%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $3,300; current economic growth rate, 2.0%; inflation, 4.7%; people with incomes below poverty level, 49%

LOCATION:   Landlocked, within South Africa.

LAND USE: Arable land, 10%; pasture, 66%; other, 24%

TOPOGRAPHYHY: Drakensberg Range forms the E. &S. borders. Much of the land is very poor and badly eroded. Rich volcanic soil lies in foothills and slopes of the mountains.

WATER: Rainfall is 75 inches in parts of the mountains and 24 inches in the lowlands.

CLIMAT E: Temperatures vary widely by geographic area. In the lowlands, they may go over 90 F. and rarely below 19 F. in winter.    Winter temperatures may go to zero F. in the highlands. Frost is a hazard much of the year.

GOVERNMENT:   Constitutional Monarchy. Power is in legislature. The king is appointed for life by the College of Chiefs.

RELIGION: Christian, 80%; indigenous beliefs

NATURAL RESOURCES: water, agriculture, grazing

WORLD TRADE: (92004) Export, 450 mil.   Import, 661 mil.   Deficit, 211 mil.

Much of the labor force works in S. Africa.

OVERVIEW: Periodic drought is a long-time worry. Of vital necessity is medical treatment for AIDS. Outside intervention is necessary for the government to function. Lesotho is entirely within S. Africa and its future is closely tied to that of S. Africa.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIBERIAA (Africa)                43,000 sq. miles

Larger than Tennessee)

 

POPULATION: (2009) 3.4 mil     (2025) 4.8 mil.     (2050) 7.17 mil.

POPULATION GROWTH: 2.27%.   Fertility rate is 6 live births for every woman surviving her childbearing years. This is one of the highest in the world. All forecasts of population growth are subject to the impact of the AIDS epidemic and future food shortages.

LIFE EXPECTANCY: Life expectancy in 2005 was 38.86 years.

46% of the population in 2005 was under 15 years of age and 2% was over 65.

HEALTH: Infant mortality in 2005 was 161.99 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. There are only 2 physicians, 6 nurses, and 4 midwives per 100,000 people. Immunization rate for children under 1 year is extremely low. Staple foods are deficient in protein. Major health concerns are malaria and gastrointestinal diseases. HIV-AIDS prevalence in 2003 was 5.90% of adults. An estimated 180,000 people have AIDS.

CAPITOL: Monrovia

LANGUAGE: English, 20% (official), Congo, Niger

LITERACY: male, 50%; female, 29%

INCOME: (2005 CIA estimates) per capita GDP, $700.00, current economic growth rate, 8.0%; inflation, 15.0%; people with incomes below poverty level, 80%.

LOCATION: It is on the W. coast of Africa, bounded by Guinea, Cote d’Ivory, & Sierra Leone

LAND USE: Arable land, 1%; permanent crops, 3%; pasture, 2%; forest, 39%, other, 55%

TOPOGRAPHY: There; are 3 geographic belts, lying parallel to ocean; a narrow coastal belt with tidal creeks, lagoons, and mangrove swamps; rolling hills with elevations to 500 feet. Beyond, the bulk of Liberia, is an area of rugged hills and a plateau less heavily forested than the lower areas.

WATER:   Rainfall is 200 inches on the coast, decreasing to 80 inches farther inland.

CLIMATE: The climate is tropical with little change during the year:

GOVERNMENT:   Republic. The country is recovering from 14 years of civil war and is in the process of reorganizing the political infrastructure patterned after that of the United States.

RELIGION: traditional, 70%; Muslim, 20%; Christian, 10

NATURAL RESOURCES: iron ore, timber, diamonds

WORLD TRADE: (2004) Export,1,079 mil.; Import, 5,051 mil.; Deficit, 3,972 mil.

OVERVIEW:   The AIDS epidemic overshadows all other consideration. The economy is already dependent on outside aid. Over 200,000 people were displaced during the civil war. The economy is also dependent of the control of inflation. The country is in desperate need of help to improve the education system.*