The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge

Paraguay

Republic of Paraguay

Geography Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina. Area: 157,046 sq. mi. (406,750 sq km). Border countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil. Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone. People Population: 6,459,058 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s); adj.: Paraguayan. Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%. Religions: Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census). Languages: Spanish (official), Guarani (official). Government Government type: constitutional republic. Capital: Asuncion. Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain). National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May (1811). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$30.94 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$4,900 (2010 est.). Currency: guarani (PYG).

Peru

Republic of Peru

Geography Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador. Area: 496,224 sq. mi. (1,285,220 sq km). Border countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador. Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas. People Population: 29,248,943 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s); adj.: Peruvian. Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese and other 3%. Religions: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 census). Languages: Spanish 84.1% (official), Quechua 13% (official), Aymara 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages 0.7% (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages), other 0.2% (2007 census). Government Government type: constitutional republic. Capital: Lima. Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain). National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$274.7 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$9,200 (2010 est.). Currency: nuevo sol (PEN).

Philippines

Republic of the Philippines

Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. Area: 115,830 sq. mi. (300,000 sq km). Natural resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper. People Population: 101,833,938 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Filipino(s); adj.: Philippine. Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census). Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Agilpayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified or none 0.7% (2000 census). Languages: Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects—Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Manila. Independence: 4 July 1946 (from U.S.). National holiday: Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note: 12 June 1898 is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of independence from the U.S. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$353.2 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$3,500 (2010 est.). Currency: Philippine peso (PHP).

Poland

Republic of Poland

Geography Location: Central Europe, east of Germany. Area: 120,728 sq mi (312,685 sq km). Border countries: Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast), Slovakia, Ukraine. Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land. People Population: 38,441,588 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Pole(s); adj.: Polish. Ethnic groups: Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Belarusian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 est.). Religions: Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestanto .3%, unspecified 8.3%, other 0.3% (2002 census). Languages: Polish 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Warsaw. Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed). National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$721.7 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$18,800 (2010 est.). Currency: zloty (PLN).

Portugal

Portuguese Republic

Geography Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain. Area: 35,552 sq. mi. (92,080 sq km). Border countries: Spain. Natural resources: fish, silver, gold, zinc, tin, clay, copper, forests (cork), gypsum, salt, tungsten, iron ore, uranium ore, marble, arable land, hydropower. People Population: 10,760,305 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Portuguese (singular and plural); adj.: Portuguese. Ethnic groups: homogeneous Mediterranean stock; citizens of black African descent who immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000; since 1990 East Europeans have entered Portugal. Religions: Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census). Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used). Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Lisbon. Independence: 1143 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910). National holiday: Portugal Day, 10 June (1580). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$247 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$23,000 (2010 est.). Currency: euro (EUR).

Qatar

State of Qatar

Geography Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. Area: 4,247 sq. mi. (11,000 sq km). Border countries: Saudi Arabia. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish. People Population: 848,016 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Qatari(s); adj.: Qatari. Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%. Religions: Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census). Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language. Government Government type: traditional emirate. Capital: Doha. Independence: 3 September 1971 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$122.2 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$145,300 (2010 est.). Currency: Qatari rial (QAR).

Romania

Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine. Area: 91,699 sq. mi. (237,500 sq km). Border countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine (north), Ukraine (east). Natural resources: petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower. People Population: 21,904,551 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Romanian(s); adj.: Romanian. Ethnic groups: Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002). Religions: Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim and unspecified) 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census). Languages: Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Bucharest. Independence: 9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from Turkey; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin; kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881; republic proclaimed 30 December 1947). National holiday: Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$253.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$11,500 (2010 est.). Currency: leu (RON).

Russia

Russian Federation

Geography Location: Northern Asia (that part west of the Urals is included with Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. Area: 6,592,745 sq. mi. (17,075,200 sq km). Border countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, China (southeast), China (south), Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Latvia, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast), Mongolia, Norway, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast), Ukraine. Natural resources: wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, reserves of rare earth elements, timber. People Population: 138,739,892 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Russian(s); adj.: Russian. Ethnic groups: Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Chuvash 1.1%, Bashkir 1.2%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census). Religions: Russian Orthodox 15–20%, Muslim 10–15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshippers; Russia has a large population of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule. Languages: Russian (official), many minority languages. Government Government type: federation. Capital: Moscow. Independence: 24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union). National holiday: Russia Day, 12 June (1990). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$2.229 trillion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$15,900 (2010 est.). Currency: Russian ruble (RUR).

Rwanda

Rwandese Republic

Geography Location: Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Area: 10,170 sq. mi. (26,338 sq km). Border countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda. Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land. People Population: 11,370,425 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. note: Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa. Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s); adj.: Rwandan. Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%. Religions: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001). Languages: Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers. Government Government type: republic; presidential, multiparty system. Capital: Kigali. Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered U.N. trusteeship). National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$11.84 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,100 (2010 est.). Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF).

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Geography Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago. Area: 104 sq. mi. (261 sq km). Natural resources: arable land. People Population: 50,314 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s); adj.: Kittitian, Nevisian. Ethnic groups: predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese. Religions: Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic. Languages: English (official). Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Basseterre. Independence: 19 September 1983 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$719.5 million (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$14,400 (2010 est.). Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD).

Saint Lucia

Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. Area: 239 sq. mi. (620 sq km). Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential. People Population: 161,557 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s); adj.: Saint Lucian. Ethnic groups: black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census). Religions: Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, Rastafarian 2.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census). Languages: English (official), French patois. Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Castries. Independence: 22 February 1979 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.789 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$11,100 (2010 est.). Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD).

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. Area: 131 sq. mi. (340 sq km). Natural resources: hydropower, cropland. People Population: 103,869 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s); adj.: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian. Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3%. Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Protestant) 12%. Languages: English, French patois. Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Kingstown. Independence: 27 October 1979 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.107 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$10,600 (2010 est.). Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD).

Samoa

Independent State of Samoa

Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.Area: 1,104 sq. mi. (2,860 sq km). Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower. People Population: 193,161 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Samoan(s); adj.: Samoan. Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census). Religions: Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census). Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official), English. Government Government type: mix of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Capital: Apia. Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered U.N. trusteeship). National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note:1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered U.N. trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.002 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$5,200 (2010 est.). Currency: tala (SAT).

San Marino

Republic of San Marino

Geography Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy. Area: 23 sq. mi. (61.2 sq km). Border countries: Italy. Natural resources: building stone. People Population: 31,817 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural); adj.: Sammarinese. Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian. Religions: Roman Catholic. Languages: Italian. Government Government type: independent republic. Capital: San Marino. Independence: 3 September 301. National holiday: Founding of the Republic, 3 September (301). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.662 billion (2007). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$41,900 (2007). Currency: euro (EUR).

Sao Tome and Principe

Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

Geography Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon. Area: 371 sq. mi. (960 sq km). Natural resources: fish, hydropower. People Population: 179,506 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s); adj.: Sao Tomean. Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese). Religions: Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census). Languages: Portuguese (official). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Sao Tome. Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal). National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$316.9 million (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,800 (2010 est.). Currency: dobra (STD).

Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen. Area: 756,982 sq mi (1,960,582 sq km). Border countries: Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Yemen. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper. People Population: 26,131,703 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Saudi(s); adj.: Saudi or Saudi Arabian. Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%. Religions: Muslim 100%. Languages: Arabic (official). Government Government type: monarchy. Capital: Riyadh. Independence: 23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom). National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$622.5 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$24,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR).

Senegal

Republic of Senegal

Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. Area: 74,749 sq mi (196,190 sq km). Border countries: The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania. Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore. People Population: 12,643,799 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural); adj.: Senegalese. Ethnic groups: Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%. Religions: Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%. Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Dakar. Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); complete independence was achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960. National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$23.86 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,900 (2010 est.). Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note: responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States.

Serbia

Republic of Serbia

Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, between Macedonia and Hungary.Area: 39,517 sq mi (102,350 sq km). Border countries: Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia (north), Croatia (south), Hungary, Macedonia, Romania. Natural resources: oil, gas, coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, chromite, gold, silver, magnesium, pyrite, limestone, marble, salt, arable land. People Population: 7,310,555 note: does not include the population of Kosovo (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Serb(s); adj.: Serbian. Ethnic groups: Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%, Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census). Religions: Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census). Languages: Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census) note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Belgrade. Independence: 5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro). National holiday: National Day, 15 February. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$80.65 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$11,000 (2010 est.). Currency: Serbian dinar (RSD).

Seychelles

Republic of Seychelles

Geography Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.Area: 176 sq. mi. (455 sq km). Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees. People Population: 89,188 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural); adj.: Seychellois. Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab. Religions: Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other/unspecified/none 3.6%. Languages: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Victoria. Independence: 29 June 1976 (from U.K.). National holiday: Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.908 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$21,600 (2010 est.). Currency: Seychelles rupee (SCR).

Sierra Leone

Republic of Sierra Leone

Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia. Area: 27,699 sq. mi. (71,740 sq km). Border countries: Guinea, Liberia. Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite. People Population: 5,363,669 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s); adj.: Sierra Leonean. Ethnic groups: Temne 35%, Mende 31%, Limba 8%, Kono 5%, Kriole 2% (descendants of freed Jamiacan slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Kiro), Mandingo 2%, Loko 2%, other 15% (includes refugees from Liberia’s recent civil war, and small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians) (2008 census). Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%. Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%). Government Government type: constitutional democracy. Capital: Freetown. Independence: 27 April 1961 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1961). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$4.812 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$900 (2010 est.). Currency: leone (SLL).

Singapore

Republic of Singapore

Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia. Area: 244 sq. mi. (633 sq km). Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports. People Population: 4,740,737 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s); adj.: Singapore. Ethnic groups: Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census). Religions: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census). Languages: Mandarin (official) 35%, English (official) 23%, Malay (official) 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil (official) 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census). Government Government type: parliamentary republic. Capital: Singapore. Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation). National holiday: Independence Day, 9 August (1965). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$292.4 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$57,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD).

Slovakia

Slovak Republic

Geography Location: Central Europe, south of Poland. Area: 18,859 sq. mi. (48,845 sq km). Border countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Ukraine. Natural resources: brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land. People Population: 5,477,038 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Slovak(s); adj.: Slovak. Ethnic groups: Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian and Ukrainian 1% other and unspecified 2.6% (2001 census). Religions: Roman Catholic 68.9%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, Protestant 10.8%, other/unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census). Languages: Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other/unspecified 2.6% (2001 census). Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Bratislava. Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia). National holiday: Constitution Day, 1 September (1992). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$121.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$22,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Slovak koruna (SKK).

Slovenia

Republic of Slovenia

Geography Location: Central Europe, eastern Alpa bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia. Area: 7,836 sq mi (20,296 sq km). Border countries: Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy. Natural resources: lignite coal, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests. People Population: 2,000,092 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Slovene(s); adj.: Slovenian. Ethnic groups: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 census). Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9%, unaffiliated 3.5%, other/unspecified 23%, none 10.1% (2002 census). Languages: Slovenian (official) 91.1%, Serbo-Croatian 4.5%, other or unspecified 4.4%, Italian (official), Hungarian (official), only in municipalities where Hungarian national communities reside. Government Government type: parliamentary republic. Capital: Ljubljana. Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia). National holiday: Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$56.81 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$28,400 (2010 est.). Currency: euro (EUR).

Solomon Islands

Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea. Area: 10,985 sq. mi. (28,450 sq km). Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel. People Population: 571,890 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Solomon Islander(s); adj.: Solomon Islander. Ethnic groups: Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (1999 census). Religions: Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2% (1999 census). Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%–2% of the population. note: 120 indigenous languages. Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Honiara. Independence: 7 July 1978 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July (1978). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.559 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,800 (2010 est.). Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD).

Somalia

Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia. Area: 246,201 sq. mi. (637,657 sq km). Border countries: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya. Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves. People Population: 9,925,640 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Somali(s); adj.: Somali. Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000). Religions: Sunni Muslim. Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English. Government Government type: no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary national government. Capital: Mogadishu. Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the U.K. on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic). National holiday: Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note: 26 June (1960) in Somaliland. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$5.896 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$600 (2010 est.). Currency: Somali shilling (SOS).

South Africa

Republic of South Africa

Geography Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa.Area: 471,444 sq. mi. (1,221,040 sq km). Border countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe. Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas. People Population 49,004,031 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: South African(s); adj.: South African. Ethnic groups: black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001 census). Religions: Zionist Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, other Christian 36%, Muslim 1.5%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census). Languages: IsiZulu (official) 23.8%, IsiXhosa (official) 17.6%, Afrikaans (official) 13.3%, Sepedi (official) 9.4%, English (official) 8.2%, Setswana (official) 8.2%, Sesotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga (official) 4.4%, other 7.2%, isiNdebele (official), Tshivenda (official), siSwati (official) (2001 census). Government Government type: Republic. Capital: Pretoria; note: Cape Town is the legislative center and Johannesburg the judicial center. Independence: 31 May 1910 (from U.K.). National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$527.5 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$10,700 (2010 est.). Currency: rand (ZAR).

Spain

Kingdom of Spain

Geography Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France.Area: 194,884 sq. mi. (504,750 sq km). Border countries: Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Portugal, Morocco (Ceuta), Morocco (Melilla). Natural resources: coal, lignite, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, tungsten, mercury, pyrites, magnesite, fluorspar, gypsum, sepiolite, kaolin, potash, hydropower, arable land. People Population: 46,754,784 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s); adj.: Spanish. Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types. Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%. Languages: Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2% note: Castillian is the official language nationwide; the other languages are official regionally. Government Government type: parliamentary monarchy. Capital: Madrid. Independence: the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Moslem occupation that began in the early eighth century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain. National holiday: Hispanic Day, 12 October. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.376 trillion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$29,500 (2010 est.). Currency: euro (EUR).

Sri Lanka

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Geography Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Area: 25,332 sq. mi. (65,610 sq km). Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower. People Population: 21,283,913 (July 2011 est.) note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of yearend 2000, approximately 65,000 were housed in 131 refugee camps in south India, another 40,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West. Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s); adj.: Sri Lankan. Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 73.8%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Moor 7.2%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census). Religions: Buddhist 69.1%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 7.6%, unspecified 10% (2001 census). Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population Government Government type: republic. Capital: Colombo; note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital. Independence: 4 February 1948 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 4 February (1948). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$104.7 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$4,900 (2010 est.). Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

Sudan

Republic of the Sudan

Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea. Area: 967,495 sq. mi. (2,505,810 sq km). Border countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Uganda. Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower. People Population: 45,047,502 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Sudanese (singular and plural); adj.: Sudanese. Ethnic groups: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%. Religions: Sunni Muslim 70% (in north), indigenous beliefs 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum). Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English note: program of “Arabization” in process. Government Government type: Government of National Unity (GNU)—the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) formed a power-sharing government under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); the NCP, which came to power by military coup in 1989, is the majority partner; the agreement stipulated national elections in 2009, but these were subsequently rescheduled for April 2010; elections took place in April 2010 and the NCP was elected as the majority party; due to CPA stipulations, there is also an autonomous government in Southern Sudan where SPLM holds the majority of positions. Capital: Khartoum. Independence: 1 January 1956 (from Egypt and U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1956). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$98.79 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Sudanese dinar (SDD).

Note: In 2011, the nation divided peacefully, creating the new country of South Sudan.

Suriname

Republic of Suriname

Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana.Area: 63,039 sq. mi. (163,270 sq km). Border countries: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana. Natural resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore. People Population: 491,989 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s); adj.: Surinamese. Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as “East Indians”; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, “Maroons” (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%. Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%. Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese. Government Government type: constitutional democracy. Capital: Paramaribo. Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands). National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$4.794 billion (2010 est.).G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$9,900 (2010 est.). Currency: Surinam dollar (SRD).

Swaziland

Kingdom of Swaziland

Geography Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa. Area: 6,703 sq. mi. (17,363 sq km). Border countries: Mozambique, South Africa. Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc. People Population: 1,370,424 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Swazi(s); adj.: Swazi. Ethnic groups: African 97%, European 3%. Religions: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%. Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official). Government Government type: monarchy. Capital: Mbabane; note: Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital. Independence: 6 September 1968 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 6 September (1968). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$6.055 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$4,500 (2010 est.). Currency: lilangeni (SZL).

Sweden

Kingdom of Sweden

Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway. Area: 173,731 sq. mi. (449,964 sq km). Border countries: Finland, Norway. Natural resources: zinc, iron ore, gold, tungsten, arsenic, lead, copper, silver, timber, uranium, feldpsar, hydropower. People Population: 9,088,728 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Swede(s); adj.: Swedish. Ethnic groups: indigenous population: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minorities; foreign-born or first-generation immigrants: Finns, Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks. Religions: Lutheran 87%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 13%. Languages: Swedish; note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities. Government Government type: constitutional monarchy. Capital: Stockholm. Independence: 6 June 1523 (Gustav Vasa elected king). National holiday: National Day, 6 June. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$354 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$39,000 (2010 est.). Currency: Swedish krona (SEK).

Switzerland

Swiss Confederation

Geography Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy. Area: 15,942 sq. mi. (41,290 sq km). Border countries: Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany. Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt. People Population: 7,639,961 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural); adj.: Swiss. Ethnic groups: German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%. Religions: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census). Languages: German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national languages, but only the first three are official languages. Government Government type: formally a confederation, but similar in structure to a federal republic. Capital: Bern. Independence: 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation). National holiday: Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$326.9 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$42,900 (2010 est.). Currency: Swiss franc (CHF).

Syria

Syrian Arab Republic

Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. Area: 71,498 sq. mi. (185,180 sq km). Border countries: Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey. Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower. People Population: 22,517,750 (July 2010 est.) note: approximately 19,100 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2008 est.). Nationality: noun: Syrian(s); adj.: Syrian. Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%. Religions: Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo). Languages: Arabic (official); Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian widely understood; French, English somewhat understood. Government Government type: rrepublic under an authoritarian, military-dominated regime. Capital: Damascus. Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration). National holiday: Independence Day, 17 April (1946). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$106.4 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$4,800 (2010 est.). Currency: Syrian pound (SYP).

Taiwan

Geography Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China. Area: 13,892 sq. mi. (35,980 sq km). Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos. People Population: 23,071,779 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Taiwan (singular and plural); adj.: Taiwan. Ethnic groups: Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%. Religions: mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%. Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects. Government Government type: multiparty democracy. Capital: Taipei. National holiday: Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$807.2 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$35,100 (2010 est.). Currency: new Taiwan dollar (TWD).

Tajikistan

Republic of Tajikistan

Geography Location: Central Asia, west of China. Area: 55,251 sq. mi. (143,100 sq km). Border countries: Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan. Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold. People Population: 7,627,200 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s); adj.: Tajikistani. Ethnic groups: Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census). Religions: Sunni Muslim 85%, Shi’a Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.). Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Dushanbe. Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union). National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$14.61 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,000 (2010 est.). Currency: somoni (TJS).

Tanzania

United Republic of Tanzania

Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Area: 364,900 sq. mi. (945,087 sq km). Border countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia. Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel. People Population: 42,746,620 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s); adj.: Tanzanian. Ethnic groups: mainland—native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar—Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African. Religions: mainland—Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar—more than 99% Muslim. Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages; note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tounge of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draw on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Dar es Salaam; note: legislative offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital; the National Assembly now meets there on regular basis. Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from U.K.-administered U.N. trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from U.K.); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964. National holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$62.22 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,500 (2010 est.). Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS).

Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand

Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma. Area: 198,456 sq. mi. (514,000 sq km). Border countries: Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia. Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land. People Population: 66,720,153 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural); adj.: Thai. Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%. Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christianity 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census). Languages: Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects. Government Government type: constitutional monarchy. Capital: Bangkok. Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized). National holiday: Birthday of King Phumiphon, 5 December (1927). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$580.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$8,700 (2010 est.). Currency: baht (THB).

Togo

Togolese Republic

Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana. Area: 21,927 sq. mi. (56,785 sq km). Border countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana. Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land. People Population: 6,771,993 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Togolese (singular and plural); adj.: Togolese. Ethnic groups: African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%. Religions: Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%. Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north). Government Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule. Capital: Lome. Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered U.N. trusteeship). National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$5.927 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$900 (2010 est.). Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF) note: responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African states.

Tonga

Kingdom of Tonga

Geography Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. Area: 289 sq. mi. (748 sq km). Natural resources: fish, fertile soil. People Population: 105,916 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Tongan(s); adj.: Tongan. Ethnic groups: Polynesian, European. Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents). Languages: Tongan (official), English (official). Government Government type: constitutional monarchy. Capital: Nuku’alofa. Independence: 4 June 1970 (from U.K. protectorate). National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$767 million (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$6,300 (2010 est.). Currency: pa’anga (TOP).

Trinidad and Tobago

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. Area: 1,981 sq. mi. (5,128 sq km). Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, asphalt. People Population: 1,227,505 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s); adj.: Trinidadian, Tobagonian. Ethnic groups: Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census). Religions: Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, other Christian 5.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census). Languages: English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese. Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Port-of-Spain. Independence: 31 August 1962 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1962). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$27.1 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$22,100 (2010 est.). Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD).

Tunisia

Tunisian Republic

Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya. Area: 63,170 sq. mi. (163,610 sq km). Border countries: Algeria, Libya. Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt. People Population: 10,629,186 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s); adj.: Tunisian. Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%. Religions: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%. Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Tunis. Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France). National holiday: Independence Day, 20 March (1956). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$100.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$9,500 (2010 est.). Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND).

Turkey

Republic of Turkey

Geography Location: southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria. Area: 301,382 sq. mi. (780,580 sq km). Border countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Syria. Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower. People Population: 78,785,548 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Turk(s); adj.: Turkish. Ethnic groups: Turkish 70–75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7–12% (2008 est.). Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christian and Jews). Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages. Government Government type: republican parliamentary democracy. Capital: Ankara. Independence: 29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire). National holiday: Independence Day, 29 October (1923). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$958.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$12,300 (2010 est.). Currency: Turkish lira (YTL).

Turkmenistan

Geography Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan Area: 188,456 sq. mi. (488,100 sq km). Border countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt People Population: 4,997,503 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Turkmen(s) adj.: Turkmen. Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003). Religions: Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%. Languages: Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%. Government Government type: defines itself as a secular democracy and a presidential republic; in actuality displays authoritarian presidential rule, with power concentrated within the presidential administration. Capital: Ashgabat. Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union). National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$36.64 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$7,400 (2010 est.). Currency: Turkmen manat (TMM).

Tuvalu

Geography Location: Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia. Area: 10 sq. mi. (26 sq km). Natural resources: fish. People Population: 10,544 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Tuvaluan(s); adj.: Tuvaluan. Ethnic groups: Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4%. Religions: Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha’i 1%, other 0.6%. Languages: Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui). Government Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. Capital: Funafuti. Independence: 1 October 1978 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1978). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$14.94 million (2002 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,600 (2002 est.). Currency: Australian dollar (AUD); note: there is also a Tuvaluan dollar.

Uganda

Republic of Uganda

Geography Location: Eastern Africa, west of Kenya. Area: 91,135 sq. mi. (236,040 sq km). Border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania. Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land, gold. People Population: 34,612,250 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Ugandan(s); adj.: Ugandan. Ethnic groups: Baganda 16.9%, Banyakole 9.5%, Basoga 8.4%, Bakiga 6.9%, Iteso 6.4%, Langi 6.1%, Acholi 4.7%, Bagisu 4.6%, Lugbara 4.2%, Bunyoro 2.7%, other 29.6% (2002 census). Religions: Roman Catholic 41.9%, Protestant 42% (Anglican 35.9%, Pentecostal 4.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.5%), Muslim 12.1%, other 3.1%, none 0.9% (2002 census). Languages: English (official national language, taught in grade schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages, preferred for native language publications in the capital and may be taught in school), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic. Government Government type: republic. Capital: Kampala. Independence: 9 October 1962 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 9 October (1962). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$41.7 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Ugandan shilling (UGX).

Ukraine

Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland and Russia. Area: 233,089 sq. mi. (603,700 sq km). Border countries: Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania (south), Romania (west), Russia, Slovakia. Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land. People Population: 45,134,707 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Ukrainian(s); adj.: Ukrainian. Ethnic groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001). Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox—Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4%, Ukrainian Orthodox—Moscow Patriarchate 26.1%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7.2%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Protestant 2.2%, Jewish 0.6%, other 3.2% (2006 est.). Languages: Ukrainian (official) 67%, Russian 24%, other 9% (includes small Romanian-, Polish-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Kiev (Kyiv). Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union). National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991); the date of 22 January (1918), the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia), is now celebrated as Unity Day. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$306.3 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$6,700 (2010 est.). Currency: hryvnia (UAH).

United Arab Emirates

Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Area: 31,969 sq mi (82,880 sq km). Border countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas. People Population: 5,148,664 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Emirati(s); adj.: Emirati. Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982). Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi’a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%. Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu. Government Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Independence: 2 December 1971 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 2 December (1971). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$199.8 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$40,200 (2010 est.). Currency: Emirati dirham (AED).

United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Geography Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France. Area: 94,525 sq. mi. (244,820 sq km). Border countries: Ireland. Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, tin, limestone, iron ore, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, lead, silica, arable land. People Population: 62,698,362 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural); adj.: British. Ethnic groups: English 83.6%, Scottish 8.6%, Northern Irish 2.9%, Welsh 4.9%, black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census). Religions: Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census). Languages: English note: the following are recognized regional languages; Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 in Cornwall). Government Government type: constitutional monarchy. Capital: London. Independence: England has existed as a unified entity since the 10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284 with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in 1927. National holiday: the United Kingdom does not celebrate one particular national holiday. Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$2.189 trillion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$35,100 (2010 est.). Currency: British pound (GBP).

United States

United States of America

Geography Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico. Area: 3,717,797 sq mi (9,629,091 sq km). Border countries: Canada, Mexico. Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber. People Population: 313,232,044 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: American(s); adj.: American. Ethnic groups: white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate); note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the U.S. Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the U.S. who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.). Religions: Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.). Languages: English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific Island 2.7%, other.7% (2000 census) note: Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii. Government Government type: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition. Capital: Washington, DC. Independence: 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain). National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$14.72 trillion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$47,400 (2010 est.). Currency: U.S. dollar (USD).

Uruguay

Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Geography Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil. Area: 68,039 sq. mi. (176,220 sq km). Border countries: Argentina, Brazil. Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish. People Population: 3,308,535 (July 2011 est.) Ethnic groups: white 88%, mestizo 8%, black 4%, Amerindian (practically nonexistent). Religions: Roman Catholic 47.1%, non-Catholic Christians 11.1%, nondenominational 23.2%, Jewish 0.3%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%, other 1.1% (2006). Languages: Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (Portuguese-Spanish mix on the Brazilian frontier). Government Government type: constitutional republic. Capital: Montevideo. Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil). National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$47.8 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$13,600 (2010 est.). Currency: Uruguayan peso (UYU).

Uzbekistan

Republic of Uzbekistan

Geography Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan. Area: 172,741 sq. mi. (447,400 sq km). Border countries: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan. Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum. People Population: 28,128,600 (July 2011 est.). Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.). Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3%. Languages: Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1%. Government Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch. Capital: Tashkent (Toshkent). Independence: 1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union). National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$86.07 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$3,100 (2010 est.). Currency: Uzbekistani sum (UZS).

Vanuatu

Republic of Vanuatu

Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia. Area: 5,699 sq. mi. (14,760 sq km). Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish. People Population: 224,564 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural); adj.: Ni-Vanuatu. Ethnic groups: Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 census). Religions: Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, indigenous beliefs (including Jon Frum cargo cult) 5.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 census). Languages: local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English (official) 1.9%, French (official) 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 census). Government Government type: parliamentary republic. Capital: Port-Vila. Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$1.216 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$5,500 (2010 est.). Currency: vatu (VUV).

Venezuela

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana. Area: 352,144 sq. mi. (912,050 sq km). Border countries: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds. People Population: 27,635,743 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s); adj.: Venezuelan. Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people. Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%. Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects. Government Government type: federal republic. Capital: Caracas. Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain). National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$344.2 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$12,600 (2010 est.). Currency: bolivar (VEB).

Vietnam

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia. Area: 127,243 sq. mi. (329,560 sq km). Border countries: Cambodia, China, Laos. Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower. People Population: 90,549,390 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural); adj.: Vietnamese. Ethnic groups: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999 census). Religions: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant .5%, Muslim .1%, none 80.8% (1999 census). Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian). Government Government type: Communist state. Capital: Hanoi. Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France). National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$278.1 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$3,100 (2010 est.). Currency: dong (VND).

Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. Area: 203,850 sq. mi. (527,970 sq km). Border countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia. Natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile foil in west. People Population: 24,133,492 (July 2011 est.). Nationality: noun: Yemeni(s); adj.: Yemeni. Ethnic groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans. Religions: Muslim including Shaf’i (Sunni) and Zaydi (Shia), small numbers of Jewish, Christian, and Hindu. Languages: Arabic (official). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Sanaa. Independence: 22 May 1990, Republic of Yemen established with merger of the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the Marxist-dominated People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]; North Yemen had become independent in November 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South Yemen on 30 November 1967 (from the U.K.). National holiday: Unification Day, 22 May (1990). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$61.88 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$2,600 (2010 est.). Currency: Yemeni rial (YER).

Zambia

Republic of Zambia

Geography Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola. Area: 290,583 sq. mi. (752,614 sq km). Border countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe. Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower. People Population: 13,881,336 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Zambian(s); adj.: Zambian. Ethnic groups: African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lal, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 census). Religions: Christian 50%–75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%–49%, indigenous beliefs 1%. Languages: Bemba 30.1% (official), Nyanja 10.7% (official), Tonga 10.6% (official), Lozi 5.7% (official), Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda 2.2% (official), Kaonde 2% (official), Lala 2%, Luvale 1.7% (official). English 1.7% (official), other 22.5% (2000 census). Government Government type: republic. Capital: Lusaka. Independence: 24 October 1964 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$20.03 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1,500 (2010 est.). Currency: Zambian kwacha (ZMK).

Zimbabwe

Republic of Zimbabwe

Geography Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia. Area: 150,803 sq. mi. (390,580 sq km). Border countries: Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia. Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals. People Population: 12,084,304 (July 2011 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. Nationality: noun: Zimbabwean(s); adj.: Zimbabwean. Ethnic groups: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%) mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%. Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%. Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects. Government Government type: parliamentary democracy. Capital: Harare. Independence: 18 April 1980 (from U.K.). National holiday: Independence Day, 18 April (1980). Economy G.D.P.: purchasing power parity—$4.395 billion (2010 est.). G.D.P.—per capita: purchasing power parity—$400 (2010 est.). Currency: Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD).

The United Nations

Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the name “United Nations,” which was first used in the “Declaration by United Nations” of Jan. 1, 1942, during World War II, when representatives of 26 countries pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. From August to October 1944, representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States met at Dumbarton Oaks, a mansion in Washington, D.C., to discuss creating an international peacekeeping organization. Out of these meetings came a general outline for the United Nations.

The United Nations officially came into existence on Oct. 24, 1945, when the charter was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States and by a majority of the other signatories.

Structure

Establishment Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the name “United Nations,” which was first used in the “Declaration by United Nations” of Jan. 1, 1942, during World War II, when representatives of 26 countries pledged their governments to continue fighting together against the Axis Powers. From August to October 1944, representatives of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States met at Dumbarton Oaks, a mansion in Washington, D.C., to discuss creating an international peacekeeping organization. Out of these meetings came a general outline for the United Nations.

At the United Nations Conference on International Organization, which met at San Francisco from Apr. 25 to June 26, 1945, representatives from 50 countries drew up the United Nations Charter and signed it on June 26, 1945. Poland, not present at the Conference, signed on October 15, 1945, and is considered one of the founding member states.

U.N. Charter U.S. The Preamble to the Charter sets forth the hopes for the United Nations:

WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED

• to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war …

• to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small …

• to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained …

• to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

AND FOR THESE ENDS

• to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors

• to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security