Country Guide

Albania Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece in the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north


Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 20 00 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:28,748 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 145
land:27,398 sq km
water:1,350 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:691 km
border countries:Greece 212 km, Kosovo 112 km, Macedonia 181 km, Montenegro 186 km


Coastline:
362 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation


Climate:
mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter


Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point:Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m


    Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower


Land use:
arable land:21.63%
permanent crops:2.57%
other:75.79% (2011)


Irrigated land:
1,884 sq km (2006)


Total renewable water resources:
41.7 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
41.7 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought


Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Albanian(s)
adjective:Albanian


Ethnic groups:
Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.)


Languages:
Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Roma, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)


Religions:
Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2%


Population:
3,020,209 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 138


Age structure:
0-14 years:19.3% (male 307,275/female 274,634)
15-24 years:19.2% (male 297,851/female 282,498)
25-54 years:40% (male 574,820/female 633,729)
55-64 years:10.5% (male 157,014/female 158,602)
65 years and over:11.1% (male 157,143/female 176,643) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:44.9 %
youth dependency ratio:29 %
elderly dependency ratio:15.9 %
potential support ratio:6.3 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:31.6 years
male:30.3 years
female:32.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.3% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 172


Birth rate:
12.73 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 156


Death rate:
6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 152


Net migration rate:
-3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 184


Urbanization:
urban population:53.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
TIRANA (capital) 419,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.11 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.12 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.89 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.4 (2010 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
27 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:13.19 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 120
male:14.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female:11.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:77.96 yearscountry comparison to the world: 60
male:75.33 years
female:80.86 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.5 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 191


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
69.3% (2008/09)


Health expenditures:
6.3% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2011)


Hospital bed density:
2.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 97.3% of population
rural: 93.8% of population
total: 95.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.7% of population
rural: 6.2% of population
total: 4.3% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 95.3% of population
rural: 86.3% of population
total: 91.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4.7% of population
rural: 13.7% of population
total: 8.8% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
21.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 88


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
6.3% (2009)country comparison to the world: 80


Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2007)country comparison to the world: 130

Literacy:
definition:age 9 and over can read and write
total population:96.8%
male:98%
female:95.7% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:10 years
male:10 years
female:10 years (2001)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:22.5%country comparison to the world: 50
male:23.8%
female:20.7% (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form:Albania
local long form:Republika e Shqiperise
local short form:Shqiperia
former:People's Socialist Republic of Albania


Government type:
parliamentary democracy


Capital:
name:Tirana (Tirane)
geographic coordinates:41 19 N, 19 49 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore


Independence:
28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1912) also known as Flag Day


Constitution:
several previous; latest approved by parliament 21 October 1998, adopted by popular referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998; amended 2007, 2008, 2012 (2014)


Legal system:
civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the 'Code of Leke' prevails


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President of the Republic Bujar NISHANI (since 24 July 2012)
head of government:Prime Minister Edi Rama (since 10 September 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by parliament
elections:president is elected by the Assembly for a five-year term and is eligible for a second term (a candidate needs a three-fifths majority of the Assembly's 140 votes (84 votes) in one of the first three rounds of voting or a simple majority in round four or five to become president; up to five rounds of voting are held, if necessary); four election rounds held between 30 May and 11 June 2012 (next election to be held in 2017); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the party or coalition of parties that has the majority of seats in the Assembly
election results:Bujar NISHANI elected president on fourth round of voting; Assembly vote (for first three rounds three-fifths majority, 84 votes, required; fourth round, a simple majority of votes is required): Bujar NISHANI 73 votes


Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 deputies elected through a regional proportional system from multi-name lists of parties or party coalitions according to their respective order; elected for a four-year term)
elections:last held on 23 June 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party- PS 41.36%, PD 30.63%, LSI 10.46%, PR 3.02%, PDIU 2.61%, other 11.92%; seats by party- PS 65, PD 50, LSI 16, PDIU 4, PR 3, other 2
note:seats by parliamentary group as of March 2014 - ASHE 85, APMI 55


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including a chairman); Court of Cassation (consists of 14 judges, including the chief justice)
judge selection and term of office:Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms; chairman elected by the People's Assembly for single 3-year term; Court of Cassation judges, including the chairman, appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single, 9-year terms)
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance


Political parties and leaders:
Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kol NIKOLLAJ]
Omonia [Vasil BOLLANO]
Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]


International organization participation:
BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Gilbert GALANXHI (since 5 January 2011)
chancery:1312 18th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 223-4942
FAX:[1] (202) 628-7342
consulate(s) general:New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Alexander ARVIZU (since 10 November 2010)
embassy:Rruga e Elbasanit, 103, Tirana
mailing address:US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510
telephone:[355] (4) 2247-285
FAX:[355] (4) 2232-222


Flag description:
red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-78); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as 'Shqipetare,' which translates as 'sons of the eagle'


National symbol(s):
double-headed eagle


National anthem:
name:'Hymni i Flamurit' (Hymn to the Flag)

lyrics/music:Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU
note:adopted 1912

Economy

Economy - overview:
Albania, a formerly closed, centrally-planned state, is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, more recently, its negative effects have put some pressure on the Albanian economy. While the government is focused on establishing a favorable business climate through the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 7% of GDP in 2012, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for almost half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment and makes attracting foreign investment more difficult. Inward FDI is among the lowest in the region, but the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. Albania’s energy supply has improved in recent years mostly due to upgraded transmission capacities that Albania has developed with its neighboring countries. However, technical and non-technical losses - including energy theft and non-payment - continue to be a threat to the financial viability of the entire system. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. The country will continue to face challenges from increasing public debt, having exceeded its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013. Strong trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$28.34 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
$28.14 billion (2012 est.)
$27.78 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
Albania has an informal, and unreported, sector that may be as large as 50% of official GDP


GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.8 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
0.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
1.3% (2012 est.)
3.1% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,700 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$10,400 (2012 est.)
$9,900 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
14.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
13.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
13.6% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:87.6%
government consumption:8.4%
investment in fixed capital:25%
investment in inventories:-2.6%
exports of goods and services:36%
imports of goods and services:-54.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:19.5%
industry:12%
services:68.5%
(2011 est.)


Agriculture - products:
wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products; sheep


Industries:
food and tobacco products; textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower


Industrial production growth rate:
3.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Labor force:
1.098 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:54.6%
industry:12.8%
services:32.6%
(December 2012 est)


Unemployment rate:
16.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
14.4% (2012 est.)
note:these are official rates that may not include those working at near-subsistence farming


    Population below poverty line:
14.3% (2012 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:3.5%
highest 10%:29% (2008)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
34.5 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 92
26.7 (2005)


Budget:
revenues:$3.074 billion
expenditures:$3.858 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
24% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-6.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179


Public debt:
70.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
62.5% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
2.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
$NA (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
4% (31 December 2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
9.52% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
10.28% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$2.791 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$2.652 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$6.539 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
$6.316 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$5.17 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$5.233 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$1.28 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
-$1.316 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$2.323 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$2.1 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco


Exports - partners:
Italy 51.1%, Spain 9.2%, Turkey 6.3%, Greece 4.4% (2012)


Imports:
$4.835 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$4.985 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals


Imports - partners:
Italy 31.9%, Greece 9.5%, China 6.4%, Germany 6%, Turkey 5.7% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.827 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$2.784 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$3.213 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
$2.957 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.226 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 93
$3.534 billion (31 December 2010)


Exchange rates:
leke (ALL) per US dollar -
109.2 (2013 est.)
108.19 (2012 est.)
103.94 (2010 est.)
94.98 (2009)
79.546 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
6.987 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110


Electricity - consumption:
4.551 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118


Electricity - exports:
1.424 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52


Electricity - imports:
2.322 billion kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.726 million kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
5.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
94.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


Crude oil - production:
23,930 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Crude oil - exports:
23,320 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
172.4 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62


Refined petroleum products - production:
3,121 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
38,390 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Refined petroleum products - exports:
68 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119


Refined petroleum products - imports:
22,810 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152


Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 million cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
4.183 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
312,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 114


Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.5 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 125


Telephone system:
general assessment:despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective
domestic:offsetting the shortage of fixed line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011 multiple companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005 but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital
international:country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2011)



    Broadcast media:
3 public TV networks, one of which transmits by satellite to Albanian-language communities in neighboring countries; more than 60 private TV stations; many viewers can pick up Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 25 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2010)


Internet country code:
.al


Internet hosts:
15,528 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 124


Internet users:
1.3 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 91

Transportation

Airports
4 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 183


Airports - with paved runways
total:4
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2012)


Heliports
1 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 331 km; oil 249 km (2013)


Railways
total:339 kmcountry comparison to the world: 117
standard gauge:339 km 1.435-m gauge (2009)


Roadways
total:18,000 kmcountry comparison to the world: 116
paved:7,020 km
unpaved:10,980 km (2002)


    Waterways
41 km (on the Bojana River) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 104


Merchant marine
total:17country comparison to the world: 99
by type:cargo 16, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:1 (Turkey 1)
registered in other countries:5 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 4) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Military

Military branches
Land Forces Command, Navy Force Command, Air Forces Command (2013)


Military service age and obligation
19 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age in case of general/partial compulsory mobilization (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:731,111
females age 16-49:780,216 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:622,379
females age 16-49:660,715 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:31,986
female:29,533 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.47% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 63
1.52% of GDP (2011)
1.47% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
none


Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:7,443 (2012)


    Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of El Salvador

Country Guide

El Salvador Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras


Geographic coordinates:
13 50 N, 88 55 W


Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean


Area:
total:21,041 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 153
land:20,721 sq km
water:320 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts


Land boundaries:
total:590 km
border countries:Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km


Coastline:
307 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm


Climate:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands


Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:Cerro El Pital 2,730 m


Natural resources:
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land


Land use:
arable land:31.61%
permanent crops:10.93%
other:57.46% (2011)


Irrigated land:
449.9 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
25.23 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
25.23 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes


Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective:Salvadoran


Ethnic groups:
mestizo 86.3%, white 12.7%, Amerindian 1% (2007 census)


Languages:
Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)


Demographic profile:
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.


Population:
6,125,512 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 109


Age structure:
0-14 years:28.1% (male 882,185/female 837,646)
15-24 years:20.8% (male 640,322/female 635,409)
25-54 years:37.5% (male 1,056,779/female 1,243,220)
55-64 years:6.6% (male 182,937/female 224,019)
65 years and over:6.7% (male 187,664/female 235,331) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:57.6 %
youth dependency ratio:46.2 %
elderly dependency ratio:11.4 %
potential support ratio:8.8 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:25.6 years
male:24.1 years
female:27.1 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.27% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 174


Birth rate:
16.79 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 115


Death rate:
5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 173


Net migration rate:
-8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 208


Urbanization:
urban population:64.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.605 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.85 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.8 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
20.8


Maternal mortality rate:
81 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:18.44 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 97
male:20.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:74.18 yearscountry comparison to the world: 114
male:70.9 years
female:77.62 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.95 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 134


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
72.5%


Health expenditures:
6.8% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
1 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 95% of population
rural: 81% of population
total: 90.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 5.8% of population
rural: 19% of population
total: 9.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 79.5% of population
rural: 53.4% of population
total: 70.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 20.5% of population
rural: 46.6% of population
total: 29.5% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 66


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
24,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 77


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,000 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 80


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
25.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 51


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
6.6% (2008)country comparison to the world: 78


Education expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 129

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:84.5%
male:87.1%
female:82.3% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:12 years
male:12 years
female:12 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:12.4%country comparison to the world: 97
male:12.8%
female:11.7% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form:El Salvador
local long form:Republica de El Salvador
local short form:El Salvador


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:San Salvador
geographic coordinates:13 42 N, 89 12 W
time difference:UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:none scheduled for 2014


Administrative divisions:
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan


Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)


Constitution:
many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983; amended many times, last in 2009 (2012)


Legal system:
civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014)
cabinet:Council of Ministers selected by the president
elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019)
election results:percent of vote - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO 39%, Antonio SACA 11.4%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.11%, Norman QUIJANO 49.89%


Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections:last held on 11 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 33, FMLN 31, GANA 11, CN 7, PES 1, PCD 1; note - changes in party affiliation now reflect the following seat distribution: as of 28 March 2014 - FMLN 31, ARENA 28, GANA 11, CN 7, Unidos por El Salvador 5, CD 1, PDC 1


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions)
judge selection and term of office:judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly; judges elected for single, 9-year terms with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years.
subordinate courts:Chambers of Second Instance; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace


Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Douglas AVILES] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU)
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]
Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Jose Andres ROVIRA Caneles]
National Coalition (Concertation Nacional) or CN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] (formerly the National Conciliation Party or PCN)
Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO]
Party of Hope or PES [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] (formerly the Christian Democratic Party or PCD)
Unidos por El Salvador [Manuel Rigoberto SOTO Lazo]


    Political pressure groups and leaders:
Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Douglas AVILES] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU)
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]
Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Jose Andres ROVIRA Caneles]
National Coalition (Concertation Nacional) or CN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] (formerly the National Conciliation Party or PCN)
Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO]
Party of Hope or PES [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] (formerly the Christian Democratic Party or PCD)
Unidos por El Salvador [Manuel Rigoberto SOTO Lazo]



International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas (since 12 April 2013)
chancery:Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 595-7500
FAX:[1] (202) 232-3763
consulate(s) general:Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Santa Ana (CA), Seattle, Tucson, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA)
consulate(s):Elizabeth (NJ)


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE (since 22 September 2010)
embassy:Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador
mailing address:Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450
telephone:[503] 2501-2999
FAX:[503] 2501-2150


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity


National symbol(s):
turquoise-browed motmot (bird)


National anthem:
name:'Himno Nacional de El Salvador' (National Anthem of El Salvador)

lyrics/music:Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE
note:officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest

Economy

Economy - overview:
The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2013. Remittances accounted for 16% of GDP in 2013 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during post-war reconstruction and reconstruction following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's external debt has been growing over the last several years, amounting to some 57% of GDP in 2013. In September 2013, El Salvador was awarded a $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - a United States Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$47.47 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$46.72 billion (2012 est.)
$45.84 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$24.67 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
1.9% (2012 est.)
2.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$7,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$7,400 (2012 est.)
$7,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
8.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
9.3% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:93.9%
government consumption:11.1%
investment in fixed capital:14.5%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:29%
imports of goods and services:-48.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:10.3%
industry:29.5%
services:60.1% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products


Industries:
food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals


Industrial production growth rate:
2.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Labor force:
2.738 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:21%
industry:20%
services:58% (2011 est.)


Unemployment rate:
6.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
6.1% (2012 est.)
note:data are official rates; but underemployment is high


Population below poverty line:
36.5% (2010 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:1%
highest 10%:37% (2009 est.)


    Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.9 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 30
52.5 (2001)


Budget:
revenues:$4.683 billion
expenditures:$5.666 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
19% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147


Public debt:
62% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
59.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
1.8% (2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
$NA (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
5.6% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$2.914 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$2.796 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$10.12 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$9.847 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$11.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$10.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$10.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
-$1.331 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
-$1.257 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$5.112 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$5.447 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures


Exports - partners:
US 47.3%, Guatemala 13.8%, Honduras 9.6%, Nicaragua 5.4% (2012)


Imports:
$10.03 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$9.912 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity


Imports - partners:
US 35.4%, Guatemala 12.7%, Mexico 7%, China 5.6%, Germany 4.2% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.855 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$3.176 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$14.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$13.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$8.879 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$8.635 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$5.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$5.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:

Energy

Electricity - production:
5.728 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115


Electricity - consumption:
5.756 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Electricity - exports:
101.6 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76


Electricity - imports:
251 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.491 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
52.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
31.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
15.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Crude oil - imports:
16,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Refined petroleum products - production:
16,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
44,040 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103


Refined petroleum products - exports:
2,425 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100


Refined petroleum products - imports:
29,020 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
6.713 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
1.06 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 74


Telephones - mobile cellular:
8.65 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 88


Telephone system:
general assessment:multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition
domestic:nationwide microwave radio relay system
international:country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)



    Broadcast media:
multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station (2007)


Internet country code:
.sv


Internet hosts:
24,070 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 113


Internet users:
746,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 107

Transportation

Airports
68 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 73


Airports - with paved runways
total:5
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:63
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:11
under 914 m:
51 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Railways
total:283 kmcountry comparison to the world: 121
narrow gauge:283 km 0.600-m gauge
note:railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008)


    Roadways
total:6,918 kmcountry comparison to the world: 147
paved:3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways)
unpaved:3,671 km (2010)


Waterways



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Puerto Cutuco
oil/gas terminal(s):Acajutla offshore terminal

Military

Military branches
Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Slavador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation is 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,449,214
females age 16-49:1,611,248 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,079,038
females age 16-49:1,373,368 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:71,530
female:68,971 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.99% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 102
1.11% of GDP (2011)
0.99% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of 'bolsones' (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca


    Illicit drugs
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook