Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Joaquim Rafael BRANCO; Chancery (temporary) at 801 Second Avenue, Suite 1504, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 697-4211; US—the US Ambassador in Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Overview: The economy has remained
dependent on cocoa since the gained
independence nearly 15 years ago. Since then,
however, cocoa production has gradually
deteriorated because of drought and
mismanagement, so that by 1987 output had
fallen to less than 50% of its former
levels. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for
export has created a serious balance-of-payments
problem. Production of less
important crops, such as coffee, copra, and
palm kernels, has also declined. The value
of imports generally exceeds that of
exports by a ratio of 4 to 1. The emphasis
on cocoa production at the expense of
other food crops has meant that Sao
Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It
also has to import all fuels and most
manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao
Tome has been unable to service its external
debt, which amounts to roughly 80%
of export earnings. Considerable potential
exists for development of a tourist industry,
and the government has taken steps to
expand facilities in recent years. The
government also implemented a Five-Year
Plan covering 1986-90 to restructure the
economy and reschedule external debt
service payments in cooperation with the
International Development Association and
Western lenders.
GDP: $37.9 million, per capita $340; real growth rate 1.8% (1986)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (1986)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues $19.2 million; expenditures $25.1 million, including capital expenditures of $19.9 million (1987)
Exports: $9.1 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities—cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil; partners—FRG, GDR, Netherlands, China
Imports: $17.3 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities—machinery and electrical equipment 59%, food products 32%, fuels 9%; partners—Portugal, GDR, Angola, China
External debt: $95 million (1988)
Industrial production: growth rate 7.1% (1986)
Electricity: 6,000 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: light construction, shirts, soap, beer, fisheries, shrimp processing
Agriculture: dominant sector of economy, primary source of exports; cash crops—cocoa (90%), coconuts, palm kernels, coffee; food products—bananas, papaya, beans, poultry, fish; not self-sufficient in food grain and meat
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), 41.9 million
Currency: dobra (plural—dobras); 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1—122.48 (December 1988), 72.827 (1987), 36.993 (1986), 41.195 (1985)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Highways: 300 km (two-thirds are paved);
roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and
in need of repair
Ports: São Tomé, Santo Antonio
Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft
Airports: 2 total, 2 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: minimal system; 2,200 telephones; stations—1 AM, 2 FM, no TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy
Military manpower: males 15-49, 27,805; 14,662 fit for military service
Defense expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (1980)
Saudi Arabia
_Saudi_Arabia.jpg)
See regional map VI
Geography
Total area: 2,149,690 km²; land area:
2,149,690km²
Comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of US
Land boundaries: 4,410 km total; Iraq 488 km, Iraq-Saudi Arabia Neutral Zone 198 km, Jordan 742 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 40 km, UAE 586 km, PDRY 830 km, YAR 628 km
Coastline: 2,510 km
Maritime claims:
- Contiguous zone: 18 nm
- Continental shelf: not specific
- Exclusive fishing zone: not specific
- Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: no defined boundaries with PDRY, UAE, and YAR; shares Neutral Zone with Iraq in July 1975, Iraq and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to divide the zone between them, but the agreement must be ratified, however, before it becomes effective; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature
Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 39% meadows and pastures; 1% forest and woodland; 59% other; includes NEGL% irrigated
Environment: no perennial rivers or permanent water bodies; developing extensive coastal seawater desalination facilities; desertification
Note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
