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Compare Estonia (2001) - Taiwan (2001)

Compare Estonia (2001) z Taiwan (2001)

 Estonia (2001)Taiwan (2001)
 EstoniaTaiwan
Administrative divisions 15 counties (maakonnad, singular - maakond): Harjumaa (Tallinn), Hiiumaa (Kardla), Ida-Virumaa (Johvi), Jarvamaa (Paide), Jogevamaa (Jogeva), Laanemaa (Haapsalu), Laane-Virumaa (Rakvere), Parnumaa (Parnu), Polvamaa (Polva), Raplamaa (Rapla), Saaremaa (Kuessaare), Tartumaa (Tartu), Valgamaa (Valga), Viljandimaa (Viljandi), Vorumaa (Voru)

note:
counties have the administrative center name following in parentheses
since in the past the authorities claimed to be the government of all China, the central administrative divisions include the provinces of Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu) and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un

note:
Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization
Age structure 0-14 years:
17.08% (male 123,997; female 119,166)

15-64 years:
68.14% (male 466,823; female 503,032)

65 years and over:
14.78% (male 68,802; female 141,496) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
21.22% (male 2,470,270; female 2,276,108)

15-64 years:
69.97% (male 7,944,451; female 7,707,250)

65 years and over:
8.81% (male 1,034,230; female 938,152) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish rice, corn, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish
Airports 32 (2000 est.) 39 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total:
35

over 3,047 m:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
9

1,524 to 2,437 m:
8

914 to 1,523 m:
7

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
24

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
7

914 to 1,523 m:
5

under 914 m:
6 (2000 est.)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total:
45,226 sq km

land:
43,211 sq km

water:
2,015 sq km

note:
includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea
total:
35,980 sq km

land:
32,260 sq km

water:
3,720 sq km

note:
includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Background After centuries of Swedish and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with Western Europe. In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan, however it reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the native population within its governing structure. Throughout this period, the island has prospered to become one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issue continues to be the relationship between Taiwan and China and the question of eventual reunification.
Birth rate 8.7 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 14.31 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$1.37 billion

expenditures:
$1.37 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
revenues:
$42.74 billion

expenditures:
$48.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Tallinn Taipei
Climate maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Coastline 3,794 km 1,566.3 km
Constitution adopted 28 June 1992 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, 1994, 1997, and 1999
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Estonia

conventional short form:
Estonia

local long form:
Eesti Vabariik

local short form:
Eesti

former:
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Taiwan

local long form:
none

local short form:
T'ai-wan

former:
Formosa
Currency Estonian kroon (EEK) new Taiwan dollar (TWD)
Death rate 13.48 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.6 billion (2000 est.) $40 billion (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Melissa WELLS

embassy:
Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[372] 668-8100

FAX:
[372] 668-8134
none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through a private corporation, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has its headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia (telephone: [1] (703) 525-8474 and FAX: [1] (703) 841-1385) and offices in Taipei at #7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 2709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 2702-7675, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center at Room 3208 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 2720-1550, FAX [886] (2) 2757-7162
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Sven JURGENSON

chancery:
2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 588-0101

FAX:
[1] (202) 588-0108

consulate(s) general:
New York
none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the US with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 12 other US cities
Disputes - international Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996 which has not been signed nor ratified by Russia as of February 2001 involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does China
Economic aid - recipient $137.3 million (1995) -
Economy - overview In 2000, Estonia rebounded from the Russian financial crisis by scaling back its budget and reorienting trade away from Russian markets into EU member states. After GDP shrank 1.1% in 1999, the economy made a strong recovery in 2000, with growth estimated at 6.4% - the highest in Central and Eastern Europe. Estonia joined the World Trade Organization in November 1999 - the second Baltic state to join - and continues its EU accession talks. For 2001, Estonians predict GDP to grow around 6%, inflation of between 4.2%-5.3%, and a balanced budget. Substantial gains were made in completing privatization of Estonia's few remaining large, state-owned companies in 2000, and this momentum is expected to continue in 2001. Estonia hopes to join the EU during the next round of enlargement tentatively set for 2004. Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing guidance of investment and foreign trade by government authorities. In keeping with this trend, some large government-owned banks and industrial firms are being privatized. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 8% during the past three decades. Exports have grown even faster and have provided the primary impetus for industrialization. Inflation and unemployment are low; the trade surplus is substantial; and foreign reserves are the world's fourth largest. Agriculture contributes 3% to GDP, down from 35% in 1952. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being moved offshore and replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal. Because of its conservative financial approach and its entrepreneurial strengths, Taiwan suffered little compared with many of its neighbors from the Asian financial crisis in 1998-99. Growth in 2001 will depend largely on conditions in Taiwan's export markets and may be about 5%.
Electricity - consumption 6.807 billion kWh (1999) 129.899 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 530 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 100 million kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 7.782 billion kWh (1999) 139.676 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
99.72%

hydro:
0.09%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0.19% (1999)
fossil fuel:
67.26%

hydro:
6.32%

nuclear:
26.42%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Suur Munamagi 318 m
lowest point:
South China Sea 0 m

highest point:
Yu Shan 3,997 m
Environment - current issues air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet military bases; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locations air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to:
none of the selected agreements

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Estonian 65.1%, Russian 28.1%, Ukrainian 2.5%, Byelorussian 1.5%, Finn 1%, other 1.8% (1998) Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%
Exchange rates krooni per US dollar - 16.663 (January 2001), 16.969 (2000), 14.678 (1999), 14.075 (1998), 13.882 (1997), 12.034 (1996); note - krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1 new Taiwan dollars per US dollar - 33.082 (yearend 2000), 31.395 (yearend 1999), 32.216 (1998), 32.052 (1997), 27.5 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Lennart MERI (since 5 October 1992)

head of government:
Prime Minister Mart LAAR (since 29 March 1999)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; if he or she does not secure two-thirds of the votes after three rounds of balloting, then an electoral assembly (made up of Parliament plus members of local governments) elects the president, choosing between the two candidates with the largest percentage of votes; election last held August-September 1996 (next to be held in the fall of 2001); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament

election results:
Lennart MERI reelected president by an electoral assembly after Parliament was unable to break a deadlock between MERI and RUUTEL; percent of electoral assembly vote - Lennart MERI 61%, Arnold RUUTEL 39%
chief of state:
President CHEN Shui-bien (20 May 2000) and Vice President Annette LU (since 20 May 2000)

head of government:
Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) CHANG Chun-hsiung (since NA October 2000) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) LAI In-jaw (since NA October 2000)

cabinet:
Executive Yuan appointed by the president

elections:
president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 18 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier

election results:
CHEN Shui-bien elected president; percent of vote - CHEN Shui-bien (DPP) 39.3%, James SOONG (independent) 36.84%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 23.1%, HSU Hsin-liang (independent) 0.63%, LEE Ao (CNP) 0.13%
Exports $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $148.38 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment 24%, wood products 20%, textiles 17%, food products 9%, metals, chemical products (1999) machinery and electrical equipment 51%, metals, textiles, plastics, chemicals
Exports - partners Finland 19.4%, Sweden 18.8%, Russia 9.2%, Latvia 8.7%, Germany 7.5%, US 2.5% (1999) US 23.5%, Hong Kong 21.1%, Europe 16%, ASEAN 12.2%, Japan 11.2% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)
Flag description pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
GDP purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $386 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
3.6%

industry:
30.7%

services:
65.7% (1999)
agriculture:
3%

industry:
33%

services:
64% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $17,400 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6.4% (2000 est.) 6.3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 59 00 N, 26 00 E 23 30 N, 121 00 E
Heliports - 3 (2000 est.)
Highways total:
30,300 km

paved:
29,200 km (including 75 km of expressways); note - these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, and include, in addition to conventionally paved roads, some that are surfaced with gravel or other coarse aggregate, making them trafficable in all weather

unpaved:
1,100 km (2000)
total:
34,901 km

paved:
31,271 km (including 538 km of expressways)

unpaved:
3,630 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
3.2%

highest 10%:
28.5% (1996)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western Europe to Scandinavia; possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; synthetic drug production growing, trafficked to Russia, Baltics, Finland transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin
Imports $4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $140.01 billion (c.i.f., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment 31%, chemical products 13%, foodstuffs 11%, metal products 8%, textiles 8% (1999) machinery and electrical equipment 51%, minerals, precision instruments
Imports - partners Finland 22.8%, Russia 13.5%, Sweden 9.3%, Germany 9.3%, Japan 4.7% (1999) Japan 27.5%, US 17.9%, Europe 13.6% (2000)
Independence 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) -
Industrial production growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 8% (2000 est.)
Industries oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel electronics, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing
Infant mortality rate 12.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 6.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.1% (1999 est.) 1.3% (2000 est.)
International organization participation BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, ICFTU, IFRCS, IOC, WCL, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 28 (2000) 8 (2000)
Irrigated land 110 sq km (1996 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch National Court (chairman appointed by Parliament for life) Judicial Yuan (justices appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; note - beginning in 2003, justices will be appointed by the president with the consent of the Legislative Yuan)
Labor force 785,500 (1999 est.) 9.8 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation industry 20%, agriculture 11%, services 69% (1999 est.) services 55%, industry 37%, agriculture 8% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total:
633 km

border countries:
Latvia 339 km, Russia 294 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
25%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
11%

forests and woodland:
44%

other:
20% (1996 est.)
arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
55%

other:
15%
Languages Estonian (official), Russian, Ukrainian, English, Finnish, other Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Legal system based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Center Party 28, Union of Pro Patria (Fatherland League) 18, Reform Party 18, Moderates 17, Country People's Party (Agrarians) 7, Coalition Party 7, UPPE 6
unicameral Legislative Yuan (225 seats - 168 elected by popular vote, 41 elected on the basis of the proportion of nationwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected from overseas Chinese constituencies on the basis of the proportion of nationwide votes received by participating political parties, eight elected by popular vote among the aboriginal populations; members serve three-year terms) and unicameral National Assembly (300 seats, note - total number of seats has been reduced from 334 to 300 since the last election; members are elected by proportional representation based on the election of the Legislative Yuan and serve four-year terms)

elections:
Legislative Yuan - last held 5 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2001); National Assembly - last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA June 2002)

election results:
Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 46%, DPP 29%, CNP 7%, independents 10%, other parties 8%; seats by party - KMT 123, DPP 70, CNP 11, independents 15, other parties 6; subsequent to the election there have been some changes in the distribution of seats in the Legislative Yuan due to new party formation and party defections, the new distribution is as follows - KMT 114, DPP 66, PFP 17, NP 9, other/independent 19; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats by party - KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6
Life expectancy at birth total population:
69.73 years

male:
63.72 years

female:
76.05 years (2001 est.)
total population:
76.54 years

male:
73.81 years

female:
79.51 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
100% (1998 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
86% (1980 est.); note - literacy for the total population has reportedly increased to 94% (1998 est.)

male:
93% (1980 est.)

female:
79% (1980 est.)
Location Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia 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
Map references Europe Southeast Asia
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
limits fixed in coordination with neighboring states

territorial sea:
12 NM
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 253,460 GRT/219,727 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 2, cargo 19, combination bulk 1, container 5, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 10, short-sea passenger 6 (2000 est.)
total:
167 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,768,145 GRT/7,508,941 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 45, cargo 29, combination bulk 1, container 65, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 2 (2000 est.)
Military branches Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops) Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure $70 million (FY99) $8.042 billion (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY99) 2.8% (FY98/99)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
359,677 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
6,575,689 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
282,418 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
5,025,856 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age 19 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
11,164 (2001 est.)
males:
198,766 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 6 September 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
Nationality noun:
Estonian(s)

adjective:
Estonian
noun:
Chinese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Chinese
Natural hazards flooding occurs frequently in the spring earthquakes and typhoons
Natural resources shale oil (kukersite), peat, phosphorite, amber, cambrian blue clay, limestone, dolomite, arable land small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Net migration rate -0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines natural gas 420 km (1992) petroleum products 3,400 km; natural gas 1,800 km (1999)
Political parties and leaders Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Christian People's Party [Aldo VINKEL]; Coalition Party and Rural Union or KMU [Andrus OOBEL, chairman]; Estonian Democratic Party (formerly Estonian Blue Party) [Jaan LAAS]; Estonian Independence Party [leader NA]; Estonian National Democratic Party or ENDP [leader NA]; Estonian Pensioners and Families Party [Mai TREIAL]; Estonian Progressive Party [Andra VEIDEMANN]; Estonian Republican Party [leader NA]; Estonian Social-Democratic Labor Party [Tiit TOOMSALU]; Estonian Rural People's Union (1999 merger of Estonian Country People's Party and the Estonian Rural Union) [Arvo SIRENDI]; Party of Consolidation Today [leader NA]; People's Party Moderates (1999 merger of People's Party and Moderates) [Andres TARAND]; Reform Party or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Russian Party in Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV]; Russian Unity Party [Igor SEDASHEV]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaaliit) [Mart LAAR, chairman]; United People's Party or UPPE [Viktor ANDREJEV, chairman] Chinese New Party or CNP [HAU Lang-bin]; Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Frank HSIEH, chairman]; Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [LIEN Chan, chairman]; New Party or NP [LI Ching-hwa]; People First Party or PFP [James SOONG, chairman]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Taiwan independence movement, various business and environmental groups

note:
debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of opposition parties in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; a broad popular consensus has developed that Taiwan currently enjoys de facto independence and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding reunification or independence - that Taiwan's people must have the deciding voice; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually reunify with mainland China; goals of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building
Population 1,423,316 (July 2001 est.) 22,370,461 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 8.9% (1995 est.) 1% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate -0.55% (2001 est.) 0.8% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Haapsalu, Kunda, Muuga, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung
Radio broadcast stations AM 3 (all AM stations inactive since July 1998), FM 82, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 218, FM 333, shortwave 50 (1999)
Radios 1.01 million (1997) 16 million (1994)
Railways total:
1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include dedicated industrial lines

broad gauge:
1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)
total:
4,600 km (519 km electrified)

narrow gauge:
4,600 km 1.067-m

note:
only 1,108 km of route length (including the electrified part) is used in common carrier service by the Taiwan Railway Administration; the remaining 3,492 km is dedicated to industrial use (1999)
Religions Evangelical Lutheran, Russian Orthodox, Estonian Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Word of Life, Jewish mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.86 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.09 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.09 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.05 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal for all Estonian citizens 20 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
foreign investment in the form of joint business ventures greatly improved telephone service; Internet services available throughout most of the country; about 150,000 unfilled subscriber requests

domestic:
local - the Ministry of Transport and Communications is expanding cellular telephone services to form rural networks; intercity - highly developed fiber-optic backbone (double loop) system presently serving at least 16 major cities (1998)

international:
fiber-optic cables to Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia provide worldwide packet-switched service; two international switches are located in Tallinn
general assessment:
provides telecommunications service for every business and private need

domestic:
thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 476,078 (yearend 1998) 12.49 million (September 2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 475,000 (yearend 2000) 16 million (September 2000)
Television broadcast stations 31 (plus five repeaters) (September 1995) 29 (plus two repeaters) (1997)
Terrain marshy, lowlands eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Total fertility rate 1.21 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.76 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 11.7% (1999 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Waterways 320 km (perennially navigable) NA
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