Algeria is a north African country on the Mediterranean Sea. With a total area of almost 2.4 million sq. km, it is slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas. It is also the second-largest country in Africa. Its climate ranges from arid to semiarid. The winters are usually mild. It is subject to hot, dust- and sand-laden winds known as siroccos, especially in the summer. The terrain is mostly high plateau and desert. Besides some mountains, there is also a discontinuous coastal plain.
Algeria's population of over 31 million people is mostly Arab-Berber. Most of the population is Sunni Muslim, which is the state religion. The official language is Arabic. French and Berber dialects are also spoken. Algeria is a republic with three branches of government. The chief of state is the president who is elected by popular vote. The president appoints the prime minister who is the head of government. There is a bicameral legislature and a supreme court. The capital is Algiers.
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 52% of budget revenues, 25% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the fifth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the second-largest gas exporter; it ranks fourteenth for oil reserves. Algeria has a high unemployment rate (30%) and more than 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. Almost all (97%) of Algeria's exports are petroleum and natural gas. It imports capital goods, food and beverages, and consumer goods. Its main trading partners are Italy, U.S., France, and Spain.
Algeria has nearly 5,000 km of railways. About 70% of its 102,000 km of highways are paved. It has nearly 13,000 km of pipelines for oil, natural gas, and petroleum products. It has several ports and harbors. Fifty-one of its 137 airports have paved runways.
Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf just east of Saudi Arabia (and west of Qatar). With a total area of about 620 sq. km, it is about 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. Bahrain has an arid climate, although the winters tend to be mild. Its terrain is mostly desert plain. Bahrain is subject to periodic droughts as well as dust storms. It is situated in a strategic location in the Persian Gulf, a region through which much of the petroleum for the western world must transit.
Bahrain is home to nearly 630,000 people, including over 200,000 non-nationals. About 63% of the population is Bahraini, with about 13% Asian and the remainder other Arab and Southwest Asian peoples. Essentially all of the population is Muslim, with about three-quarters being Shi'a and the rest Sunni Muslim. The main languages are Arabic, English, Farsi, and Urdu.
Bahrain is a traditional monarchy. The chief of state is the hereditary monarch, who appoints a prime minister as the head of government. There is no active legislature but there is a High Civil Appeals Court. The capital is Manama.
Bahrain relies on the production and processing of petroleum and petroleum products for much of its income. With its oil deposits in danger of becoming depleted, Bahrain has developed significant processing, communication, and transport facilities. A large share of its exports includes petroleum products processed from imported crude oil. Thus, crude oil is a major (41%) import item. Bahrain's main trading partners include Saudi Arabia, Japan, India, and the U.S.
Bahrain has no railways. Almost three-fourths of its 3,100 km of highways are paved. It has about 100 km of pipelines for oil and natural gas products. It has three main ports, and two of its three airports have paved runways.
Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Turkey. It is a politically divided island with about 59% under the control of the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government. The northeastern section (37% of the area) of the island is under the control of a Turkish-Cypriot government which calls itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC). The two segments are separated by a United Nations buffer zone which takes up about 4% of the island's area. Overall, the island's area is about 9,250 sq. km (about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut). The island's climate is Mediterranean. The island has mountains in the north and south with a central plain in the south. The island experiences moderate earthquake activity.
Overall, the island's population numbers just over three-quarters of a million people. About 78% of the population is Greek-Cypriot (almost all of which live in the Greek zone). About 18% of the population is Turk (98.7% of which live in the Turkish zone). Most of the remaining people live in the Greek-Cypriot area. The population is split Greek Orthodox and Muslim by the same percentages as their ethnicity. The languages spoken include Greek, Turkish, and English.
The political differences between the Turks and the Greeks have yet to be worked out to either side's satisfaction. The Greek-Cypriots control the internationally recognized government, whose president is the chief of state and the head of government. The vice-presidential position is vacant as it is reserved for a Turkish-Cypriot. There is a unicameral legislature ad a supreme court. The capital is Nicosia. The TRNC, which has only been recognized by Turkey, has a president, a prime minister, unicameral legislature, and its own supreme court. Its capital is Lefkosa (part of Nicosia).
The political division of the country has had its effect on the economy. The internationally recognized Greek-Cypriot government, though subject to fluctuations due to external events, is more prosperous. The Turkish-Cypriot area is having more difficulty economically. It relies heavily on aid from Turkey (and uses the Turkish lira as legal tender) for its economy.
Furthermore, due to its unofficial status, foreign firms are reluctant to invest there. The exports of both areas are notably agricultural in nature, although more variety appears available from the Greek-Cypriot area. Both import food, machinery, and other products. The trade partners for the Greek-Cypriot area appear more diverse and include Russia, U.S., UK, Germany, and Greece. The Turkish-Cypriot area relies on Turkey for most of its trade but also has some trade with EU countries.
Cyprus has no railways. Over 10,000 km of the 12,765 km of highways are in the Greek-Cypriot area (over half paved in each sector). There are several ports and harbors. Twelve of the 15 airports have paved runways.
Egypt is located in northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea between Libya and the Gaza Strip. The land area is slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico, with 1,001,450 sq. km. The climate is a desert climate with hot, dry summers and moderate winters. Egypt is a vast desert plateau that is interrupted by the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. In addition to droughts and flash floods, Egypt is subject to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. Egypt controls the Sinai Peninsula, which is the only land bridge between Africa and the rest of the eastern hemisphere. Egypt also controls the Suez Canal, which is the shortest link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The overwhelming majority (99%) of the population of over 67 million is of eastern Hamitic stock. The country's population is strongly Muslim, mostly Sunni Muslim. The official language is Arabic.
Egypt is a republic with the president as the chief of state and a prime minister as the head of government. It has a bicameral legislature and a supreme constitutional court. The capital of Egypt is Cairo.
Toward the end of the 1980s, Egypt's economy was on a downward turn. However, the government took steps to stabilize the economy and began reform measures to encourage economic growth through a market-oriented economy. The main exports from Egypt include crude oil and petroleum products, cotton products, textiles, metal products, and chemicals. The main imports include machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood products, and durable consumer goods. Egypt's main trading partners are the EU, the U.S., and Japan. Although Egypt is trying to move toward a more market-oriented economy, a significant portion of its labor force (40%) participates in agriculture.
Egypt's infrastructure includes 4,751 km of railways and 3,500 km of navigable waterways with several accessible ports. Additionally, 49,985 km of their 64,000 km highway system are paved, and 70 of its 89 airports have paved runways. Egypt also has approximately 2,000 km of pipelines for petroleum and petroleum products.
The Gaza Strip is an area along the Mediterranean Sea which has been occupied by Israel since winning the Arab-Israeli War in 1967. However, the terms of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement provide for a transition to self-government. This strip is about 360 km in area (about twice the size of Washington, D.C.). It has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. It is basically a flat to rolling sand- and dune-covered coastal plain.
Over one million people are estimated to live in the Gaza Strip. Mostly, they are Palestinian Arabs with a Jewish population of less than 1%. There are 24 Israeli settlements and civilian land-use locations in the area. The main religion is Sunni Muslim. Arabic and Hebrew are spoken, but English is widely understood.
The region is currently involved in negotiations between Palestinians and the Israeli government to determine the permanent status and government of the region. Current security responsibilities are addressed in the Wye River memorandum of 1998.
The economy of the Gaza Strip suffers due to border closures by Israel following security incidents. This has disrupted previously existing labor and commodity markets between Gaza and Israel. As a result the Gaza Strip now suffers from chronic unemployment. Israel has taken steps to reduce the use of comprehensive closures and develop other security procedures which should help the Gaza Strip economy. The main commodity is citrus. Imports include food, consumer goods, and construction materials. Most trade is with Israel, Egypt, and the West Bank.
The Gaza Strip has a very limited infrastructure. What little railway remains is abandoned and in disrepair. It has a very poorly developed road network. The only port is Gaza. There are two airports, one of which has paved runways.
Iran is a nation in Southwest Asia bordering the northern half of the Persian Gulf. A portion of it also borders the Caspian Sea. With an area of 1.65 million sq. km, it is slightly larger than Alaska. Its climate is arid and semiarid with a subtropical region along the Caspian coast. Its terrain is mostly rugged with a mountainous rim and a high central basin. It has deserts inland as well as discontinuous plains along its coasts. Iran also occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Persian Gulf (Strait of Hormuz). Iran is subject to droughts, floods, dust storms, and sandstorms, as well as earthquake activity.
Iran's population of over 65 million people is over half Persian. About one-quarter of them are Azerbaijani. Most of the rest are from other regional ethnic groups. Most of the population are Shi'a Muslim, but about 10% of the population is Sunni Muslim. The main languages are Persian and Persian dialects (58%) followed by Turkic and Turkic dialects (26%).
Iran is a theocratic republic (Islamic State). The chief of state is the leader of the Islamic Revolution. The head of government is the president who is elected by popular vote. There is a unicameral legislature and a supreme court.
Iran has a mixed economy, including elements of central planning, state owned oil and other large enterprises, and private enterprises. Despite some efforts at diversification, Iran's economy is heavily dependent on the oil industry. More than half the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is about 30%. Iran's exports include petroleum (80%), carpets, fruits, nuts, hides, and iron. Its imports include machinery, military supplies, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and technical services.
Iran has 7,285 km of railways. It has 162,000 km of highways, about half of which are paved. Iran has nearly 15,000 km of pipelines for petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas. It has numerous ports and harbors. Iran has 288 airports (110 with paved runways) and 11 heliports.
Iraq lies in the lower part of the Tigris-Euphrates valley, which was the site of four great ancient civilizations. It borders the Persian Gulf between Iran and Kuwait. With an area of about 437,00 sq. km, it is slightly more than twice the size of Idaho. Iraq's climate is mostly desert. Its terrain includes broad plains, reedy marshes, and mountains. It is subject to dust storms, sandstorms, and floods.
Iraq has a population of about 22.5 million people. About three-quarters of the population are Arab, and another 15–20% are Kurdish. Almost all are Muslim (Shi'a 60–65%, Sunni 32–37%). The main languages are Arabic, Kurdish (official in the Kurdish regions), and other regional languages. Iraq has a relatively high total fertility rate (5.1 children born per woman), moderate infant mortality rate (62.4 deaths per thousand live births), and a low literacy rate (58%).
Iraq is a republic. The current (Saddam Hussein) president (chief of state) is also the prime minister (head of government) and chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. There is a unicameral legislature and a Court of Cassation. Any formal political activity must be sanctioned by the government.
Iraq's economy is almost completely reliant on the oil industry. Iraq underwent a prolonged war with Iran covering almost the entire decade of the 1980s that hurt the economy as well as causing significant damage to oil export facilities. This was followed with Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in 1990, which triggered embargoes and military action resulting in Iraq losing a quick conflict with an international coalition. The Iraqi government has continually refused to abide by UN controls, which would ease economic sanctions. Iraq has periodically been permitted to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for medicine and other humanitarian goods. Consequently, Iraq's current exports are oil, while it imports food, medicine, and manufactured goods. Its main trading partners include Russia, France, China, and Turkey.
Iraq has 2,032 km of railways. It has 47,400 km of highways, over 40,000 km of which are paved. It has over 6,000 km of pipelines. Iraq has a few ports and harbors, and 77 of its 109 airports have paved runways. It also has four heliports.
Israel is located in the eastern Mediterranean between Egypt and Lebanon. With an area of 20,770 sq. km, it is slightly smaller than New Jersey. This area does not include territories occupied by Israel since it won the Arab-Israeli War of 1967 (see also Gaza Strip and West Bank). Israel's climate, although temperate (Mediterranean), is hot and dry in the southern and eastern desert areas. Israel has a low coastal plain with central mountains. The Negev Desert is in the south. Sandstorms may occur in spring and summer.
Israel's population, including those who have settled in the occupied territories, numbers about 5.7 million people. About 80% of these are Jewish (ethnically), although only about 21% are Israel-born. Most of the 20% of the population that is non-Jewish is Arab. The main religion is Judaism (80%). About 15% are Muslim (mostly Sunni Muslim). The official language is Hebrew, although Arabic is used for the Arab minority. English is the most commonly used foreign language.
Israel is a republic. The chief of state is the president, who is elected by the unicameral legislature (Knesset). The head of government is the prime minister, who is elected by popular vote. There is a supreme court. The official capital is Jerusalem, but most countries maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Israel's is a market economy with significant government participation. Except for grains, Israel is generally self-sufficient in food production. About three-quarters of a million immigrants from the former USSR helped add to the population's scientific and professional base during the 1990s. Israel usually has sizable account deficits and relies heavily on the U.S. for economic and military aid. Israel's main exports include machinery and equipment, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, and textiles and apparel. It imports raw materials, military equipment, rough diamonds, oil, and consumer goods. Its main trading partners include the U.S., UK, Benelux nations, and other European nations.
Israel has 610 km of railways. All of its 14,464 km of highways are paved. It has over 1,000 km of pipelines for oil and petroleum products. It has several ports and harbors. Thirty-one of its 54 airports have paved runways. Israel has two heliports.
Jordan is a country in Southwest Asia northwest of Saudi Arabia and east of Israel and the West Bank. With a total area of 89,213 sq. km, it is slightly smaller than Indiana. Jordan's climate is mostly desert, although there is a rainy season in the west. Its terrain is mostly desert plateau in the east. It has a highland area in the west and the Great Rift Valley separates the East and West Banks of the Jordan River.
Jordan's population of about 4.5 million people is growing at a rate of 3% (mostly a reflection of the moderately high total fertility rate of 4.6 children born per woman). The population is almost entirely Arab. The main religion is Sunni Muslim, but there is a small (4%) Christian population. The official language is Arabic, but English is widely understood, especially among the upper and middle classes.
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The chief of state is the hereditary monarch (King). The head of government is the prime minister, who is appointed by the monarch. There is a bicameral legislature whose upper house is appointed by the monarch and the members of the lower house are elected by popular vote. The judicial branch consists of a Court of Cassation. The capital is Amman.
Jordan is a small Arab country with extremely limited resources. It is not oil rich like many of the other Arab nations in the region. A significant portion of its economy relies on remittances. Its main economic problems include sluggish growth, debt, poverty (about 30% live below the poverty line), and unemployment (officially 15% but other estimates place it as high as 30%). Jordan's exports include phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, and manufactured goods. Its imports include crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, and manufactured goods. Its main trading partners include the EU, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and other countries of the region.
Jordan has 677 km of railways. All of its 8,000 km of highways are paved. Its main port is Al'Aqabah. Fourteen of its 17 airports have paved runways.
Kuwait is a country in Southwest Asia with an area of about 17,820 sq. km (slightly smaller than New Jersey). It has a dry desert climate and basically flat desert terrain. Kuwait occupies a strategic location at the head of the Persian Gulf.
Kuwait's population of nearly 2 million people is more than half non-nationals. About 45% of the population is Kuwaiti, 35% is other Arabs, and about 9% is South Asian. About 85% of the population is Muslim, with slightly more Sunni Muslims than Shi'a. The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken.
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy. The hereditary monarch (Amir) is the head of state. The head of government is the prime minister, who is appointed by the monarch. There is a unicameral legislature and a high court of appeal. The capital is Kuwait.
Kuwait has a relatively open economy with abundant oil reserves (estimated to be about 10% of the world's reserves). This makes up most of Kuwait's exports. Kuwait has virtually no arable land on which to develop any agriculture. It also lacks freshwater and, with the exception of fish, is wholly dependent on imports for its food. Its main trading partners include the U.S., Japan, India, South Korea, and the UK.
Kuwait has no railways, and about 3,587 km of its 4,450 km of highways are paved. It has several ports and harbors, and half of its eight airports have paved runways. Kuwait also has one heliport.
Lebanon is a country in Southwest Asia that is still experiencing difficulties from internal strife, and part of the country is occupied by forces from other nations. It has about 10,400 sq. km of area, which makes it about 70% of the size of Connecticut. It has a Mediterranean climate. The country has a narrow coastal plain and internal mountains, which are separated by the Bekaa Valley. Lebanon is subject to dust storms and sandstorms.
Most of Lebanon's 3.5 million people are Arab with a small percentage (4%) of Armenians. Seventy percent of the people are Muslim, with five Islamic groups legally recognized. About 30% of the population is Christian. The official language is Arabic, although French, English, and Armenian are widely understood.
Lebanon is a republic. The chief of state is the president, who is elected by the National Assembly. The president appoints a prime minister as the head of government. There is a unicameral legislature (National Assembly) and a judicial branch with several levels of courts. The capital is Beirut.
Lebanon underwent a civil war from 1975–1991, which seriously damaged its economic infrastructure. With the end of the civil war, some of the economic infrastructure (especially banking) is being rebuilt. International banks and insurance companies are returning, and foreign exchange reserves have grown. Still, Lebanon faces challenges due to the continued unrest in the south and the possibility of renewed hostilities. Additionally, the economic recovery has not been uniformly distributed, and the gap between rich and poor has widened, posing further difficulties due to dissatisfaction among the populace. Lebanon's exports include foodstuffs, tobacco, textiles, chemicals, metal and metal products, and electrical equipment. Its imports include foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, consumer goods, and chemicals. Its main trading partners include France, U.S., Saudi Arabia, Japan, Italy, and other European and Southwest Asian countries.
Lebanon has 222 km of railways. Its 6,270 km of highways are paved. It has several ports and harbors. Seven of its nine airports have paved runways.
Libya is located in northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia. It is slightly larger than Alaska, with 1.76 million sq. km of area. The coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate, while the interior experiences an extreme desert climate. The terrain is very barren, with flat to undulating plains and plateaus.
The population of almost 5 million is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim (97%). Berber and Arab compose 97% of the ethnic groups in the country; however, several other ethnic groups are represented in the population, including Greeks, Maltese, and Italians. The languages of Arabic, Italian, and English are widely used in the major cities.
The government of Libya, in theory, is a Jamahiriya, or state of the masses; however, in reality it is a military dictatorship. For example, there is no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts. Additionally, the current chief of state is a revolutionary leader, although he holds no official title. The members of the unicameral legislature are elected indirectly through a hierarchy of people's committees. The judicial branch consists of a supreme court. The capital of Libya is Tripoli.
The economy of Libya is socialist-oriented and is dependent on oil. Agriculture accounts for about 18% of the labor force; however, due to climatic conditions and poor soils, agricultural output is limited. Libya must import 75% of its food requirements. In addition to food, Libya also imports machinery, transport equipment, and manufactured goods. Exports are crude oil, refined petroleum products, and natural gas. Libya's main trading partners include Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and France.
About 47,590 km of Libya's 83,200 km of highways are paved. Since 1965, Libya's railway system has not operated and, in fact, has been dismantled. Although Libya has no internal waterways, it has several ports. Of the 143 airports, 60 have paved runways. Libya has an extensive network of pipelines, including 4,383 km of crude oil pipeline, 1,947 km of natural gas pipeline, and 443 km of petroleum products pipeline.
Morocco is located in northern Africa, with coasts on both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is slightly larger than California, with 446,550 sq. km of area. Morocco's climate is Mediterranean; however, toward the interior of the country the climate is more arid. The northern coast and the interior are mountainous, reaching an elevation of 4,165 meters, with vast areas of plateaus and valleys. Morocco occupies a strategic location along the Strait of Gibraltar.
The ethnic composition of Morocco's population of almost 30 million is overwhelmingly Arab/Burber (99.1%). The majority of people are Muslim, with extremely small Christian and Jewish minorities. Arabic is the official language; however, dialects of Berber are often heard, and French is often used in business, government, and diplomacy.
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy. The chief of state is the hereditary monarch. The head of government is the prime minister, who is appointed by the monarch. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral parliament. The members of the lower house or Chamber of Representatives are elected by popular vote. The judicial branch consists of a supreme court. The capital is Rabat.
Morocco, like many other developing countries, faces certain problems, including reducing government spending and lifting the constraints on private activity and foreign trade while trying to keep inflation within reasonable bounds. Its industry includes phosphate mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, and tourism. Approximately 50% of Morocco's labor force is involved in agriculture with the main products of cereal crops, citrus, wine, and olives. Exports from Morocco include food and beverages, semi-processed and consumer goods, and phosphates. Its imports include capital and semi-processed goods, fuel and lubricants, foodstuffs, consumer goods, and raw materials. Morocco's largest trading partner by far is the EU. However, it also trades with the U.S., Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Brazil.
The infrastructure of the country includes almost 2,000 km of railways and 60,626 km of highways (just over half paved). Additionally, of the 69 airports, 26 have paved runways. Morocco has just over 1,000 km of pipelines for petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas. Morocco has many ports and harbors.
Oman is one of the countries in Southwest Asia that borders both the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Oman's area of about 212,460 sq. km makes it slightly smaller than Kansas. Its climate is dry desert. It has a vast central desert plain, with rugged mountains in the north and south. It is subject to dust storms and sandstorms as well as periodic droughts. Oman occupies a strategic location along the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz (entrance to the Persian Gulf) as well as part of the route leading to the southern approach to the Red Sea. These routes are part of the path by which much of the world's crude oil transits.
Oman's population of nearly 2.5 million people is growing at a relatively high rate (3.45%). The country has a high total fertility rate (6.1 children born per woman). The main ethnic groups are Arab, Baluchi, South Asian, and African. Most of the people are Ibadhi Muslim, with significant Sunni and Shi'a Muslim groups. The official language is Arabic, but English, Baluchi, Urdu, and Indian dialects are also spoken.
The Sultanate of Oman is a monarchy. The hereditary monarch is the Sultan, who is both chief of state and prime minister. There is a bicameral legislature which has limited, mostly advisory powers. Appointments to the upper house are made by the monarch, who also approves election results to the lower chamber. There is no official judicial branch. The legal system is administered by region by traditional Islamic judges.
Oman's economy is based on the oil industry. Petroleum makes up three-quarters of the export earnings. Most food is imported; what agricultural industry exists is mostly subsistence agriculture. By current estimates, the country has about 20 years of oil reserves left. Oman's export economy is based on petroleum, re-exports, fish, metals, and textiles. Its imports include machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, and lubricants. Its main trading partners include Japan, China, UAE, UK, U.S., and Thailand.
Oman has about 32,800 km of highways (almost 10,000 km paved) and no railways. It has over 2,000 km of pipelines. It has several ports and harbors. Only six of its 143 airports have paved runways. Oman has one heliport.
Qatar is a small peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf. It has an area of 11,437 sq. km, which makes it slightly smaller than Connecticut. Its climate is desert. Qatar's terrain is mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel. It is subject to haze, dust storms, and sandstorms. Qatar occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum fields.
Qatar's population of about 723,000 people is about 40% Arab, 18% Pakistani, and 18% Indian in origin. Most of the population is Muslim. Arabic is the official language, but English is commonly used as a second language. Qatar has a high population growth rate.
Qatar is a traditional monarchy. The chief of state is the hereditary monarch. The prime minister is appointed by the monarch and is the head of government. There is a unicameral Advisory Council whose role is apparently consultative. There is also a court of appeal. The capital is Doha.
Qatar's economy is heavily dependent on oil. It has sizable proven oil reserves. More importantly, it has about 5% of the world total of natural gas reserves, the third largest in the world. Long-term economic goals include diversification of the economy. Oil accounts for about 80% of Qatar's exports. It also exports fertilizer and steel. Its imports include machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, and chemicals. Its main trading partners include Japan, Singapore, South Korea, France, and the U.S.
Qatar has no railways. Most of its 1,230 km of highways are paved. It has three main ports and harbors. Two of its four airports have paved runways. It has one heliport.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest countries in Southwest Asia. With a total area of almost 2 million sq. km, it is slightly more than one-fifth the size of the U.S. Saudi Arabia has a harsh, desert climate. Most of the terrain is uninhabited desert. Saudi Arabia has the largest coastline on the Persian Gulf, which gives it great influence on shipping in the region. It is subject to frequent sandstorms and dust storms.
Saudi Arabia's population of about 21.5 million people are mostly Arab, with about 10% who are Afro-Asian. The country is Muslim. The main language is Arabic.
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. The monarch is hereditary and is both the chief of state and head of government (prime minister). There is a consultative council and a supreme council of justice. The capital is Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia's economy is oil based. The government exercises strong control over major economic activities. It has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world. As the largest exporter of petroleum, it exercises a leading role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a cartel. The oil sector employs a large number of foreign workers (about 4 million). The government is working to increase self-sufficiency in agriculture; however, success will be difficult due to rapid population growth (3.4%). Saudi Arabia's imports include machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, and textiles. Its main trading partners include the U.S., UK, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
Saudi Arabia has 1,390 km of railways. It has 162,000 km of highways, about 69,000 km of which are paved. It has over 10,000 km of pipelines. Saudi Arabia has numerous ports and harbors. Seventy of its 205 airports have paved runways. It also has four heliports.
Sudan is the largest country in Africa with an area of over 2.5 million sq. km. It is approximately one-quarter the size of the United States. Located in northern Africa, Sudan borders the Red Sea between Egypt and Eritrea. In the south of the country the climate is tropical, while in the north the climate is desert. The terrain is a fairly flat plateau, with mountains in the east and west. Sudan is dominated by the Nile River and its tributaries.
Sudan's population of over 34 million people has a moderate life expectancy of 56 years and a fairly high infant mortality rate of 71 deaths per thousand live births. Their literacy rate at age 15 and over is below 50%. Additionally, the total fertility rate is 5.6 children born per woman. Over half the population of Sudan is black; however, there are significant populations of Arab, Beja, and foreigners. The majority of Sudanese are Sunni Muslim, but there is a significant portion of the population that practices indigenous beliefs.
The government of Sudan is at a transitional stage, moving toward a constitutional government from a military junta. Although the constitution was implemented in June 1998, in most northern Sudanese states Islamic law applies to all of the residents. The president of the country is both the chief of state and head of government. Of the 400 seats in their unicameral legislature, 275 are elected by popular vote. The judicial branch includes a supreme court and special revolutionary courts.
Sudan's economy has suffered due to civil war, long-term political instability, adverse weather, high inflation, and counterproductive economic policies. The main areas of economic activity in the private sector are agriculture and trading. In fact, 80% of the workforce is employed in agriculture. Industry in Sudan is mainly processing agricultural items. More recently, the government has been working to develop the potentially lucrative oilfields located in the southern central part of the country. Exports from Sudan include cotton, sesame, and livestock. Their main imports are food, petroleum products, manufactured goods, machinery, and medicines. Sudan's main trading partners include Saudi Arabia, UK, South Korea, China, Italy, Germany, and Egypt.
The infrastructure of Sudan includes 5,516 km of railways, 815 km of pipelines for refined products, and 5,310 km of navigable waterways, with several ports and harbors, including its capital of Khartoum. Additionally, Sudan has 11,900 km of highways, but less than half (4,320 km) are paved. Of its 63 airports, only 12 have paved runways.
Syria is a Mediterranean country in Southwest Asia with about 185,180 sq. km of area (slightly larger than North Dakota). Its climate is mostly desert. The terrain is primarily semiarid and desert plateau with mountains in the west. Syria is subject to dust storms and sandstorms. Part of Syria (the Golan Heights) is still occupied by Israel (a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War).
Not counting the Israeli-occupied section, Syria has a population of about 17.2 million people. Most are Arab (90%). About three-quarters of the population is Sunni Muslim with another 16% made up of other Muslim sects. About 10% are Christian. The official language is Arabic, but several other regional languages as well as French and English are understood by segments of the population.
Syria is a republic but has been under a military regime since 1963. The president, who was the leader of a coup in 1970, is the chief of state. The head of government is the prime minister, who was appointed by the president. There is a unicameral legislature and a supreme court. The capital is Damascus.
Syria's economy is predominantly statist, meaning that economic, political, and other controls reside primarily in the hands of the government. As a result, private investment is minimal. In Syria's situation, this means that significant portions of the economy are underdeveloped, including the agricultural sector. To make matters worse, Syria is experiencing rapid population growth (over 3%), which is straining resources. Furthermore, oil production is leveling off. The petroleum industry accounts for about 65% of Syria's exports, followed by textiles, food and live animals, and manufactured goods. It imports machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, metal and metal products, textiles, and chemicals. Its main trading partners include Italy, Germany, Turkey, and other countries of Europe and Southwest Asia.
Syria has nearly 2,000 km of railways. It has over 41,000 km of highways, but less than one-quarter of them are paved. It has nearly 2,000 km of pipelines for crude oil and petroleum products. It has a number of ports and harbors, and less than one-quarter of its 104 airports have paved runways. Syria also has two heliports.
Tunisia is a fairly small country in northern Africa with 163,610 sq. km of area, which is only slightly larger than the state of Georgia. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Algeria and Libya. In the mountainous northern part of Tunisia, the climate is temperate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. As one moves southward, the terrain flattens into a central plain with a semiarid to arid desert climate.
The population of 9.5 million people is overwhelmingly Arab (98%). The predominant religion is Muslim, with a very small percent of the population that are either Christian or Jewish. The official language is Arabic; however, French is also used in commerce.
Tunisia is a republic. The chief of state is the president, who is elected by popular vote. The president appoints a prime minister as the head of government. There is a unicameral legislature and a judicial branch (Court of Cassation). The capital is Tunis.
The economy of Tunisia is diverse, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Tunisia was the first of the Mediterranean countries to enter into an association agreement with the European Union (EU) that will gradually remove trade barriers. In addition to agricultural products, Tunisia exports hydrocarbons, phosphates, and chemicals. Its imports include industrial goods and equipment, food, and consumer goods. Tunisia's main trading partner is the EU; in fact, 80% of both import and export trading is with the EU. Tunisia has a dispute with Libya over its maritime boundary. This area, which appears to be rich in oil, is of prime interest to both countries. However, Tunisia and Malta are discussing a commercial oil exploration venture off the continental shelf between their countries.
The infrastructure of Tunisia consists of 2,260 km of railways and over 23,000 km of highways (over 18,000 km paved). Tunisia has several ports and harbors, including its capital city of Tunis. Fourteen of its 32 airports have paved runways. It has over 1600 km of pipelines, mainly devoted to crude oil and natural gas.
Turkey is a Mediterranean country in Southwest Asia which has a small area that is often included in Europe. It also borders the Black Sea and the Bosporus and Dardanelles (often called the Turkish Straits), which control transit between the Mediterranean (via the Aegean Sea) and Black Seas and are completely within Turkey's territory. Turkey's area of 780,580 sq. km makes it slightly larger than Texas. It has a moderate (Mediterranean) climate, which is harsher in the interior. Turkey's terrain is mostly mountainous. It is subject to very severe earthquakes.
Turkey's population of almost 65.6 million people is about 80% Turkish and 20% Kurdish. Almost all of the population is Sunni Muslim. The official language is Turkish, but Kurdish and Arabic are also spoken.
Turkey is a parliamentary democracy. The chief of state is the president, who is elected by the unicameral legislature (National Assembly). The president appoints the prime minister who is the head of government. There is also a judicial branch with several layers of courts. The capital is Ankara.
Turkey has a complex economy, which includes modern industry and commerce as well as traditional village agriculture and crafts. The private sector is growing and is relatively strong, but the state still plays a strong role in several sectors. The largest export industry is textiles and clothing, which is mostly in private hands. Turkey's main exports include textiles and apparel, foodstuffs, and iron and steel products. Its main imports include machinery and equipment, fuels, minerals, and foodstuffs. Its main trading partners include Germany, U.S., Italy, Russia, and the UK.
Turkey has over 10,000 km of railways. It has 382,397 km of highways, nearly 100,000 km of which are paved. It has almost 5,000 km of pipelines for crude oil and petroleum products. Turkey has several ports and harbors. It has 117 airports, 81 of which have paved runways. Turkey also has two heliports.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a Southwest Asian nation that borders the Persian Gulf. With an area of about 82,880 sq. km, it is slightly smaller than Maine. The UAE has a desert climate. Its terrain includes a barren coastal plain merging into a vast desert wasteland with mountains in the east. It is subject to frequent dust storms and sandstorms.
The UAE population of about 2.3 million people includes various Arab and Iranian ethnic groups as well as a sizable South Asian group. About 96% of the population is Muslim. The official language is Arabic, but Persian, English, Hindi, and Urdu are also spoken.
The UAE is a federation. The chief of state is the president, who is elected by a group of electors. The president appoints a prime minister as the head of government. There is a unicameral legislature and a judicial branch with several levels of courts. The legislature, whose members are appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, can review legislation but cannot veto or modify it. The capital is Abu Dhabi.
The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest per capita incomes and with 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 over 100 years. Besides oil, the UAE economy includes re-exports, dried fish, and dates. It imports manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and food. Its main trading partners include Japan, South Korea, U.S., UK, Germany, and other Asian countries.
The UAE has no railways. All of its 4,835 km of highways are paved. It has several ports and harbors. Half of its 41 airports have paved runways. It also has two heliports.
Like the Gaza Strip, the West Bank is a region between Israel and Jordan which has been occupied by Israel since winning the Arab-Israeli War in 1967. In accordance with an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, the West Bank is attempting to transition to self-government. Unlike the Gaza Strip, however, the West Bank is a landlocked area. Much larger than the Gaza Strip, the West Bank has 5,860 sq. km of area, making it slightly smaller than Delaware. The West Bank is a rugged country with mostly dissected upland. It has a temperate (Mediterranean) climate.
The West Bank has over 1.6 million people, 83% of which are Arab (the remainder are Jewish). The people are mostly Sunni Muslim, with significant Jewish (17%) and Christian (8%) followers. Arabic and Hebrew are spoken, and English is widely understood.
Like the Gaza Strip, this region is currently involved in negotiations between Palestinians and the Israeli government, whose purpose is to determine the permanent status and government of the region. Current security responsibilities are addressed in the Wye River memorandum of 1998.
The economy of the West Bank suffers due to border closures by Israel following security incidents. As a result, the West Bank has experienced unemployment rates of over 20%. The border closures disrupted the flow of labor and goods into and out of the West Bank. Israel has taken steps to reduce the use of comprehensive closure and to develop other security procedures, which should help the West Bank economy. The main exports of the West Bank include olives, fruit, vegetables, and limestone. It imports food, consumer goods, and construction materials. Most of its trade is with Israel and Jordan.
The West Bank has no railways. More than half of its 4,500 km of highways are paved. The Israelis have developed many highways to tend to the nearly 250 Israeli settlements and land use sites in the region. Both of its airports have paved runways.
Located in northern Africa, Western Sahara is about the size of Colorado, with 266,000 sq. km of area. Western Sahara borders the North Atlantic Ocean between the countries of Morocco and Mauritania. It consists of flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces and hot, dry conditions. Rain is a rare occurrence in this area. The flat areas rise to form small mountains in the south and the northeast. Toward the coastal areas, cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew.
The population of Western Sahara is 239,333. The two major ethnic groups are Arab and Berber. The religion is Muslim. They speak two dialects of Arabic: Hassaniya and Moroccan. They have a high infant mortality rate (136.4 deaths per thousand live births) and a high total fertility rate (6.7 children born per woman). However, the life expectancy is low at just under 48 years.
Western Sahara has no capital, and no executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government. Its legal status of territory and the question of its sovereignty are unresolved. At this time, Western Sahara is not recognized as a country. It is presently claimed and administered by the Moroccan government. For now, the sovereignty of Western Sahara is unresolved; however, the United Nations is attempting to hold a referendum on this issue.
Western Sahara is poor in natural resources. Additionally, it lacks sufficient rainfall to support large-scale agriculture. The people of Western Sahara depend on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining for their support. Their chief export is phosphate. Around half of the population is involved in subsistence agriculture and pastoral nomadism. Most of the food consumed in urban areas is imported. Along with food, Western Sahara also imports fuel for the fishing fleet. All trade and all other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan government. The income and the standard of living for the people of Western Sahara is substantially below that of Morocco.
Western Sahara has no railways. It has 6,200 km of highways, 1,350 km of which are paved. It has a few ports and harbors. Three of its 12 airports have paved runways, and it has one heliport.
Yemen is a country on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. With an area of almost 580,00 sq. km, it is slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming. Yemen's climate is desert with a temperate portion in the western mountains. Yemen's terrain consists of coastal plains, with flat-topped hills, rugged mountains, upland desert plains, and desert on the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen is subject to sandstorms and dust storms. It occupies a strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. This is also one of the world's most active shipping lanes and the route by which a significant amount of oil to the west flows.
Yemen has a population of nearly 17 million people. Most of the population is Arab with Afro-Arab and South Asian concentrations. Most of the population is Muslim. The principal language is Arabic. Many of Yemen's demographics are similar to those of Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a high total fertility rate (7.1 children born per woman), relatively high infant mortality rate (69.8 deaths per thousand live births), relatively low average life expectancy (just under 60 years), high population growth (3.3%), and very low literacy (38%).
Yemen is a republic. The chief of state is the president. The prime minister is appointed by the president. There is a unicameral legislature and a supreme court. The capital is Sanaa.
Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Arab world. Its economy is very dependent on the oil industry. The government is working on economic reforms designed to modernize and stimulate the economy. However, efforts will most likely be difficult due to the high population growth rate, internal political problems, and variability in the oil market. Yemen's exports include crude oil, cotton, coffee, and fish products. Its imports include food and live animals, machinery and equipment, and manufactured goods. Its main trading partners include China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Brazil, and South Korea.
Yemen has no railways. It has over 64,000 km of highways, but only about 5,200 km are paved. It has a few ports and harbors. Twelve of its 48 airports have paved runways.