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Compare Armenia (2003) - Switzerland (2003)

Compare Armenia (2003) z Switzerland (2003)

 Armenia (2003)Switzerland (2003)
 ArmeniaSwitzerland
Administrative divisions 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.1% (male 356,587; female 346,648)


15-64 years: 68.3% (male 1,113,241; female 1,158,245)


65 years and over: 10.6% (male 147,156; female 204,571) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 623,428; female 591,709)


15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,519,302; female 2,439,560)


65 years and over: 15.6% (male 470,257; female 674,382) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Airports 15 (2002) 66 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 8


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 41


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 25


1524 to 2437 m: 1


under 914 m: 24 (2002)
Area total: 29,800 sq km


land: 28,400 sq km


water: 1,400 sq km
total: 41,290 sq km


land: 39,770 sq km


water: 1,520 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maryland slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Background Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Birth rate 12.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 9.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $402 million


expenditures: $482 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
revenues: $30 billion


expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Yerevan Bern
Climate highland continental, hot summers, cold winters temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution adopted by nationwide referendum 5 July 1995 18 December 1998
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Armenia


conventional short form: Armenia


local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun


local short form: Hayastan


former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic; Armenian Republic
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation


conventional short form: Switzerland


local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)


local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
Currency dram (AMD) Swiss franc (CHF)
Death rate 10.16 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $905 million (June 2001) $NA
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador John M. ORDWAY


embassy: 18 Baghramyan Ave., Yerevan 375019


mailing address: American Embassy Yerevan, Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020


telephone: [374](1) 521-611, 520-791, 542-177, 542-132, 524-661, 527-001, 524-840


FAX: [374](1) 520-800
chief of mission: Ambassador Mercer REYNOLDS III


embassy: Jubilaeumsstrasse 93, 3005 Bern


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11


FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Arman KIRAKOSSIAN


chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982


consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER


chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900


FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco


consulate(s): Boston
Disputes - international Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and militarily occupies 16% of Azerbaijan - Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; border with Turkey remains closed over Nagorno-Karabakh dispute; traditional demands regarding former Armenian lands in Turkey have subsided; ethnic Armenian groups in Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy, closer ties with Armenia none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)
Economic aid - recipient ODA $170 million (2000) -
Economy - overview Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia had developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics in exchange for raw materials and energy. Since the implosion of the USSR in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. The agricultural sector has long-term needs for more investment and updated technology. The privatization of industry has been at a slower pace, but has been given renewed emphasis by the current administration. Armenia is a food importer, and its mineral deposits (copper, gold, bauxite) are small. The ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the ethnic Armenian-dominated region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the breakup of the centrally directed economic system of the former Soviet Union contributed to a severe economic decline in the early 1990s. By 1994, however, the Armenian Government had launched an ambitious IMF-sponsored economic program that has resulted in positive growth rates in 1995-2003. Armenia also has managed to slash inflation, stabilize the local currency (the dram), and privatize most small- and medium-sized enterprises. The chronic energy shortages Armenia suffered in the early and mid-1990s have been offset by the energy supplied by one of its nuclear power plants at Metsamor. Armenia is now a net energy exporter, although it does not have sufficient generating capacity to replace Metsamor, which is under international pressure to close. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, domestic restructuring of the economy, and foreign direct investment. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector. Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 5.784 billion kWh (2001) 53.43 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 704 million kWh; note - exports an unknown quantity to Georgia; includes exports to Nagorno-Karabakh region in Azerbaijan (2001) 34.54 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 463 million kWh; note - imports an unknown quantity from Iran (2001) 24.1 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 6.479 billion kWh (2001) 68.68 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 42.3%


hydro: 27%


nuclear: 30.7%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: 1.3%


hydro: 59.5%


nuclear: 37.1%


other: 2% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Debed River 400 m


highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m


highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Environment - current issues soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Armenian 93%, Azeri 1%, Russian 2%, other (mostly Yezidi Kurds) 4% (2002)


note: as of the end of 1993, virtually all Azeris had emigrated from Armenia
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Exchange rates drams per US dollar - NA (2002), 555.08 (2001), 539.53 (2000), 535.06 (1999), 504.92 (1998) Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.56 (2002), 1.69 (2001), 1.69 (2000), 1.5 (1999), 1.45 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Robert KOCHARIAN (since 30 March 1998)


head of government: Prime Minister Andranik MARKARYAN (since 12 May 2000)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 19 February and 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA 2008); prime minister appointed by the president; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program


election results: Robert KOCHARIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Robert KOCHARIAN 67.5%, Stepan DEMIRCHYAN 32.5%
chief of state: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term


elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003)


election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - NA%; Ruth METZLER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports NA (2001) 10,420 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners Belgium 21.5%, Russia 14.6%, Israel 10.3%, Iran 9.4%, US 8.2%, Switzerland 6.8%, Germany 6.2% (2002) Germany 19.2%, US 10.2%, Italy 9.6%, France 8.9%, UK 7.7% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $12.13 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $233.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 30%


industry: 26%


services: 44% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 2%


industry: 34%


services: 64% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,600 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 12.9% (2002 est.) 0.1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 40 00 N, 45 00 E 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Geography - note landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways total: 15,918 km


paved: 15,329 km (includes 7,527 km of expressways)


unpaved: 589 km (2000)
total: 71,011 km


paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.3%


highest 10%: 46.2% (1999)
lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)
Illicit drugs illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; used as a transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
Imports NA (2001) 289,500 bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles
Imports - partners US 15.3%, Russia 12.9%, Belgium 12.3%, Iran 10.3%, UAE 6.3%, Germany 5.5%, Italy 4.9% (2002) Germany 27.4%, France 11.4%, Italy 9.7%, US 8.5%, Russia 5.8%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002)
Independence 21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation)
Industrial production growth rate 15% (2002 est.) 3.2% (2001)
Industries metal-cutting machine tools, forging-pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, gem cutting, jewelry manufacturing, software development, food processing, brandy machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Infant mortality rate total: 40.86 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 45.27 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 36.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.1% (2002 est.) 0.5% (2002 est.)
International organization participation BSEC, CE, CIS, COE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 9 (2001) 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000)
Irrigated land 2,870 sq km (1998 est.) 250 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court; Court of Cassation (Appeals Court) Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)
Labor force 1.4 million (2001) 4 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 45%, services 30%, industry 25% (2002 est.) services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998)
Land boundaries total: 1,254 km


border countries: Azerbaijan-proper 566 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 221 km, Georgia 164 km, Iran 35 km, Turkey 268 km
total: 1,852 km


border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Land use arable land: 17.52%


permanent crops: 2.3%


other: 80.18% (1998 est.)
arable land: 10.57%


permanent crops: 0.61%


other: 88.82% (1998 est.)
Languages Armenian 96%, Russian 2%, other 2% German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9%
Legal system based on civil law system civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; 75 members selected by direct vote, 56 by party list)


elections: last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held in the spring of 2007)


note: electoral law was changed in 2002 so ratio in next elections will be 75 deputies elected by party list, 56 by direct election


election results: percent of vote by party - Republican Party 23.5%, Justice Bloc 13.6%, Rule of Law 12.3%, ARF (Dashnak) 11.4%, National Unity Party 8.8%, United Labor Party 5.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 23, Justice Bloc 14, Rule of Law 12, ARF (Dashnak) 11, National Unity 9, United Labor 6; note - seats by party change frequently as deputies switch parties or announce themselves independent
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of States - last held NA 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2007)


election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 27.7%, SPS 24.2%, FDP 16%, CVP 12.9%, Greens 7.7%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 52, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: 66.68 years


male: 62.41 years


female: 71.17 years (2003 est.)
total population: 79.99 years


male: 77.11 years


female: 83.02 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98.6%


male: 99.4%


female: 98% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male:


female:
Location Southwestern Asia, east of Turkey Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Map references Asia Europe
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Merchant marine - total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 597,049 GRT/1,051,380 DWT


ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 6, US 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guards Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards
Military expenditures - dollar figure $135 million (FY01) $2.548 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 6.5% (FY01) 1% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 919,582 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 1,834,638 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 727,770 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) 20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 37,209 (2003 est.) males: 42,761 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Nationality noun: Armenian(s)


adjective: Armenian
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)


adjective: Swiss
Natural hazards occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Natural resources small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, alumina hydropower potential, timber, salt
Net migration rate -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines gas 2,031 km (2003) gas 1,831 km; oil 212 km; refined products 7 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders Agro-Industrial Party [Vladimir BADALIAN]; Armenia Party [Myasnik MALKHASYAN]; Armenian National Movement or ANM [Alex ARZUMANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Ramkavar Liberal Party or HRAK [Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN, chairman]; Armenian Revolutionary Federation ("Dashnak" Party) or ARF [Vahan HOVHANISSIAN]; Democratic Party [Aram SARKISYAN]; Justice Bloc (comprised of the Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, National Democratic Union, and the People's Party); National Democratic Party [Shavarsh KOCHARIAN]; National Democratic Union or NDU [Vazgen MANUKIAN]; National Unity Party [Artashes GEGAMIAN, chairman]; People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHYAN]; Republic Party [Albert BAZEYAN and Aram SARKISYAN, chairmen]; Republican Party or RPA [Andranik MARKARYAN]; Rule of Law Party [Artur BAGDASARIAN, chairman]; Union of Constitutional Rights [Hrant KHACHATURYAN]; United Labor Party [Gurgen ARSENIAN] Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Philipp STAEHELIN, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER and Patrice MUGNY, co-presidents]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Christiane LANGENBERGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Yerkrapah Union [Manvel GRIGORIAN] NA
Population 3,326,448


note: Armenia's first census since independence was conducted in October 2001; official results are not expected until late 2003 (July 2003 est.)
7,318,638 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 50% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate -0.07% (2003 est.) 0.21% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Basel
Radio broadcast stations AM 9, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998)
Railways total: 852 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines


broad gauge: 852 km 1.520-m gauge (779 km electrified) (2002)
total: 4,511 km


standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 982 km 1.000-m gauge (975 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2002)
Religions Armenian Apostolic 94%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi (Zoroastrian/animist) 2% Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: system inadequate; now 90% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion


domestic: the majority of subscribers and the most modern equipment are in Yerevan (this includes paging and mobile cellular service)


international: Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and through the Moscow international switch and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (2000)
general assessment: excellent domestic and international services


domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 600,000 (2002) 4.82 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 50,000 (2002) 1.967 million (1999)
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus an unknown number of repeaters); (1998) 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Total fertility rate 1.56 children born/woman (2003 est.) 1.48 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (2001 est.) 1.9% (2002 est.)
Waterways NA km 65 km


note: The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes
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