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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
![[Flag of ASEAN]](int-as97.gif)
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
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