Country Guide

Trinidad and Tobago Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela


Geographic coordinates:
11 00 N, 61 00 W


Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean


Area:
total:5,128 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 174
land:5,128 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Delaware


Land boundaries:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin


Climate:
tropical; rainy season (June to December)


Terrain:
mostly plains with some hills and low mountains


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:El Cerro del Aripo 940 m


    Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, asphalt


Land use:
arable land:4.87%
permanent crops:4.29%
other:90.84% (2011)


Irrigated land:
36 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
3.84 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms


Environment - current issues:
water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, 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:
Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)
adjective:Trinidadian, Tobagonian


Ethnic groups:
East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, mixed - other 15.3%, mixed African/East Indian 7.7%, other 1.3%, unspecified 6.2% (2011 est.)


Languages:
English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese


Religions:
Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congretational 2.5, other Protestant .9), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.)


Population:
1,223,916 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 159


Age structure:
0-14 years:19.4% (male 121,386/female 116,661)
15-24 years:13% (male 82,779/female 76,785)
25-54 years:46.9% (male 298,156/female 276,205)
55-64 years:11.1% (male 67,738/female 68,535)
65 years and over:9.1% (male 50,107/female 65,564) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:43.1 %
youth dependency ratio:29.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:13.3 %
potential support ratio:7.5 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:34.4 years
male:34 years
female:34.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-0.11% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 205


Birth rate:
13.8 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 145


Death rate:
8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 80


Net migration rate:
-6.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 201


Urbanization:
urban population:13.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) 66,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.08 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.08 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/female
total population:1.03 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


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


Infant mortality rate:
total:24.82 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 72
male:26.05 deaths/1,000 live births
female:23.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:72.29 yearscountry comparison to the world: 136
male:69.42 years
female:75.24 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.71 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 171


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
42.5% (2006)


Health expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.18 physicians/1,000 population (2007)


Hospital bed density:
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2.1)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 97.4% of population
rural: 93.1% of population
total: 93.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.6% of population
rural: 6.9% of population
total: 6.4% of population (2011 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 92.1% of population
rural: 92.1% of population
total: 92.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 7.9% of population
rural: 7.9% of population
total: 7.9% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.6% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 30


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
14,300 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 93


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
500 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 88


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
29.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 31


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
4.4% (2000)country comparison to the world: 96


Education expenditures:
3.2% of GDP (2003)country comparison to the world: 135

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:98.8%
male:99.2%
female:98.5% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:12 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2004)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:10.5%country comparison to the world: 108
male:8.8%
female:12.9% (2008)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
conventional short form:Trinidad and Tobago


Government type:
parliamentary democracy


Capital:
name:Port of Spain
geographic coordinates:10 39 N, 61 31 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward


Independence:
31 August 1962 (from the UK)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 August (1962)


Constitution:
previous 1962; latest 1976; amended many times, last in 2007 (2012)


Legal system:
English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court


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


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Anthony CARMONA (since 18 March 2013)
head of government:Prime Minister Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR (since 26 May 2010)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament
elections:president elected by an electoral college, which consists of members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 February 2013 (next to be held by February 2018); the president usually appoints the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives as prime minister
election results:Anthony CARMONA elected president unopposed by the electoral college; sworn in on 18 March 2013; percent of electoral college vote - 100%


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president, 6 by the opposition party to serve a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:House of Representatives - last held on 24 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:House of Representatives - percent of vote - NA; seats by party - UNC 21, PNM 12, COP 6, TOP 2
note:Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly with 12 members serving four-year terms; last election held in January 2013; seats by party - PNM 12


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of the Judicature (consists of a chief justice for both the Court of Appeal with 12 judges and the High Court with 24 judges)
note - Trinidad and Tobago can file appeals beyond its Supreme Court to the Caribbean Court of Justice, with final appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the parliamentary leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the Judicial Legal Services Commission, headed by the chief justice and 5 members with judicial experience; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65
subordinate courts:Courts of Summary Criminal Jurisdiction; Petty Civil Courts; Family Court


    Political parties and leaders:
Congress of the People or COP [Prakash RAMADHAR]
Democratic Action Congress or DAC [Hochoy CHARLES] (only active in Tobago)
Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Charles CARSON] (coalition of NAR, DDPT, MND)
Movement for National Development or MND [Garvin NICHOLAS]
National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Lennox SANKERSINGH]
People's National Movement or PNM [Keith ROWLEY]
Tobago Organization of the People or TOP [Ashworth JACK]
United National Congress or UNC [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Jamaat-al Muslimeen [Yasin ABU BAKR]


International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Neil N. PARSAN (since 14 February 2011)
chancery:1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:[1] (202) 467-6490
FAX:[1] (202) 785-3130
consulate(s) general:Miami, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Margaret B. DIOP
embassy:15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain
mailing address:P. O. Box 752, Port of Spain
telephone:[1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376
FAX:[1] (868) 822-5905


Flag description:
red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side to the lower fly side; the colors represent the elements of earth, water, and fire; black stands for the wealth of the land and the dedication of the people; white symbolizes the sea surrounding the islands, the purity of the country's aspirations, and equality; red symbolizes the warmth and energy of the sun, the vitality of the land, and the courage and friendliness of its people


National symbol(s):
scarlet ibis (bird of Trinidad); cocrico (bird of Tobago)


National anthem:
name:'Forged From the Love of Liberty'

lyrics/music:Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE
note:adopted 1962; the song was originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; it was adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962

Economy

Economy - overview:
Trinidad and Tobago attracts considerable foreign direct investment from international businesses, particularly in energy, and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8% per year, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then and contracted during 2009-2011 due to depressed natural gas prices and changing markets. Growth had been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals, and steel with additional upstream and downstream investment planned. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading Caribbean producer of oil and gas, and its economy is heavily dependent upon these resources. It also supplies manufactured goods, notably food products and beverages, as well as cement to the Caribbean region. Oil and gas account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports, but only 5% of employment. Oil production has declined over the last decade as the country focused the majority of its efforts on natural gas. The current administration has been working to arrest this decline by opening bid rounds and providing fiscal incentives for investments in on-shore and deep water acreage to boost oil reserves and production. The government keeps a close watch on the changing global gas markets and has shown flexibility in diversifying natural gas export destinations. Although Trinidad and Tobago enjoys cheap electricity from natural gas, the renewable energy sector has recently garnered increased interest. The country is also a regional financial center with a well-regulated and stable financial system. Other sectors the Government of Trinidad and Tobago targeted for increased investment and projected growth include tourism, agriculture, information and communications technology, and shipping. The economy benefits from a growing trade surplus with the US. The US is Trinidad and Tobago's leading trade partner. The previous MANNING administration benefited from fiscal surpluses fueled by the dynamic export sector; however, declines in oil and gas prices have reduced government revenues, challenging the current government's commitment to maintaining high levels of public investment. Crime and bureaucratic hurdles continue to be the biggest deterrents for attracting more foreign direct investment and business.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$27.14 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
$26.71 billion (2012 est.)
$26.66 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$27.13 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
0.2% (2012 est.)
-2.6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$20,300 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$20,100 (2012 est.)
$20,100 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
18.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
20% of GDP (2012 est.)
28.1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:56.1%
government consumption:16.9%
investment in fixed capital:15.4%
investment in inventories:-20.2%
exports of goods and services:94.3%
imports of goods and services:-62.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:0.3%
industry:57.7%
services:42% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
cocoa, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry; sugar


Industries:
petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, food processing, cement, cotton textiles


Industrial production growth rate:
1.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Labor force:
621,000 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:3.8%
manufacturing, mining, and quarrying:12.8%
construction and utilities:20.4%
services:62.9% (2007 est.)


    Unemployment rate:
5.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
5.6% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
17% (2007 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Budget:
revenues:$7.847 billion
expenditures:$8.323 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
28.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82


Public debt:
37.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
37.9% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
9.2% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
7.25% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
7.7% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$7.044 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
$6.221 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$20.12 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
$17.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$6.403 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
$6.059 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$15.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$414.1 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$959 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$12.86 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
$12.98 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, methanol, ammonia, urea, steel products, beverages, cereal and cereal products, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus fruit, vegetables, flowers


Exports - partners:
US 42.1%, Chile 7.1%, Argentina 6.5%, Spain 4.5% (2012)


Imports:
$9.638 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
$9.065 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals, live animals


Imports - partners:
US 33.1%, Brazil 8.1%, Colombia 7.7%, Gabon 5.5%, Canada 4.4%, China 4.2% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.07 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$9.897 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$4.823 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
$4.722 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$102 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$12.44 billion (2007)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$3.829 billion (2007)
country comparison to the world: 64

Exchange rates:
Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar -
6.411 (2013 est.)
6.3907 (2012 est.)
6.3755 (2010 est.)
6.3099 (2009)
6.2896 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
7.998 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99


Electricity - consumption:
7.586 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.605 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
99.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Crude oil - production:
119,300 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Crude oil - exports:
75,340 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43


Crude oil - imports:
70,260 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
728.3 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44


Refined petroleum products - production:
132,300 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
41,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Refined petroleum products - exports:
106,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42


Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,598 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185


Natural gas - production:
40.6 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21


Natural gas - consumption:
23.32 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32


Natural gas - exports:
17.64 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132


Natural gas - proved reserves:
375.4 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
287,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 119


Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.884 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 147


Telephone system:
general assessment:excellent international service; good local service
domestic:combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 170 telephones per 100 persons
international:country code - 1-868; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US and parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana (2011)



    Broadcast media:
5 TV networks, one of which is state-owned, broadcast on multiple stations; multiple cable TV subscription service providers; multiple radio networks, one state-owned, broadcast over about 35 stations (2007)


Internet country code:
.tt


Internet hosts:
241,690 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 69


Internet users:
593,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 115

Transportation

Airports
4 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 189


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


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:2
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:
1 (2013)


Pipelines
condensate 257 km; condensate/gas 11 km; gas 1,567 km; oil 587 km (2013)


Roadways
total:8,320 kmcountry comparison to the world: 139
paved:4,252 km
unpaved:4,068 km (2001)


    Merchant marine
total:4country comparison to the world: 130
by type:passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries:2 (unknown 2) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough
oil terminals:Galeota Point terminal

Military

Military branches
Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Trinidad and Tobago Army, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves (2010)


Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription; Trinidad and Tobago citizenship and completion of secondary school required (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:341,764
females age 16-49:317,899 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:269,824
females age 16-49:261,735 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:8,164
female:7,503 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; in 2005, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to compulsory international arbitration under United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea challenging whether the northern limit of Trinidad and Tobago's and Venezuela's maritime boundary extends into Barbadian waters; Guyana has also expressed its intention to include itself in the arbitration as the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela maritime boundary may extend into its waters as well


    Trafficking in persons



Illicit drugs
transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Lithuania

Country Guide

Lithuania Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia


Geographic coordinates:
56 00 N, 24 00 E


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:65,300 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 123
land:62,680 sq km
water:2,620 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia


Land boundaries:
total:1,574 km
border countries:Belarus 680 km, Latvia 576 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km


Coastline:
90 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm

Climate:
transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers


Terrain:
lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point:Aukstojas 294 m


    Natural resources:
peat, arable land, amber


Land use:
arable land:33.48%
permanent crops:0.47%
other:66.05% (2011)


Irrigated land:
13.4 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
24.9 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
NA


Environment - current issues:
contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Lithuanian(s)
adjective:Lithuanian


Ethnic groups:
Lithuanian 84.1%, Polish 6.6%, Russian 5.8%, Belarusian 1.2%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.2% (2011 est.)


Languages:
Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other 0.9%, unspecified 3.5% (2011 est.)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 77.2%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Old Believer 0.8%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim, Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.8%, none 6.1%, unspecified 10.1% (2011 est.)


Population:
3,505,738country comparison to the world: 134
note:Statistics Lithuania (the national statistical agency of Lithuania) estimates the country's total population at the start of 2013 to be 2,971,905, which takes into account the findings of Lithuania's 2011 census and the high rate of net outmigration since the country joined the EU in 2004 (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:13.5% (male 243,001/female 230,674)
15-24 years:12.5% (male 224,584/female 214,184)
25-54 years:44.7% (male 782,238/female 785,521)
55-64 years:12.2% (male 193,374/female 235,595)
65 years and over:16.8% (male 207,222/female 389,345) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:44.9 %
youth dependency ratio:22.1 %
elderly dependency ratio:22.7 %
potential support ratio:4.4 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:41.2 years
male:38.5 years
female:43.7 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-0.29% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 218


Birth rate:
9.36 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 205


Death rate:
11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 30


Net migration rate:
-0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 143


Urbanization:
urban population:67.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:-0.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
VILNIUS (capital) 546,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.53 male(s)/female
total population:0.89 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
26.7 (2011 est.)


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


    Infant mortality rate:
total:6 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 171
male:7.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female:4.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:75.98 yearscountry comparison to the world: 87
male:71.2 years
female:81.02 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.29 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 217


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
62.9%


Health expenditures:
7% of GDP (2010)


Physicians density:
3.64 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
6.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.3% of population
rural: 88.9% of population
total: 95.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.7% of population
rural: 11.1% of population
total: 4.1% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 98.7% of population
rural: 85.4% of population
total: 94.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 1.3% of population
rural: 14.6% of population
total: 5.7% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 157


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,200 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 142


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 145


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
27.6% (2008)country comparison to the world: 38


Education expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 61

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.7%
male:99.7%
female:99.7% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:17 years
male:16 years
female:17 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:26.4%country comparison to the world: 37
male:29.9%
female:21.8% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania
conventional short form:Lithuania
local long form:Lietuvos Respublika
local short form:Lietuva
former:Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic


Government type:
parliamentary democracy


Capital:
name:Vilnius
geographic coordinates:54 41 N, 25 19 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
60 municipalities (savivaldybe, singular - savivaldybe); Akmene, Alytaus Miestas, Alytus, Ankšciai, Birštono, Biržai, Druskininkai, Elektrénai, Ignalina, Jonava, Joniškis, Jurbarkas, Kaišiadorys, Kalvarijos, Kauno Miestas, Kaunas, Kazlu Rudos, Kedainiai, Kelme, Klaipedos Miestas, Klaipeda, Kretinga, Kupiškis, Lazdijai, Marijampole, Mažeikiai, Moletai, Neringa, Pagégiai, Pakruojis, Palangos Miestas, Panevežys, Pasvalys, Plunge, Prienai, Radviliškis, Raseiniai, Rietavo, Rokiškis, Šakiai, Šalcininkai, Šiauliu Miestas, Šiauliai, Šilale, Šilute, Širvintos, Skuodas, Švencionys, Taurage, Telšiai, Trakai, Ukmerge, Utena, Varena, Vilkaviškis, Vilniaus, Vilnius, Visaginas, Zarasai


Independence:
11 March 1990 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date), 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union


Constitution:
several previous; latest adopted by referendum 25 October 1992, entered into force 2 November 1992; amended 2003 (2012)


Legal system:
civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to the constitutional court


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


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE (since 12 July 2009)
head of government:Prime Minister Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS (since 22 November 2012)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister and approval of the Parliament
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 11 and 25 May 2014 (next to be held in May 2019); prime minister appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament
election results:Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE reelected president; percent of vote - Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE 59%, Zigmantas BALCYTIS 41%; Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS approved by Parliament 90-40


Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members elected in single-member districts, 70 elected by proportional representation; members to serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 14 and 28 October 2012 (next to be held in October 2016)
election results:percent of vote by party (proportional vote) - DP 19.8%, LSDP 18.4%, TS-LKD 15.1%, LS 8.6%, DK 8%, TT 7.3%, LLRA 5.8%, LVZS 3.9%, other parties 13.1%; seats by party - LSDP 38, TS-LKD 33, DP 29, TT 11, LS 10, LLRA 8, DK 7, unaffiliated 4, vacant 1


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of 37 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Seimas; judges serve 5-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges selected by Seimas from among nominations by the president, by the Seimas chairperson, and Supreme Court chairperson; judges serve 9-year, nonrenewable terms; note - one-third of court judges reconstituted every 3 years
subordinate courts:Court of Appeals; district and local courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Christian Party or KP [Gediminas VAGNORIUS]
Civil Democracy Party or PDP [Algimantas MATULEVICIUS]
Democratic Labor and Unity Party or DDVP [Kristina BRAZAUSKIENE]
Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI]
Emigrants Party or EP [Juozas MURAUSKAS]
Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Andrius KUBILIUS]
Labor Party or DP [Loreta GRAUZINIENE]
Liberal and Center Union or LCS [Arturas MELIANAS]
Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Eligijus MASIULIS]
Lithuanian People's Party or LLP [Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE]
Lithuanian People's Party or LZP [Joana SIMANAUSKIENE]
Lithuanian Russian Union or LRS [Sergejus DMITRIJEVAS]
Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Algirdas BUTKEVICIUS]
Nationalist Union or TS [Gintaras SONGAILA]
Order and Justice Party or TT [Rolandas PAKSAS]
Peasant and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS]
Republican Party or RP [Valdemaras VALKIUNAS]
Russian Alliance or RA [Tamara LOCHANKINA]
Socialist People's Front or SLF [Algirdas PALECKIS]
Way of Courage or DK [Jonas VARKALA]
YES-Homeland Revival and Perspective or YES Union or TAIP Union or TAIP [Arturas ZUOKAS]
Young Lithuania Party or PJL [Stanislovas BUSKEVICIUS]


International organization participation:
Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Zygimantas PAVILIONIS (since 5 August 2010)
chancery:2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 234-5860
FAX:[1] (202) 328-0466
consulate(s) general:Chicago, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Deborah A. MCCARTHY (since 5 February 2013)
embassy:Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106
mailing address:American Embassy, Akmenu Gatve 6, Vilnius LT-03106
telephone:[370] (5) 266-5500
FAX:[370] (5) 266-5510


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow symbolizes golden fields, as well as the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests of the countryside, in addition to nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland


National symbol(s):
mounted knight known as Vytis (the Chaser)


National anthem:
name:'Tautiska giesme' (The National Song)

lyrics/music:Vincas KUDIRKA
note:adopted 1918, restored 1990; the anthem was written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; it was banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990

Economy

Economy - overview:
Lithuania gained membership in the World Trade Organization and joined the EU in May 2004. Despite its EU accession, Lithuania's trade with its Central and Eastern European neighbors, and Russia in particular, accounts for a significant share of total trade. Foreign investment and business support have helped in the transition from the old command economy to a market economy. The three former Soviet Baltic republics were among the hardest hit by the 2008-09 financial crisis. The government's efforts to attract foreign investment, to develop export markets, and to pursue broad economic reforms has been key to Lithuania's quick recovery from a deep recession, making Lithuania one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. Lithuania is committed to meeting the Maastricht criteria to join the euro zone, which the government expects to achieve by 2015. Under the Conservative Party's leadership, Lithuania raised the monthly minimum wage in January 2012 nearly 25% over 2011. In January 2013, the new Social Democrat-led government increased the minimum wage another 25% over January 2012. Despite government efforts, unemployment remains high.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$67.43 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$65.19 billion (2012 est.)
$62.92 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$46.71 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
3.6% (2012 est.)
5.9% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$22,600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
$21,700 (2012 est.)
$20,800 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
16.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
17.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
18.9% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:64.4%
government consumption:17.2%
investment in fixed capital:16.8%
investment in inventories:0.9%
exports of goods and services:85.4%
imports of goods and services:-84.7%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:3.7%
industry:28.3%
services:68% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish


Industries:
metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber jewelry


Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126

Labor force:
1.452 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:7.9%
industry:19.6%
services:72.5% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
12.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
13.2% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
4% (2008)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.6%
highest 10%:29.1% (2008)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35.5 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
34 (1999)


Budget:
revenues:$14.5 billion
expenditures:$15.43 billion (2013 est.)


    Taxes and other revenues:
31% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87


Public debt:
40.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
41% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, 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; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
3.1% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
2.06% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
5.28% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$13.83 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$13.77 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$20.59 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$20.58 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$22.02 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$22.69 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$3.964 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
-$567 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
-$231 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$30.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
$28.76 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles , foodstuffs, plastics


Exports - partners:
Russia 19.8%, Latvia 9.9%, Estonia 7.5%, Poland 7.3%, Germany 7.1%, Belarus 5.1%, United Kingdom 4.9%, Netherlands 4.3% (2013 est.)


Imports:
$32.52 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
$30.44 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, chemicals, textiles and clothing, metals


Imports - partners:
Russia 29.3%, Germany 10.3%, Poland 9.3%, Latvia 6.1% (2013 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$10.37 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
$8.529 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$29.55 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
$32.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
$15.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$3.029 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$2.729 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
litai (LTL) per US dollar -
2.658 (2013 est.)
2.685 (2012 est.)
2.6063 (2010 est.)
2.4787 (2009)
2.3251 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
12.27 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90


Electricity - consumption:
10.3 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88


Electricity - exports:
186 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Electricity - imports:
1.17 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
3.82 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
70.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
3.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Crude oil - production:
9,111 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93


Crude oil - exports:
2,181 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Crude oil - imports:
190,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
12 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


Refined petroleum products - production:
197,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
70,390 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Refined petroleum products - exports:
155,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Refined petroleum products - imports:
16,110 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154


Natural gas - consumption:
3.3 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135


Natural gas - imports:
3.4 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
667,300 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 89


Telephones - mobile cellular:
5 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 110


Telephone system:
general assessment:adequate; being modernized to provide improved international capability and better residential access
domestic:rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services has resulted in a steady decline in the number of fixed-line connections; mobile-cellular teledensity stands at about 140 per 100 persons
international:country code - 370; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2010)



    Broadcast media:
public broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, many with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country (2007)


Internet country code:
.lt


Internet hosts:
1.205 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 43


Internet users:
1.964 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 75

Transportation

Airports
61 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 81


Airports - with paved runways
total:22
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:7
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:9 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:39
over 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:
36 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 1,921 km; refined products 121 km (2013)


Railways
total:1,767 kmcountry comparison to the world: 76
broad gauge:1,745 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)
standard gauge:22 km 1.435-m gauge (2011)


    Roadways
total:84,166 kmcountry comparison to the world: 56
paved:72,297 km (includes 312 km of expressways)
unpaved:11,869 km (2012)


Waterways
441 km (navigable year round) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 87


Merchant marine
total:38country comparison to the world: 76
by type:cargo 20, container 1, passenger/cargo 6, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned:8 (Denmark 8)
registered in other countries:22 (Antigua and Barbuda 3, Belize 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9, unknown 3) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Klaipeda
oil terminals:Butinge oil terminal

Military

Military branches
Lithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; service obligation 1 year; Lithuania converted to a professional military in the fall of 2008, although the decision continues under judicial review (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:890,074
females age 16-49:875,780 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:669,111
females age 16-49:724,803 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:20,425
female:19,527 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.97% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 104
1.04% of GDP (2011)
0.97% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Lithuania and Russia committed to demarcating their boundary in 2006 in accordance with the land and maritime treaty ratified by Russia in May 2003 and by Lithuania in 1999; Lithuania operates a simplified transit regime for Russian nationals traveling from the Kaliningrad coastal exclave into Russia, while still conforming, as a EU member state having an external border with a non-EU member, to strict Schengen border rules; boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documents in preparation


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:4,130 (2012)


Illicit drugs
transshipment and destination point for cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis, methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking legislation
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook