Country Guide

Venezuela Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana


Geographic coordinates:
8 00 N, 66 00 W


Map references:
South America


Area:
total:912,050 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 33
land:882,050 sq km
water:30,000 sq km


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
total:4,993 km
border countries:Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km


Coastline:
2,800 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:15 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation


Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands


    Terrain:
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:Pico Bolivar 5,007 m


Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds


Land use:
arable land:2.85%
permanent crops:0.71%
other:96.44% (2011)


Irrigated land:
10,550 sq km (2008)


Total renewable water resources:
1,233 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
1,233 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts


Environment - current issues:
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed but not ratified::none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective:Venezuelan


Ethnic groups:
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people


Languages:
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects


Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%


Demographic profile:
Social investment in Venezuela during the CHAVEZ administration reduced poverty from nearly 50 % in 1999 to about 27 % in 2011, increased school enrollment, substantially decreased infant and child mortality, and improved access to potable water and sanitation through social investment. 'Missions' dedicated to education, nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation were funded through petroleum revenues. The sustainability of this progress remains questionable, however, as the continuation of these social programs depends on the prosperity of Venezuela's oil industry. In the long-term, education and health care spending may increase economic growth and reduce income inequality, but rising costs and the staffing of new health care jobs with foreigners are slowing development.


Population:
28,868,486 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 46


Age structure:
0-14 years:28.2% (male 4,143,840/female 3,985,489)
15-24 years:18.8% (male 2,723,856/female 2,697,672)
25-54 years:39.6% (male 5,614,922/female 5,818,903)
55-64 years:7.5% (male 1,030,898/female 1,137,894)
65 years and over:5.8% (male 755,183/female 959,829) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:52.9 %
youth dependency ratio:43.2 %
elderly dependency ratio:9.8 %
potential support ratio:10.2 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:26.9 years
male:26.1 years
female:27.6 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.42% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 86


Birth rate:
19.42 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 90


Death rate:
5.27 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 181


Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 83


Urbanization:
urban population:93.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
CARACAS (capital) 3.242 million; Maracaibo 2.31 million; Valencia 1.866 million; Barquisimeto 1.245 million; Maracay 1.115 million; Ciudad Guayana 799,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.97 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.79 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


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


    Infant mortality rate:
total:19.33 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 93
male:22.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female:15.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:74.39 yearscountry comparison to the world: 111
male:71.26 years
female:77.67 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.35 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 90


Health expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.94 physicians/1,000 population (2001)


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


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 94.3% of population
rural: 75.3% of population
total: 92.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 5.7% of population
rural: 24.7% of population
total: 7.1% of population (2007 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 93.6% of population
rural: 56.9% of population
total: 90.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 6.4% of population
rural: 43.1% of population
total: 9.1% of population (2007 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 65


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
107,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 43


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,800 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 46


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
30.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 26


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
2.9% (2009)country comparison to the world: 114


Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 22

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:95.5%
male:95.7%
female:95.4% (2009 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:14 years
13 years
15 years (2008)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:17.1%country comparison to the world: 75
male:14.3%
female:22.6% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form:Venezuela
local long form:Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form:Venezuela


Government type:
federal republic


Capital:
name:Caracas
geographic coordinates:10 29 N, 66 52 W
time difference:UTC-4.5 (a half hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales (Federal Dependencies)**, Distrito Capital (Capital District)*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia


Independence:
5 July 1811 (from Spain)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 5 July (1811)


Constitution:
many previous; latest adopted 15 December 1999, effective 30 December 1999; amended 2009 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system based on the Spanish civil code


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


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 19 April 2013); Executive Vice President Jorge Alberto ARREAZA Montserrat (since 19 April 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; former Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros assumed presidential responsibilities after the death of President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias on 5 March 2013 and became Acting President while preparations for elections took place. He won a national election on 14 April 2013 and started a six-year term
head of government:President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 19 April 2013); Executive Vice President Jorge Alberto ARREAZA Montserrat (since 19 April 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 14 April 2013; note - this was a special election held following the death of President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias on 5 March 2013; the next scheduled election after this is expected to be held in late 2018 or early 2019 pending official convocation by the country's electoral body)
note:in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution; in 2009, a national referendum approved the elimination of term limits on all elected officials, including the presidency
election results:Nicolas MADURO Moros elected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros 50.61%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski 49.12%, other 0.24%


Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)
elections:last held on 26 September 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party - pro-government 48.9%, opposition coalition 47.9%, other 3.2%; seats by party - pro-government 98, opposition 65, other 2


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Tribunal of Justice (consists of 32 judges organized into six divisions - constitutional, political administrative, electoral, civil appeals, criminal appeals, and social (mainly agrarian and labor issues)
judge selection and term of office:judges proposed by the Committee of Judicial Postulation (an independent body of organizations dealing with legal issues and of the organs of citizen power) and appointed by the National Assembly; judges serve non-renewable 12-year terms
subordinate courts:Superior or Appeals Courts (Tribunales Superiores); District Tribunals (Tribunales de Distrito); Courts of First Instance (Tribunales de Primera Instancia); Parish Courts (Tribunales de Parroquia); Justices of the Peace (Justicia de Paz) Network


    Political parties and leaders:
A New Time or UNT [Omar BARBOZA]
Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Antonio LEDEZMA]
Christian Democrats or COPEI [Roberto ENRIQUEZ]
Coalition of opposition parties -- The Democratic Unity Table or MUD [Ramon Guillermo AVELEDO]
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]
Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS ALLUP]
Fatherland for All or PPT [Rafael UZCATEGUI]
For Social Democracy or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]
Justice First or PJ [Julio BORGES]
Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Nicolas SOSA]
Popular Will or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ]
Progressive Wave or AP [Henri FALCON]
The Radical Cause [Daniel SANTOLO]
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Nicolas MADURO]
Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA]
Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS ROMER]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Bolivarian and Socialist Workers' Union (a ruling party labor union)


International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant)
chancery:1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 342-2214
FAX:[1] (202) 342-6820
consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Philip G. LAIDLAW
embassy:Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080
mailing address:P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037
telephone:[58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours)
FAX:[58] (212) 907-8199


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band; the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence; in 2006, then President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that sparked much controversy - to conform with the flag proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in 1827 and to represent the province of Guayana


National symbol(s):
troupial (bird)


National anthem:
name:'Gloria al bravo pueblo' (Glory to the Brave People)

lyrics/music:Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA
note:adopted 1881; the lyrics were written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence

Economy

Economy - overview:
Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 96% of export earnings, about 45% of budget revenues, and around 12% of GDP. Fueled by high oil prices, pre-election government spending helped spur GDP growth in 2012 to 5.6%. Government spending, minimum wage hikes, and improved access to domestic credit created an increase in consumption which combined with supply problems to cause higher inflation - roughly 20% in 2012 and rising to more than 56% in 2013. Former President Hugo CHAVEZ's efforts to increase the government's control of the economy by nationalizing firms in the agribusiness, financial, construction, oil, and steel sectors hurt the private investment environment, reduced productive capacity, and slowed non-petroleum exports. In 2013, Venezuela continued to wrestle with housing and electricity crises, and rolling food and goods shortages, resulting from the government's unorthodox economic policies. The budget deficit for the public sector reached 17% of GDP in 2012 and was trimmed to under 10% of GDP in 2013. The Venezuelan government has maintained a regime of strict currency exchange controls since 2003. Venezuelan law now sanctions a three-tiered exchange rate system, with rates based on the government's import priorities.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$407.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$403.3 billion (2012 est.)
$381.9 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$367.5 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
5.6% (2012 est.)
4.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$13,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$13,700 (2012 est.)
$13,100 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
23.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
28.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
30.8% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:62.3%
government consumption:13.2%
investment in fixed capital:17.3%
investment in inventories:5.7%
exports of goods and services:25%
imports of goods and services:-23.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:3.7%
industry:35.5%
services:60.8% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish


Industries:
agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products, crude oil and petroleum products


Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150

Labor force:
14.01 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:7.3%
industry:21.8%
services:70.9% (4th quarter, 2011)


Unemployment rate:
7.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
7.8% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
31.6% (2011 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:1.7%
highest 10%:32.7% (2006)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 67
49.5 (1998)


    Budget:
revenues:$103.4 billion
expenditures:$139.4 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
28.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-9.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205


Public debt:
34.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
26.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data cover central government debt, as well as the debt of state-owned oil company PDVSA; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include some debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; some debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
56.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
21.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
29.5% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 3
29.5% (31 December 2009)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
16.38% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$181.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$162.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$185.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$166.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$176.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$160.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$25.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$3.195 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
$11.02 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$91.78 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
$97.34 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products


Exports - partners:
US 39.1%, China 14.3%, India 12%, Netherlands Antilles 7.8%, Cuba 4.6% (2012)


Imports:
$59.32 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$59.31 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products


Imports - partners:
US 31.7%, China 16.8%, Brazil 9.1%, Colombia 4.8% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$21.15 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$29.89 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$74.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$75.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$49.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$47.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$21.94 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$21.25 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar -
6.048 (2013 est.)
4.289 (2012 est.)
2.5821 (2010 est.)
2.147 (2009)
2.147 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
127.6 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28


Electricity - consumption:
85.05 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35


Electricity - exports:
626 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
27.5 million kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
35.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
64.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136


Crude oil - production:
2.489 million bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13


Crude oil - exports:
1.645 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137


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


Refined petroleum products - production:
1.11 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
571,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32


Refined petroleum products - exports:
638,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11


Refined petroleum products - imports:
16,660 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111


Natural gas - production:
25.28 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30


Natural gas - consumption:
27.11 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202


Natural gas - imports:
2.11 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46


Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.524 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
7.65 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 24


Telephones - mobile cellular:
30.52 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 34


Telephone system:
general assessment:modern and expanding
domestic:2 domestic satellite systems with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 130 per 100 persons
international:country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Cuba and the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network (2013)



    Broadcast media:
government supervises a mixture of state-run and private broadcast media; 13 public service networks, 61 privately owned TV networks, a privately owned news channel with limited national coverage, and a government-backed pan-American channel; state-run radio network includes roughly 65 news stations and another 30 stations targeted at specific audiences; state-sponsored community broadcasters include 235 radio stations and 44 TV stations; the number of private broadcast radio stations has been declining, but many still remain in operation (2014)


Internet country code:
.ve


Internet hosts:
1.016 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 46


Internet users:
8.918 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32

Transportation

Airports
444 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 19


Airports - with paved runways
total:127
over 3,047 m:6
2,438 to 3,047 m:9
1,524 to 2,437 m:33
914 to 1,523 m:62
under 914 m:17 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:317
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:57
914 to 1,523 m:127
under 914 m:
130 (2013)


Heliports
3 (2013)


Pipelines
extra heavy crude 981 km; gas 5,941 km; oil 7,588 km; refined products 1,778 km (2013)


Railways
total:806 kmcountry comparison to the world: 98
standard gauge:806 km 1.435-m gauge (41 km electrified) (2008)


    Roadways
total:96,155 kmcountry comparison to the world: 48
paved:32,308 km
unpaved:63,847 km (2002)


Waterways
7,100 km (the Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo are navigable by oceangoing vessels) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 21


Merchant marine
total:53country comparison to the world: 69
by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 16
foreign-owned:9 (Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Mexico 1, Spain 1)
registered in other countries:14 (Panama 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
oil terminals:Jose terminal


Transportation - note
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Military

Military branches
Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB; includes Air National Guard), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation; Navy requires 6th-grade education for enlisted personnel; all citizens of military service age (18-60 years old) are obligated to register for military service (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:7,013,854
females age 16-49:7,165,661 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:5,614,743
females age 16-49:6,074,834 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:277,210
female:273,353 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.05% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 98
0.75% of GDP (2011)
1.05% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan Economic Exclusion Zone/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's full effect claim


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):204,259 (Colombia) (2013)


Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Azerbaijan

Country Guide

Azerbaijan Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range


Geographic coordinates:
40 30 N, 47 30 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:86,600 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 113
land:82,629 sq km
water:3,971 sq km
note:includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maine


Land boundaries:
total:2,468 km
border countries:Armenia 996 km, Georgia 428 km, Iran 689 km, Russia 338 km, Turkey 17 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Caspian Sea -28 m
highest point:Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m


    Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite


Land use:
arable land:21.78%
permanent crops:2.62%
other:75.6% (2011)


Irrigated land:
14,250 sq km (2010)


Total renewable water resources:
34.68 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
droughts


Environment - current issues:
local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton


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


Geography - note:
both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Azerbaijani(s)
adjective:Azerbaijani


Ethnic groups:
Azerbaijani 91.6%, Lezgian 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4%


Languages:
Azerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% (2009 est.)


Religions:
Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.)


Population:
9,686,210 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 92


Age structure:
0-14 years:22.7% (male 1,176,438/female 1,017,926)
15-24 years:17.5% (male 877,773/female 818,380)
25-54 years:45.1% (male 2,127,239/female 2,236,520)
55-64 years:8.5% (male 379,081/female 442,970)
65 years and over:6.3% (male 232,297/female 377,586) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:38.4 %
youth dependency ratio:30.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:7.7 %
potential support ratio:13 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:30.1 years
male:28.5 years
female:31.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
0.99% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 121


Birth rate:
16.96 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 111


Death rate:
7.09 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 128


Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 96


Urbanization:
urban population:53.6% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.64% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
BAKU (capital) 2.123 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.12 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.16 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.62 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.4 (2011 est.)


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


Infant mortality rate:
total:26.67 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 69
male:27.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female:25.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:71.91 yearscountry comparison to the world: 141
male:68.92 years
female:75.26 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.91 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 138


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
51.1% (2006)


Health expenditures:
5.2% of GDP (2011)


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


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


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 88.4% of population
rural: 70.7% of population
total: 80.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 11.6% of population
rural: 29.3% of population
total: 19.8% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 85.9% of population
rural: 77.5% of population
total: 82% of population
unimproved:
urban: 14.1% of population
rural: 22.5% of population
total: 18% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 106


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
10,400 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 102


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 85


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
23.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 71


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
8.4% (2006)country comparison to the world: 74


Education expenditures:
2.4% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 158

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.8%
male:99.9%
female:99.7% (2010 census)


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


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:14.2%country comparison to the world: 90
male:12.2%
female:16.3% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan
conventional short form:Azerbaijan
local long form:Azarbaycan Respublikasi
local short form:Azarbaycan
former:Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:Baku (Baki, Baky)
geographic coordinates:40 23 N, 49 52 E
time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
66 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular);


Independence:
30 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 18 October 1991 (adopted by the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan)


National holiday:
Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)


Constitution:
several previous; latest adopted 12 November 1995; amended 1996, 2002, 2009 (2009)


Legal system:
civil law system


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


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)
head of government:Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for unlimited terms); election last held on 9 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly
election results:Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 84.5%, Jamil HASANLI 5.5%, other 10%
note:OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards


Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 7 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party - YAP 45.8%, CSP 1.6%, Motherland 1.4%, independents 48.2%, other 3.1%; seats by party - YAP 71, CSP 3, Motherland 2, Civil Unity 1, Democratic Reforms 1, Great Creation 1, Hope Party 1, Justice 1, Social Welfare 1, Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front 1, independents 42


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the chairman, deputy chairman, and at least 24 judges in plenum sessions); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court chairman and deputy chairman appointed by the president; other court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis to serve single 15-year terms
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal (replaced the Economic Court in 2002); district and municipal courts;


    Political parties and leaders:
Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]
Azerbaijan Popular Front or AXCP [Ali KARIMLI]
Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLI]
Civil Unity Party [Sabir HACIYEV]
Classical Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan [Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU]
Democratic Reforms Party [Asim MOLLAZADE]
Great Creation Party [Fazil Gazanfaroglu MUSTAFAYEV]
Hope (Umid) Party [Igbal AGAZADE]
Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]
Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA, Avaz TEMIRKHAN]
Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]
Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR]
Open Society Party [Sulhaddin AKBAR]
Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE]
Social Welfare Party [Khanhusein KAZIMLI]
Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party [Gudrat HASANGULIYEV]
Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party or YAP [President Ilham ALIYEV]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
EL Movement [Eldar NAMAZOV]


International organization participation:
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Elin SULEYMANOV (since 5 December 2011)
chancery:2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 337-3500
FAX:[1] (202) 337-5911
Consulate(s) general:Los Angeles


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Richard L. MORNINGSTAR (since 20 July 2012)
embassy:111 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007
mailing address:American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050
telephone:[994] (12) 488-3300
FAX:[994] (12) 488-3310


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in the red band; the blue band recalls Azerbaijan's Turkic heritage, red stands for modernization and progress, and green refers to Islam; the crescent moon is an Islamic symbol, while the eight-pointed star represents the eight Turkic peoples of the world


National symbol(s):
flames of fire


National anthem:
name:'Azerbaijan Marsi' (March of Azerbaijan)

lyrics/music:Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV
note:adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, 'Azerbaijan Marsi' did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union

Economy

Economy - overview:
Azerbaijan's high economic growth has been attributable to large and growing oil and gas exports, but some non-export sectors also featured double-digit growth, including construction, banking, and real estate. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. The eventual completion of the geopolitically important Southern Gas Corridor between Azerbaijan and Europe will open up another, albeit, smaller source of revenue from gas exports. Azerbaijan has made only limited progress on instituting market-based economic reforms. Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects depend on world oil prices, Azerbaijan's ability to negotiate export routes for its growing gas production, and its ability to use its energy wealth to promote growth and spur employment in non-energy sectors of the economy.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$102.7 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$97.04 billion (2012 est.)
$94.98 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$76.01 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
5.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
2.2% (2012 est.)
0.1% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$10,500 (2012 est.)
$10,400 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
41% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
44.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
45.1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:41.4%
government consumption:10.5%
investment in fixed capital:23.3%
investment in inventories:0.1%
exports of goods and services:49.9%
imports of goods and services:-25.2%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:6.2%
industry:63%
services:30.8% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats


Industries:
petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles


Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Labor force:
4.68 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:38.3%
industry:12.1%
services:49.6% (2008)


Unemployment rate:
6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
5.7% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
6% (2012 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:3.4%
highest 10%:27.4% (2008)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.7 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 98
36.5 (2001)


    Budget:
revenues:$27.61 billion
expenditures:$27.24 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
36.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
0.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Public debt:
7.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
7.8% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
1.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
5.25% (31 December 2011 est.)
note:this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
17% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
18.5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$17.17 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$14.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$21.88 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$17.59 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$21.76 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
$17.01 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
$13.28 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
$14.98 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$34.46 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
$32.63 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs


Exports - partners:
Italy 25%, Indonesia 11.6%, Thailand 7%, Germany 5.7%, Israel 5.3%, France 4.7%, India 4.6%, Russia 4.5%, USA 4.1% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$10.72 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
$9.65 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals


Imports - partners:
Russia 14.1%, Turkey 13.7%, UK 12.5%, Germany 7.7%, Ukraine 5.5%, China 5.3%, France 4% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$13.08 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$11.28 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$9.552 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
$9.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$14.35 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$12.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$8.616 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$7.516 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar -
0.785 (2013 est.)
0.7857 (2012 est.)
0.8027 (2010 est.)
0.8038 (2009)
0.8219 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
22.99 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


Electricity - consumption:
20.29 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


Electricity - exports:
462 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Electricity - imports:
100 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
6.392 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
84.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
15.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Crude oil - production:
931,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Crude oil - exports:
821,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
7 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20


Refined petroleum products - production:
133,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
168,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63


Refined petroleum products - exports:
53,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59


Refined petroleum products - imports:
499 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204


Natural gas - production:
17.86 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Natural gas - consumption:
9.921 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Natural gas - exports:
5.55 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33


Natural gas - imports:
250 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


Natural gas - proved reserves:
991.1 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
1.734 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 64


Telephones - mobile cellular:
10.125 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 78


Telephone system:
general assessment:requires considerable expansion and modernization; fixed-line telephone and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with four providers in 2009
domestic:teledensity of 17 fixed lines per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased and now exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan (Nakhichevan)
international:country code - 994; the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2011)



    Broadcast media:
3 state-run and 1 public TV channels; 4 domestic commercial TV stations and about 15 regional TV stations; cable TV services are available in Baku; 1 state-run and 1 public radio network operating; a small number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting; local FM relays of Baku commercial stations are available in many localities; local relays of several international broadcasters had been available until late 2008 when their broadcasts were banned from FM frequencies (2010)


Internet country code:
.az


Internet hosts:
46,856 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 98


Internet users:
2.42 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70

Transportation

Airports
37 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 108


Airports - with paved runways
total:30
over 3,047 m:5
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:13
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:3 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:7
under 914 m:
7 (2013)


Heliports
1 (2012)


Pipelines
condensate 89 km; gas 3,890 km; oil 2,446 km (2013)


Railways
total:2,918 kmcountry comparison to the world: 59
broad gauge:2,918 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2009)


    Roadways
total:52,942 kmcountry comparison to the world: 75
paved:26,789 km
unpaved:26,153 km (2006)


Merchant marine
total:90country comparison to the world: 53
by type:cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 47, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2
foreign-owned:1 (Turkey 1)
registered in other countries:2 (Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Baku (Baki) located on the Caspian Sea

Military

Military branches
Army, Navy, Air, and Air Defense Forces (2010)


Military service age and obligation
men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; length of service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 17 year olds are considered to be on active service at cadet military schools (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,354,249
females age 16-49:2,334,632 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,773,993
females age 16-49:1,964,012 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:76,923
female:71,024 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
5.2% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 5
4.64% of GDP (2012)
4.67% of GDP (2011)
4.64% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified the Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs:597,429 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh; IDPs are mainly ethnic Azerbaijanis but also include ethnic Kurds, Russians, and Turks predominantly from occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh; number includes IDPs' descendants, returned IDPs, and people living in insecure areas and excludes people displaced by natural disasters; around half the IDPs live in the capital Baku) (2014)
stateless persons:3,585 (2012)



Illicit drugs
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook