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A Pragmatic War (new from Compass Games)
U.S. Navy Plan Red Publisher's Preview
SWWAS Bismarck: Scenarios and History, Part One
Commands & Colors Tricorne: Jacobite Rising (Compass Games Preorder)
Yaah! Magazine, Issue 13 (Flying Pig Games Preorder)
Tactical Genius: A Look at Fields of Fire Review
Gen Con interviews Columbia Games [video]
Ardennes '44 Unboxing [video]
Kernstown Replay
Captain Dave's Top 10 Requests For Wargame Designers & Developers
Mentioned in Dispatches, Special Summer 2019 Edition [podcast]
No Enemies Here: Interview with Mark Herman [video]
The Devil's to Pay Review
Table Battles Expansion No. 4: English Civil War (new from Hollandspiele)
The Battle of Marathon (490 BC)
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Take Hello Kitty to the beach with the Hello Kitty Bucket Set.
All the parts of this fun beach playset come clipped to the bucket and sieve lid. Make delightful shapes in the sand with the six shaped moulds, build a sandcastle with the bucket, and dig with the spade.
- Bucket with sieve lid
- Fork and spade
- Hand and feet moulds
- Hello Kitty and bunny face moulds
- Watering can
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Order a Free Catalogue & product samples!
Single Malt - Antique Oak Reclaimed Wood Flooring Description:
Warm chocolate brown hues enhance the patina of the antique oak. Reclaimed from barns and rural structures throughout most of the United States reclaimed antique oak is one of our most popular woods. We're always looking for the highest quality sources of this fantastic resource.
Single Malt - Antique Oak Reclaimed Wood Flooring Specifications:
Random Widths: 3"-5", 3"-7", 5"-9"
Specified Widths: 3"-9"
Thickness: 3/4", 5/8", or 1/2"
Lengths: 2-12' Random or Specified Lengths
Milled Profile: Tongue and Groove, Square or Shiplap
Texture: Sanded Smooth
Edges: Square or Pillowed
Recommended Finish: UV Oil
Optional Finish: Hardwax Oil
Fire Retardant: Optional
Reclaimed Antique Oak is 100% FSC Certified Recycled and eligible for LEED Credits.
Proper product installation is the key to success in every job! From installation to recommended care & maintenance. We'll always be here to help you with your project every step of the way. And when it's done and you have the time to enjoy the look and feel and aura of the wood, make sure you take that time. It's as good for you as laughing a half hour a day, or going on a walk with a child and a dog. This wood has lived. Really lived.
Acclimating wood products
Proper acclimation of wood products prior to installation is essential to a successful finished product. Always allow plenty of time after receiving any wood product for the material to properly and completely acclimate to its new environment. This is typically accomplished in a week or two by placing the material as close to its final installation area as possible. HVAC systems should have been running prior to material arrival and set at normal living conditions for a proper acclimation of the wood products.
Installing wood flooring over radiant heat
Radiant heat flooring is a quiet, healthy, clean and efficient way to heat any space. With proper installation, wide plank flooring from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber is an ideal choice for radiant heat systems.
• Perfect for allergies - Radiant heat flooring reduces airborne allergens
• Radiant heat is a consistent and even heat source
• Silent and energy efficient, radiant heat makes sense.
• Why consider radiant heat flooring? because you will absolutely love it...
Installing wood flooring over concrete
Wood flooring has been installed over concrete using stringers, or plywood for over a century. Proper site preparation and installation will ensure success when installing wood flooring over concrete. High-quality wood and millwork will help to reduce seasonal fluctuations.
• First, the concrete has to be dry.
• Second, a moisture barrier is a must.
• Third, High-quality wood and millwork are essential.CalculateArea size: square feetPlease use numbers only


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Original Gaz Girl | Neiman, LeRoy
Gaz Girl, Mixed media, pen ink, watercolor, marker and acrylic on paper, 11" x 17", Circa 1970's.
Current Avalabilities
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|Call 866-517-2467 or Click Here To Request Quote
About The Artist: Neiman, LeRoy
1921 - 2012
LeRoy Neiman was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, De Paul University, and the University of Illinois. He taught at the Art Institute of Chicago's school for ten years. Neiman moved to New York City in 1963 when he had his first one-man show at the Hammer Gallery. He then continued to portray the people and events of the world he knew best, or which intrigued him most. His best-known works are sports scenes, a reflection, he believes, of the fact that sports are universally a dominant force. He was the official artist for ABC-TV at the Olympic Games in 1972 and 1976, and at the Winter Olympics of 1980. Neiman's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and the Hermitage in Leningrad. Some people will pronouce his name wrong and spell it Nieman, but we know who they are talking about.
leroy neiman original gas girl can am car racing


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HTC and Microsoft are now pushing a firmware update over-the-air for the 8X Windows Phone (unbranded and unlocked). We reported just two nights ago that the OS was being updated to 'Portico' aka build 10211 but what was curious was there was no firmware change. That appears to have been remedied tonight.
We had the phone check for an update manually and sure enough, it began to download and prepare the device for installation (this time it was much quicker). Another screen was presented this time indicating that this was an 'HTC Update' referencing the firmware changes.
New auto-connect to hotspot feature
Firmware updates often accompany OS update as they can fine tweak some of the hardware features e.g. screen brightness, volume, sensor adjustments, etc. and maybe even take advantage of some new OS features, should they have been enabled.
We're still collecting information on the firmware change and will update this post when we have the details. Thanks, Rocket Riot (for images) and AndreiX, for the tips! Read more in our forums.
Update: The new firmware is 20003 (updated from 10022)


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Stanczyk is sad that WDYTYA ("Who Do You Think You Are?") has been canceled by NBC — There will NOT be a 4th season.
This was reported by Investors Business Daily at 9:00am today by Patrick Seitz (why do this when I am en route to an archive?). The impact upon Ancestry.com was immediate. Today its stock (ACOM) is down 13.15% at the time of this article.
From a business standpoint, I think this is an over reaction. First off this, is a year of the 1940 census and that has been as HUGE up to all census related sites (see this jester's Genealogy Website Rankings page). Also Ancestry has launched its DNA initiative (AncestryDNA). Now this has the costs baked in already and whatever revenue stream this produces will accrue to the bottom line. Stanczyk has already fielded questions about this product, so there does exist some buzz for the product and it was announced/promoted at this year's RootsTech Conference. Add in the PBS's own series "Finding Your Roots" and there does seem to be an "rising tide lifts all boats" effect in progress.
So I have to ask, "Is NBC short sighted in this action or at least are they acting out of synch with other media/events that are happening?".
I think NBC should move it to Saturday night. So we could have a Saturday / Sunday bonanza between NBC and PBS. Both series could do a "push-pull" to lift each other. If NBC is firm then, perhaps a Cable network will pick up this series??? Please! Here is what I think might be good fits:
Bravo – Who doesn't like The Actor Studio? Similar audience since the celebrity genealogy is a kind of deep dive into a celeb's background.
OWN – Oprah seems like the kind of family oriented billionaire who has the wherewithal, clout, and morals to keep this content going … strong.
A&E TV – This network has Bio and History channels. There must be a slot available there
BYU TV – This would be my last choice given its limited availability. But BYU and LDS audience would be interested in this PROVO, UT send-up and the rest of us could follow along.
As this season draws to a close, I wanted to say, "Thanks" to WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots for an excellent season.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Email me!


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Earth : Africa : East Africa : Kenya
Kenya [2] is a country in Eastern Africa. Its Indian Ocean coast lies between Somalia to the north east and Tanzania to the south. Its other surrounding countries are Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north and Uganda to the west.
Although one of Africa's more powerful economies, Kenya is still a developing country, and so certain aspects of the country's society and infrastructure may come as a shock to some visitors from developed countries who are unfamiliar with the poverty and poor quality of life experienced by many Kenyans. HIV AIDS has recently caused some major sociological upheaval, and orphans to the disease can be found all across the country.
Although made up of many diverse ethnic groups and tribes, Kenyans have strong sense of national pride which may be due in part to unity in the struggle for Uhuru (Kiswahili: "freedom") – independence from British colonial rule, achieved in 1963. Most Kenyans seem optimistic about the country's future. Kenyans understandably pursue the business opportunities offered by tourism with a zeal that may be off putting to some visitors, but are usually open, talkative and friendly once business matters have been settled.
Although foreign visitors are now a common sight in many parts of the country, there still exist vast areas off the beaten track where a white or yellow face will attract cries of "Mzungu! Mzungu!" (Kiswahili: "white person") from local children. Visitors to these areas should think especially carefully about the long term effects of their visit on the local community, and should for example avoid giving out sweets or money without restraint – merely playing with children, or talking to and helping villagers will yield far better results than merely giving out handouts.
Hominid fossils of significant scientific interest have found in the Rift Valley area, and it is often believed that this area of Africa is where the human species originated from.
Kenya has a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The country receives a great deal of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. However, it is usually cool at night and early in the morning. Also given that Nairobi is at a high altitude, it can be quite cold even during the day between June and August. The long rain season occurs from April to June. The short rain season occurs from October to December. The rainfall is sometimes heavy and often falls in the afternoons and evenings. The hottest period is from February to March and coldest in July to August.
The annual animal migration - especially migration of the wildebeest - occurs between June and September with millions of animals taking part. It has been a popular event for filmmakers to capture.
Other destinations
See also African National Parks
Get in
Visas are not required for the following nationalities: The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cyprus, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, the Gambia, Grenada, Grenadines, Ghana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia*, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa*, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe. (Countries marked with a '*' are limited to 30 day visa-free stays; longer visits will require a visa.)
For citizens of other countries/territories, visas may be obtained through a Kenyan embassy/consulate prior to departure, valid for six months from the date of issue. The current costs for tourist visas are: US$20/€20/GB£10 (transit), US$50/€40/GB£30 (single-entry), and US$100 (multiple entry). Unlike some countries' visas, the application for a Kenyan visa is short (1 page) and not very detailed and will be returned in 10 days, except 12-16 days during the busy May-August season.
If you require a visa to enter Kenya, you might be able to apply for one at a British embassy, High Commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no Kenyan foreign mission. For example, the British embassies in Almaty[3], Belgrade[4], Budapest[5], Guatemala City[6], Jakarta[7], Prague[8], Pristina[9], Rabat[10], Riga[11], Sofia[12], Tallinn[13], Vienna[14], Warsaw[15] and Zagreb[16] accept Kenyan visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge £50 to process a Kenyan visa application and an extra £70 if the authorities in Kenya require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Kenya can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.
Alternatively, visas are available for purchase on entry at international airports for almost all nationalities. There is a separate line at immigration for those who require tourist visas. Ensure that you are in the correct line at the airport to avoid additional wait. No photos are required, just cash for payment. Nationalities from the following countries are not eligible for visa on entry, and must apply beforehand: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cameroon, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mali, North Korea, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Palestine, Tajikistan.
It is reported that holders of a single-entry visa can actually re-enter the country if they have only gone to the following neighboring countries: Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda.
By plane
Kenya Airways [17] (KQ) is the national airline. KQ has extensive regional Johannesburg-South Africa, Harare-Zimbabwe, Cairo-Egypt, Entebbe-Uganda, Accra-Ghana, etc) and international connections (Dubai-UAE, London-UK, Amsterdam-Netherlands, Mumbai-India, etc). It is also a SkyTeam associate member.
Kenya has three International airports:
Jomo Kenyatta is the primary arrival point for visitors flying into Kenya. There are excellent flight connections provided by KQ to major tourist destinations such as Mombasa, Kisumu and Malindi.
Major airlines that serve NBO are:
An increasing number of airlines are flying to Kenya, and Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has become a hub for East and Central Africa. National carrier and biggest airline in the country is Kenya Airways, which (among others) also provides direct flights from Nairobi to several West African countries, e.g., Lagos in Nigeria, Bamako in Mali, as well as direct flights to Bangkok and connections to Hong Kong and China. A recent code-share agreement with Korean Airlines has also brought the Korean peninsula within reach.
By train
Train services link only Kenya's major cities. There is no passenger train service linking Kenya with neighboring countries, though there are cargo lines.
By car
The roads may be poor, but all neighboring countries can be accessed including Ethiopia via the border town of Moyale, Uganda via Busia or Malaba, and Tanzania via Namanga.
Beware of overland routes coming through the northern deserts as these are essentially lawless regions. Most vehicles traveling through the area travel via armed convoy.
By bus
Regular bus services operate between:
Nairobi (Kenya) & Arusha (Tanzania); Nairobi (Kenya) & Kampala (Uganda); Mombasa (Kenya) & Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania); Kisumu (Kenya) & Kampala (Uganda);
Reliable bus services on these routes include Kampala Coach and Akamba Bus.
By boat
This is limited to Lake Victoria (e.g., Mwanza in Tanzania to Kisumu in Kenya) and the coastal area (e.g., Mombasa-Zanzibar cruises).
Get around
By plane
Most international visitors will arrive through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi (NBO). If you are already in Nairobi and need to get to the airport, please make sure that you plan at least two hours to get there as the main road to the airport has heavy traffic jams, and security checks are tedious.
Kenya Airways (KQ) offers the most scheduled connections from JKIA and regular daily flights to the following destinations: Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu. A return flight from Nairobi to Mombasa will cost about Ksh 11,000. Online booking is available. Check in is 45 minutes before departure for local flights and two hours for international. Pay attention to the announcements while in Unit 3 of JKIA as passengers on different flights are put in the same waiting area. If you are flying from another destination to Nairobi and using Kenya Airways in the tourist high season (July-September, December-February), note that KQ flights are frequently delayed and preference is given to international connecting passengers, platinum frequent-flyer card holders, and first-class passengers.
A low-cost, no-frills airline Fly540 also flies from JKIA and offers scheduled connections to Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Kisumu and Masaai Mara. Plans are to extend the service to the East African region. A return flight to Mombasa from Nairobi will cost about $99 (without tax) Online booking is possible.
Another airline Airkenya flies from Wilson Airport Nairobi to Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Amboseli, Maasai Mara, Meru, Nanyuki and Samburu. The lounge features a Dormans cafe. Check in can be done up to 15 minutes before departure. Wilson Airport was once the busiest airport in Africa outside South Africa and still remains a major hub for local flights to the nature reserves in Kenya and to cities in neighboring countries. Anyone using Airkenya is advised to lock their checked-in bags. Things have been known to go missing from luggage while in the care of Airkenya.
Jetlink flies from Nairobi to Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.
Most charter tourists fly directly to either of the coastal airports of Mombasa or Malindi.
By bus
Kenya has a network of long distance bus lines. Speed is limited to 80km/h, and the highways can be very bumpy and dusty, so be sure you pick a comfortable and reputable coach company for the long journeys. Travelling during the day is preferable to travelling at night due to the threat of carjackings and road traffic accidents.
Local buses in town are run by private companies, such as the green and yellow Citi Hoppa, which provide transportation for an inexpensive fee (usually around US$0.66). They have regular services in and out of the Nairobi city suburbs. They usually seat 20-35 passengers (no standing passengers are allowed by law) and are a cleaner and less hectic mode of transport than matatus, while still plying many of the same routes.
By matatu
Matatus are privately operated minibuses, typically for 14 or 25 passengers and operating over short and medium distances. Travel by matatu can be somewhat risky as the vehicles are sometimes extremely badly driven, with matatu drivers swerving in and out of traffic and stopping at a moment's notice by the side of the road for passengers. Some are poorly maintained, and many are to be found in fascinating and colorful decor, which is a major feature of Kenyan urban culture. Previously matatus were usually packed to well over capacity – up to 25 people in a 14-seater vehicle – but in recent years there has been increased government regulation and policing of matatus, especially in the larger cities, and now most matatus provide seatbelts and do not exceed the vehicle's stated capacity. An unfortunate side-effect of better regulation has been a loss of individuality and character of some of the vehicles, and drivers and conductors are now obliged to wear set uniforms. Tourists should be careful to ensure that they are wearing the seatbelts provided, unless they wish to find themselves taken on an inconvenient unscheduled trip from a road checkpoint to the police station.
Although most matatus ply their trade along set routes, it is often possible outside of major towns to charter a matatu on the spot as a taxi to your your desired destination. Make sure you have categorically confirmed your negotiated price and exact destination before the vehicle goes anywhere, or you may find yourself in the shadier areas of Nairobi at night at the mercy of an indignant matatu driver.
Matatus provide a very cheap and quick method of transport in all the major towns and many rural areas. The name matatu hails from the Kiswahili word for the number three – tatu – because some time ago the standard fare was three ten-cent coins.
By train
The Kenya-Uganda railway starts in Mombasa and travels via Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. This is the famous "Lunatic Express" and was also featured in the Val Kilmer & Michael Douglas film "The Ghost and the Darkness." This train does not currently travel all the way to Uganda but instead stops in Kisumu. The train is extremely slow and usually delayed. The speed of the train is due to the old narrow gauge track installed by the colonial authorities which hasn't been improved in 50 years of independence. Currently the train travels Nairobi-Mombasa route three times a week and Nairobi-Kisumu route once a week.
By Jeep
You can hire a jeep and drive through Kenya, though you need to be proficient at traveling, since there is very little signage along the roads and one can easily get lost. Also, bandits may stop your travel and take your belongings.
by Rental Car
Most worldwide rental agencies have offices in Nairobi and Mombasa, and these offer expensive but reliable cars with a full back-up network. One can also rent cheaper cars from local distributors who are mostly reliable.
Carefully read the rental contract to check for rules on insurance liabilities in case of accident / theft of the vehicle.
Central car hire [18] are a reliable, trustworthy and helpful rental company based in Nairobi. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles are available and are well maintained.
Kenya has some of the world's best game reserves where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna. The parks are famous for lions, giraffes, elephants and huge herds of zebras, wildebeests and buffalos. It's wise to shop around for tour operators before picking one, to see what's currently on offer, who you vibe with, and to get a competitive price.
The annual wildebeest migration (from Maasai Mara to the Serengeti) is an awesome sight and best experienced in a balloon safari. Bookings to watch the migration are best done months in advance due to the high demand and limited lodging available in the Mara. Migration is during August and September.
Kenya also is a great destination for beach holidays, with several located along the coastal regions and the city of Mombasa.
Kenya is also becoming a golf holiday destination, with an abundance of beautiful courses around the major urban areas. Green fees range from US$15-40 per round, plus a US$5-7 caddy fee.
The Northern parts of Kenya are home to some spectacular tribes living very traditional lifestyles - you can start to encounter these remarkable socieities near to and around the main road North into Ethiopia (the A2 which runs through Marsabit and into Moyale at the Ethopian border), as well as West of this in places such as Wamba, Maralal, Baragoi, Korr, Kargi, South Horr, etc.
Watch a wildlife migration. Go for a game drive in many parks and reserves found in the country. If you are on a tight schedule take a game drive in the Nairobi National Park found less than 20 minutes drive from the Cental Business District. Major attractions, big cats including lions and leopards, buffallos, a variety of antelop species, baboons, monkeys amongs others.
Many travelers choose to spend some of their trip volunteering with the local community. This can include teaching, community development, childcare, conservation and environmental work, or healthcare/medical projects.
English and Swahili are the two official languages. You can get by with English in the larger cities and when dealing with those connected to the tourism industry as well as the well-educated upper class, but, outside of that, a few words of Swahili go a long way.
Tribal languages, such as Maa spoken by the Maasai, are commonplace in more remote areas. You will still usually be able to find a local who can speak Swahili — although in such areas a guide will be indispensable. Sheng (a slang of English, Kiswahili and local languages) is spoken mostly by urban youths.
Kenya is famous for many handicrafts, which are often the signature of a particular tribe or region. Look for Kisii stone (soap stone) carvings, Maasai jewelry, Mkonde wood carvings, Lamu chairs and batiks. The largest selection of handicrafts can probably be found at the Maasai Market which rotates and can be found at different locations within Nairobi. For example, on Sundays, they are at Yaya Centre near hurlingham, and, on Saturdays, they can be found at the Central business district near the law courts parking space.
On Fridays, they are at the Village Market in Gigiri, near the UN headquarters. Gigiri, just like Yaya Centre, is a plush suburb, so vendors price their goods accordingly. There is also a fine selection of stores selling craft goods in Mombasa, where the atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed. However, the best prices can be found by buying direct from the artisans in their villages in the countryside.
Apart from the typical souvenirs such as wood carvings, it may be a good idea to buy one of the large books with photos of wildlife, nature, or culture.
Do listen to and buy some local Kenyan music. Reggae is also quite a frequent feature of matatu journeys.
The currency is the Kenyan Shilling (KES), which can be divided into 100 cents. As of November 2011, 1 USD = 90.32 KES, 1 EUR = 120.45 KES, and 1 GBP = 139.98 KES.
Nairobi has some of the finest eating establishments in Africa. Many different cuisines and types of restaurants are available, from fast food to fancy. Many five-star hotels have attached fine restaurants, which are expensive but worth it if you are looking to not get a true Kenyan cuisine. Restaurants are called "hotels" and there are many in Nairobi, if you stop by make sure you try Pilau-a chicken and rice dish, cabbage and rice; and the staple food in Kenya-Ugali, made from maze flour. Street food is also definitely worth a try and usually safe to eat, Mandazi are sweet bread-like treats that are often sold on the street, maze grilled with a side of chili to add on is a wonderful snack and very cheap, samosas are awesome and don't be hesitant to try all the other yummy stuff they're selling! Also, fruit stand are everywhere-the mangoes and avocados are to die for and can be bought for about 10-20bob. Many restaurants can be found downtown and in the areas of Westlands and Hurlingham but these areas are filled with tourists and "mzungu"(singular) "wazungu" (plural) which is the kiSwaihili word for "white/foreign people" and places like Ayani, Olympic, Kibera, and other places have more authentic food. Among the many cuisines available are Indian, Brazilian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, German and French restaurants. Fast food restaurants, mostly by South African chains (Steers, Nandos), are common in the larger urban areas.
Kenyan beer is decent. There is one major brewer whose flagship brand is Tusker Lager. Also try the Tusker Malt Lager. Another good lager beer is White Cap Lager. Imported beers are available in supermarkets and better hotels, but the prices are usually high. But imported Tanzanian beer like Kilimanjaro and Safari tend to be cheaper than even Tusker. In local bars, do not expect to pay more than around 150 Ksh for a bottle; anything more is a tourist rip-off.
Imported and local wines and spirits are widely available, and it is advisable to avoid local brews such as "changaa" and "busaa," which are illegal, unhygenically brewed and whose consumption has led to deaths on many occasions. It may be helpful to remember that "changaa" literally means "kill me quick" before deciding whether or not to drink a proffered glass of the beverage.
There is an excellent selection of soft drinks especially from the Coca Cola stable, but try the Tangawizi brand of ginger ale.
Nairobi has a wide variety of tourist hotels, from backpackers' campsites (Upper Hill Campsite off Hospital Road) to five-star establishments such as the Norfolk Hotel. There are a number of other guesthouses that offer private rooms both with shared bathrooms and self-contained rooms for between 1,000/- and 4,000/- per night. As long as you don't mind basic accommodations, there is no need to spend more than $100US per night on a hotel or hostel. In less touristy areas, lodging can be found for as cheap as $5USD per night. Be wary of bed bugs, though - it may be advisable to purchase insect spray and bring along your own sheet if you plan to travel very cheaply. In addition, the international Intercontinental and Hilton chains are also represented as well as a number of very highly regarded local chains(Serena and Sarova Hotels). Small boarding and lodging establishments are ubiquitous in downtown urban areas for low cost, although these are rarely safe as they are located in high crime areas.
Homestays are increasingly gaining popularity. Part of the reason is that one is able to experience Kenyan culture in a deeper and more meaningful way. Most homes charge about $20 per night inclusive of meals. Some may include laundry on that price.
People staying longer-term may rent accommodation; prices range from estate-agent 'international style' rentals at $150+ pw, to privately arranged furnished apartments, from $50-$100 pw, to 'local' style accommodation, usually unfurnished, in a price range from ksh5-7000 per month with windows, water, electricity, down to ksh500 per month with no windows, no electricity, loud neighbours, mosquitoes, shared access to a tap. To arrange privately rented accommodation, you'll need to ask around - cab drivers, shopkeepers, market traders, could all save you the estate agents' fees.
There are a large number of colleges offering secretarial and computer courses in downtown Nairobi and Mombasa. There are also a large number of universities, both public and private, and some do participate in student exchange programs with international universities.
A high unemployment rate means work permits are required. These can be difficult to obtain unless you have specialized skills that are lacking in the workforce. You are best off being appointed abroad, as local employment opportunities are low-paying and few.
There is a large number of international expatriates who work for non-profit agencies such as the U.N and other affiliated agencies. Their pay is very high in relation to local living standards, and as a result their employees can afford to live in luxury.
There are numerous opportunities for volunteering in Kenya, whatever skills you have. Websites such as Idealist carry details of many of these placements, which could be centered on education, conservation, community development, or a number of similar areas. Kenya's English-speaking history and relative stability (despite recent events following the disputed 2007 elections) make it extremely well suited for this kind of work. In most cases, volunteering can be undertaken with a standard tourist visa, although it is worth checking with your host organization before travelling as the authorities may not always take this view.
If you have specialised skills, there are a number of more focused volunteering programs available. These range from opportunities for medical and engineering placements (for example, with MSF or VSO), to short sabbaticals for people with generic business experience, spent mentoring local businesses, with Skills Venture.
Stay safe
Kenya had an uncharacteristic bout of post-election violence in January 2008 after a disputed presidential election result. Things have now quieted down and the country is considered safe for travelers, but the situation remains somewhat on edge, so follow local news carefully.
Stay alert when walking or driving through Nairobi. You should be careful always to be aware of your surroundings and, if possible, ensure that you have a guide with you. Even daylight muggings on crowded streets are not uncommon. Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi. Particularly avoid walking after dark. Take a taxi if you can afford it, or a bus if you can not.
Avoid ostentatious displays of wealth and property, particularly tempting objects such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players, etc. The bus from the airport to downtown is a notorious target for pickpockets
If you are unlucky and get mugged, a good tactic is to wave your arms and start screaming at the would-be mugger. Confrontations with armed robbers, however, should be avoided – in this instance, remember that your possessions are far less important than your life. Most criminals in Nairobi are more interested in a quick grab and dash than they are in a prolonged encounter. Since robbery is frequently punished by lengthy prison terms or even death, most muggers can be dissuaded by a good show of force. It is perfectly possible to see much of Nairobi without incident if you take sensible precautions.
The north of the country has a reputation for lawlessness, becoming more dangerous the closer you get to the South Sudanese, Ethiopian and Somali borders. Armed robberies and abductions by shiftas (bandits) on the roads in these areas are frequent. Avoid travelling to this part of the country if possible, and take special precautions if travelling by road. Armed convoys are normal for this part of the country. Visitors to Lake Turkana (indicated on the map as Lake Rudolf) in the northwest and Lamu in the northern end of the coast should travel there by air. Lodwar, Lokichokio ('Loki') and Moyale are towns best avoided by the casual traveller, unless you have business with the humanitarian organizations based there.
Stay healthy
Protect yourself from mosquitoes, as they carry numerous diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever. Get expert advice on malaria preventatives. Guard against mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves and long trousers and apply an effective insect repellent, for example, one containing DEET. If travelling to other East African countries, you should have a yellow fever vaccination so as to prevent complications and paying of bribes at the border. These can be administered at an affordable price at most reliable Nairobi clinics and hospitals.
Malaria prophylactics, taken as pills during the trip, can be highly effective. Consult your physician. The prophylactics most commonly used in this region are doxycycline (an antibiotic) and malarone (a combination of atovaquone and proguanil, also sold locally as malanil). (Chloroquine is not as useful because of the high incidence of resistance. Mefloquine, also known as lariam, mefliam, and mephaquin, is associated with various side effects, including a high incidence of mood disturbances and a lower risk of severe neurological disturbance.)
If you get flu-like symptoms, including fever, consult a doctor immediately. If no doctor is available, take a treatment dose of an appropriate anti-malarial and go immediately to a hospital. While the public hospitals are slightly cheaper, long waits and poor conditions and care at these facilities may make it worthwhile to go to a private clinic. Costs will vary, but a typical trip to the hospital for malaria testing, doctor's consultation, and medication will cost between $12 to $30USD depending on the clinic. As malaria can become serious, a trip to the hospital is recommended at the first symptoms of malaria.
If you get such symptoms within twelve months of returning home, seek a doctor's advice very quickly and immediately tell him where you have been in the last year. Delayed treatment, even by just a few hours, can lead to permanent brain and liver damage or death.
Do not have unprotected sex as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are a risk. The country's Adult HIV Prevalence rate (15th in the world) is over 6% or 1 in 16 adults. Voluntary Testing and Counseling (VCT) clinics offer free testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS.
Cholera is another danger. When in affected areas, see a doctor immediately and drink plenty of water.
All water should be treated, either by boiling or through purifying tablets or filters. This includes Nairobi as well as rural areas. Typhoid fever is a risk and, like malaria prophylactics, the vaccination is not 100% effective. All fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed. While eating from the roadside kiosks is part of the cultural experience that one should not miss, note that such places do not always have the highest sanitary conditions and stomach illnesses can result.
It is advisable to have traveller's and accident insurance.
Although Kenya is predominantly Christian and somewhat liberal, there are areas with major Muslim influence, such at the Coastal regions, where it is considered indecent to wear short dresses. This is true in rural Christian areas as well.
Beachwear is acceptable on the beach but not while strolling around town. Even though some hotels allow topless or nude sunbathing, these are in restricted areas and not in public areas.
Kissing or heavy petting is frowned upon in public, even though Kenyan youth engage in both liberally in night clubs.
Homosexuality is against the law but is practiced secretly. Any overt displays of homosexuality may, at times, result in open hostility. It is best to be discreet if engaging in any such activities with travel mates or locals. However, it is customary to hold a same sex person's hand while engaged in conversation.
Internet cafés are common throughout Kenya and usually offer decent link quality. Expect prices around 1KSh per minute.
Mobile providers
Safaricom: after purchasing a starter SIM card you may access the net instantly, if you have a Internet-capable handset or a modem. However, when using your account balance to pay for access, the prices are steep. It is much cheaper to purchase a data bundle, and the more expensive ones offer much better price/limit ratio. For example in May 2012 a 1500MB data bundle costed 999KSh.
You may purchase the bundles by charging your account with scratch top-up cards and then dialing *544#. Be warned that once the data bundle is finished the Internet access will be done by fallback method using you current account balance, which is much more expensive.


text:
Event details
- 06/21/2028
- 1802 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068
Join us at Solid Rock Deliverance Temple. Where we study straight from the Word of God. So bring your Bible.
A church that is built on a good, and strong foundation shall never faulter. We are built on a (God) foundation, that's even better.
Come press with Pastor Greene, as the Lord delivers a word through him, that will increase your press to your higher calling.
Come improve your walk, your faith, your life with what God has for you in His word. God loves you, come see how much.


text:
Kids, not just adults, get headaches. Luckily in children, few headaches are caused by serious conditions, such as a tumors, infections, or a head injury. Regardless, common headaches can be painful and distracting for children.
Childhood Headache Tips for Parents
Pay Attention to a Headache
Although some kids will pretend to have headaches or tummy aches to avoid things they don't want to do, most childhood headaches are real. Some children have migraines and others have tension-type headaches. Migraines can be triggered by stress, food, or environmental factors, such as noise or bright lights. Tension-type headaches can be a response to stress or challenges at school, home, work, or among friends. They can even have them from allergies and sinus infections.
Find Headache Relief
Take your child to the doctor for help with headaches. Your child may need medication or changes in their daily routine, such as diet, exercise, and rest. If over time, your doctor is not able to treat or manage the headaches, ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist or headache specialist.
Your child may also be referred to a therapist. Therapy may reduce the length and frequency of migraine headaches. It may be used with or without medication and may include cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, or relaxation methods.
Gum chewing and teeth grinding have also been shown to cause headaches in children. If your child chews gum or grinds his or her teeth excessively, you may want to encourage ending the habit.
Take It Easy
Kids who get headaches can participate in most activities, but sometimes it will be best to just take it easy. Do not commit a child with headaches to too many activities. Leave some time for rest and relaxation. Overall, kids who get headaches will benefit from balanced, nutritious meals (especially breakfast), regular sleep patterns (including a full night's sleep), and exercise. Although exercise may help relieve tension, it may not be a good idea for your child to have too much exertion during a headache.
Tell Teachers and School Staff
Your child spends a lot of the day at school, so you need to make teachers and school staff aware of your child's headaches. Have your doctor write a note explaining any medications and special instructions, such as rest or recovery periods. Make sure that your child is allowed to take medication when needed. Migraines, for example, should be treated as soon as your child senses one coming on. Waiting until class ends is likely to lead to a much more severe migraine and a longer recovery period. Children with headaches may need to miss school, but if your child is missing school often, you should seek further medical attention.
The Headache Diary
If your child has headaches, encourage keeping a headache diary to help recognize when and why the headaches happen. Take this information to your child's doctor because it will help to determine the cause of the headaches and create a treatment or prevention plan.
The National Headache Foundation suggests the following questions for your child's headache diary:
- What does the headache feel like?
- Where is the pain located?
- Does your headache appear without warning or are there signs of it coming, such as weakness, nausea, lightheadedness, or sensitivity to light or noise?
- Do you see bright lights, blind spots, or changes in vision?
- Do headaches occur after eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages such as caffeinated soft drinks, pizza, or chocolate?
- Do certain situations, events, or physical activity produce a headache?
- When do the headaches occur—once a week, twice a week, once a month?
- Does anyone else in your family have headaches?
When Is Further Evaluation Necessary?
Most headaches in children are due to migraine, muscle tension, or other common causes and rarely need more evaluation than a careful history and physical examination. Headaches may, however, be a symptom of serious health problems and need further study. Every child's headache needs to be evaluated individually. But, in general, the following symptoms justify further evaluation:
- Weakness, visual or speech difficulties, or a change in personality
- Vomiting in association with headaches
- Headaches that awaken a child at night or are there when they wake in the morning
- Headaches in association with excessive urination or unusually early development of puberty or failure to menstruate when expected
- Headaches that worsen steadily in severity or frequency over days or weeks, change in a long-established pattern of headache, or the onset of a severe headache
- Headache associated with depression or anxiety—Further evaluation generally focuses on the anxiety or depression unless headaches meet 1 or more of the criteria above
- Reviewer: Michael Woods, MD
- Review Date: 03/2016 -
- Update Date: 01/02/2014 -


text:
Japan Population: 126,702,1334 VISITORS FROM HERE!
« Previous Country | Next Country » Back to Flag Counter Overview
|In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. The catastrophe hobbled the country's economy and its energy infrastructure, and tested its ability to deal with humanitarian disasters. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing.
Strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets
|Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
|Geographic coordinates:
| total: 377,915 sq km
land: 364,485 sq km
water: 13,430 sq km
note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)
Size comparison: slightly smaller than California
|Land Boundaries:
|0 km
|29,751 km
|Maritime claims:
| territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
|varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
|mostly rugged and mountainous
|Elevation extremes:
|Natural resources:
| negligible mineral resources, fish
note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil
|Land use:
| agricultural land: 12.5% arable land 11.7%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 0% forest: 68.5%
other: 19% (2011 est.)
|Irrigated land:
|24,690 sq km (2012)
|Natural hazards:
|many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons volcanism: both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (elev. 1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu
|Current Environment Issues:
|air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality and threatening aquatic life; Japan is one of the largest consumers of fish and tropical timber, contributing to the depletion of these resources in Asia and elsewhere; following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan originally planned to phase out nuclear power, but it has now implemented a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards
|International Environment Agreements:
| party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
|^Back to Top
| noun: Japanese (singular and plural)
adjective: Japanese
|Ethnic groups:
|Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% note: up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil (2004)
| Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%, Christianity 1.5%, other 7.1%
note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism (2012 est.)
|126,702,133 (July 2016 est.)
|Age structure:
| 0-14 years: 12.97% (male 8,472,869/female 7,963,782)
15-24 years: 9.67% (male 6,436,935/female 5,813,222)
25-54 years: 37.68% (male 23,593,194/female 24,145,406)
55-64 years: 12.4% (male 7,867,611/female 7,840,141)
65 years and over: 27.28% (male 15,080,738/female 19,488,235) (2016 est.)
|Dependency ratios:
| total dependency ratio: 64.5%
youth dependency ratio: 21.1%
elderly dependency ratio: 43.3%
potential support ratio: 2.3% (2015 est.)
|Median age:
| total: 46.9 years
male: 45.6 years
female: 48.3 years (2016 est.)
|Population growth rate:
|-0.19% (2016 est.)
|Birth rate:
|7.8 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Death rate:
|9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Net migration rate:
|0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
| urban population: 93.5% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 0.56% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
|Major urban areas - population:
|TOKYO (capital) 38.001 million; Osaka-Kobe 20.238 million; Nagoya 9.406 million; Kitakyushu-Fukuoka 5.51 million; Shizuoka-Hamamatsu 3.369 million; Sapporo 2.571 million (2015)
|Sex ratio:
| at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
|Mother's mean age at first birth:
|30.3 (2012 est.)
|Maternal mortality rate:
|5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
|Infant mortality rate:
| total: 2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
|Life expectancy at birth:
| total population: 85 years male: 81.7 years
female: 88.5 years (2016 est.)
|Total fertility rate:
|1.41 children born/woman (2016 est.)
|Contraceptive prevalence rate:
|54.3% note: percent of women aged 20-49 (2005)
|Health expenditures:
|10.2% of GDP (2014)
|Physicians density:
|2.3 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
|Hospital bed density:
|13.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)
|Drinking water source:
| improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
|Sanitation facility access:
| improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
|3.5% (2014)
|Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
|3.4% (2010)
|Education expenditures:
|3.8% of GDP (2014)
|School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
| total: 15 years male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2013)
|Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
| total: 5.9% male: 6.4%
female: 5.4% (2014 est.)
|^Back to Top
|Country name:
| conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Japan
local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku
local short form: Nihon/Nippon
etymology: the English word for Japan comes via the Chinese name for the country "Cipangu"; both Nihon and Nippon mean "where the sun originates" and are frequently translated as "Land of the rising sun"
|Government type:
|parliamentary constitutional monarchy
| name: Tokyo
geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
|Administrative divisions:
|47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi
| 3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution);
notable earlier dates: 660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by Emperor JIMMU); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)
|National holiday:
|Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)
|previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 ; note - the constitution has not been amended since its enactment in 1947 (2016)
|Legal system:
|civil law system based on German model; system also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
|18 years of age; universal
|Executive branch:
| chief of state: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister Shinzo ABE (since 26 December 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Taro ASO (since 26 December 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister
|Legislative branch:
| description: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of the House of Councillors or Sangi-in (242 seats; 146 members directly elected by majority vote and 96 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of Representatives or Shugi-in (475 seats; 295 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 180 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve maximum 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years)
elections: House of Councillors - last held on 10 July 2016 (next to be held in July 2019); House of Representatives - last held on 14 December 2014 (next to be held by 15 December 2016)
election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPD 123, DP 51, Komeito 25, JCP 14, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 12, Independents Club 5, The Party for Japanese Kokoro 3, independents 2; note: 7 seats are pending confirmation House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 291, DPJ 71, Komeito 35, JCP 21, JIP 21, Osaka Ishin no Kai 13, Group of Reformists 5, SDP 2, PLPTYF 2, independents 13, 1 seat vacant note: the 2013 amended electoral law - effective for the December 2016 election - reduced to 475 the number of seats in the House of Representatives
|Judicial branch:
| highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum at the first general election of the House of Representatives following each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward
subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho)
|Political parties and leaders:
|Democratic Party of Japan or DPJ [Renho MURATA] Group of Reformists [Sakihito OZAWA] Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII] Japan Innovation Party or JIP [Yorihisa MATSUNO] Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Shinzo ABE] New Renaissance Party [Hiroyuki ARAI] Osaka Ishin no Kai [Ichiro MATSUI] Party for Future Generations or PFG [Kyoko NAKAYAMA] People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends or PLPTYF [Ichiro OZAWA] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA] The Assembly to Energize Japan and the Independents [Kota MATSUDA]
|Political pressure groups and leaders:
|other: business groups; trade unions
|International organization participation:
|ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
|National symbol(s):
|red sun disc, chrysanthemum; national colors: red, white
|National anthem:
| name: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor"s Reign)
lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI
note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor
|Diplomatic representation in the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE (since 19 November 2012)
chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700
consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Honolulu (HI), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Saipan (Puerto Rico), Tamuning (Guam)
|Diplomatic representation from the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador Caroline Bouvier KENNEDY (since 19 November 2013)
embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
mailing address: Unit 9800, Box 300, APO AP 96303-0300
telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000
consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya
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Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features are now eroding under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Scarce in many natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported raw materials. Since the complete shutdown of Japan's nuclear reactors after the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil fuels. A small agricultural sector is highly subsidized and protected, with crop yields among the highest in the world. While self-sufficient in rice production, Japan imports about 60% of its food on a caloric basis. For three decades, overall real economic growth had been impressive - a 10% average in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, after which it took a considerable time for firms to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008. Government stimulus spending helped the economy recover in late 2009 and 2010, but the economy contracted again in 2011 as the massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami in March of that year disrupted economic activity. The economy has largely recovered in the five years since the disaster, although output in the affected areas continues to lag behind the national average. Japan enjoyed a sharp uptick in growth in 2013 on the basis of Prime Minister Shinzo ABE's "Three Arrows" economic revitalization agenda - dubbed "Abenomics" - of monetary easing, "flexible" fiscal policy, and structural reform. In 2015, ABE revised his "Three Arrows" to raise nominal GDP by 20% to 600 trillion yen by 2020, stem population decline by raising the fertility rate, and provide more support for workers with children and aging relatives. ABE's government has replaced the preceding administration's plan to phase out nuclear power with a new policy of seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards, and emphasizing nuclear energy's importance as a base-load electricity source. Japan successfully restarted two nuclear reactors at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture. In October 2015, Japan and 11 trading partners reached agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a pact that promises to open Japan's economy to increased foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2015 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. While seeking to stimulate and reform the economy, the government must also devise a strategy for reining in Japan's huge government debt, which amounts to more than 230% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate to 10% by 2015, beginning with a hike from 5% to 8%, implemented in April 2014. That increase had a contractionary effect on GDP, however, so PM ABE in late 2014 decided to postpone the final phase of the increase until April 2017 to give the economy more time to recover. Led by the Bank of Japan's aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy.
|GDP (purchasing power parity):
| GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.932 trillion (2016 est.) $4.907 trillion (2015 est.) $4.881 trillion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|GDP (official exchange rate):
|GDP (official exchange rate): $4.73 trillion (2015 est.)
|GDP - real growth rate:
|0.5% (2016 est.) 0.5% (2015 est.) 0% (2014 est.)
|GDP - per capita (PPP):
| GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,900 (2016 est.) $38,600 (2015 est.) $38,400 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|Gross national saving:
|25.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 25.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
|GDP - composition, by end use:
| household consumption: 58.3%
government consumption: 20.4%
investment in fixed capital: 21.7%
investment in inventories: -0.1%
exports of goods and services: 16.6%
imports of goods and services: -16.9% (2016 est.)
|GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
| household consumption: 58.3%
government consumption: 20.4%
investment in fixed capital: 21.7%
investment in inventories: -0.1%
exports of goods and services: 16.6%
imports of goods and services: -16.9% (2016 est.)
|Agriculture - products:
|vegetables, rice, fish, poultry, fruit, dairy products, pork, beef, flowers, potatoes/taros/yams, sugar cane, tea, legumes, wheat and barley
|among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods
|Industrial production growth rate:
|0.5% (2016 est.)
|Labor force:
|65.93 million (2016 est.)
|Labor force - by occupation:
| agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 26.2%
services: 70.9% (February 2015 est)
|Unemployment rate:
|3.2% (2016 est.) 3.4% (2015 est.)
|Population below poverty line:
|16.1% (2013 est.)
|Household income or consumption by percentage share:
| lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2008)
|Distribution of family income - Gini index:
|37.9 (2011) 24.9 (1993)
| revenues: $1.696 trillion
expenditures: $1.931 trillion (2016 est.)
|Taxes and other revenues:
|35.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
|Public debt:
|234.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 230% of GDP (2015 est.)
|Fiscal year:
|1 April - 31 March
|Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.1% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.)
|Current account balance:
|$176.1 billion (2016 est.) $135.6 billion (2015 est.)
|$641.4 billion (2016 est.) $622 billion (2015 est.)
|Exports - commodities:
|motor vehicles 14.9%; iron and steel products 5.4%; semiconductors 5%; auto parts 4.8%; power generating machinery 3.5%; plastic materials 3.3% (2014 est.)
|Exports - partners:
|US 20.2%, China 17.5%, South Korea 7.1%, Hong Kong 5.6%, Thailand 4.5% (2015)
|$629.8 billion (2016 est.) $627.3 billion (2015 est.)
|Imports - commodities:
|petroleum 16.1%; liquid natural gas 9.1%; clothing 3.8%; semiconductors 3.3%; coal 2.4%; audio and visual apparatus 1.4% (2014 est.)
|Imports - partners:
|China 24.8%, US 10.5%, Australia 5.4%, South Korea 4.1% (2015)
|Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|$1.233 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.261 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)
|Debt - external:
|$3.24 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $2.83 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
|$204.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $202.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
|$1.418 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.258 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Market value of publicly traded shares:
|$4.895 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $4.378 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $4.543 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)
|Exchange rates:
|yen (JPY) per US dollar - 107.1 (2016 est.) 121.02 (2015 est.) 121.02 (2014 est.) 97.44 (2013 est.) 79.79 (2012 est.)
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|Electricity - production:
|980 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - consumption:
|934 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - exports:
|0 kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - imports:
|0 kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - installed generating capacity:
|313 million kW (2014 est.)
|Electricity - from fossil fuels:
|64.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
|15.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
|7.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from other renewable sources:
|3.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Crude oil - production:
|4,247 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - imports:
|3.433 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - proved reserves:
|541.6 million bbl (March, 2015 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - production:
|3.527 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - consumption:
|4.12 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - exports:
|367,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - imports:
|1.067 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Natural gas - production:
|4.757 billion cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - consumption:
|131.3 billion cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - exports:
|0 cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - imports:
|124.7 billion cu m (2014 est.)
|Natural gas - proved reserves:
|20.9 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
|Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
|1.257 billion Mt (2013 est.)
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|Cellular Phones in use:
|total: 158.591 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (July 2015 est.)
|Telephone system:
| general assessment: excellent domestic and international service
domestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service of every kind
international: country code - 81; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian (2012)
|Broadcast media:
|a mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provid (2012)
|Internet country code:
|Internet users:
|total: 118.453 million percent of population: 93.3% (July 2015 est.)
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|175 (2013)
|Airports (paved runways):
| total 142
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 45
1,524 to 2,437 m: 38
914 to 1,523 m: 28
under 914 m: 25 (2013)
|Airports (unpaved runways):
| total 33
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 28 (2013)
|16 (2013)
|gas 4,456 km; oil 174 km; oil/gas/water 104 km (2013)
| total 27,311 km
standard gauge: 4,800 km 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) dual gauge: 132 km 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 124 km 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified); 22,207 km 1.067-m gauge (15,430 km electrified); 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) (2015)
| total 1,218,772 km
paved: 992,835 km (includes 8,428 km of expressways)
unpaved: 225,937 km (2015)
|1,770 km (seagoing vessels use inland seas) (2010)
|Merchant marine:
| total 684
by type: bulk carrier 168, cargo 34, carrier 3, chemical tanker 29, container 2, liquefied gas 58, passenger 11, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 152, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 52, vehicle carrier 54
registered in other countries: 3,122 (Bahamas 88, Bermuda 2, Burma 1, Cambodia 1, Cayman Islands 23, China 2, Cyprus 16, Honduras 4, Hong Kong 79, Indonesia 8, Isle of Man 19, Liberia 110, Luxembourg 3, Malaysia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 59, Mongolia 2, Netherlands 1, Panama 2372, Philipp (2010)
|Ports and terminals:
|major seaport(s): Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama container port(s) (TEUs): Kobe (2,725,304), Nagoya (2,471,821), Osaka (2,172,797), Tokyo (4,416,119), Yokohama (2,992,517) LNG terminal(s) (import): Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi; Okinawa - Nakagusuku
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|Military branches:
|Japanese Ministry of Defense (MOD): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2011)
|Military service age and obligation:
|18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; mandatory retirement at age 53 for senior enlisted personnel and at 62 years for senior service officers (2012)
|Military expenditures:
|0.97% of GDP (2012) 1.01% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010)
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|Transnational Issues
|Disputes - International:
|the sovereignty dispute over the islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai group, known in Japan as the "Northern Territories" and in Russia as the "Southern Kuril Islands," occupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia and claimed by Japan, remains the primary sticking point to signing a peace treaty formally ending World War II hostilities; Japan and South Korea claim Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) occupied by South Korea since 1954; the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan
|Refugees and internally displaced persons:
stateless persons: 603 (2015)
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« Previous Country | Next Country » Back to Flag Counter Overview
Source: CIA - The World Factbook


text:
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text:
Paraguay Population: 6,862,81215,595 VISITORS FROM HERE!
« Previous Country | Next Country » Back to Flag Counter Overview
|Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.
Landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
|Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil
|Geographic coordinates:
| total: 406,752 sq km
land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Size comparison: slightly smaller than California
|Land Boundaries:
|total: 4,655 km border countries (3): Argentina 2,531 km, Bolivia 753 km, Brazil 1,371 km
|0 km (landlocked)
|Maritime claims:
|none (landlocked)
|subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
|grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
|Elevation extremes:
|Natural resources:
|hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
|Land use:
| agricultural land: 53.8% arable land 10.8%; permanent crops 0.2%; permanent pasture 42.8% forest: 43.8%
other: 2.4% (2011 est.)
|Irrigated land:
|1,362 sq km (2012)
|Natural hazards:
|local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
|Current Environment Issues:
|deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
|International Environment Agreements:
| party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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| noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
|Ethnic groups:
|mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
|Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
|Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
|6,862,812 (July 2016 est.)
|Age structure:
| 0-14 years: 25.04% (male 874,541/female 844,212)
15-24 years: 19.74% (male 680,998/female 673,534)
25-54 years: 40.56% (male 1,392,814/female 1,390,655)
55-64 years: 7.74% (male 270,769/female 260,300)
65 years and over: 6.92% (male 222,435/female 252,554) (2016 est.)
|Dependency ratios:
| total dependency ratio: 56.6%
youth dependency ratio: 47.2%
elderly dependency ratio: 9.4%
potential support ratio: 10.6% (2015 est.)
|Median age:
| total: 27.8 years
male: 27.5 years
female: 28 years (2016 est.)
|Population growth rate:
|1.17% (2016 est.)
|Birth rate:
|16.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Death rate:
|4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
|Net migration rate:
|-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
| urban population: 59.7% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
|Major urban areas - population:
|ASUNCION (capital) 2.356 million (2015)
|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: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
|Mother's mean age at first birth:
|22.9 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)
|Maternal mortality rate:
|132 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
|Infant mortality rate:
| total: 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
|Life expectancy at birth:
| total population: 77.2 years male: 74.5 years
female: 80 years (2016 est.)
|Total fertility rate:
|1.91 children born/woman (2016 est.)
|Contraceptive prevalence rate:
|79.4% note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)
|Health expenditures:
|9.8% of GDP (2014)
|Physicians density:
|1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
|Hospital bed density:
|1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
|Drinking water source:
| improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 94.9% of population
total: 98% of population
urban: 0% of population
rural: 5.1% of population
total: 2% of population (2015 est.)
|Sanitation facility access:
| improved:
urban: 95.5% of population
rural: 78.4% of population
total: 88.6% of population
urban: 4.5% of population
rural: 21.6% of population
total: 11.4% of population (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|0.43% (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|17,500 (2015 est.)
|HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|800 (2015 est.)
|Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
|15.1% (2014)
|Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
|2.6% (2012)
|Education expenditures:
|5% of GDP (2012)
| definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.9%
male: 94.8%
female: 92.9% (2010 est.)
|School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
| total: 12 years male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2010)
|Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
| total: 13% male: 10%
female: 17.8% (2014 est.)
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|Country name:
| conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
etymology: the precise meaning of the name Paraguay is unclear, but it seems to derive from the river of the same name; one explanation has the name meaning "water of the Payagua" (an indigenous tribe that lived along the river)
|Government type:
|presidential republic
| name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends fourth Sunday in March
|Administrative divisions:
|17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
|14 May 1811 (from Spain)
|National holiday:
|Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
|several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011, 2014 (2016)
|Legal system:
|civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice
|18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
|Executive branch:
| chief of state: President Horacio CARTES Jara (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Horacio CARTES Jara (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results: Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES (ANR) 45.8%, Efrain ALEGRE (PLRA) 36.9%, Mario FERREIRO (AP) 5.9%, Anibal CARRILLO (FG) 3.3%, other 8%
|Legislative branch:
| description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 17 departments and capital city - by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 19, PLRA 12, FG 5, PDP 3, Avanza Pais 2, UNACE 2, PEN 1, PPQ 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 44, PLRA 27, Avanza Pais 2, PEN 2, UNACE 2, FG 1, PPQ 1, other 1
|Judicial branch:
| highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace
|Political parties and leaders:
|Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Pedro ALLIANA] Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO] Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado] Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Desiree MASI] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER] Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA] Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Sebastian ACHA]
|Political pressure groups and leaders:
|Ahorristas Estafados or AE National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO] National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA] National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES] Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT Roman Catholic Church Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
|International organization participation:
|CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
|National symbol(s):
|lion; national colors: red, white, blue
|National anthem:
| name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
|Diplomatic representation in the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador German Hugo ROJAS Irigoyen (since 28 December 2016)
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York
|Diplomatic representation from the US:
| chief of mission: Ambassador Leslie A. BASSETT (since 15 January 2015)
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
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Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed in 2010, and has been erratic, although positive, ever since. Severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. In addition to the agricultural challenges, political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.
|GDP (purchasing power parity):
| GDP (purchasing power parity): $64.12 billion (2016 est.) $61.94 billion (2015 est.) $60.09 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|GDP (official exchange rate):
|GDP (official exchange rate): $27.32 billion (2015 est.)
|GDP - real growth rate:
|3.5% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) 4.7% (2014 est.)
|GDP - per capita (PPP):
| GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,400 (2016 est.) $9,200 (2015 est.) $9,000 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
|Gross national saving:
|16.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 15% of GDP (2015 est.) 15.8% of GDP (2014 est.)
|GDP - composition, by end use:
| household consumption: 67.4%
government consumption: 12.9%
investment in fixed capital: 15.3%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 43.3%
imports of goods and services: -39.2% (2016 est.)
|GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
| household consumption: 67.4%
government consumption: 12.9%
investment in fixed capital: 15.3%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 43.3%
imports of goods and services: -39.2% (2016 est.)
|Agriculture - products:
|cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
|sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power
|Industrial production growth rate:
|6.5% (2016 est.)
|Labor force:
|3.291 million (2016 est.)
|Labor force - by occupation:
| agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
|Unemployment rate:
|6.2% (2016 est.) 5.8% (2015 est.)
|Population below poverty line:
|34.7% (2010 est.)
|Household income or consumption by percentage share:
| lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 41.1% (2010 est.)
|Distribution of family income - Gini index:
|53.2 (2009) 57.7 (1998)
| revenues: $5.231 billion
expenditures: $5.687 billion (2016 est.)
|Taxes and other revenues:
|19.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
|Public debt:
|22.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 21.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
|Fiscal year:
|calendar year
|Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.)
|Current account balance:
|$172 million (2016 est.) -$462 million (2015 est.)
|$11.91 billion (2016 est.) $11.17 billion (2015 est.)
|Exports - commodities:
|soybeans, livestock feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather
|Exports - partners:
|Brazil 31.7%, Russia 9.1%, Chile 7.1%, Argentina 7% (2015)
|$10.2 billion (2016 est.) $10.07 billion (2015 est.)
|Imports - commodities:
|road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
|Imports - partners:
|Brazil 25.4%, China 23.7%, Argentina 14.8%, US 7.9% (2015)
|Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|$6.059 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.939 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Debt - external:
|$15.42 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.41 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
|$7.114 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.41 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
|Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
|$309 million (31 December 2016 est.) $259 million (31 December 2015 est.)
|Market value of publicly traded shares:
|$962.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $958.1 million (31 December 2011 est.) $42 million (31 December 2010 est.)
|Exchange rates:
|guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 5,689.1 (2016 est.) 5,160.4 (2015 est.) 5,160.4 (2014 est.) 4,462.2 (2013 est.) 4,424.9 (2012 est.)
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|Electricity - production:
|55 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - consumption:
|9.7 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - exports:
|41 billion kWh (2014 est.)
|Electricity - imports:
|0 kWh (2013 est.)
|Electricity - installed generating capacity:
|8.8 million kW (2014 est.)
|Electricity - from fossil fuels:
|0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
|99.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Electricity - from other renewable sources:
|0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
|Crude oil - production:
|0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
|Crude oil - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - imports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Crude oil - proved reserves:
|0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
|Refined petroleum products - production:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - consumption:
|36,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - exports:
|0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Refined petroleum products - imports:
|33,270 bbl/day (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - production:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - consumption:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - exports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - imports:
|0 cu m (2013 est.)
|Natural gas - proved reserves:
|0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
|Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
|3.9 million Mt (2013 est.)
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|Cellular Phones in use:
|total: 7.412 million subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109 (July 2015 est.)
|Telephone system:
| general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2015)
|Broadcast media:
|6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2010)
|Internet country code:
|Internet users:
|total: 3.011 million percent of population: 44.4% (July 2015 est.)
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|799 (2013)
|Airports (paved runways):
| total 15
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2013)
|Airports (unpaved runways):
| total 784
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m: 471 (2013)
| total 30 km
standard gauge: 30 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)
| total 32,059 km
paved: 4,860 km
unpaved: 27,199 km (2010)
|3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paran� River systems) (2012)
|Merchant marine:
| total 19
by type: cargo 13, container 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)
|Ports and terminals:
river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)
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|Military branches:
|Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation, and Coast Guard), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2012)
|Military service age and obligation:
|18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2012)
|Military expenditures:
|1.66% of GDP (2012) 1.16% of GDP (2011) 1.66% of GDP (2010)
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|Transnational Issues
|Disputes - International:
|unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for violent extremist organizations
|Illicit drugs:
|major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
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Source: CIA - The World Factbook


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How To Motivate Your Love One - 0 views
shared by Claire Nick on 28 Feb 10 - Cached
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