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Compare United Arab Emirates (2002) - Latvia (2003)

Compare United Arab Emirates (2002) z Latvia (2003)

 United Arab Emirates (2002)Latvia (2003)
 United Arab EmiratesLatvia
Administrative divisions 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: 27.7% (male 345,077; female 331,545)


15-64 years: 69.7% (male 1,069,443; female 635,275)


65 years and over: 2.6% (male 45,989; female 18,660) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988)


15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856)


65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 38 (2001) 38 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 19 22


over 3,047 m: 8 8


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 4


914 to 1,523 m: 2 3


under 914 m: 4 4 (2002)
total: 22


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 12 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 19 19


over 3,047 m: 1 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 3


914 to 1,523 m: 9 9


under 914 m: 5 5 (2002)
total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 10 (2002)
Area total: 82,880 sq km


land: 82,880 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maine slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002.
Birth rate 18.3 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $20 billion


expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Capital Abu Dhabi Riga
Climate desert; cooler in eastern mountains maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 1,318 km 531 km
Constitution 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) the 1991 Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: United Arab Emirates


conventional short form: none


local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah


local short form: none


former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States


abbreviation: UAE
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency Emirati dirham (AED) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $12.6 billion (2001 est.) $3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Marcelle M. WAHBA


embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi


mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi


telephone: [971] (2) 4436691


FAX: [971] (2) 4435441


consulate(s) general: Dubai
chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON


embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510


mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723


telephone: [371] 703-6200


FAX: [371] 781-0047
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI


chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037


telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400


FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432
chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS


chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214


FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international Oman signed boundary treaty with the UAE in 1999, and the UAE-Oman boundary line was formally recognized in June 2000;; because details of 1974 and 1977 treaties have not been made public, the exact location of the Saudi Arabia-UAE boundary is unknown and status is considered de facto; UAE seeks United Arab League and other international support against Iran's occupation of Greater Tunb Island (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran) and Lesser Tunb Island (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and attempts to occupy completely a jointly administered island in the Persian Gulf (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights
Economic aid - donor $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit.
Electricity - consumption 35.991 billion kWh (2000) 6.046 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 703 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 2.69 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 38.7 billion kWh (2000) 4.365 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 29.1%


hydro: 70.9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)


note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)
Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%
Exchange rates Emirati dirhams per US dollar - central bank mid-point rate: 3.6725 (since 1997), 3.6710 (1995-96) lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)


head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power


elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president


election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament


elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
Exports $47.6 billion f.o.b. (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Japan 30%, India 7%, Singapore 6%, South Korea 4%, Oman, Iran (1999) UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $51 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 3%


industry: 46%


services: 51% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 4.5%


industry: 26%


services: 69.5% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $21,100 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.6% (2001 est.) 6.1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 00 N, 54 00 E 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Heliports 2 (2002) -
Highways total: 4,835 km


paved: 4,835 km


unpaved: 0 km (1998 est.)
total: 73,202 km


paved: 28,256 km


unpaved: 44,946 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.9%


highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Illicit drugs The UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002 transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation
Imports $28.6 billion f.o.b. (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners Japan 9%, UK 8%, US 8%, Italy 6%, Germany, South Korea (1999) Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002)
Independence 2 December 1971 (from UK) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (2000) 5.7% (2002 est.)
Industries petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Infant mortality rate 16.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 14.59 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.5% (2000 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 41 (2001)
Irrigated land 720 sq km (1998 est.) 200 sq km


note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president) Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 1.6 million


note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.)
1.1 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.) agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries total: 867 km


border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.49%


other: 99.03% (1998 est.)
arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
Languages Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)


elections: none


note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.52 years


male: 72.06 years


female: 77.1 years (2002 est.)
total population: 69.31 years


male: 63.46 years


female: 75.45 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 79.2%


male: 78.9%


female: 79.8% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Location Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Middle East Europe
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 833,401 GRT/1,251,015 DWT


ships by type: cargo 13, chemical tanker 3, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.)
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force) Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1.6 billion (FY00) $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.1% (FY00) 1.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 773,938


note: includes non-nationals (2002 est.)
males age 15-49: 592,562 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 419,851 (2002 est.) males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 25,482 (2002 est.) males: 19,477 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 2 December (1971) Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Emirati(s)


adjective: Emirati
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards frequent sand and dust storms NA
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Net migration rate 1.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders none Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Janis NAGLIS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 2,445,989


note: includes 1,576,472 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)
2,348,784 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.58% (2002 est.) -0.73% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 820,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 2,347 km


broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
Religions Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.68 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.46 male(s)/female


total population: 1.48 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage none 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: modern system of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai


domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable


international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use


domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications


international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 915,223 (1998) 734,693 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1 million (1999) 401,263 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 15 (1997) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east low plain
Total fertility rate 3.16 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 7.6% (2001 est.)
Waterways none 300 km (perennially navigable)
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