World

Health

Worldwide Health Indicators Column data as follows: Life expectancy in 2005; Doctors = persons per doctor1; Infant mortality per 1,000 births in 2005; Water = percentage (%) of population with access to safe drinking water in 2004; Food = percentage (%) of the FAO recommended minimum in 20 042.   LIFE EXPECTANCY   INFANT   […]

The Ghosts of the Balkans (World)

On 17 February, after almost a decade of legal limbo and two years of unsuccessful international mediation, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia. The US moved swiftly to recognize the new country, and nearly 2 million ethnic Albanians celebrated their long-awaited freedom, dancing in city streets, releasing fireworks, and waving flags. Having bristled under Serbian […]

Countries of the World Part 1

The information about the countries of the world that follows has been assembled and analyzed by Encyclopedia Britannica editors from hundreds of private, national, and international sources. Included are all the sovereign states of the world as well as the major dependent, or nonsovereign, areas. The historical background sketches have been adapted, augmented, and updated […]

Countries of the World Part 2

Bosnia and Herzegovina Official name: Bosna i Hercegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Form of government: federal multiparty republic with bicameral legislature (House of Peoples [15]; House of Representatives [42]). Chiefs of state: Tripartite presidency with 8-month-long rotating chairmanship (final authority rests with International High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling [from 2008]). Head of government: Prime Minister Nikola Spiric […]

Countries of the World Part 3

Cuba Official name: República de Cuba (Republic of Cuba).Form of government: unitary socialist republic with one legislative house (National Assembly of the People’s Power [609]). Head of state and government: President Raul Castro Ruz (from 2008). Capital: Havana. Official language: Spanish. Official religion: none. Monetary unit: 1 Cuban peso (CUP) = 100 cen-tavos; valuation (1 […]

Countries of the World Part 4

Ghana Official name: Republic of Ghana. Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (House of Parliament [230]). Head of state and government: President John Agyekum Kufuor (from 2001). Capital: Accra. Official language: English. Official religion: none. Monetary unit: 1 Ghana cedi (GH<f) = 100 pesewas; valuation (1 Jul 2008) US$1 = GHt […]

Countries of the World Part 5

Jersey Official name: Bailiwick of Jersey. Political status:crown dependency (UK) with one legislative house(States of Jersey [58]). Chief of state: British Queen Elizabeth II (from 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Andrew Ridgway (from 2006). Head of government: Chief Minister Frank Walker (from 2005). Capital: Saint Helier. Official language: English (Jerri-ais, a Norman-French dialect, is spoken […]

Countries of the World Part 6

Malaysia   Official name: Malaysia. Form of government: federal constitutional monarchy with two legislative houses (Senate [70]; House of Representatives [219]). Chief of state: Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Paramount Ruler) Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin ibni al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud (from 2006). Head of government: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (from 2003). Capital: transferring from Kuala […]

Countries of the World Part 7

Niger Official name: Republique du Niger (Republic of Niger). Form of government: multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [113]). Head of state and government: President Mamadou Tandja (from 1999), assisted by Prime Minister Seyni Oumarou (from 2007). Capital: Niamey. Official language: French. Official religion: none. Monetary unit: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 […]

Countries of the World Part 8

Solomon Islands Official name: Solomon Islands. Form of government: constitutional monarchy with one legislative house (National Parliament [50]). Chief of state: British Queen Elizabeth II (from 1952), represented by Governor-General Sir Nathaniel Waena (from 2004). Head of government: Prime Minister Derek Sikua (from 2007). Capital: Honiara. Official language: English. Official religion: none. Monetary unit: 1 […]

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