BARBADOS/BELGIUM National holiday: 30 November Branches: legislature consisting of a 21-member appointed Senate and a 24-member elected House of Assembly; cabinet headed by Prime Minister Government leader: Prime Minister J. M. G. "Tom" Adams; Governor General Sir Deighton H. L. Ward Suffrage: universal over age 18 Elections: House of Assembly members have terms no longer than 5 years; last general election held 2 September 1976 Political parties and leaders: Barbados Labor Party (BLP), J. M. G. "Tom" Adams; Democratic Labor Party (DLP), Errol Barrow Voting strength (1976 election): Barbados Labor Party (BLP), 53%; Democratic Labor Party, 46%; Independent, negligible; House of Assembly seats-BLP 17, DLP 7 Communists: negligible Other political or pressure groups: People's Progressive Movement (PPM), a small black-nationalist group led by Calvin Alleyne Member of: CARICOM, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, IDB, ILO, IMCO, IMF, ISO, ITU, IWC-International Wheat Council, OAS, SELA, U.N., UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO ECONOMY GDP: $426 million (1978), $1,650 per capita; real growth rate 1978, 4.4% Agriculture: main products-sugarcane, subsistence foods Major industries: tourism, sugar milling, light manufacturing Electric power: 107,000 kW capacity (1977); 220 million kWh produced (1977), 920 kWh per capita Exports: $102 million (f.o.b., 1978); sugar and sugarcane byproducts, clothing Imports: $315 million (c.i.f., 1978); foodstuffs, machinery, manufactured goods Major trade partners: exports-34% U.S., 27% CARICOM, 10% U.K., 29% other; imports-25% U.S., 19% U.K., 16% CARICOM, 7% Canada, 33% other (1977) Aid: economic-bilateral commitments including Ex-Im (1970-77) from U.S., $4.5 million; (1970-77) from other Western countries, $44.2 million; no military aid Budget: (1978/79) revenues, $129 million; expenditures, $191 million Monetary conversion rate: 2 Barbados dollars=US$1 Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March COMMUNICATIONS Railroads: none Highways: 1,450 km total; 1,350 km paved, and 100 km gravel, and earth Ports: 1 major (Bridgetown), 2 minor Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft (including 3 leased in) Airfields: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m Population: 9,855,000 (January 1980), average annual growth rate 0.1% (1-75 to 1-79) Nationality: noun-Belgian(s); adjective-Belgian Ethnic divisions: 55% Flemings, 33% Walloons, 12% mixed or other Religion: 97% Roman Catholic, 3% none or other Language: French, Flemish (Dutch), German, in small area of eastern Belgium; divided along ethnic lines Literacy: 97% Labor force: 4.09 million (July 1978); in June 1976, 46.7% in services, 28.0% in mining and manufacturing, 7.4% in construction, 6.6% in transportation, 3.2% in agriculture, 1.0% commuting foreign workers, 0.4% in public works; 7% unemployed; 1978 annual average Organized labor: 70% of labor force GOVERNMENT Legal name: Kingdom of Belgium Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Brussels Political subdivisions: 9 provinces BELGIUM Legal system: civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; constitution adopted 1831, since amended; judicial review of legislative acts; legal education at 4 law schools; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: National Day, 21 July Branches: executive branch consists of King and cabinet; cabinet responsible to bicameral parliament; independent judiciary; coalition governments are usual Government leader: Head of State, King Baudouin I; Prime Minister Wilfried Martens Suffrage: universal over age 21 Elections: held 17 December 1978 (held at least once every 4 years) Political parties and leaders: Flemish Social Christian, Leo Tindemans, president; Francophone Social Christian, Paul Vanden Boeynants, president; Flemish Socialist, Karel Van Miert, president; Francophone Socialist, André Cools, president; Flemish Liberal, Willy De Clercq, president; Francophone Liberals, Jean Gol, president; Francophone Democratic Front, Antoinette Spaak, president; Volksunie (Flemish Nationalist), Vic Anciaux, president; Communist, Louis Van Geyt, president; Walloon Rally, Henri Mordant Voting strength (1978 election): 82 seats Social Christian, 58 seats Socialist, 37 seats Liberal, 14 seats Volksunie, 11 seats Francophone Democratic Front, 4 seats Walloon Rally, 4 seats Communist, 2 seats independent Communists: 9,000 members (est.) Other political or pressure groups: Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; the Federation of Belgium Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia Member of: ADB, Benelux, BLEU, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, ECE, ECOSOC, ECSC, EEC, EIB, ELDO, EMA, ESRO, EURATOM, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, ICES, IDA, IEA, IFC, ILO, International Lead and Zinc Study Group, IMCO, IMF, IOOC, IPU, ITC, ITU, NATO, OAS (observer), OECD, U.N., UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG ECONOMY GNP: $79 billion (1977), $8,040 per capita; 61.9% consumption, 21.1% investment, 17.4% government, 0.3% stock building, -0.7% net foreign balance; 2.0% real growth rate in 1978 Agriculture: livestock production predominates; main crops-grains, beets, potatoes; 80% self-sufficient in food; caloric intake, 3,230 calories per day per capita (1969-70) Fishing: catch 39,311 metric tons (1978); exports $57 million (1978), imports $279 million (1978) Major industries: engineering and metal products, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, and petroleum Crude steel: 12.6 million metric tons produced; 1,280 kg per capita (1978) Electric power: 11,500,000 kW capacity (1978); 51 billion kWh produced (1978), 5,190 kWh per capita Exports: (Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union) $45.0 billion (f.o.b., 1978); iron and steel products, finished or semifinished precious stones, textile products Imports: (Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union) $48.5 billion (c.i.f., 1978); nonelectrical machinery, motor vehicles, textiles, chemicals, fuels Major trade partners: (Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, 1978) 70% EC (23% West Germany, 18% France, 16% Netherlands, 8% U.K., 4% Italy), 5% U.S. Aid: (1970-78) bilateral economic aid authorized (ODA and OOF), $2,660 million Budget: (1978) revenues, $29.7 billion; expenditures, $32.3 billion; deficit, $2.6 billion Monetary conversion rate: (1978 average) Belgian Franc 31.410=US$1 Fiscal year: calendar year COMMUNICATIONS Railroads: 4,219 km total; 4,003 km standard gage (1.435 m) and government-owned, 2,536 km double track, 1,302 km electrified; 216 km government-owned, electrified meter gage (1.000 m) Highways: 104,612 km total; 1,051 km paved, limited access, divided autoroute; 51,780 km other paved; 51,781 km unpaved Inland waterways: 2,043 km, of which 1,528 km are in regular use by commercial transport Ports: 5 major, 1 minor Pipelines: refined products, 1,115 km; crude, 161 km; natural gas, 3,218 km Civil air: 54 major transport aircraft, including 6 leased in and 3 leased out Airfields: 46 total, 45 usable; 23 with permanent-surface runways; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m, 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities; 3.10 million telephones (31.4 per 100 popl.); 14 AM, 21 FM, and 25 TV stations; 5 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT station DEFENSE FORCES BELGIUM/BELIZE Population: 158,000 (January 1980), average annual growth rate 2.9% (current) Nationality: noun-Belizean(s); adjective-Belizean Ethnic divisions: 51% Negro, 22% mestizo, 19% Amerindian, 8% other Religion: 50% Roman Catholic; Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Methodist, Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mennonite Language: English, Spanish, Maya, and Carib Labor force: 34,500; 39% agriculture, 14% manufacturing, 8% commerce, 12% construction and transport, 20% services, 7% other; shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel; over 15% are unemployed Organized labor: 8% of labor force GOVERNMENT Legal name: Belize Type: internal self-governing British colony Legal system: English law; constitution came into force in 1964, although country remains a British colony Branches: 18-member elected National Assembly and 8-member Senate (either house may choose its speaker or president, respectively, from outside its elected membership); cabinet; judiciary Government leaders: Premier George C. Price; Governor Peter Donovan McEntee Suffrage: universal adult (probably 21) Elections: Parliamentary elections held November 1979 Political parties and leaders: People's United Party (PUP), George Price; United Democratic Party (UDP), a coalition comprised of the National Independence Party (NIP) led by Philip Goldson, the People's Democratic Union (PDM) led by Dean Lindo, and the Liberal Party (LP) led by Harry Lawrence; Corozal United Front (CUF), Santiago Ricalde; United Black Association for Development (UBAD), Evan X. Hyde Voting strength (National Assembly): PUP 12 seats, UDP 6 seats Communists: negligible Other political or pressure groups: United Workers Union, which is connected with PUP Member of: CARICOM, ISO ECONOMY GDP: $99 million (1977), $670 per capita; 78% private consumption, 17% public consumption, 36% domestic investment, -31% net foreign balance (1968) Agriculture: main products-sugarcane, citrus fruits, corn, molasses, rice, beans, bananas, livestock products; net importer of food; caloric intake, 2,500 calories per day per capita Major industries: timber and forest products, food processing, furniture, rum, soap Electric power: 16,000 kW capacity (1977); 32 million kWh produced (1977), 220 kWh per capita Exports: $62 million (f.o.b., 1977); sugar, molasses, clothing, lumber, citrus fruits, fish Imports: $90 million (c.i.f., 1977); vehicles, building materials, petroleum, food, textiles, machinery Major trade partners: exports-U.S. 30%, U.K. 24%, Mexico 22%, Canada 13%; imports-U.S. 34%, U.K. 25%, Jamaica 7% (1970) Aid: economic-bilateral commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-77), from Western (non-U.S.) countries, $58.3 million; from U.S., $3.0 million; no military aid Monetary conversion rate: 2 Belize dollars=US$1 COMMUNICATIONS Railroads: none BELIZE/BENIN Highways: 2,550 km total; 300 km paved, 1,150 km gravel, 950 km improved earth and 300 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 800 km river network used by shallow-draft craft Ports: 4 major (Belize), 4 minor Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airfields: 37 total, 36 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 5,800 telephones in automatic and manual network (2.7 per 100 popl.); radio-relay system; 6 AM stations; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT station Ethnic divisions: 99% Africans (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), 5,500 Europeans Religion: 12% Muslim, 8% Christian, 80% animist Language: French official; Fon and Yoruba most common vernaculars in south, at least 6 major tribal languages in north Literacy: about 20% Labor force: 85% of labor force engaged in agriculture; 15% civil service, artisans, and industry Organized labor: approximately 75% of wage earners, divided among two major and several minor unions GOVERNMENT Legal name: People's Republic of Benin Type: party state, under military rule since 26 October 1972; the military plans to relinquish power to a 336-member National Assembly Capital: Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (de facto) Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; legal education generally obtained in France; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: 30 November Branches: National Revolutionary Council, Council of Ministers, Central Committee of Party Government leader: Col. Mathieu Kérékou, President, and Chief of State Charged with National Defense Suffrage: universal adult Elections: National Assembly elections were held late 1979 Political parties: People's Revolutionary Party of Benin established in 1975 Communists: sole party espouses Marxism-Leninism Member of: AFDB, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU, OCAM, U.N.,. UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ECONOMY GNP: $716.3 million (1977 est.), $220 per capita; 1.5% real growth during 1970-1977 Agriculture: major cash crop is oil palms; peanuts, cotton, coffee, sheanuts, and tobacco also produced commercially; main food crops-corn, cassava, yams, rice, sorghum and millet; livestock, fish Fishing: catch 24,928 metric tons (1977); exports 600 metric tons, imports 8,875 metric tons (1975) Major industries: palm oil and palm kernel oil processing Electric power: 11,000 kW capacity (1977); 55 million kWh produced (1977), 20 kWh per capita Exports: $115.0 million (f.o.b., 1978); palm products (34%); other agricultural products BENIN/BERMUDA Imports: $278.6 million (c.i.f., 1978); clothing and other consumer goods, cement, lumber, fuels, foodstuffs, machinery, and transport equipment Major trade partners: France, EC, franc zone; preferential tariffs to EC and franc zone countries Budget: 1978 est.-receipts $186.2 million, expenditures $184.8 million Monetary conversion rate: 225.6 Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) francs=US$1 (1977) Fiscal year: calendar year COMMUNICATIONS WATER Limits of territorial waters (claimed): 3 nm (fishing 200 nm) Coastline: 103 km PEOPLE Population: 62,000 (January 1980), average annual growth rate 1.3% (7-70 to 7-77) Nationality: noun-Bermudian(s); adjective-Bermudian Ethnic divisions: approximately 59% black, 41% white Religion: 47.5% Church of England, 38.2% other Protestant, 10.2% Catholic, 4.1% other Language: English Literacy: virtually 100% Labor force: 28,200 employed (September 1978) GOVERNMENT Legal name: Bermuda Political subdivisions: 9 parishes Legal system: English law Branches: Executive Council (cabinet) appointed by governor, led by government leader; bicameral legislature with an appointed Legislative Council, and a 40-member directly elected House of Assembly; Supreme Court Government leaders: Governor, Sir Peter Ramsbotham; Premier, J. David Gibbons Suffrage: universal over age 21 Elections: at least once every 5 years; last general election, May 1976 Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party (UBP), J. David Gibbons; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Lois Browne Evans Voting strength (1976 elections): UBP 55.5%, PLP 44.4%; House of Assembly seats-UBP 26%, PLP 14% Communists: negligible Other political or pressure groups: Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) ECONOMY GDP: $505 million (1979 est.), $9,000 per capita; real growth rate 1978/79, est. 2.0% Agriculture: main products-bananas, vegetables, Easter lilies, dairy products, citrus fruits Major industries: tourism, finance Electric power: 86,200 kW capacity (1977); 300 million kWh produced (1977), 5,170 kWh per capita Exports: $46 million (f.o.b., 1977); mostly reexports of drugs and bunker fuel Imports: $186 million (f.o.b., 1977); fuel, foodstuffs, machinery Major trade partners: 45% U.S., 22% U.K., 9% Canada (1976) |