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Antigua and Barbuda hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Arctic Ocean ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May
Argentina San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding
Armenia occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Aruba lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Ashmore and Cartier Islands surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Atlantic Ocean icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December)
Australia cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Austria landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Azerbaijan droughts
Bahamas, The hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
Bahrain periodic droughts; dust storms
Baker Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Bangladesh droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Barbados infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Bassas da India maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones
Belarus NA
Belgium flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Belize frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Benin hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
Bermuda hurricanes (June to November)
Bhutan violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
Bolivia flooding in the northeast (March-April)
Bosnia and Herzegovina destructive earthquakes
Botswana periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Bouvet Island NA
Brazil recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south
British Indian Ocean Territory NA
British Virgin Islands hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Brunei typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Bulgaria earthquakes, landslides
Burkina Faso recurring droughts
Burma destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts
Burundi flooding, landslides, drought
Cambodia monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Cameroon volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes
Canada continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains
Cape Verde prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active
Cayman Islands hurricanes (July to November)
Central African Republic hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Chad hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
Chile severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
China frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence
Christmas Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Clipperton Island NA
Cocos (Keeling) Islands cyclone season is October to April
Colombia highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts
Comoros cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes
Congo, Republic of the seasonal flooding
Cook Islands typhoons (November to March)
Coral Sea Islands occasional tropical cyclones
Costa Rica occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Cote d'Ivoire coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Croatia destructive earthquakes
Cuba the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
Cyprus moderate earthquake activity; droughts
Czech Republic flooding
Denmark flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
Djibouti earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
Dominica flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months
Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
East Timor floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones
Ecuador frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts
Egypt periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
El Salvador known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
Equatorial Guinea violent windstorms, flash floods
Eritrea frequent droughts; locust swarms
Estonia sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Ethiopia geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
Europa Island NA
European Union flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) strong winds persist throughout the year
Faroe Islands NA
Fiji cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Finland NA
France flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean
French Guiana high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding
French Polynesia occasional cyclonic storms in January
French Southern and Antarctic Lands Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes
Gabon NA
Gambia, The drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Gaza Strip droughts
Georgia earthquakes
Germany flooding
Ghana dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts
Gibraltar NA
Glorioso Islands periodic cyclones
Greece severe earthquakes
Greenland continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Grenada lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
Guadeloupe hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano
Guam frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Guatemala numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms
Guernsey NA
Guinea hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Guinea-Bissau hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires
Guyana flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Haiti lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
Holy See (Vatican City) NA
Honduras frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast
Hong Kong occasional typhoons
Howland Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Iceland earthquakes and volcanic activity
India droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes
Indian Ocean occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches
Indonesia occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires
Iran periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Iraq dust storms, sandstorms, floods
Ireland NA
Israel sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes
Italy regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice
Jamaica hurricanes (especially July to November)
Jan Mayen dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970
Japan many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons
Jarvis Island the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard
Jersey NA
Johnston Atoll NA
Jordan droughts; periodic earthquakes
Juan de Nova Island periodic cyclones
Kazakhstan earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty
Kenya recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons
Kingman Reef wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
Kiribati typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level
Korea, North late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
Korea, South occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest
Kuwait sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Kyrgyzstan NA
Laos floods, droughts
Latvia NA
Lebanon dust storms, sandstorms
Lesotho periodic droughts
Liberia dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
Libya hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
Liechtenstein NA
Lithuania NA
Luxembourg NA
Macau typhoons
Macedonia high seismic risks
Madagascar periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation
Malawi NA
Malaysia flooding, landslides, forest fires
Maldives low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Mali hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding
Malta NA
Man, Isle of NA
Marshall Islands infrequent typhoons
Martinique hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Mauritania hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Mauritius cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Mayotte cyclones during rainy season
Mexico tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts
Micronesia, Federated States of typhoons (June to December)
Midway Islands NA
Moldova landslides (57 cases in 1998)
Monaco NA
Mongolia dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions
Montserrat severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)
Morocco northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
Mozambique severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
Namibia prolonged periods of drought
Nauru periodic droughts
Navassa Island NA
Nepal severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons
Netherlands flooding
Netherlands Antilles Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October
New Caledonia cyclones, most frequent from November to March
New Zealand earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
Nicaragua destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
Niger recurring droughts
Nigeria periodic droughts; flooding
Niue typhoons
Norfolk Island typhoons (especially May to July)
Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Norway rockslides, avalanches
Oman summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Pacific Ocean surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Pakistan frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Palau typhoons (June to December)
Palmyra Atoll NA
Panama occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Papua New Guinea active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Paracel Islands typhoons
Paraguay local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Peru earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
Philippines astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Pitcairn Islands typhoons (especially November to March)
Poland flooding
Portugal Azores subject to severe earthquakes
Puerto Rico periodic droughts; hurricanes
Qatar haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Reunion periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
Romania earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides
Russia permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia
Rwanda periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Saint Helena active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha
Saint Kitts and Nevis hurricanes (July to October)
Saint Lucia hurricanes and volcanic activity
Saint Pierre and Miquelon persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat
Samoa occasional typhoons; active volcanism
San Marino NA
Sao Tome and Principe NA
Saudi Arabia frequent sand and dust storms
Senegal lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Serbia and Montenegro destructive earthquakes
Seychelles lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Sierra Leone dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Singapore NA
Slovakia NA
Slovenia flooding and earthquakes
Solomon Islands typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Somalia recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
South Africa prolonged droughts
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism
Southern Ocean huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue
Spain periodic droughts
Spratly Islands typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals
Sri Lanka occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Sudan dust storms and periodic persistent droughts
Suriname NA
Svalbard ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
Swaziland drought
Sweden ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Switzerland avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Syria dust storms, sandstorms
Taiwan earthquakes and typhoons
Tajikistan earthquakes and floods
Tanzania flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought
Thailand land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts
Togo hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
Tokelau lies in Pacific typhoon belt
Tonga cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Trinidad and Tobago outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
Tromelin Island NA
Tunisia NA
Turkey very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
Turkmenistan NA
Turks and Caicos Islands frequent hurricanes
Tuvalu severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level
Uganda NA
Ukraine NA
United Arab Emirates frequent sand and dust storms
United Kingdom winter windstorms; floods
United States tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development
Uruguay seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
Uzbekistan NA
Vanuatu tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis
Venezuela subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Vietnam occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
Virgin Islands several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Wake Island occasional typhoons
Wallis and Futuna NA
West Bank droughts
Western Sahara hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility
World large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions)
Yemen sandstorms and dust storms in summer
Zambia periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)
Zimbabwe recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2022 People - note
Afghanistan of the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3 million have returned
Ashmore and Cartier Islands the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem
Christmas Island the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a population of 1,508 as of the 2001 Census
Cuba illicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and overland via the southwest border
Greece women, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greece for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor
Rwanda Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa
Turks and Caicos Islands destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US
Ukraine the sex trafficking of Ukrainian women is a serious problem that has only recently been addressed
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2023 Area - comparative
Afghanistan slightly smaller than Texas
Akrotiri about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Albania slightly smaller than Maryland
Algeria slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
American Samoa slightly larger than Washington, DC
Andorra 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Angola slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Anguilla about half the size of Washington, DC
Antarctica slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Antigua and Barbuda 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Arctic Ocean slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Argentina slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Armenia slightly smaller than Maryland
Aruba slightly larger than Washington, DC
Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Atlantic Ocean slightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Australia slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Austria slightly smaller than Maine
Azerbaijan slightly smaller than Maine
Bahamas, The slightly smaller than Connecticut
Bahrain 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Baker Island about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Bangladesh slightly smaller than Iowa
Barbados 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Bassas da India about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Belarus slightly smaller than Kansas
Belgium about the size of Maryland
Belize slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Benin slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Bermuda about one-third the size of Washington, DC
Bhutan about half the size of Indiana
Bolivia slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Bosnia and Herzegovina slightly smaller than West Virginia
Botswana slightly smaller than Texas
Bouvet Island about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Brazil slightly smaller than the US
British Indian Ocean Territory about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
British Virgin Islands about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Brunei slightly smaller than Delaware
Bulgaria slightly larger than Tennessee
Burkina Faso slightly larger than Colorado
Burma slightly smaller than Texas
Burundi slightly smaller than Maryland
Cambodia slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Cameroon slightly larger than California
Canada somewhat larger than the US
Cape Verde slightly larger than Rhode Island
Cayman Islands 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Central African Republic slightly smaller than Texas
Chad slightly more than three times the size of California
Chile slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
China slightly smaller than the US
Christmas Island about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Clipperton Island about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Cocos (Keeling) Islands about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Colombia slightly less than three times the size of Montana
Comoros slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Congo, Republic of the slightly smaller than Montana
Cook Islands 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Coral Sea Islands NA
Costa Rica slightly smaller than West Virginia
Cote d'Ivoire slightly larger than New Mexico
Croatia slightly smaller than West Virginia
Cuba slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Cyprus about 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Czech Republic slightly smaller than South Carolina
Denmark slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Dhekelia about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Djibouti slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Dominica slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Dominican Republic slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
East Timor slightly larger than Connecticut
Ecuador slightly smaller than Nevada
Egypt slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
El Salvador slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Equatorial Guinea slightly smaller than Maryland
Eritrea slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Estonia slightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Ethiopia slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Europa Island about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC
European Union less than one-half the size of the US
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) slightly smaller than Connecticut
Faroe Islands eight times the size of Washington, DC
Fiji slightly smaller than New Jersey
Finland slightly smaller than Montana
France slightly less than twice the size of Colorado
French Guiana slightly smaller than Indiana
French Polynesia slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware
Gabon slightly smaller than Colorado
Gambia, The slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Gaza Strip slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Georgia slightly smaller than South Carolina
Germany slightly smaller than Montana
Ghana slightly smaller than Oregon
Gibraltar about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Glorioso Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Greece slightly smaller than Alabama
Greenland slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Grenada twice the size of Washington, DC
Guadeloupe 10 times the size of Washington, DC
Guam three times the size of Washington, DC
Guatemala slightly smaller than Tennessee
Guernsey about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Guinea slightly smaller than Oregon
Guinea-Bissau slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut
Guyana slightly smaller than Idaho
Haiti slightly smaller than Maryland
Heard Island and McDonald Islands slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
Holy See (Vatican City) about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Honduras slightly larger than Tennessee
Hong Kong six times the size of Washington, DC
Howland Island about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Hungary slightly smaller than Indiana
Iceland slightly smaller than Kentucky
India slightly more than one-third the size of the US
Indian Ocean about 5.5 times the size of the US
Indonesia slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Iran slightly larger than Alaska
Iraq slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
Ireland slightly larger than West Virginia
Israel slightly smaller than New Jersey
Italy slightly larger than Arizona
Jamaica slightly smaller than Connecticut
Jan Mayen slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Japan slightly smaller than California
Jarvis Island about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Jersey about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC
Johnston Atoll about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Jordan slightly smaller than Indiana
Juan de Nova Island about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Kazakhstan slightly less than four times the size of Texas
Kenya slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Kingman Reef about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Kiribati four times the size of Washington, DC
Korea, North slightly smaller than Mississippi
Korea, South slightly larger than Indiana
Kuwait slightly smaller than New Jersey
Kyrgyzstan slightly smaller than South Dakota
Laos slightly larger than Utah
Latvia slightly larger than West Virginia
Lebanon about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut
Lesotho slightly smaller than Maryland
Liberia slightly larger than Tennessee
Libya slightly larger than Alaska
Liechtenstein about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Lithuania slightly larger than West Virginia
Luxembourg slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Macau about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Macedonia slightly larger than Vermont
Madagascar slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Malawi slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Malaysia slightly larger than New Mexico
Maldives about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Mali slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Malta slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Man, Isle of slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Marshall Islands about the size of Washington, DC
Martinique slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC
Mauritania slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Mauritius almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
Mayotte slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Mexico slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Micronesia, Federated States of four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Midway Islands about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Moldova slightly larger than Maryland
Monaco about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Mongolia slightly smaller than Alaska
Montserrat about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Morocco slightly larger than California
Mozambique slightly less than twice the size of California
Namibia slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Nauru about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Navassa Island about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Nepal slightly larger than Arkansas
Netherlands slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Netherlands Antilles more than five times the size of Washington, DC
New Caledonia slightly smaller than New Jersey
New Zealand about the size of Colorado
Nicaragua slightly smaller than the state of New York
Niger slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Nigeria slightly more than twice the size of California
Niue 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Norfolk Island about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Northern Mariana Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Norway slightly larger than New Mexico
Oman slightly smaller than Kansas
Pacific Ocean about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world
Pakistan slightly less than twice the size of California
Palau slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Palmyra Atoll about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Panama slightly smaller than South Carolina
Papua New Guinea slightly larger than California
Paracel Islands NA
Paraguay slightly smaller than California
Peru slightly smaller than Alaska
Philippines slightly larger than Arizona
Pitcairn Islands about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Poland slightly smaller than New Mexico
Portugal slightly smaller than Indiana
Puerto Rico slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Qatar slightly smaller than Connecticut
Reunion slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Romania slightly smaller than Oregon
Russia approximately 1.8 times the size of the US
Rwanda slightly smaller than Maryland
Saint Helena slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Saint Kitts and Nevis 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Saint Lucia 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Saint Pierre and Miquelon 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines twice the size of Washington, DC
Samoa slightly smaller than Rhode Island
San Marino about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Sao Tome and Principe more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Saudi Arabia slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Senegal slightly smaller than South Dakota
Serbia and Montenegro slightly smaller than Kentucky
Seychelles 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Sierra Leone slightly smaller than South Carolina
Singapore slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Slovakia about twice the size of New Hampshire
Slovenia slightly smaller than New Jersey
Solomon Islands slightly smaller than Maryland
Somalia slightly smaller than Texas
South Africa slightly less than twice the size of Texas
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands slightly larger than Rhode Island
Southern Ocean slightly more than twice the size of the US
Spain slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
Spratly Islands NA
Sri Lanka slightly larger than West Virginia
Sudan slightly more than one-quarter the size of the US
Suriname slightly larger than Georgia
Svalbard slightly smaller than West Virginia
Swaziland slightly smaller than New Jersey
Sweden slightly larger than California
Switzerland slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Syria slightly larger than North Dakota
Taiwan slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Tajikistan slightly smaller than Wisconsin
Tanzania slightly larger than twice the size of California
Thailand slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming
Togo slightly smaller than West Virginia
Tokelau about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Tonga four times the size of Washington, DC
Trinidad and Tobago slightly smaller than Delaware
Tromelin Island about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Tunisia slightly larger than Georgia
Turkey slightly larger than Texas
Turkmenistan slightly larger than California
Turks and Caicos Islands 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Tuvalu 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Uganda slightly smaller than Oregon
Ukraine slightly smaller than Texas
United Arab Emirates slightly smaller than Maine
United Kingdom slightly smaller than Oregon
United States about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; almost two and a half times the size of the European Union
Uruguay slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Uzbekistan slightly larger than California
Vanuatu slightly larger than Connecticut
Venezuela slightly more than twice the size of California
Vietnam slightly larger than New Mexico
Virgin Islands twice the size of Washington, DC
Wake Island about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Wallis and Futuna 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
West Bank slightly smaller than Delaware
Western Sahara about the size of Colorado
World land area about 16 times the size of the US
Yemen slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming
Zambia slightly larger than Texas
Zimbabwe slightly larger than Montana
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2024 Military service age and obligation (years of age)
Afghanistan 22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005)
Albania 19 years of age (2004)
Algeria 19-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (October 2003)
Angola 17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)
Antigua and Barbuda 18 years of age (est.); no conscript military service (2001)
Argentina 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Armenia 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (May 2004)
Australia 16 years of age for voluntary service (2001)
Austria 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for voluntary service; from 2007, at the earliest, compulsory military service obligation will be reduced from 8 months to 6 (June 2004)
Azerbaijan 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; law passed December 2001 raises maximum conscription age from 28 to 35 (December 2001)
Bahamas, The 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Bahrain 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Bangladesh 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2005)
Barbados 18 years of age for voluntary military service; volunteers at earlier age with parental consent; no conscription (2001)
Belarus 18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (May 2004)
Belgium 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001)
Belize 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2001)
Benin 21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2004)
Bhutan 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Bolivia 18 years of age for voluntary military service; when annual number of volunteers falls short of goal, compulsory recruitment is effected, including conscription of boys as young as 14; one estimate holds that 40% of the armed forces are under the age of 18, with 50% of those under the age of 16; conscript tour of duty - 12 months (2002)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 18 years of age for compulsory military service in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 16 years of age in times of war; 18 years of age for Republika Srpska; 17 years of age for voluntary military service in the Federation and in the Republika Srpska; by law, military obligations cover all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 60, and all women between the ages of 18 and 55; service obligation is 4 months (July 2004)
Botswana 18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001)
Brazil 19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 17 years of age for voluntary service (2001)
Brunei 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Bulgaria 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 9 months (2004)
Burkina Faso 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 20 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Burma 18 years of age for voluntary military service for both sexes (May 2002)
Burundi 16 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Cambodia 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for all males; conscription law passed September 2004; service obligation is 18 months (September 2004)
Cameroon 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (1999)
Canada 16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 11% of Canada's armed forces (2001)
Central African Republic 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is two years (2005)
Chad 20 years of age for conscripts, with 3-year service obligation; 18 years of age for volunteers; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a guardian (2004)
Chile 18 years of age for compulsory military service; all citizens 18-45 are obligated to perform military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy and Air Force (2004)
China 18-22 years of age for compulsory military service, with 24-month service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service; 17 years of age for women who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2004)
Colombia 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004)
Congo, Republic of the 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Costa Rica 18 years of age (2004)
Cote d'Ivoire 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Croatia 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 6-month service obligation; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary service; Croatian Military Police planning to end conscription in 2005 (December 2004)
Cuba 17 years of age; both sexes are eligible for military service (2004)
Cyprus 18 years of age (2004)
Czech Republic 18-50 years of age for voluntary military service; military service transformed into a fully professional, all-volunteer force no longer dependent on conscription beginning in January 2004 (2005)
Denmark 18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service (2004)
Djibouti 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Dominican Republic 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
East Timor 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Ecuador 20 years of age for conscript military service; 12-month service obligation (2004)
Egypt 18 years of age for conscript military service; 3-year service obligation (2001)
El Salvador 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 12-month service obligation; 16 years of age for volunteers (2002)
Equatorial Guinea 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Eritrea 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 16 months (2004)
Estonia 18 years of age for compulsory military service, with 11-month service obligation; Estonia has committed to retaining conscription for men and women up to 2010; 17 years of age for volunteers (2004)
Ethiopia 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Fiji 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Finland 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (October 2004)
France 17 years of age with consent for voluntary military service (2001)
Gabon 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Gambia, The 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Georgia 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Germany 18 years of age (conscripts serve a nine-month tour of compulsory military service) (2004)
Ghana 18 years of age for compulsory and volunteer military service (2001)
Greece 18 years of age for compulsory military service; during wartime the law allows for recruitment after reaching January of the year of inductee's 18th birthday, thus including 17 year olds; 17 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation - 12 months for the Army and Air Force, 15 months for Navy (2005)
Guatemala 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)
Guinea 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Guinea-Bissau 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
Haiti 18 years of age for voluntary recruitment into the police force (2001)
Honduras 18 years of age for voluntary 2-3 year military service (2004)
Hong Kong 18 years of age (2004)
Hungary 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in June 2004 (June 2004)
India 16 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Indonesia 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2002)
Iran 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; soldiers as young as 9 were recruited extensively during the Iran-Iraq War; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Iraq 18 years of age; the Iraqi Interim Government is creating a new professional Iraqi military force of men aged 18 to 40 to defend Iraq from external threats and the current insurgency (2004)
Ireland 17 years of age for voluntary military service; enlistees under the age of 17 can be recruited for specialist positions (2001)
Israel 17 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for men, 21 months for women (2004)
Italy 18 years of age (2004)
Jamaica 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits may be conscripted with parental consent (2001)
Japan 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Jordan 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription at age 18 was suspended in 1999, although all males under age 37 are required to register (2004)
Kazakhstan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; minimum age for volunteers NA (2004)
Kenya 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Korea, North 17 years of age (2004)
Korea, South 20-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24-28 months, depending on the military branch involved; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; some 4,000 women serve as commissioned and noncommissioned officers, approx. 2.3% of all officers; women, in service since 1950, are admitted to seven service branches, including infantry; excluded from artillery, armor, anti-air, and chaplaincy corps (2005)
Kuwait 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Kyrgyzstan 18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)
Laos 15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2004)
Latvia 19 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers; Latvia plans to phase out conscription, tentatively moving to an all-professional force by 2007 (August 2004)
Lebanon 18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Lesotho 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Liberia 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Libya 17 years of age (2004)
Lithuania 19-45 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers (2004)
Luxembourg a 1967 law made the Army an all-volunteer force; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions (2004)
Macedonia conscription to be phased out by 2007; current tour of conscript duty is 6 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (January 2005)
Madagascar 18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Malawi 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Malaysia 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
Maldives 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Mali 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Malta 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Mauritania 18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2 years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (April 2005)
Mexico 18 years of age for compulsory military service, conscript service obligation - 12 months; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment (2004)
Moldova 18 years of age for compulsory military service; national service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Mongolia 18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Morocco 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Namibia 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Nepal 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Netherlands 20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004)
Netherlands Antilles 16 years of age for military recruitment; no conscription (July 2002)
New Zealand 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18 (2001)
Nicaragua 17 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Niger 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Nigeria 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Norway 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Oman 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Pakistan 16 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age of 18 (2001)
Papua New Guinea 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Paraguay 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (2004)
Peru 18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)
Philippines 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)
Poland 17 years of age for compulsory military service after January 1st of the year of 18th birthday; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; in 2005 Poland plans to shorten the length of conscript service obligation from 12 to 9 months; by 2008, plans call for at least 60% of military personnel to be volunteers; only soldiers who have completed their conscript service are allowed to volunteer for professional service; as of April 2004 women are only allowed to serve as officers and non-commissioned officers (April 2004)
Portugal 18 years of age for voluntary military service; compulsory military service was ended in 2004 (January 2005)
Qatar 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Land Force's enlisted personnel are largely nonprofessional foreign nationals (2005)
Reunion 18 years of age (2004)
Romania 20 years of age for compulsory military service, 18 in wartime; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Russia 18-27 years of age; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; 200,000 conscripts were inducted into the armed forces in 2003; length of compulsory military service is 2 years; plans as of August 2004 call for reduction in mandatory service to 1 year by 2008; 2003 planning calls for volunteer servicemen to compose 70% of armed forces by 2010, with the remaining servicemen consisting of conscripts (August 2004)
Rwanda 16 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Saint Kitts and Nevis 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Sao Tome and Principe 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Saudi Arabia 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)
Senegal 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Serbia and Montenegro 19 years of age (nine months compulsory service) (2004)
Seychelles 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Sierra Leone 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
Singapore 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; conscript service obligation reduced to 24 months beginning December 2004 (December 2004)
Slovakia complete transition to an all-volunteer professional force is planned for 1 January 2007; 82% of Slovak armed forces were volunteers as of January 2005; volunteers include women, with minimum age of 17 years; 18 years of age for compulsory military service (January 2005)
Slovenia 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2003 (2004)
Somalia 18 years of age (est.) (2001)
South Africa 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women have a long history of military service in non-combat roles - dating back to World War I (2004)
Spain 20 years of age (2004)
Sri Lanka 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Sudan 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 3 years (August 2004)
Suriname 18 years of age (est.); no conscription
Swaziland 18 years of age for voluntary military service; both sexes are eligible for military service (2005)
Sweden 19 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 7-17 months depending on conscript role; after completing initial service soldiers have a reserve commitment until the age of 47 (2004)
Switzerland the Swiss Confederation states that "every Swiss male is obligated to do military service"; every Swiss male has to serve for at least 260 days in the armed forces; 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscripts receive 15 weeks of compulsory training, followed by 10 intermittent recalls for training over the next 22 years; women are accepted on a voluntary basis, but are not drafted (2005)
Syria 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)
Taiwan 19-40 years of age for military service (being lowered to 35 years of age in July 2005); service obligation 22 months (being shortened to 18 months in July 2005 and 12 months in 2008) (2005)
Tajikistan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Tanzania 15 years of age for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for compulsory military service upon graduation from secondary school; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Thailand 21 years of age for compulsory military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; conscript service obliation - 2 years; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Togo 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Tonga 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Trinidad and Tobago 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2001)
Tunisia 20 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2004)
Turkey 20 years of age (2004)
Turkmenistan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Uganda 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military duty; the government has stated that recruitment below that age could occur with proper consent and that "no person under the apparent age of 13 years shall be enrolled in the armed forces"
Ukraine 18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months for Army and Air Force, 24 months for Navy (2004)
United Arab Emirates 18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)
United Kingdom 16 years of age for voluntary military service (January 2004)
United States 18 years of age (2004)
Uruguay 18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)
Uzbekistan 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Venezuela 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 30 months (2004)
Vietnam 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Yemen 18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Zambia 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Zimbabwe 18 years of age (est.) (2004)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2025 Manpower fit for military service
Afghanistan males age 22-49: 2,662,946 (2005 est.)
Albania males age 19-49: 668,526 (2005 est.)
Algeria males age 19-49: 6,590,079 (2005 est.)
Angola males age 17-49: 1,174,548 (2005 est.)
Argentina males age 18-49: 7,316,038 (2005 est.)
Armenia males age 18-49: 551,938 (2005 est.)
Australia males age 16-49: 4,092,717 (2005 est.)
Austria males age 18-49: 1,550,441 (2005 est.)
Azerbaijan males age 18-49: 1,314,955 (2005 est.)
Bahrain males age 18-49: 161,372 (2005 est.)
Bangladesh males age 18-49: 26,841,255 (2005 est.)
Barbados males age 18-49: 51,298 (2005 est.)
Belarus males age 18-49: 1,657,984 (2005 est.)
Belgium males age 16-49: 1,998,003 (2005 est.)
Belize males age 18-49: 41,368 (2005 est.)
Benin males age 21-49: 670,170 females age 21-49: 630,078 (2005 est.)
Bhutan males age 18-49: 314,975 (2005 est.)
Bolivia males age 18-49: 1,311,414 (2005 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina males age 18-49: 829,530 (2005 est.)
Botswana males age 18-49: 136,322 (2005 est.)
Brazil males age 19-49: 33,119,098 (2005 est.)
Brunei males age 18-49: approx. 85,045 (2005 est.)
Bulgaria males age 18-49: 1,302,037 (2005 est.)
Burkina Faso males age 18-49: 1,323,548 (2005 est.)
Burma males age 18-49: 6,512,923 females age 18-49: 6,789,720 (2005 est.)
Burundi males age 16-49: 693,956 (2005 est.)
Cambodia males age 18-49: 1,844,144 (2005 est.)
Cameroon males age 18-49: 1,720,385 (2005 est.)
Canada males age 16-49: 6,740,490 (2005 est.)
Cape Verde males age 18-49: 65,614 (2005 est.)
Central African Republic males age 18-49: 330,255 (2005 est.)
Chad males age 20-49: 834,695 (2005 est.)
Chile males age 18-49: 3,123,281 (2005 est.)
China males age 18-49: 281,240,272 (2005 est.)
Colombia males age 18-49: 6,986,228 (2005 est.)
Comoros males age 18-49: 98,792 (2005 est.)
Congo, Democratic Republic of the males age 18-49: 5,851,292 (2005 est.)
Congo, Republic of the males age 18-49: 360,492 (2005 est.)
Costa Rica males age 18-49: 829,874 (2005 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire males age 18-49: 1,973,265 (2005 est.)
Croatia males age 18-49: 725,914 (2005 est.)
Cuba males age 17-49: 2,441,927 females age 17-49: 2,396,741 (2005 est.)
Cyprus males age 18-49: 150,750 (2005 est.)
Czech Republic males age 18-49: 1,996,631 (2005 est.)
Denmark males age 18-49: 955,168 (2005 est.)
Djibouti males age 18-49: 46,020 (2005 est.)
Dominican Republic males age 18-49: 1,420,693 (2005 est.)
East Timor males age 18-49: NA
Ecuador males age 20-49: 2,338,428 (2005 est.)
Egypt males age 18-49: 15,540,234 (2005 est.)
El Salvador males age 18-49: 960,315 (2005 est.)
Equatorial Guinea males age 18-49: 66,379 (2005 est.)
Eritrea males age 18-49: NA (2005)
Estonia males age 18-49: 200,382 (2005 est.) note - in 2004, 51% of the young men called up for service were determined to be unfit; main obstacles to conscription were psychiatric and behavioral
Ethiopia males age 18-49: 8,072,755 (2005 est.)
Fiji males age 18-49: 163,960 (2005 est.)
Finland males age 18-49: 913,617 (2005 est.)
France males age 17-49: 11,262,661 (2005 est.)
French Guiana males age 18-49: 38,676 (2005 est.)
Gabon males age 18-49: 156,632 (2005 est.)
Gambia, The males age 18-49: 188,117 (2005 est.)
Georgia males age 18-49: 827,281 (2005 est.)
Germany males age 18-49: 15,258,931 (2005 est.)
Ghana males age 18-49: 2,721,239 (2005 est.)
Greece males age 18-49: 2,018,557 (2005 est.)
Guatemala males age 18-49: 2,106,847 (2005 est.)
Guinea males age 18-49: 1,038,036 (2005 est.)
Guinea-Bissau males age 18-49: 152,760 (2005 est.)
Guyana males age 18-49: 137,964 (2005 est.)
Haiti males age 18-49: 948,320 (2005 est.)
Honduras males age 18-49: 955,019 (2005 est.)
Hong Kong males age 18-49: 1,403,088 (2005 est.)
Hungary males age 18-49: 1,780,513 (2005 est.)
Iceland males age 18-49: 56,777 (2005 est.)
India males age 16-49: 219,471,999 (2005 est.)
Indonesia males age 18-49: 48,687,234 (2005 est.)
Iran males age 18-49: 15,665,725 (2005 est.)
Iraq males age 18-49: 4,930,074 (2005 est.)
Ireland males age 17-49: 814,768 (2005 est.)
Israel males age 17-49: 1,255,902 females age 17-49: 1,212,394 (2005 est.)
Italy males age 18-49: 10,963,513 (2005 est.)
Jamaica males age 18-49: 587,006 (2005 est.)
Japan males age 18-49: 22,234,663 (2005 est.)
Jordan males age 17-49: 1,348,076 (2005 est.)
Kazakhstan males age 18-49: 2,473,529 (2005 est.)
Kenya males age 18-49: 3,963,532 (2005 est.)
Korea, North males age 17-49: 4,810,831 (2005 est.)
Korea, South males age 20-49: 9,932,026 (2005 est.)
Kuwait males age 18-49: 737,292 (2005 est.)
Kyrgyzstan males age 18-49: 871,493 (2005 est.)
Laos males age 15-49: 954,816 (2005 est.)
Latvia males age 19-49: 361,098 (2005 est.)
Lebanon males age 18-49: 821,762 (2005 est.)
Lesotho males age 18-49: 162,857 (2005 est.)
Liberia males age 18-49: 360,373 (2005 est.)
Libya males age 17-49: 1,291,624 (2005 est.)
Lithuania males age 19-49: 590,606 (2005 est.)
Luxembourg males age 17-49: 90,279 (2005 est.)
Macau males age 18-49: 91,299 (2005 est.)
Macedonia males age 18-49: 411,156 (2005 est.)
Madagascar males age 18-49: 2,218,662 (2005 est.)
Malawi males age 18-49: 995,084 (2005 est.)
Malaysia males age 18-49: 4,574,854 (2005 est.)
Maldives males age 18-49: 56,687 (2005 est.)
Mali males age 18-49: 1,231,930 (2005 est.)
Malta males age 18-49: 74,525 (2005 est.)
Mauritania males age 18-49: 370,513 (2005 est.)
Mauritius males age 18-49: 248,659 (2005 est.)
Mexico males age 18-49: 19,058,337 (2005 est.)
Moldova males age 18-49: 693,913 (2005 est.)
Mongolia males age 18-49: 570,435 (2005 est.)
Morocco males age 18-49: 6,484,787 (2005 est.)
Mozambique males age 18-49: 1,751,223 (2005 est.)
Namibia males age 18-49: 217,118 (2005 est.)
Nauru males age 18-49: 1,963 (2005 est.)
Nepal males age 18-49: 4.193 million (2005 est.)
Netherlands males age 20-49: 2,856,691 (2005 est.)
Netherlands Antilles males age 16-49: 45,273 (2005 est.)
New Zealand males age 17-49: 809,519 (2005 est.)
Nicaragua males age 17-49: 1,051,425 (2005 est.)
Niger males age 18-49: 1,180,027 (2005 est.)
Nigeria males age 18-49: 15,053,936 (2005 est.)
Norway males age 18-49: 827,016 (2005 est.)
Oman males age 18-49: 581,444 (2005 est.)
Pakistan males age 16-49: 29,428,747 (2005 est.)
Panama males age 18-49: 511,905 (2005 est.)
Papua New Guinea males age 18-49: 902,432 (2005 est.)
Paraguay males age 18-49: 1,109,166 (2005 est.)
Peru males age 18-49: 4,938,417 (2005 est.)
Philippines males age 18-49: 15,170,096 (2005 est.)
Poland males age 17-49: 7,740,164 (2005 est.)
Portugal males age 18-49: 1,952,819 (2005 est.)
Qatar males age 18-49: 238,566 (2005 est.)
Reunion males age 18-49: 142,578 (2005 est.)
Romania males age 20-49: 3,932,579 (2005 est.)
Russia males age 18-49: 21,049,651 (2005 est.)
Rwanda males age 16-49: 1,103,823 (2005 est.)
Sao Tome and Principe males age 18-49: 25,950 (2005 est.)
Saudi Arabia males age 18-49: 6,592,709 (2005 est.)
Senegal males age 18-49: 1,300,502 (2005 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro males age 19-49: 1,959,166 (2005 est.)
Seychelles males age 18-49: 16,122 (2005 est.)
Sierra Leone males age 18-49: 552,785 (2005 est.)
Singapore males age 18-49: 982,368 (2005 est.)
Slovakia males age 18-49: 1,089,645 (2005 est.)
Slovenia males age 17-49: 405,593 (2005 est.)
Somalia males age 18-49: 1,022,360 (2005 est.)
South Africa males age 18-49: 4,927,757 (2005 est.)
Spain males age 20-49: 7,623,356 (2005 est.)
Sri Lanka males age 18-49: 3,789,627 (2005 est.)
Sudan males age 18-49: 5,427,474 (2005 est.)
Suriname males age 18-49: 77,793 (2005 est.)
Swaziland males age 18-49: 98,530 (2005 est.)
Sweden males age 19-49: 1,493,668 (2005 est.)
Switzerland males age 19-49: 1,375,889 (2005 est.)
Syria males age 18-49: 3,453,888 (2005 est.)
Taiwan males age 19-49: 4,749,537 (2005 est.)
Tajikistan males age 18-49: 1,244,941 (2005 est.)
Tanzania males age 18-49: 3,879,630 (2005 est.)
Thailand males age 21-49: 10,342,337 (2005 est.)
Togo males age 18-49: 629,933 (2005 est.)
Trinidad and Tobago males age 18-49: 203,531 (2005 est.)
Tunisia males age 20-49: 2,035,431 (2005 est.)
Turkey males age 20-49: 13,905,901 (2005 est.)
Turkmenistan males age 18-49: 759,978 (2005 est.)
Uganda males age 18-49: 2,889,808 (2005 est.)
Ukraine males age 18-49: 7,114,337 (2005 est.)
United Arab Emirates males age 18-49: 526,671 (2005 est.)
United Kingdom males age 16-49: 12,046,268 (2005 est.)
United States males age 18-49: 54,609,050 females age 18-49: 54,696,706 (2005 est.)
Uruguay males age 18-49: 637,445 (2005 est.)
Uzbekistan males age 18-49: 4,609,621 (2005 est.)
Venezuela males age 18-49: 4,907,947 (2005 est.)
Vietnam males age 18-49: 16,032,358 (2005 est.)
Yemen males age 18-49: 2,790,705 (2005 est.)
Zambia males age 18-49: 1,043,702 (2005 est.)
Zimbabwe males age 18-49: 1,148,590 (2005 est.)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2026 Manpower reaching military service age annually
Afghanistan males: 275,362 (2005 est.)
Albania males: 37,407 (2005 est.)
Algeria males: 374,639 (2005 est.)
Angola males: 121,254 (2005 est.)
Argentina males: 344,575 (2005 est.)
Armenia males: 31,774 (2005 est.)
Australia males: 142,158 (2005 est.)
Austria males: 48,967 (2005 est.)
Azerbaijan males: 82,358 (2005 est.)
Bahrain males: 6,013 (2005 est.)
Belarus males: 85,202 (2005 est.)
Belgium males: 64,263 (2005 est.)
Belize males: 3,209 (2005 est.)
Benin males: 72,841 females: 71,428 (2005 est.)
Bhutan males: 23,939 (2005 est.)
Bolivia males: 101,101 (2005 est.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina males: 31,264 (2005 est.)
Botswana males: 21,103 (2005 est.)
Brazil males: 1,785,930 (2005 est.)
Brunei males: 3,478 (2005 est.)
Bulgaria males: 51,023 (2005 est.)
Burma males: 440,914 females: 427,382 (2005 est.)
Burundi males: 84,597 (2005 est.)
Cambodia males: 175,305 (2005 est.)
Cameroon males: 188,662 (2005 est.)
Canada males: 223,821 (2005 est.)
Chad males: 95,228 (2005 est.)
Chile males: 140,084 (2005 est.)
China males: 13,186,433 (2005 est.)
Colombia males: 389,735 (2005 est.)
Congo, Republic of the males: 34,281 (2005 est.)
Costa Rica males: 41,097 (2005 est.)
Cote d'Ivoire males: 189,354 (2005 est.)
Croatia males: 29,020 (2005 est.)
Cuba males: 91,901 females: 87,500 (2005 est.)
Cyprus males: 6,578 (2005 est.)
Czech Republic males: 66,583 (2005 est.)
Denmark males: 31,317 (2005 est.)
Dominican Republic males: 91,597 (2005 est.)
East Timor NA
Ecuador males: 133,922 (2005 est.)
Egypt males: 802,920 (2005 est.)
El Salvador males: 70,286 (2005 est.)
Estonia males: 11,146 (2005 est.)
Ethiopia males: 803,777 (2005 est.)
Fiji males: 9,266 (2005 est.)
Finland males: 32,040 (2005 est.)
France males: 389,204 (2005 est.)
Gabon males: 15,150 (2005 est.)
Georgia males: 38,857 (2005 est.)
Germany males: 497,048 (2005 est.)
Ghana males: 250,782 (2005 est.)
Greece males: 58,399 (2005 est.)
Guatemala males: 161,964 (2005 est.)
Haiti males: 98,554 (2005 est.)
Honduras males: 77,399 (2005 est.)
Hong Kong males: 40,343 (2005 est.)
Hungary males: 63,847 (2005 est.)
India males: 11,446,452 (2005 est.)
Indonesia males: 2,201,047 (2005 est.)
Iran males: 862,056 (2005 est.)
Iraq males: 298,518 (2005 est.)
Ireland males: 29,327 (2005 est.)
Israel males: 53,760 females: 51,293 (2005 est.)
Italy males: 286,344 (2005 est.)
Jamaica males: 26,080 (2005 est.)
Japan males: 683,147 (2005 est.)
Jordan males: 60,625 (2005 est.)
Kazakhstan males: 173,129 (2005 est.)
Korea, North males: 194,605 (2005 est.)
Korea, South males: 344,723 (2005 est.)
Kuwait males: 18,743 (2005 est.)
Kyrgyzstan males: 61,091 (2005 est.)
Laos males: 73,167 (2005 est.)
Latvia males: 19,137 (2005 est.)
Libya males: 62,034 (2005 est.)
Lithuania males: 29,689 (2005 est.)
Luxembourg males: 2,775 (2005 est.)
Macedonia males: 16,686 (2005 est.)
Madagascar males: 187,000 (2005 est.)
Malaysia males: 244,418 (2005 est.)
Mexico males: 1,063,233 (2005 est.)
Moldova males: 43,729 (2005 est.)
Mongolia males: 34,674 (2005 est.)
Morocco males: 353,377 (2005 est.)
Nepal males: 308,031 (2005 est.)
Netherlands males: 99,934 (2005 est.)
Netherlands Antilles males: 1,720 (2005 est.)
New Zealand males: 29,738 (2005 est.)
Nicaragua males: 65,170 (2005 est.)
Niger males: 126,719 (2005 est.)
Nigeria males: 1,353,161 (2005 est.)
Norway males: 29,179 (2005 est.)
Oman males: 26,391 (2005 est.)
Pakistan males: 1,969,055 (2005 est.)
Paraguay males: 63,058 (2005 est.)
Peru males: 277,105 (2005 est.)
Philippines males: 907,542 (2005 est.)
Poland males: 275,521 (2005 est.)
Portugal males: 67,189 (2005 est.)
Qatar males: 7,851 (2005 est.)
Reunion males: 7,339 (2005 est.)
Romania males: 172,093 (2005 est.)
Russia males: 1,286,069 (2005 est.)
Saudi Arabia males: 247,334 (2005 est.)
Senegal males: 124,096 (2005 est.)
Serbia and Montenegro males: 81,033 (2005 est.)
Slovakia males: 41,544 (2005 est.)
Slovenia males: 12,816 (2005 est.)
South Africa males: 512,407 (2005 est.)
Spain males: 233,384 (2005 est.)
Sri Lanka males: 174,049 (2005 est.)
Sudan males: 442,915 (2005 est.)
Sweden males: 58,724 (2005 est.)
Switzerland males: 46,319 (2005 est.)
Syria males: 225,113 (2005 est.)
Taiwan males: 174,173 (2005 est.)
Tajikistan males: 87,846 (2005 est.)
Thailand males: 530,493 (2005 est.)
Tunisia males: 108,817 (2005 est.)
Turkey males: 679,734 (2005 est.)
Turkmenistan males: 56,532 (2005 est.)
Ukraine males: 378,176 (2005 est.)
United Arab Emirates males: 30,706 (2005 est.)
United States males: 2,143,873 females: 2,036,201 (2005 est.)
Uzbekistan males: 324,722 (2005 est.)
Venezuela males: 252,396 (2005 est.)
Vietnam males: 915,572 (2005 est.)
Yemen males: 236,517 (2005 est.)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@2028 Background
Afghanistan Afghanistan's recent history is a story of war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces. The Communist regime in Kabul collapsed in 1992. Fighting that subsequently erupted among the various mujahidin factions eventually helped to spawn the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that fought to end the warlordism and civil war that gripped the country. The Taliban seized Kabul in 1996 and were able to capture most of the country outside of Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the northeast. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. In late 2001, a conference in Bonn, Germany, established a process for political reconstruction that ultimately resulted in the adoption of a new constitution and presidential election in 2004. On 9 October 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. The new Afghan government's next task is to hold National Assembly elections, tentatively scheduled for April 2005.
Akrotiri By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers in total: Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.
Albania Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks with links to government officials, and disruptive political opponents. Albania has made incremental progress in its democratic development since first holding multiiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain - particularly in regard to the rule of law. Despite some lingering problems, international observers have judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy, large public debt, and an inadequate energy and tranportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU.
Algeria After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN's centrality in Algerian politics. The surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 balloting spurred the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crack down on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. The government later allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties, but did not appease the activists who progressively widened their attacks. The fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense fighting between 1992-98 and which resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s and FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. However, small numbers of armed militants persist in confronting government forces and conducting ambushes and occasional attacks on villages. The army placed Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA in the presidency in 1999 in a fraudulent election but claimed neutrality in his 2004 landslide reelection victory. Longstanding problems continue to face BOUTEFLIKA in his second term, including the ethnic minority Berbers' ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing - although significantly degraded - activities of extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria's many social and infrastructure problems. Algeria assumed a two-year seat on the UN Security Council in January 2004.
American Samoa Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Andorra For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Angola Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006.
Anguilla Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.
Antarctica Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Antigua and Barbuda The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
Arctic Ocean The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the recently delimited Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. A sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes circumscribes the Arctic Ocean.
Argentina Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.
Armenia Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. It was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Muslim Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey imposed an economic blockade on Armenia and closed the common border because of the Armenian occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.
Aruba Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Ashmore and Cartier Islands These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve.
Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
Australia Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop its agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990's, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980's. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef.
Austria Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some Austrians have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan - a nation with a Turkic and majority-Muslim population - regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh enclave (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 571,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous and the promise of widespread wealth from Azerbaijan's undeveloped petroleum resources remains largely unfulfilled.
Bahamas, The Arawak Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Bahrain Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly.
Baker Island The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.
Bangladesh Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 when Bengali East Pakistan seceded from its union with West Pakistan. About a third of this extremely poor country floods annually during the monsoon rainy season, hampering economic development.
Barbados The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.
Bassas da India This atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide. A French possession since 1897, it was placed under the administration of a commissioner residing in Reunion in 1968.
Belarus After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1995 as the country's first president, Alexander LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue.
Belgium Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
Belize Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increasing urban crime.
Benin Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.
Bermuda Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence was soundly defeated in 1995.
Bhutan In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.
Bolivia Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991, was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government was charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government comprised of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) was established to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission was to maintain peace and stability throughout the country.
Botswana Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Bouvet Island This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters were designated a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station on the island.
Brazil Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil overcame more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country when in 1985 the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. |
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