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     Pacific States of America    United States of America       Articles      Useful Links

INTERNATIONAL TIME       WEATHER       MONEY       TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT       POPULATION & RELIGION

AFRICA MAP ASIA MAP CARIBBEAN MAP EUROPE MAP NORTH AMERICA MAP OCEANIA MAP SOUTH AMERICA MAP

Click on the first letter of the name of the Country you wish to research. Then scroll down that page to find your choice
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Key to Reading this Page

Please Note: Various data bases throughout the world show different statistics, so we have done our best to check with governments and some other reliable sources (not least our members and supporters in the Diplomatic Corps, publications and friends actually living in the countries involved). If you should find a mistake on our site, or just know a better source of facts and data, please let us know.

CLICK ON THE NATIONAL FLAG FOR COUNTRY FACTS
We have linked each country to the United States of America Department of State - Background Notes. Click on the relevant flag to access this information.

90% We have noted the majority Religion of each Country listed using a well recognized symbol (see RELIGION below), the % number is the estimated size of the Majority. Map of the Religious World

The Central Intelligence Agency's report on all countries in our listing.

Link to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Country Profiles on
most of the countries in our listing.

British Foreign Office Travel Safety Alerts for business & tourist travelers.

  The British Foreign Office provides travel advice for business and tourist
   travel to most countries. This link will connect you.

Link to World Governments - Ministries, Departments and contacts.

Link to Atlapedia will provide an overview of the country listed, including
political and topographic maps.

Embassy   Each country's Embassy located in Washington DC is shown thus. Strange as it may seem in the 21st Century but some countries still do not have an Embassy web site. Others have to be linked to their UN Delegation web site.

UNITED NATIONS We have listed the countries that have permanent missions to the United Nations with this link to their United Nations Mission web site.

Languages   A primer on the languages spoken in the country.

Travel Guide   All you need to know if traveling to the country.

Pictures Pictures of the country, its people and its cities.

Universities A listing of major Universities within the country.

NATIONAL STATISTICS The Official Government Reports of a Nation's Statistics. For countries that do not post Statistics (English) we use data from the World Bank.

GDP $ We give WHO economic statistics on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita for almost every Country listed. Click on the blue number given to see a regional comparison chart. For countries not listed by the WHO we give CIA data.

Population - Accepted number of people living in the country January 1st, 2002.

Living In Poverty - Percentage of the country's population living below the poverty line. Note: Living in Poverty in Afghanistan, Angola, Burma or Colombia is obviously far different than doing so in Europe, New Zealand, Singapore or the United States.

- Population Reference Bureau Data Finder Information. The % after the entry is the Growth or Decline in population expected (including migrations.) See: Population

Land Area - The number of sq. km. shown is the actual land area of the listed country, bodies of water within that country are not included.

Population Density - The number of people now living within the country per sq. km. of land area - these are United Nations statistics.

Literacy - We have listed the latest percentages of the population over the age of 15 years able to read and write. i.e. male: 47%, female 15%

Life Expectancy - We have listed life expectancy of men and women at birth.

Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - Percentage of women infected. Source

National Intelligence Quotient - We have listed the National IQ. Source

Corruption Index - Transparency International Data. The CPI 2002 Score relates to perceptions of the degree of corruption as seen by business people, academics and risk analysts, and ranges between 10 (highly clean) and 0 (highly corrupt). A total of 15 surveys were used from nine independent institutions, and at least three surveys were required for a country to be included in the CPI.

Armed Forces - Includes various data on Land, Sea and Air Forces and Budgets.

Military Statistics - CIA Data on Personnel and Expenditures on Armed Forces.

USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - United States authorized Grants to foreign Nations.

News Sources - English Language Local News sources.

World Health Organization - An overview of the Health situation within the country.

Freedom of the Press - Freedom House Press Freedom Rankings. Countries that have been omitted from the list are either very small or are unable to be ranked.

Newspaper - National Newspapers & Business Publications published in English.

Stock Exchange - Stock Exchanges that are presented real-time in English.

Chambers of Commerce - Link takes you to the World Chambers Network. Pick the Country or Territory you want and click on search for the links you will require.

Currency exchange rates for Local Currency.

Local weather conditions today.

Local Time. This link will take you to an International Time locator, find the name of the country in the listing, click, and you have the time there now.

Link to Amnesty International - Country Human Rights Report.

Prison Population

Member of the League of Arab States - Map

Member of the Commonwealth of Nations (The British Empire) - Map

Member of the Organization of American States - Map

Member of the African Union

Member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - Map

Member of the European Union - Map

Member of the Association of South East Asian Nations - Map

Member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Soviet Union) - Map

USAID - Loans and Grants made by the United States Congress to Foreign Countries from 1946 to 2002. Most important are the fiscal sums given as Grants.

   This symbol indicates that the State Department of the United States
   Government has deemed this Country is considered a State Sponsor
   of International Terrorism.

RELIGION

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY MUSLIM POPULATIONS

Map of the Muslim World
(Showing Sunni & Shia Majorities)

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY CHRISTIAN POPULATIONS

Catholic Protestant Orthodox

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY HINDU POPULATIONS

NATIONS WITH MAJORITY BUDDHIST POPULATIONS

Map of religious majority of the Worlds Countries

A Basic Overview of the World's Major Religions

Alphabetical Listing of the Worlds Religions

THE WAR ON TERRORISM

The States of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Cuba, North Korea and Sudan
are the seven governments that the United States Secretary of State
has designated as state sponsors of international terrorism.

Department of State - Counter Terrorism

Department of Homeland Security

Nations with Colonies, Territories & Overseas Possessions

   (AUSTRALIA)   Commonwealth of Australia
        (CHINA)   People's Republic of China
           (DENMARK) Kingdom of Denmark
        (FRANCE) French Republic
       (FINLAND) Republic of Finland
        (NETHERLANDS) Kingdom of the Netherlands
   (NEW ZEALAND) New Zealand
        (NORWAY)   Kingdom of Norway
        (PORTUGAL) Portuguese Republic
          (SPAIN) Kingdom of Spain
        (U.K.) United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
         (U.S.A.) United States of America

Could, Should or Would be Countries

(Not Recognized by the United Nations as Nations)

Hot Spots of the World

Freedom of the Press

Although we have listed as many English Language newspapers and other business publications as we can find, we would point out that not all publications have the Freedom of the Press enjoyed by those in North America and Europe. So, we suggest you check the Freedom House - Freedom of the Press Report, before reading any of the newspapers or other publications listed here.

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B ALPHABETICAL COUNTRY LISTING B

   80%
   Bahamas
    Languages   Travel Guide   Pictures
    NATIONAL STATISTICS - CARIBBEAN MAP
    GDP $ 21,531     Population 300,000
    Living In Poverty N/A
    Population 2050 (projected) 300,000 + 9%
    13,939 sq. km.   22 per sq. km.
    Literacy:   male 98.5%, female 98%
    Life Expectancy: male 66.32 yrs. female 73.49 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 32%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 78
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $17.6 million
    News Sources     World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Caribbean Daily
    The Nassau Guardian
    Bahamas International Securities Exchange
    Chambers of Commerce

   98%
   Bahrain   UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - ASIA MAP
    GDP $ 16,066   Population 700,000
    Living In Poverty N/A
    Population 2050 (projected) 1,200,000 + 75%
    693 sq. km.   944 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 91.6%, female 84.2%
    Life Expectancy: male 71.05 yrs. female 75.96 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
    National Intelligence Quotient - 83
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $2.5 million
    News Sources     World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Bahrain Tribune
    Bahrain Stock Exchange
    Chambers of Commerce

   Balearic Islands

      Spanish Territory or Possession

   88%
   Bangladesh    UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
    NATIONAL STATISTICS - ASIA MAP
    GDP $ 1,668        Population 146,700,000
    Living In Poverty 36%
    Population 2050 (projected) 254,600,000 + 73%
    143,998 sq. km.   954 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 63%, female 49%
    Life Expectancy: male 61.08 yrs. female 60.74 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 15%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 81
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $3,143.6 million
   News Sources     World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    The New Nation
    Dhaka Stock Exchange
    Chambers of Commerce

        70%
    Barbados
    Languages Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - CARIBBEAN MAP
    GDP $ 14,571 Population 300,000
    Living In Poverty N/A
    Population 2025 (projected) 300,000 - 2%
    431 sq. km.   622 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 98%, female 96.8%
    Life Expectancy: male 70.9 yrs. female 76.12 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
    National Intelligence Quotient - 78
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $4.6 million
    News Sources   World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    The Barbados Advocate
    Nation Newspaper Barbados
    Broad Street Journal
Chambers of Commerce

   80%
   Belarus    UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - EUROPE MAP
    GDP $ 8,352        Population 9,900,000
    Living In Poverty 22%
    Population 2050 (projected) 8,500,000 - 14%
    207,600 sq. km.   49 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 99%, female 97%
    Life Expectancy: male 62.3 yrs. female 74.56 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 25%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 96
    Corruption Index
    Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $87.1 million
    News Sources      World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Vecherny Minsk
    Belarussian Information Agency
    National Bank of the Republic of Belarus
    Chambers of Commerce

   75%
   Belgium    UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - EUROPE MAP
    GDP $ 27,932     Population 10,400,000
    Living In Poverty 4%
    Population 2050 (projected) 11,000,000 + 6%
    30,528 sq. km.   336 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 98%, female 98%
    Life Expectancy: male 74.8 yrs. female 81.62 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 35%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 100
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    News Sources     World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Expatia
    European Voice
    Bourse de Bruxelles
    Chambers of Commerce

   60% 40%
   Belize
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - SOUTH AMERICA MAP
    GDP $ 5,351      Population 300,000
    Living In Poverty 33%
    Population 2050 (projected) 600,000 + 110%
    22,923 sq. km.   10 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 70.3%, female 70.3%
    Life Expectancy: male 69.17 yrs. female 73.87 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 25%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 83
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $126.3 million
    News Sources   World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
The San Pedro Sun
    Chambers of Commerce

      30%   20%
   Benin   UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - AFRICA MAP
    GDP $ 888          Population 7,000,000
    Living In Poverty 37%
    Population 2050 (projected) 18,000,000 + 156%
    112,620 sq. km. 60.27 per sq. km.
    Literacy:   male 52.2%, female 23.6%
    Life Expectancy: male 48.81 yrs. female 50.61 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 55%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 69
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $321.9 million
    News Sources World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Benin Post
    Chambers of Commerce

   66%
   Bermuda
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - NORTH AMERICA MAP
    GDP $ 40,664 Population 64,482
    Living In Poverty 19%
    58.8 sq. km.    1188 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 98%, female 99%
    Life Expectancy: male 75.21 yrs. female 79.27 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
    National Intelligence Quotient - 96
    Corruption Index
    Military Statistics
    News Sources
    Freedom of the Press
    The Royal Gazette
    Bermuda Stock Exchange
    Chambers of Commerce



      British Territory or Possession

   75% 25%
   Bhutan
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures
   NATIONAL STATISTICS N/A - ASIA MAP
    GDP $ 1,643         Population 2,139,549
    Living In Poverty N/A
    Population 2050 (projected) 2,100,000 + 117%
    47,000 sq. km.   44.56 per sq. km.
    Literacy:   male 56.2%, female 28.1%
    Life Expectancy: male 53.53 yrs. female 52.83 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
    National Intelligence Quotient - 78
    Corruption Index
    Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $8.5 million
    News Sources      World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Kuensel
    South Asian Federation of Exchanges
    Chambers of Commerce

   98%
   Bolivia
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures   Universities
    NATIONAL STATISTICS - SOUTH AMERICA MAP
    GDP $ 2,370           Population 8,586,443
    Living In Poverty 70%
    Population 2025 (projected) 12,200,000 + 79%
    1,100,000 sq. km.   8 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 90.5%, female 76%
    Life Expectancy: male 61.86 yrs. female 67.1 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 17%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 85
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces      Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $2,345.9 million
    News Sources   World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Bolivia Web
    Bolsa Boliviana de Valores
    Chambers of Commerce

   40% 31%
   Bosnia HerzegovinaUNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures
NATIONAL STATISTICS - EUROPE MAP
    GDP 3,560     Population 3,989,018
    Living In Poverty N/A
    Population 2050 (projected) 3,300,000 - 15%
    51,233 sq. km.   78 per sq. km
    Literacy:   N/A
    Life Expectancy: male 69.3 yrs. female 74.93 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
    National Intelligence Quotient - N/A
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces       Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $1,348.4 million
    News Sources      World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Bosnia Report
    Chambers of Commerce

   indigenous 85%
   Botswana
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
   NATIONAL STATISTICS - AFRICA MAP
    GDP $ 5,747           Population 1,573,267
    Living In Poverty 47%
    Population 2050 (projected) 900,000 - 43%
    600,370 sq. km.   2.73 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 80.5%, female 59.9%
    Life Expectancy: male 35.15 yrs. female 35.43 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 54%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 72
    Corruption Index
    Armed Forces       Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $392.4 million
    News Sources      World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
    Botswana Daily News
    The Botswana Gazette
    The Botswana Stock Exchange
Chambers of Commerce

   80%
   Brazil    UNITED NATIONS
    Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
NATIONAL STATISTICS - SOUTH AMERICA MAP
    GDP $ 7,537           Population 182,032,604
    Living In Poverty 22%
Population 2050 (projected) 221,400,000 + 25%
    8,511,965 sq. km.   20 per sq. km
    Literacy:   male 83.3%, female 83.2%
    Life Expectancy: male 59.4 yrs. female 67.91 yrs.
    Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 25%
    National Intelligence Quotient - 87
    Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
    USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $738 million
    News Sources      World Health Organization
    Freedom of the Press
O Estado de S�o Paulo
    Info Brazil
    Brazil Information Network
    S�o Paulo Stock Exchange
    Chambers of Commerce

   British Antarctic Territory

      British Territory or Possession

   British Indian Ocean Territory

      British Territory or Possession

   86%
   British Virgin Islands
   Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures
   CARIBBEAN MAP
    GDP $ 16,000 Population 22,187
    153 sq. km.    145 per sq. km
    Literacy:   97.8%
    Life Expectancy: male 75.24 yrs. female 77.36 yrs.
    Corruption Index
    Chambers of Commerce



      British Territory or Possession

   67%
Brunei
   Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
NATIONAL STATISTICS - ASIA MAP
   GDP $ 20,503       Population 358,098
   Living In Poverty N/A
   Population 2050 (projected) 700,000 + 90%
   5,770 sq. km.    60.81 per sq. km
   Literacy:   male 92.6%, female 83.4%
   Life Expectancy: male 71.68 yrs. female 76.56 yrs.
   Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
   National Intelligence Quotient - 92
   Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
   News Sources      World Health Organization
   Freedom of the Press
Borneo Bulletin
   International Brunei Exchange
   Chambers of Commerce

83%
Bulgaria    UNITED NATIONS
   Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
NATIONAL STATISTICS - EUROPE MAP
   GDP $ 6,299        Population 7,537,929
   Living In Poverty 13.5%
   Population 2050 (projected) 4,500,000 - 40%
   110,994 sq. km.   72 per sq. km
   Literacy:   male 99%, female 98%
   Life Expectancy: male 67.98 yrs. female 75.22 yrs.
   Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - N/A
   National Intelligence Quotient - 93
   Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
   USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $292.2 million
   News Sources      World Health Organization
   Freedom of the Press
Bulgarian Financial & Business News
   Capital Weekly
   Bulgarian Stock Exchange
   Chambers of Commerce

50%, Native 40%
Burkina Faso
Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures Universities
NATIONAL STATISTICS - AFRICA MAP
   GDP $ 886             Population 13,228,460
   Living In Poverty 45%
   Population 2050 (projected) 39,500,000 + 198%
   274,200 sq. km.  45.06 per sq. km
   Literacy:   36%
   Life Expectancy: male 45.45 yrs. female 46.78 yrs.
   Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 55%
   National Intelligence Quotient - 66
   Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
   USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $482.3 million
   News Sources      World Health Organization
   Freedom of the Press
Africa News
   Chambers of Commerce

90%
Burma (Myanmar)
Languages    Travel Guide   Pictures
NATIONAL STATISTICS - ASIA MAP
   GDP $ 1,252           Population 42,510,537
   Living In Poverty 25%
   Population 2050 (projected) 64,400,000 + 30%
   676,552 sq. km.    69.8 per sq. km.
   Literacy: 30%
   Life Expectancy: male 54.12 yrs. female 57.56 yrs.
   Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 35%
   National Intelligence Quotient - 86
   Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
   USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $186.6 million
   News Sources      World Health Organization
   Freedom of the Press
New Light of Myanmar
   Myanmar Times
   Chambers of Commerce

62% 10%
Burundi
   Languages    Travel Guide
NATIONAL STATISTICS - AFRICA MAP
   GDP $ 529          Population 6,096,156
   Living In Poverty 68%
   Population 2050 (projected) 15,400,000 + 152%
   27,830 sq. km.   229 per sq. km
   Literacy:   male 36%, female 36%
   Life Expectancy: male 45.08 yrs. female 46.83 yrs.
   Women 15-49 with HIV/AIDS - 56%
   National Intelligence Quotient - 70
   Corruption Index
   Armed Forces       Military Statistics
   USAID Grants taken 1962-2002 - $272.1 million
   News Sources      World Health Organization
   Freedom of the Press
Africa News
   Chambers of Commerce

Editorial Policy:

Nothing read in World Information should ever be construed to be the opinion of, condoned by, or advice from, The Business Forum, its staff, officers, members, directors, clients, sponsors or shareholders. We pass no opinion whatsoever upon the content of what we publish, nor do we accept responsibility for the claims, or any of the statements made, within anything published here. We merely aim to provide an academic forum and and information sourcing vehicle for the benefit of the business community of the Pacific States of America. Readers must determine for themselves where the comments, statements and advice that is published herein are gained from and act, or not act, upon what is published herein entirely and always at their own risk. We accept absolutely no liability whatsoever, nor take any responsibility for what anyone does, or does not do, based upon what is published herein, or information gained through use of the links to other web sites included herein.

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