Swaziland

Swaziland

AREA	17,363 sq km (6704 sq miles).
POPULATION	912,876 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	52.6 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Mbabane.
CAPITAL POPULATION	52,000 (1990).
GEOGRAPHY	Swaziland is surrounded to the north, west and south by the Mpumulanga of South Africa and to the east by Mozambique. There are four main topographical regions: the Highveld Inkangala, a wide ribbon of partly reforested, rugged country including the Usutu pine forest; the Peak Timbers in the northwest; the Middleveld, which rolls down from the Highveld through hills and fertile valleys; and the Lowveld, or bush country, with hills rising from 170-360m (560-1180ft). The Lubombo plateau is an escarpment along the eastern fringe of the Lowveld, comprising mainly cattle country and mixed farmland. One of the best-watered areas in southern Africa, Swaziland's four major rivers are the Komati, Usutu, Mbuluzi and Ngwavuma, flowing west–east to the Indian Ocean.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy since 1973. Gained independence from the UK in 1968. Head of State: King Mswati III since 1986. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini since 1993.
LANGUAGE	English and siSwati.
RELIGION	Christian (60%) with most of the remainder adhering to animist beliefs.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 2.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz. 15-amp round pin plugs are in use. COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 268. Outgoing international calls must go through the international operator. Public telephones are available. Fax: Some hotels have facilities. Telegram: Facilities are available in the capital. Post: Post offices are in all main centres. Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks. Post office hours: 0800-1600 Monday to Friday, 0800-1100 Saturday. Press: The two English-language newspapers in Swaziland are The Times of Swaziland (daily, except public holidays) and the Swazi Observer (Monday to Saturday).

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Surinam

Surinam

AREA	163,265 sq km (63,037 sq miles).
POPULATION	432,000 (1996).
POPULATION DENSITY	2.6 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Paramaribo.
CAPITAL POPULATION	200,970 (1993).
GEOGRAPHY	Surinam is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the east by the Marowijne River (which forms the border with French Guiana), to the west by the Corantijn River (which forms the border with Guyana), and to the south by forests, savannahs and mountains which separate it from Brazil. In the northern part of the country are coastal lowlands covered with mangrove swamps. Further inland runs a narrow strip of savannah land. To the south the land becomes hilly and then mountainous, covered with dense tropical forest, and cut by numerous rivers and streams.
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1987. Gained independence from The Netherlands in 1975. Head of State: President Jules Wijdenbosch since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ptretaapnarain S R Radhakishun since 1996.
LANGUAGE	Dutch is the official language. Sranan Tongo, originating in Creole, is the popular language. The other main languages are Hindi and Javanese. English, Chinese, French and Spanish are also spoken.
RELIGION	45% Christian, 28% Hindu, 20% Muslim.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 3.
ELECTRICITY	110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. European round 2-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use.

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Sudan

Sudan

AREA	2,505,813 sq km (967,500 sq miles).
POPULATION	28,947,000 (1994).
POPULATION DENSITY	11.5 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Khartoum.
CAPITAL POPULATION	924,505 (1993).
GEOGRAPHY	Sudan is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Ethiopia and Eritrea to the east, Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Central African Republic and Chad to the west, and Libya to the northwest. There is a marked difference between the climate, culture and geography of northern and southern Sudan. The far north consists of the contiguous Libyan and Nubian Deserts which extend as far south as the capital, Khartoum, and are barren except for small areas beside the Nile River and a few scattered oases. This gives way to the central steppes which cover the country between 15°N and 10°N, a region of short, coarse grass and bushes, turning to open savannah towards the south, largely flat to the east but rising to two large plateaux in the west and south, the Janub Darfur (3088m/10,131ft) and Janub Kordofan (500m/1640ft) respectively. Most of Sudan's agriculture occurs in these latitudes in a fertile pocket between the Blue and White Niles which meet at Khartoum. South of the steppes is a vast shallow basin traversed by the White Nile and its tributaries, with the Sudd, a 120,000 sq km (46,332 sq miles) marshland, in the centre. This gives way to equatorial forest towards the south, rising to jungle-clad mountains on the Ugandan border, the highest being Mount Kinyeti, at 3187m (10,456ft).
GOVERNMENT	Islamic Republic since 1986. Gained independence from the UK in 1956. Head of State and Government: President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir since 1989.
LANGUAGE	Arabic is the official language. English and many local dialects are widely spoken.
RELIGION	Muslim in the north; Christian and traditional Animist religions in the south.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 2.
ELECTRICITY	240 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

AREA	65,610 sq km (25,332 sq miles).
POPULATION	18,552,000 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	278.9 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Colombo.
CAPITAL POPULATION	2,026,000 (1993).
GEOGRAPHY	Sri Lanka is an island off the southeast coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which lie the chain of islands called Adam's Bridge. Sri Lanka has an irregular surface with low-lying coastal plains running inland from the northern and eastern shores. The central and southern areas slope into hills and mountains. The highest peak is Pidurutalagala (2524m/8281ft).
GOVERNMENT	Sinhala, Tamil and English.
LANGUAGE	Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948. Head of State: President Chandrika Kumaratunga since 1994. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sirimavo R D Bandaranaike since 1994.
RELIGION	Buddhist, with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 6.
ELECTRICITY	230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 3-pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp fittings.
COMMUNICATIONS	Telephone: IDD facilities are available to the principal cities. Country code: 94. Outgoing international code: 00. Phone cards are available at post offices and shops. Fax: The General Post Office in Colombo (address below) provides a service. Many hotels also have facilities. Telegram: These can be sent from all post offices. Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to a week. Press: Daily newspapers published in English include the Daily News, The Island and The Observer.

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Spain

Spain

AREA	504,782 sq km (194,897 sq miles).
POPULATION	39,371,147 (1998).
POPULATION DENSITY	72.47 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Madrid.
CAPITAL POPULATION	2,866,850 (1996).
GEOGRAPHY	Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and is bounded to the north by the Pyrenees, which separate Spain from France. The Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera), 193km (120 miles) southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are part of Spain, as are the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the north African mainland. With the exception of Switzerland, mainland Spain is the highest and most mountainous country in Europe, with an average height of 610m (2000ft). The Pyrenees stretch roughly 400km (249 miles) from the Basque Country in the west to the Mediterranean Sea; at times the peaks rise to over 1524m (5000ft), the highest point being 3404m (11,169ft). The main physical feature of Spain is the vast central plateau, or Meseta, divided by several chains of sierras. The higher northern area includes Castille and León, the southern section comprises Castile/La Mancha and Extremadura. In the south the plateau drops abruptly at the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the valley of Guadalquivir. Southeast of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, part of the Betic Cordillera, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean, rising to 3481m (11,420ft) and the highest point on the Spanish peninsula (the Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canaries is the highest peak in Spain). The Mediterranean coastal area reaches from the French frontier in the northeast down to the Straits of Gibraltar, the narrow strip of water linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic and separating Spain from North Africa.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy since 1978. Head of State: King Juan Carlos I since 1975. Head of Government: Prime Minister José María Aznar López since 1996.
LANGUAGE	Spanish (Castillian), Catalan, Galician and Basque.
RELIGION	Roman Catholic majority.
STANDARD TIME	Mainland Spain/Balearics: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round 2-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use.
COMMUNICATIONS	Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 34. Outgoing international code: 00. Area codes for a selection of major centres: Madrid 91, Alicante 96, Balearic Islands 971, Barcelona 93, Benidorm 96, Bilbao 94, Granada 958, Las Palmas 928, Málaga and Torremolinos 95, Santander 942, Seville 95, Tenerife 922 and Valencia 96. Fax: Most post offices have services. Facilities are also generally available at 4- and 5-star hotels, especially those catering for the business and conference traveller. Telegram: Facilities are available at main post offices. A 24-hour service is available in Madrid at Plaza de Cibeles; in Barcelona at Plaza Antonio Lopez; in Bilbao at 15 Calle Alameda Urquijo. Post: There are efficient internal and international postal services to all countries. Airmail within Europe usually takes around five days. Poste Restante facilities are available at main post offices. Press: The English-language daily is The Iberian Daily Sun. Local newspapers published in English include the Majorca Daily Bulletin and the English-language edition of Sur (weekly). Spanish dailies with large circulations include ABC, Diario 16, El País and El Mundo.

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South Africa

South Africa

AREA	1,219,080 sq km (470,689 sq miles).
POPULATION	42,130,500 (1998).
POPULATION DENSITY	33.8 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Pretoria (administrative)., Cape Town (legislative). , Bloemfontein (judicial).
CAPITAL POPULATION	1,080,187 (1991)., 2,350,157 (1991)., 300,150 (1991).
GEOGRAPHY	The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the African continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and is bordered to the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland and totally encloses Lesotho. South Africa has three major geographical regions, namely plateau, mountains and the coastal belt. The high plateau has sharp escarpments which rise above the plains, or veld. Despite two major river systems, the Limpopo and the Orange, most of the plateau lacks surface water. Along the coastline are sandy beaches and rocky coves, and the vegetation is shrublike. The mountainous regions which run along the coastline from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo Valley in the northeast of the country are split into the Drakensberg, Nuweveldberg and Stormberg ranges. Following the 1994 elections, South Africa was organised into nine regions. These comprise the Western Cape with its provincial and national capital of Cape Town, the Eastern Cape with its provincial capital of Bisho, the Northern Cape with its provincial capital Kimberley, KwaZulu-Natal with its provincial capital Pietermaritzburg, the Free State with its provincial capital of Bloemfontein, the North West Province with its provincial capital Mmabatho, the Northern Province with its provincial capital Pietersburg, Mpumalanga with its provincial capital of Nelspruit, and Gauteng with its provincial capital of Johannesburg.
GOVERNMENT	Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910. Head of State and Government: President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.
LANGUAGE	The official languages at national level are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
RELIGION	Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practiced widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 2.
ELECTRICITY	220/230 volts AC; 250 volts AC (Pretoria), 50Hz. 3-pin round plugs are in use.
COMMUNICATIONS	Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 27. Outgoing international code: 09. Fax: Most main hotels have this service. Telegram: Services are available in all towns. Post: Airmail to Europe takes up to seven days. Post office hours: Generally 0800-1630 Monday to Friday, 0800-1200 Saturday. Some transactions may not be carried out after 1530 Monday to Friday or after 1100 Saturday. The smaller post offices close for lunch 1300-1400. Poste Restante services are available throughout the country. Press: The main newspapers are in English and Afrikaans, and include Business Day, Cape Times, The Argus, Mail and Guardian, The Star, Sowetan, Sunday Times, and Natal Mercury.

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Somalia

Somalia

AREA	637,657 sq km (246,201 sq miles).
POPULATION	9,491,000 (1995).
POPULATION DENSITY	14.9 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Mogadishu.
CAPITAL POPULATION	900,000 (1990).
GEOGRAPHY	Somalia gained independence from the UK and Italy in 1960. Somalia does not currently have a recognised government. An unofficial President (Ali Madhi Muhammad) and Prime Minister (Hussein Muhammad Aidid) were agreed at a conference in 1998. The northern part of the country declared itself independent as the Republic of Somaliland.
GOVERNMENT	Somalia is bounded to the north by the Gulf of Aden, to the south and west by Kenya, to the west by Ethiopia and to the northwest by Djibouti. To the east lies the Indian Ocean. Somalia is an arid country and the scenery includes mountains in the north, the flat semi-desert plains in the interior and the subtropical region in the south. Separated from the sea by a narrow coastal plain, the mountains slope south and west to the central, almost waterless plateau which makes up most of the country. The beaches are protected by a coral reef that runs from Mogadishu to the Kenyan border in the south. They are among the longest in the world. There are only two rivers, the Jubba and the Shabeelle, and both rise in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Along their banks is most of the country's agricultural land. The Somali population is concentrated in the coastal towns, in the wetter, northern areas and in the south near the two rivers. A large nomadic population is scattered over the interior, although drought in recent years has led to many settling as farmers or fishermen in newly-formed communities.
LANGUAGE	Somali and Arabic are the official languages. Swahili is spoken, particularly in the south. English and Italian are also widely spoken.
RELIGION	The state religion is Islam and the majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 3.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Soloman Islands

Soloman Islands

AREA	27,556 sq km (10,639 sq miles).
POPULATION	404,000 (official estimate 1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	14.2 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Honiara.
CAPITAL POPULATION	35,288 (1990).
GEOGRAPHY	The Solomon Islands Archipelago is scattered in the southwestern Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. The group comprises most of the Solomon Islands (those in the northwest are part of Papua New Guinea), the Ontong Java Islands, Rennell Island and the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie further to the east. The larger of the islands are 145-193km (90-120 miles) in length, while the smallest are no more than coral outcrops. The terrain is generally quite rugged, with foothills that rise gently to a peak and then fall away steeply to the sea on the other side. The capital Honiara is situated on Guadalcanal Island, which also has the highest mountain, Mount Makarakombu, at 2447m (8028ft). There are a number of dormant volcanoes scattered throughout the archipelago.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1978. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Sir John Lapli since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'ulu since 1997.
LANGUAGE	English is the official language. Pidgin English and over 87 different local dialects are also spoken.
RELIGION	More than 95% of the population are Christian.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 11.
ELECTRICITY	240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-type flat 3-pin plugs are in use.

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Slovenia

Slovenia

AREA	20,253 sq km (7820 sq miles).
POPULATION	1,984,923 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	98.0 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Ljubljana.
CAPITAL POPULATION	320,000 (1995).
GEOGRAPHY	This compact and strategically important country is dominated by mountains, rivers and major north–south and east–west transit routes. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast, plus a 47km (30-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline, where the main port is Koper.
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1991. Gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1992. Head of State: President Milan Kucan since 1990. Head of Government: Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek since 1992.
LANGUAGE	Slovene, which is closely related to Croat and Czech. Most Slovenes speak English, German or Italian as a second language.
RELIGION	90% Roman Catholic, 3% Eastern Orthodox, with Muslim and Jewish minorities.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Slovakia

Slovakia

AREA	49,034 sq km (18,933 sq miles).
POPULATION	5,393,000 (1998).
POPULATION DENSITY	109.9 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Bratislava.
CAPITAL POPULATION	449,547 (1998).
GEOGRAPHY	The Slovak Republic is situated in Central Europe, sharing frontiers with the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Ukraine. Mountains, lowlands, canyons, lakes, cave formations, forests and meadows provide many examples of Slovakia's year-round natural beauty. Slovakia is a small country but its terrain varies impressively from lowlands to mountain ranges. Almost a half of the country is taken up by the Carpathian Arc, a range of mountains stretching across the north. The smaller ranges include the Lesser Carpathians, White Carpathians, Malá (Lesser) Fatra, Vel'ká (Greater) Fatra, High and Low Tatras and the Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovak Ore Mountains).
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1993. Head of State: President Rudolf Schuster since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda since 1998.
LANGUAGE	The official language is Slovak. Hungarian, Ruthenian, Ukrainian and German are spoken by ethnic minorities. English is also spoken.
RELIGION	The majority is Roman Catholic. Protestant churches comprise the remainder with Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist denominations. There is also a Jewish minority. There is a Greek Orthodox minority in Eastern Slovakia.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 2 (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in October to last Saturday in March).
ELECTRICITY	Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are normally of the screw type.

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Singapore

Singapore

AREA
POPULATION	3,865,600 (city).
POPULATION DENSITY
CAPITAL
CAPITAL POPULATION
GEOGRAPHY	The shining star of South East Asia, Singapore has proved uniquely resistant to the crisis that has dogged its neighbouring tiger economies and is held as a paragon of economic rejuvenation. With its high living standards and orderly society, clean, green and gleaming Singapore has been dubbed the Switzerland of Asia and with no natural resources to speak of, the 34-year-old republic has used a vigorous free trade policy to achieve rapid and sustained development. However, this hi-tech city of skyscrapers, futuristic shopping malls and designer lifestyles still presents a very Asian face to the visitor. The most avant-garde interior architecture can come packaged within the traditional painted walls of a Chinese or Peranakan shophouse. The low roofs of Chinese and Hindu temples squat in and among corporate towers and mass housing blocks. And Singaporeans still rely on feng shui consultants, astrologers and fortune-tellers for advice when moving home, getting married or planning children. Singapore as a nation has acquiesced to a paternalistic government that has brought affluence and prosperity at the cost of personal freedom. In 1999, 75-year-old SR Nathan became the city state’s new president – without election and with the powerful backing of Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. On a day-to-day level, the threat of harsh financial penalties, caning or corrective work orders ensure streets are litter-free, restaurants are smoke-free, citizens cross at pedestrian crossings, and public toilets are always immaculate. Homosexuality is against the law, possession of drugs carries the death penalty and newspapers are staunchly pro-government. Singapore’s tightly controlled society can make it appear sterile and soulless. But this perception ignores the sheer diversity that is inherent in a nation made up of four distinct ethnic groups, augmented by a sizeable expatriate community. An idiosyncratic consequence of this mix is demonstrated by the peculiar brand of English spoken by all generations. ‘Singlish’ is probably best recommended for its cryptic economy, and is heavily embellished with interjections most commonly from the Hokkien dialect. And if there is one passion that unites Singaporeans, it is their love of food. Singaporeans can eat at any time, day or night, and are well served by the hundreds of hawker stalls selling a quick chicken rice or roti prata, or indulging more acquired tastes with fish head curry, bird’s nest soup or fried chicken’s feet. Singapore is said to serve the world’s best Indian food, and other tastes – whether Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Malay, Japanese or the local Nonya and Peranakan – are catered for to the highest standard. There are things, however, that the government cannot control. Air conditioning may alleviate the sticky climate of an island only eight degrees north of the equator, but Singapore’s statesmen have no power to curb the small farmers and plantation owners in Indonesia and Malaysia who regularly clear land by starting forest fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan. The fallout in Singapore comes in the form of a ‘haze’ which can bring health and breathing problems, and casts a lingering white pall over the tropical sky.
GOVERNMENT
LANGUAGE
RELIGION	77 % Chinese; 14 % Malay; 7.6% Indian; 1.4% other. Religion: 31.9% Buddhist (Chinese); 23.9% Tao; 14.9% Islam; 12.9% Muslim; 12.9% Christian; 3.3% Hindu; also Sikh, Confucianist.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 8.
ELECTRICITY	220-240 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs, or two-pin with adapter.

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Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone

AREA	71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles).
POPULATION	4,428,000 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	59.9 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Freetown.
CAPITAL POPULATION	1,300,000 (1994).
GEOGRAPHY	Sierra Leone is bordered to the northwest, north and northeast by Guinea Republic, and to the southeast by Liberia. To the south and southwest lies the Atlantic Ocean. A flat plain up to 110km (70 miles) wide stretches the length of the coast except for the Freetown peninsula, where the Sierra Lyoa Mountains rise to 1000m (3280ft). In some coastal areas, sand bars have formed that stretch out as far as 112km (70 miles). Behind the coastal plain is the central forested area, drained by eight principal rivers, which has been cleared for agriculture. The land rises in altitude eastwards to the Guinea Highlands, a high plateau with peaks rising to over 1830m (6000ft) in the Loma Mountains and Tingi Hills area. The Mende tribe is prominent in the south and the Temne in the west and central areas.
GOVERNMENT	Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1961. Head of State and Government: President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah since 1966.
LANGUAGE	The official language is English. Krio is also widely spoken. Local dialects are Mende, Limba and Temne.
RELIGION	Animist (40%), Islam (40%) and Christian (20%).
STANDARD TIME	GMT.

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Senegal

Senegal

AREA	196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles).
POPULATION	8,802,000 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	43.6 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Dakar.
CAPITAL POPULATION	1,729,800 (1992).
GEOGRAPHY	Senegal is bordered by Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau to the south, Mali to the east and Mauritania to the north, and encloses the confederated state of The Gambia. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Most land is less than 100m (330ft) above sea level, except for the Fouta Djallon foothills in the southeast and the Bambouk Mountains on the Mali border. On the coast between Dakar and St Louis is a strip of shifting dunes. South of Dakar there are shallow estuaries along the coastline, which is fringed by palm trees. In the northern part of the country, south of the Senegal Basin, lies the arid Fouta Ferlo, a hot dry Sahelian plain with little vegetation.
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1963. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Abdou Diouf since 1981. Head of State: Prime Minister Mamadou Lamine Loum since 1998.
LANGUAGE	The official language is French. There are many local languages, the principal one being Wolof. Other groups include Senegalo-Guinean, Mandé and Peulh.
RELIGION	90% Muslim, 5% Roman Catholic and Protestant, and a minority of traditional beliefs.
STANDARD TIME	GMT.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Sao Tome And Principe

Sao Tome And Principe

AREA	1001 sq km (386.5 sq miles).
POPULATION	134,611 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	134.5 per sq km.
CAPITAL	São Tomé.
CAPITAL POPULATION
GEOGRAPHY	São Tomé e Príncipe comprises two main islands (Saõ Tomé and Príncipe) and the islets Cabras, Gago Coutinho, Pedras Tinhosas and Ilheu dos Rolas (which is crossed by the Equator line). These lie approximately 200km (120 miles) off the west coast of Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea. The country is rugged and has a great deal of forest cover and few natural resources. The landscape is varied, combining mountains, tropical forest and beaches.
GOVERNMENT	Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Head of State: President Miguel Trovoado since 1991. Head of Government: Prime Minister Guilherme Poser da Costa since 1999.
LANGUAGE	Portuguese is the official language. Creole is also spoken. Some English is spoken, but French is more common.
RELIGION	Roman Catholic majority (83%), with a number of other Christian denominations also represented.
STANDARD TIME	GMT.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC.

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San Marino

San Marino

AREA	60.5 sq km (23.4 sq miles).
POPULATION	26,266 (1998).
POPULATION DENSITY	434.1 per sq km.
CAPITAL	San Marino.San Marino
CAPITAL POPULATION	4498 (1995).
GEOGRAPHY	San Marino is a tiny state bordered by the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna to the north and east and Marche to the south and west. The landscape is for the most part green with rolling hills, dominated by the three peaks of Mount Titano. Within San Marino lie the capital of the same name and eight villages.
GOVERNMENT	Republic since 1599. Heads of State and Government: Capitani Regenti Marino Bollini and Giuseppe Arzilli since October 1999. The Captains Regent are elected by the Great General Council every six months.
LANGUAGE	Italian.
RELIGION	Roman Catholic.
STANDARD TIME	GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Samoa

Samoa

AREA	2831 sq km (1093 sq miles).
POPULATION	166,000 (1996).
POPULATION DENSITY	58.6 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Apia (Upolu Island).
CAPITAL POPULATION	34,126 (1991).
GEOGRAPHY	Samoa consists of nine islands. The largest of these is Savai'i, which covers 1610 sq km (622 sq miles); fertile Upolu, the second-largest (1120 sq km/433 sq miles), lies 13km (8 miles) to the southeast across the Apolima Strait. The islands are quiescent volcanoes and reach heights of up to 1858m (6097ft) on Savai'i and 1100m (3608ft) on Upolu. Volcanic activity has not occurred since 1911. The main city, Apia, is located in the north of Upolu.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from New Zealand in 1962. Head of State: King Malietoa Tanumafili II since 1963. Head of Government: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi since 1998.
LANGUAGE	Samoan is the national language. In business and commerce English is customary.
RELIGION	Congregational Church, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Latter Day Saints.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 12.
ELECTRICITY	240 volts AC, 50Hz (110 volts AC in some hotels).

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St Vincent and the Grenadines

St Vincent and the Grenadines

AREA	St Vincent: 344 sq km (133 sq miles). Grenadines: 45.3 sq km (17.3 sq miles). Total: 323.0 sq km (150.3 sq miles).
POPULATION	111,105 (1996).
POPULATION DENSITY	285.3 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Kingstown.
CAPITAL POPULATION	16,132 (1996).
GEOGRAPHY	St Vincent & the Grenadines make up part of the Windward Islands and lie south of St Lucia. St Vincent, like all the Windwards, is volcanic and mountainous with luxuriant vegetation and black sand beaches. The highest peak of St Vincent, La Soufrière (1219m/4000ft), is volcanic, and deep down in the crater is a lake. The 'tail' of the comet of St Vincent (the Grenadines) is a string of islands and cays that splays south from Bequia (pronounced Beck-Way), Petit Nevis, Isle D'Quatre and Pigeon Island to Battowia, Baliceaux, Mustique, Petit Mustique, Savan, Canouan, Petit Canouan, Mayreau and the Tobago Cays, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent. All of the Grenadines are famous for their white beaches, clear waters and verdant scenery.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarachy. Gained independence from the UK in 1979. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Sir Charles Antrobus since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir James F Mitchell since 1984.
LANGUAGE	English.
RELIGION	Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and other Christian denominations.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 4.
ELECTRICITY	220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia

AREA	616.3 sq km (238 sq miles).
POPULATION	151,700 (1998).
POPULATION DENSITY	239.0 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Castries.
CAPITAL POPULATION	54,568 (1993).
GEOGRAPHY	St Lucia is the second-largest of the Windward Islands. It has some of the finest mountain scenery in the West Indies, rich with tropical vegetation. For so small an island, 43km (27 miles) by 23km (14 miles), St Lucia has a great variety of plant and animal life. Orchids and exotic plants of the genus anthurium grow wild in the rainforests and the roadsides are covered with many colourful tropical flowers. Flamboyant trees spread shade and blossom everywhere. Indigenous wildlife includes a species of ground lizard unique to St Lucia, and the agouti and the manicou, two rodents, common throughout the island. The Amazon versicolor parrot is another, though more elusive, inhabitant of the deep interior rainforest. The highest peak is Mount Gimie at 950m (3117ft). Most spectacular are Gros Piton and Petit Piton, ancient, volcanic forest-covered cones which rise out of the sea on the west coast. Soufri (vents in a volcano which exude hydrogen sulphide, steam and other gases) and boiling waterpools can be seen here. The mountains are intersected by short rivers which in some areas form broad fertile valleys. The island has excellent beaches and is surrounded by a clear, warm sea.
GOVERNMENT	Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1979. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Perlette Louisy since 1988. Head of Government: Prime Minister Kenny Anthony since 1997.
LANGUAGE	English and local French patois.
RELIGION	78% Roman Catholic, also Anglican, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist and Baptist.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 4.
ELECTRICITY	220 volts AC, 50Hz.

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Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis

AREA	St Kitts: 168.4 sq km (65.1 sq miles). Nevis: 93.2 sq km (36 sq miles). Total: 261.6 sq km (101.1 sq miles).
POPULATION	41,000 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	166.4 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Basseterre.
CAPITAL POPULATION	12,220 (1994).
GEOGRAPHY	St Kitts (officially known as St Christopher) lies in the northern part of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. The high central body of the island is made up of three groups of rugged volcanic peaks split by deep ravines. The vegetation on the central mountain range is rainforest, thinning higher up to dense bushy cover. From here the island's volcanic crater, Mount Liamuiga, rises to almost 1200m (4000ft). The foothills, particularly to the north, form a gently rolling landscape of sugar-cane plantations and grassland, while uncultivated lowland slopes are covered with thick tropical woodland and exotic fruits such as papaya, mangoes, avocados, bananas and breadfruit. To the southeast of the island, a low-lying peninsula, on which there are many excellent beaches, stretches towards Nevis. 3km (2 miles) to the south and only minutes away by air or ferry across The Narrows channel is the smaller island of Nevis, which is almost circular in shape. The island is skirted by miles of silver-sand beaches, golden coconut groves and a calm, turquoise sea in which great brown pelicans dive for the rich harvest of fish. The central peak of the island, Nevis Peak, is 985m (3000ft) high and its tip is usually capped with white clouds. The mountain is flanked on the north and south sides by two lesser mountains, Saddle Hill and Hurricane Hill, which once served as look-out posts for Nelson's fleet. Hurricane Hill on the north side commands a view of St Kitts and Barbuda. On the island's west side, massed rows of palm trees form a coconut forest. There are pleasant coral beaches on the island's north and west coasts.
GOVERNMENT	Consitutional monarchy since 1983. Gained independence from the UK in 1983. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Sir Cuthbert Montroville Sebastian since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas since 1995.
LANGUAGE	The official language is English.
RELIGION	Anglican and other Christian denominations.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 4.
ELECTRICITY	230 volts AC, 60Hz (110 volts available in some hotels).

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Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Kitts and Nevis

AREA	St Kitts: 168.4 sq km (65.1 sq miles). Nevis: 93.2 sq km (36 sq miles). Total: 261.6 sq km (101.1 sq miles).
POPULATION	41,000 (1997).
POPULATION DENSITY	166.4 per sq km.
CAPITAL	Basseterre.
CAPITAL POPULATION	12,220 (1994).
GEOGRAPHY	St Kitts (officially known as St Christopher) lies in the northern part of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. The high central body of the island is made up of three groups of rugged volcanic peaks split by deep ravines. The vegetation on the central mountain range is rainforest, thinning higher up to dense bushy cover. From here the island's volcanic crater, Mount Liamuiga, rises to almost 1200m (4000ft). The foothills, particularly to the north, form a gently rolling landscape of sugar-cane plantations and grassland, while uncultivated lowland slopes are covered with thick tropical woodland and exotic fruits such as papaya, mangoes, avocados, bananas and breadfruit. To the southeast of the island, a low-lying peninsula, on which there are many excellent beaches, stretches towards Nevis. 3km (2 miles) to the south and only minutes away by air or ferry across The Narrows channel is the smaller island of Nevis, which is almost circular in shape. The island is skirted by miles of silver-sand beaches, golden coconut groves and a calm, turquoise sea in which great brown pelicans dive for the rich harvest of fish. The central peak of the island, Nevis Peak, is 985m (3000ft) high and its tip is usually capped with white clouds. The mountain is flanked on the north and south sides by two lesser mountains, Saddle Hill and Hurricane Hill, which once served as look-out posts for Nelson's fleet. Hurricane Hill on the north side commands a view of St Kitts and Barbuda. On the island's west side, massed rows of palm trees form a coconut forest. There are pleasant coral beaches on the island's north and west coasts.
GOVERNMENT	Consitutional monarchy since 1983. Gained independence from the UK in 1983. Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Sir Cuthbert Montroville Sebastian since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas since 1995.
LANGUAGE	The official language is English.
RELIGION	Anglican and other Christian denominations.
STANDARD TIME	GMT - 4.
ELECTRICITY	230 volts AC, 60Hz (110 volts available in some hotels).

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