diff --git a/africa/ag.json b/africa/ag.json index 32d33bce..735f93db 100644 --- a/africa/ag.json +++ b/africa/ag.json @@ -1059,17 +1059,6 @@ "text": "109 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Algeria has a steadily developing telecom infrastructure with government policies aimed at delivering serviceable internet connections across the country; mobile broadband is largely based on 3G and LTE, and the data rates are also low in global terms; LTE is available in all provinces; investment is required from the mobile network operators (MNOs) to improve the quality of service; the state has previously been hesitant to commit to 5G, instead encouraging the MNOs to upgrade LTE infrastructure before investing in 5G; in 2022, the state was in the process of freeing up the spectrum to enable the MNOs to launch 5G services; fixed internet speeds remain slow (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "a limited network of fixed-lines with a teledensity of slightly less than 12 telephones per 100 persons has been offset by the rapid increase in mobile-cellular subscribership; mobile-cellular teledensity was approximately 106 telephones per 100 persons in 2020 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 213; ALPAL-2 is a submarine telecommunications cable system in the Mediterranean Sea linking Algeria and the Spanish Balearic island of Majorca; ORVAL is a submarine cable to Spain; landing points for the TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/SeaMeWe-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; MED cable connecting Algeria with France; microwave radio relay to Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, and Tunisia; Algeria part of the 4,500 Km terrestrial Trans Sahara Backbone network which connects to other fiber networks in the region; Alcomstat-1 satellite offering  telemedicine network (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Radio Algérienne is the state-run radio broadcast; the National Company of Television (Entreprise Nationale de Télévision (ENTV)) is the primary state-run public TV station (2024)" }, @@ -1160,7 +1149,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 200,000 active armed forces personnel, including the National Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "information varies; estimated 200,000 active ANP, including the National Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Algerian military has traditionally been armed mostly with Russian and Soviet-era weapons systems and equipment; over the past decade, it has made large investments in acquiring more modern armored vehicles, air defense systems, fighter aircraft, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and warships, largely from Russia, its traditional supplier, but also China and Western European suppliers such as Germany (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ao.json b/africa/ao.json index 7854e75e..6bf9d738 100644 --- a/africa/ao.json +++ b/africa/ao.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "860 sq km (2014)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Rio Cubango (Okavango) river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -1046,17 +1046,6 @@ "text": "67 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Angola’s telecom sector in recent years has benefited from political stability, which has encouraged foreign investment; the government and regulator have also set in train mechanisms to open up the telecom sector to new competitors; mobile services were launched in 2022; the MNOs were slow to develop LTE services, instead relying on their GSM and 3G network capabilities; there has been slow progress in LTE network development, with only a small proportion of the country covered; the Ministry of Telecommunications in 2021 set up a 5G hub to assess 5G user cases; the regulator granted licenses to various companies offering 5G services (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "less than one fixed-line per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 44 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 244; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, WACS, ACE and SACS fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to other countries in west Africa, Brazil, Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29, Angosat-2 satellite expected by 2021 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned media dominate; only four privately owned newspapers still exist in print form; state-run Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) is the only outlet to offer programs in local languages such as Bantu; private stations operate in cities, including Catholic Radio Ecclesia, but RNA is the only radio broadcaster with near-national coverage (2023)" }, @@ -1150,7 +1139,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 100,000 active troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 100,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "most Angolan military weapons and equipment are of Russian or Soviet-era origin; there are smaller quantities of items originating from such suppliers as China, Brazil, and South Africa (2024)" diff --git a/africa/bc.json b/africa/bc.json index 2a887c70..7d9da149 100644 --- a/africa/bc.json +++ b/africa/bc.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "25 sq km (2014)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ "text": "president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 October 2024 (next to be held in October 2029); vice president appointed by the president" }, "election results": { - "text": "National elections held in 2024 gave BOKO's UDC 35 seats in the National Assembly, which then selected BOKO as President" + "text": "national elections held in 2024 gave BOKO's UDC 35 seats in the National Assembly, which then selected BOKO as president" } }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -1033,17 +1033,6 @@ "text": "165 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "effective regulatory reform has made Botswana’s telecom market one of the most liberalized in the region; there is a service-neutral licensing regime adapted to the convergence of technologies and services, and several operators now compete in all telecom sectors; Botswana has one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Africa; in a bid to generate new revenue streams and secure market share, the three mobile network operators have entered the underdeveloped broadband sector by adopting of 3G, LTE, and WiMAX technologies; in the fixed-line broadband market they compete with a large number of ISPs, some of which have rolled out their own wireless access infrastructure; the landlocked country depends on satellites for international bandwidth, and on other countries for transit capacity to the landing points of international submarine cables; the landing of additional cables in the region in recent years has improved the competitive situation in this sector, while prices for connectivity have fallen dramatically (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 5 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 161 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 TV stations, 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 4 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2019)" }, @@ -1082,7 +1071,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2024)", + "text": "Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2025)", "note": "note 1: both the BDF and the Botswana Police Service (BPS) report to the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security; the BPS has primary responsibility for internal security

note 2: the Ground Force Command includes a marine unit with boats and river craft for patrolling Botswana's internal waterways and supporting anti-poaching operations" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1103,7 +1092,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10,000 active BDF personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10,000 active Botswana Defense Force (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the BDF has a mix of mostly older weapons and equipment, largely of Western/European origin; in recent years, it has received limited amounts of material from several European countries and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/bn.json b/africa/bn.json index 19a9e1d3..770feaba 100644 --- a/africa/bn.json +++ b/africa/bn.json @@ -550,11 +550,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 11 April 2021 (next to be held on 12 April 2026); note - the president is both head of state and head of government" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 11 April 2021 (next to be held on 12 April 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: Patrice TALON reelected president in the ; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE (The Democrats) 2.3%

2016: Patrice TALON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Lionel ZINSOU (FCBE) 28.4%, Patrice TALON (independent) 24.8%, Sebastien AJAVON (independent) 23%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE (ABT) 8.8%, Pascal KOUPAKI (NC) 5.9%, other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Patrice TALON 65.4%, Lionel ZINSOU 34.6%" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is both head of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1045,17 +1046,6 @@ "text": "109 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Benin’s telecom market continues to be restricted by the poor condition of the country’s fixed-line infrastructure; this has hampered the development of fixed-line voice and internet services, and there is negligible revenue derived from these sectors; mobile networks account for almost all internet connections, and also carry most voice traffic; there is promise for considerable change in the mobile sector; slow progress is being made in developing competition in the mobile sector; in May 2021 the government sought foreign companies to bid for a fourth mobile license; improved international internet connectivity has contributed to a reduction in end-user pricing, and provided the potential to transform many areas of the country’s economy, bringing a greater proportion of the population into the orbit of internet commerce and connectivity; a 2,000km fiber project started in 2016 was finally completed in mid-2021, prompting the government to secure a loan to build additional fiber infrastructure connecting four of the country’s 12 departments (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 people; mobile cellular subscriptions are 98 per 100 people (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 229; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC and ACE fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe, and most West African countries; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2019)" }, @@ -1146,7 +1136,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10,000 active-duty troops (including National Guard) (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10,000 active-duty Armed Forces (including National Guard) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAB is equipped with a small mix of mostly older or secondhand French, Soviet-era, and US equipment; in recent years, the EU, France, and the US have provided it with limited amounts of newer military hardware such as armored vehicles and helicopters (2024)" diff --git a/africa/by.json b/africa/by.json index 9631319d..88eae4a0 100644 --- a/africa/by.json +++ b/africa/by.json @@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2027); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament; note - a 2018 constitutional referendum, effective for the 2020 election, increased the presidential term from 5 to 7 years with a 2-consecutive-term limit, reinstated the position of the prime minister position, and reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2027); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE elected president; percent of vote - Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (CNDD-FDD) 71.5%, Agathon RWASA (CNL) 25.2%, Gaston SINDIMWO (UPRONA) 1.7%, other 1.6%

2015: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Hope of Burundians - Amizerio y'ABARUNDI) 19%, other 11.6%" @@ -1050,17 +1050,6 @@ "text": "58 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Burundi provides an attractive telecom market given its high population density and existing low subscription rates for all services; one downside for investors is that the country has a very low economic output,and an unconducive business environment;  disposable income is also very low, and fixed-line infrastructure is poor outside the main urban areas; this is a greater motivation for investors to focus on improving mobile networks than in expanding fixed-line infrastructure; to overcome difficulties associated with the poor telecom infrastructure, the government has supported a number of prominent telcos building a national fiber backbone network; this network offers onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania; the first sections of this network were switched on in early 2014, and additional provinces have since been connected; in addition, the government in early 2018 kick-started the Burundi Broadband project, which aims to deliver national connectivity by 2025; based on this improved infrastructure the government and ITU have developed an ICT strategy to make use of telecoms to promote the country’s socio-economic development through to 2028; progress made by Tanzania with its own national backbone network has benefited Burundi, which has been provided with onward connectivity to most countries in the region; International bandwidth capacity has continued to increase in recent years, including a 38% increase in the nine months to September 2021, resulting in lower retail prices for consumers; two of the mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE services to capitalize on the growing demand for internet access; the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in the third quarter of 2021, quarter-on-quarter; similar growth is expected for the next two years at least, which will help bring the mobile level closer to the average for the region (2022); Burundi’s Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT) has recently published its roadmap for the deployment of 5G services in the country, setting out a target of July 2024 for the introduction of commercial services.   (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is about 62 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the World Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telecoms to build a national fiber backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled Radio Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates a TV station and a national radio network; 3 private TV stations and about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2019)" }, @@ -1091,7 +1080,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF; Force de Defense Nationale du Burundi or FDNB) : Land Force (la Force Terrestre), the Navy Force (la Force de la Marine), the Air Force (la Force Aérienne) and Specialized Units (des Unités Spécialisées)

Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security: Burundi National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi) (2024)", + "text": "Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF; Force de Defense Nationale du Burundi, FDNB): Land Force (Army), Naval Force, Air Force, Specialized Units

Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security: Burundi National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi, PNB) (2024)", "note": "note: the Naval Force is responsible for monitoring Burundi’s 175-km shoreline on Lake Tanganyika; the Specialized Units include a special security brigade for the protection of institutions (aka BSPI), commandos, special forces, and military police" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1112,7 +1101,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 25-30,000 active-duty troops (2025)" + "text": "limited available information; estimated 25-30,000 active-duty Defense Force troops (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a mix of mostly older weapons and equipment typically of French, Russian, and Soviet origin, and a smaller selection of more modern secondhand equipment from such countries as China, South Africa, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/cd.json b/africa/cd.json index 6371d031..a002d54b 100644 --- a/africa/cd.json +++ b/africa/cd.json @@ -561,8 +561,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Mahamat Idriss DÉBY elected president; percent of vote - Mahamat Idriss DÉBY (MPS) 61%, Succes MASRA (Transformers) 18.5%, Albert PADACKE 16.9%, other 3.6%

2021: Lt. Gen. Idriss DÉBY reelected transitional president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DÉBY (MPS) 79.3%, Pahimi PADACKET Albert (RNDT) 10.3%, Lydie BEASSEMDA (Party for Democracy and Independence) 3.2%, other 7.2%

" - }, - "note": "note: on 20 April 2021; President Idriss DÉBY died of injuries sustained following clashes between government forces and insurgents in northern Chad; following his death, Mahamat Idriss DÉBY , his son, took control of the country, established a Transitional Military Council which was dissolved in October 2022, and was elected president by popular vote in May 2024" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1052,17 +1051,6 @@ "text": "68 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom infrastructure is particularly poor; fixed, mobile and internet is well below African averages; Chad’s telecom market offers some potential for investors to develop services given the low starting base; the country’s first 3G/LTE mobile license was awarded in April 2014; Chad finally gained access to international fiber bandwidth in 2012 its national backbone infrastructure remains underdeveloped; the World Bank-funded Central African Backbone (CAB) project takes in Chad, while the country is also party to a Trans-Saharan Backbone project which will link a fiber cable to Nigeria and Algeria (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership base of about 60 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; over 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2017)" }, @@ -1114,7 +1102,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 35-40,000 active Chadian National Army (ANT) personnel (2025)", + "text": "estimated 35-40,000 active Chadian National Army (2025)", "note": "note:  in 2021, Chad pledged to increase the size of the military to 60,000" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/africa/cf.json b/africa/cf.json index 011a7391..96735f8b 100644 --- a/africa/cf.json +++ b/africa/cf.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "20 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)" @@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)" @@ -1077,17 +1077,6 @@ "text": "97 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "suffering from economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty; primary network consists of broadband through fiber link to the West Africa Cable System; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Dolisie; intercity lines frequently out of order; youth are seeking the Internet more than their parents and often gain access through cyber cafes; only the most affluent have Internet access in their homes; fiber network project with aims to connect north and south regions; DRC operator added fiber link between Brazzaville and Kinshasa (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line infrastructure inadequate, providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular 97 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 242; WACS submarine cables to Europe and Western and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1178,7 +1167,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 12-14,000 active troops, including Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "approximately 12-14,000 active FAC, including Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAC has mostly Soviet-era armaments, with a small mix of Chinese, French, and South African equipment (2024)" diff --git a/africa/cg.json b/africa/cg.json index 133dae08..e6fc366c 100644 --- a/africa/cg.json +++ b/africa/cg.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zaïre (Congo) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km

note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "

Zaïre (Congo) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 2,920 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zaïre (Congo) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km

note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "

Zaïre (Congo) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 2,920 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -1111,17 +1111,6 @@ "text": "50 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom system remains one of the least developed in the region; the government can only loosely regulate the sector; the investment made in infrastructure is derived from donor countries or from the efforts of foreign (particularly Chinese) companies and banks; efforts have been made to improve the regulation of the telecom sector; the limited fixed-line infrastructure has become the principal providers of basic telecom services; the development of the DRC’s internet and broadband market has been held back by the poorly developed national and international infrastructure; the country was finally connected to international bandwidth through the WACS submarine cable in 2013; breakages in the WACS cable have exposed the vulnerability of international bandwidth, which is still limited; the Equiano submarine cable, and has also completed a 5,000km cable running through the DRC to link to cable systems landing in countries facing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans; the first commercial LTE networks were launched in May 2018 soon after LTE licenses were issued; mobile operators are keen to develop mobile data services, capitalizing on the growth of smartphones usage; there has been some progress with updating technologies, most of the GSM network has been upgraded to 3G by 2021 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "inadequate fixed-line infrastructure with fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriptions over 49 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 243; ACE and WACS submarine cables to West and South Africa and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV station with near-national coverage; more than a dozen privately owned TV stations, including 2 with near-national coverage; 2 state-owned radio stations and over 100 private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1216,7 +1205,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 100-150,000 active FARDC troops (2025)" + "text": "estimated 100-150,000 active FARDC (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FARDC is equipped mostly with Soviet-era and older French weapons and equipment; in 2024, the DRC signed an agreement with China for the provision of military equipment (2024)" diff --git a/africa/cm.json b/africa/cm.json index 6bf93b93..b962d122 100644 --- a/africa/cm.json +++ b/africa/cm.json @@ -1116,17 +1116,6 @@ "text": "83 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Cameroon was for many years one of the few countries in Africa with only two competing mobile operators; the investment programs among operators over the next few years aims to considerably boost mobile broadband services in rural areas of the country, many of which are under served by fixed-line infrastructure; the government has also been supportive, having launched its ‘Cameroon Digital 2020’ program, aimed at improving connectivity nationally; improved submarine and terrestrial cable connectivity has substantially increased international bandwidth, in turn leading to reductions in access prices for consumers; other projects such as Acceleration of the Digital Transformation of Cameroon are aimed at developing the digital economy (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "only a little above 3 per 100 persons for fixed-line subscriptions; mobile-cellular usage has increased sharply, reaching a subscribership base of roughly 83 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 237; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, SAIL, ACE, NCSCS, Ceiba-2, and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe, South America, and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), with both TV and radio broadcasts, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until 2007, when the government issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operate under “administrative tolerance,” meaning the stations could be subject to closure at any time (2019)" }, @@ -1224,7 +1213,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 40-50,000 active FAC troops, including the Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "estimated 40-50,000 active FAC, including the Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAC inventory is comprised of weapons and equipment from a variety of countries, including China, Israel, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, the US, and some Western European countries, particularly France (2024)" diff --git a/africa/cn.json b/africa/cn.json index 2b1fed92..d6eb7c35 100644 --- a/africa/cn.json +++ b/africa/cn.json @@ -939,17 +939,6 @@ "text": "100 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Comoros launched a special program for the construction of a wireless network to inter connect the 3 islands of the archipelago; telephone service limited to the islands' few towns (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage about 104 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy, Comoros Domestic Cable System, Avassa, and FLY-LION3 fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station; a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV" }, @@ -1015,7 +1004,7 @@ "note": "note 1: when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice; the Gendarmerie also has an intervention platoon that may act under the authority of the Interior Minister

note 2: the FCD is also known as the Comoran Security Force" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 600 Defense Force personnel; estimated 500 Federal Police (2023)" + "text": "estimated 600 Defense Force; estimated 500 Federal Police (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the AND is lightly armed and equipped with small arms and a few light aircraft (2023)" diff --git a/africa/ct.json b/africa/ct.json index 5c776d5f..ae578f96 100644 --- a/africa/ct.json +++ b/africa/ct.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "10 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected for 5-year term; election last held 27 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2025); constitutional referendum in July 2023 removed term limits and institutes 7-year terms; note - presidential and partial legislative elections were held on 27 December 2020; voting was disrupted in some areas, delaying the first round of legislative elections until 14 March 2021; constituencies that did vote on 27 December 2020 held runoff elections for their legislators" + "text": "president directly elected for 5-year term; election last held 27 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2025); constitutional referendum in July 2023 removed term limits and instituted 7-year terms" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA (independent) 53.9%, Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 21%, other 25.1%

2015: Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 23.7%, Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA (independent) 19.1%, Desire KOLINGBA (RDC) 12%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 11.4%, other 33.8%; percent of vote in second round - Faustin-Archange TOUADÉRA 62.7%, Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE 37.3%" @@ -997,17 +997,6 @@ "text": "34 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "given the poor fixed-line infrastructure in most countries across Africa, voice and data services across the region are greatly dependent on mobile networks; in the majority of markets, including those with better developed fixed infrastructure such as South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, up to 98% of all voice and data connections are via mobile networks; during the last two to three years, national governments and telecom regulators have striven to improve fixed infrastructure with the wider aim of developing economic growth based on digital services and connectivity; this work is principally focused on delivering fiber-based connectivity; since the amount of copper infrastructure (DSL or HFC) used for broadband is so negligible, governments and private firms, including telcos are investing in fiber rather than in older technologies; while supporting broadband to premises, health centers, and government buildings, the new fiber infrastructure is mainly being deployed to provide mobile platforms and to support the rapid growth in data traffic (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "very limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; 34 per 100 mobile-cellular subscribers (2020)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Télévision Centrafricaine, provides limited TV broadcasting; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately owned broadcast stations, as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2017)" }, @@ -1059,7 +1048,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10-15,000 active FACA personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10-15,000 active FACA (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "most of the military's heavy weapons and equipment were destroyed or captured during the 2012–2014 civil war; prior to the war, most of its equipment was of French, Russian, or Soviet origin; in recent years, it has received some secondhand equipment from China and Russia, including light weapons, as well as some armored vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and helicopters (2024)", diff --git a/africa/cv.json b/africa/cv.json index f78aa117..40efeb8e 100644 --- a/africa/cv.json +++ b/africa/cv.json @@ -981,17 +981,6 @@ "text": "99 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "LTE reaches almost 40% of the population; regulator awards commercial 4G licenses and starts 5G pilot; govt. extends USD 25 million for submarine fiber-optic cable project linking Africa to Portugal and Brazil (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "9 per 100 fixed-line teledensity and nearly 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 238; landing points for the Atlantis-2, EllaLink, Cabo Verde Telecom Domestic Submarine Cable Phase 1, 2, 3 and WACS fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Africa, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run TV and radio network, plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, diff --git a/africa/dj.json b/africa/dj.json index f06b0b0e..744b6ab6 100644 --- a/africa/dj.json +++ b/africa/dj.json @@ -991,17 +991,6 @@ "text": "46 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Djibouti remains one of the last bastions where the national telco has a monopoly on telecom services, including fixed lines, mobile, internet, and broadband with the exception of broad band fiber; despite the country benefiting from its location as a hub for international submarine cables, prices for telecom services remain relatively high, and out of reach for a number of customers, weighing on market advancement; the Djibouti government is aiming to sell a minority stake in the incumbent telco (retaining some control of decisions) while securing the financial backing and the management acumen of a foreign operator; this is part of a larger plan to modernize the country’s economy more generally; the state expects to conduct a sale of up to 40% of the company to an international investor (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "about 2 per 100 fixed-line teledensity and nearly 44 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 253; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 5, EASSy, Aden-Djibouti, Africa-1, DARE-1, EIG, MENA, Bridge International, PEACE Cable, and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems providing links to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned Radiodiffusion-Télévision de Djibouti operates the sole terrestrial TV station, as well as the 2 domestic radio networks; no private TV or radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1095,7 +1084,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10-12,000 active military personnel, including Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10-12,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAD's inventory is a mix of mostly older or secondhand equipment from a wide variety of suppliers, including China, France, Italy, Japan, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, Turkey, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/eg.json b/africa/eg.json index 528f9e48..2aa7f170 100644 --- a/africa/eg.json +++ b/africa/eg.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "An Nīl (Nile) river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -1143,17 +1143,6 @@ "text": "93 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Egypt’s large telecom market is supported by a population of about 109 million and benefits from effective competition in most sectors; a liberal regulatory regime allows for unified licenses which permit operators to offer fixed-line as well as mobile services; in recent years the government has developed a number of digital migration projects aimed at increasing average broadband speeds, delivering fiber broadband to about 60% of the population, developing an in-house satellite program, and creating a knowledge-based economy through the greater adoption of ICTs; the New Administrative Capital being built is only one of more than a dozen smart city projects, which together are stimulating investment in 5G and fiber broadband, as well as the adoption of IoT and AI solutions; the country endeavors to be a significant ICT hub in the North Africa and Middle East regions; Egypt’s mature mobile market has one of the highest subscription rates in Africa; progress in the adoption of mobile data services has been hampered by the lack of sufficient spectrum; the regulator in September 2020 made available 60MHz in the 2.6GHz band, though the spectrum was not allocated until late 2021; the additional spectrum will go far to enabling the MNOs to improve the quality of mobile broadband services offered; further 5G trials are to be held later in 2022, focused on the New Administrative Capital; the international cable infrastructure remains an important asset for Egypt, which benefits from its geographical position; Telecom Egypt has become one of the largest concerns in this segment, being a participating member in numerous cable systems; in mid-2021 the telco announced plans to build the Hybrid African Ring Path system, connecting a number of landlocked countries in Africa with Italy, France, and Portugal; the system will partly use the company’s existing terrestrial and sub sea cable networks (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 10 per 100, mobile-cellular 95 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 20; landing points for Aletar, Africa-1, FEA, Hawk, IMEWE, and the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 4 submarine cable networks linking to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia ; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks, as well as a few satellite channels; dozens of private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available for free; some limited satellite services are also available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 30 stations belonging to 8 networks; privately-owned radio includes 8 major stations (2019)" }, @@ -1172,9 +1161,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "12 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "one of the largest and most famous libraries in the ancient world was the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt (founded about 295 B.C., it may have survived in some form into the 5th century A.D.); seeking to resurrect the great center of learning and communication, the Egyptian Government in 2002 inaugurated the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an Egyptian National Library on the site of the original Great Library, which commemorates the original archive and also serves as a center of cultural and scientific excellence" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1233,7 +1219,7 @@ "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF): Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense Forces, Border Guard Forces

Interior Ministry: Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, National Security Agency (2024)", - "note": "note 1: the Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide; the Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control; the National Security Agency is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism along with other security services

note 2: in addition to its external defense duties, the EAF also has a mandate to assist police in protecting vital infrastructure during a state of emergency; military personnel were granted full arrest authority in 2011 but normally only use this authority during states of emergency and periods of \"significant turmoil”" + "note": "note: the Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide; the Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control; the National Security Agency is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism along with other security services
" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2023": { @@ -1253,7 +1239,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 450,000 active EAF personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 450,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the EAF's inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more modern, particularly Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an equipment modernization program with significant purchases from foreign suppliers; major suppliers have included China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the US; Egypt has an established defense industry that produces a range of products from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels; it also has licensed and co-production agreements with several countries, including Germany and the US (2024)" @@ -1266,7 +1252,7 @@ "text": "1,000 (plus nearly 200 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); also has about 350 police deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo under MONUSCO; slated to have about 1,100 personnel in Somalia under AUSSOM in 2025 (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal role assisting police and paramilitary security forces during emergencies and in anti-terrorism operations; the EAF also participates in foreign peacekeeping and other security missions, as well as both bilateral and multinational exercises; the military has considerable political power and independence; it has long had a crucial role in Egypt’s politics and has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, gas stations, shipping lines, and utilities, and producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing

the EAF is the largest and one of the better equipped militaries in the region; key areas of concern for the EAF include Islamist militant groups operating out of the Sinai Peninsula, regional challenges such as ongoing conflicts and instability, and maritime security; since 2011, the EAF has been conducting operations alongside other security forces in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); over the past decade, it has deployed large numbers of troops along Egypt's border with Libya, provided air support to the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen, and most recently boosted its presence on the border with Gaza in response to the HAMAS-Israel conflict; the Navy in recent years has sought to modernize and expand its capabilities and profile in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, including the acquisition of helicopter carriers, modern frigates, and attack submarines; in 2020, the EAF inaugurated a large joint service military base on the Red Sea to secure the country’s southern coasts, protect economic investments and natural resources, and confront security challenges in the Red Sea region

Egypt is a major security partner of the US and one of the largest recipients of US military aid in the region; it also has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation

the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; it is composed of about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US are the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2024)" + "text": "the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal role assisting police and paramilitary security forces during emergencies and in anti-terrorism operations; the EAF also participates in foreign peacekeeping and other security missions, as well as both bilateral and multinational exercises; the military has considerable political power and independence; it has long had a crucial role in Egypt’s politics and has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, gas stations, shipping lines, and utilities, and producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing

key areas of concern for the EAF include Islamist militant groups operating out of the Sinai Peninsula, regional challenges such as ongoing conflicts and instability, and maritime security; since 2011, the EAF has been conducting operations alongside other security forces in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); over the past decade, it has deployed large numbers of troops along Egypt's border with Libya, provided air support to the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen, and most recently boosted its presence on the border with Gaza in response to the HAMAS-Israel conflict; the Navy in recent years has sought to modernize and expand its capabilities and profile in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, including the acquisition of helicopter carriers, modern frigates, and attack submarines; in 2020, the EAF inaugurated a large joint service military base on the Red Sea to secure the country’s southern coasts, protect economic investments and natural resources, and confront security challenges in the Red Sea region

Egypt is a major security partner of the US and one of the largest recipients of US military aid in the region; it also has Major Non-NATO Ally status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation

the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; it is composed of about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US are the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2024)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/africa/ek.json b/africa/ek.json index a70b9def..8d8196df 100644 --- a/africa/ek.json +++ b/africa/ek.json @@ -975,17 +975,6 @@ "text": "53 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom service is forecasted to register a growth of more than 6% during the period of 2022-2026; mobile data is the largest contributor to total service revenue in 2021, followed by mobile voice, fixed broadband, mobile messaging, and fixed voice; the launch of the international submarine cable ACE, which connects 13 West African countries with Europe, will improve international capacity, bringing opportunities to data center providers; 4G network expansion and 4G service promotion will allow consumers and businesses to leverage 4G services (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line density is less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 39 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 240; landing points for the ACE, Ceiba-1, and Ceiba-2 submarine cables providing communication from Bata and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to numerous Western African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the state maintains control of broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son, 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019)" }, @@ -1047,7 +1036,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)", + "text": "Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (Guardia Civil) (2025)", "note": "note: the National Police report to the Ministry of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense; police generally are responsible for maintaining law and order in the cities, while gendarmes are responsible for security outside cities and for special events" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1068,7 +1057,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 2,000 active military personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 2,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAGE is armed with mostly older (typically Soviet-era) and second-hand weapons systems; in recent years, it has sought to modernize its naval inventory with purchases of vessels from several countries, including Bulgaria and Israel; China and Russia have also supplied some equipment to the FAGE (2024)" diff --git a/africa/er.json b/africa/er.json index a8553cb2..874d29af 100644 --- a/africa/er.json +++ b/africa/er.json @@ -917,17 +917,6 @@ "text": "50 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Eritrea’s telecom sector operates under a state-owned monopoly for fixed and mobile services; as a result of such restrictions on competition, the country has the least developed telecommunications market in Africa; mobile penetration stands at only about 20%, while fixed-line internet use barely registers; this is exacerbated by the very low use of computers, with only about 4% of households having a computer, and most of these being in the capital, Asmara; the 3G network continues to rollout which provides basic internet access to a limited number of Eritreans who can afford the expensive services; investment in telecom infrastructure is still required to improve the quality of services; the government has embarked on a work program to do exactly that, specifically aimed at extending services to remote areas, improving the quality of services, and ensuring that more telecoms infrastructure is supported by solar power to compensate for the poor state of the electricity network (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscribership is less than 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is just over 50 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 291 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government controls broadcast media, with private ownership prohibited; 1 state-owned TV station; 2 state-owned radio networks; purchases of satellite dishes and subscriptions to international broadcast media are permitted (2023)" }, @@ -1018,7 +1007,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "available information varies widely; estimated 150,000-200,000 personnel (2024)" + "text": "available information varies widely; estimated 150,000-200,000 active EDF (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the EDF's inventory is comprised primarily of Soviet-era weapons and equipment (2024)" diff --git a/africa/et.json b/africa/et.json index f40316db..81b17cb5 100644 --- a/africa/et.json +++ b/africa/et.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -582,8 +582,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: SAHLE-WORK Zewde reelected president during joint session of Parliament, vote - 659 (unanimous); ABIY confirmed Prime Minister by House of Peoples' Representatives (4 October 2021)

2018: SAHLE-WORK Zewde elected president during joint session of Parliament, vote - 659 (unanimous); note - snap election held on 25 October 2018 due to resignation of President MULATA Teshome" - }, - "note": "note: SAHLE-WORK Zewde is the first female elected head of state in Ethiopia" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislative structure": { @@ -1117,17 +1116,6 @@ "text": "56 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Ethio telecom is the major provider, but no longer has a complete monopoly on all telecom services; a consortium led by Kenyan Safaricom launched service in October 2022; the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions less than 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 54 per 100 people (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "10 public/state broadcasters; 9 public/state radio stations; 13 commercial FM radio stations; 18 commercial TV stations; 45 community radio stations; 5 community TV stations (2023)" }, @@ -1199,7 +1187,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "available information varies widely; estimated 150-300,000 active-duty troops (2025)" + "text": "available information varies widely; estimated 150-300,000 active-duty Defense Force  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the ENDF's major weapons and equipment inventory has traditionally been comprised of Russian, Soviet, and Eastern bloc material; it suffered considerable equipment losses during the 2020-2022 Tigray conflict; in more recent years, Ethiopia has diversified its arms sources to include weapons from China, Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UAE; Ethiopia has a modest industrial defense base centered on small arms and production of armored vehicles under license (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ga.json b/africa/ga.json index 6fdd24ab..c05e2b5d 100644 --- a/africa/ga.json +++ b/africa/ga.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "50 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major aquifers": { "text": "Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin" @@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major aquifers": { "text": "Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin" @@ -988,19 +988,8 @@ "text": "101 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Gambia’s telecom market has five mobile networks providing effective competition; mobile subscriptions are well above the African average, itself a testament to the poor condition of the fixed-line infrastructure and the lack of availability of fixed services in many rural areas of the country; there are only four licensed ISPs, which are small networks serving local areas, and so competition is minimal; their limited services are complemented by the fixed-wireless offerings of three of the MNOs; the government has embarked on a National Broadband Network program aimed at closing the digital divide affecting many parts of the country; despite efforts to improve internet connectivity, the country ranks among the lowest globally in terms of digital readiness. (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions are 2 per 100 and  mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 220; landing point for the ACE submarine cable to West Africa and Europe; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

1 state-run TV-channel; one privately owned TV station; 1 online TV station; 3 state-owned and 31 privately owned radio stations; 8 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available; cable and satellite TV subscription services in some parts of the country 

(2019)" + "text": "1 state-run TV-channel; one privately owned TV station; 1 online TV station; 3 state-owned and 31 privately owned radio stations; 8 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available; cable and satellite TV subscription services in some parts of the country (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".gm" @@ -1081,7 +1070,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 3,000-4,000 active military personnel (2024)" + "text": "estimated 3,000-4,000 active Gambian Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military of Gambia has a limited inventory of mostly older, obsolescent, or donated equipment originating from several suppliers, including Taiwan, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/gb.json b/africa/gb.json index 95e79cf3..8ee728d0 100644 --- a/africa/gb.json +++ b/africa/gb.json @@ -914,7 +914,7 @@ }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { - "text": "Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -" + "text": "Coopération Financière en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2024": { "text": "606.345 (2024 est.)" @@ -1034,17 +1034,6 @@ "text": "125 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom market was liberalized in 1999 when the government awarded three mobile telephony licenses and two ISP licenses and established an independent regulatory authority; in contrast with the mobile market, Gabon’s fixed-line and internet sectors have remained underdeveloped due to a lack of competition and high prices; the country has sufficient international bandwidth on the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE submarine cable; the arrival of the ACE submarine cable, combined with progressing work on the CAB cable, has increased back haul capacity supporting mobile data traffic (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 1 per 100 subscriptions; mobile cellular subscriptions are 134 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 241; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE and Libreville-Port Gentil Cable fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 state-run TV stations and 2 state-run radio stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are available" }, @@ -1135,7 +1124,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 7,000 active-duty troops including the Republican Guard and Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "approximately 7,000 active-duty Armed Forces including the Republican Guard and Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Gabonese military has a mix of older and more modern weapons and equipment from a variety of suppliers including Brazil, China, France, Germany, Russia/former Soviet Union, and South Africa (2024)" diff --git a/africa/gh.json b/africa/gh.json index 078f15cb..6fc1eccb 100644 --- a/africa/gh.json +++ b/africa/gh.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "360 sq km (2013)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -1069,17 +1069,6 @@ "text": "120 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "challenged by unreliable electricity and shortage of skilled labor, Ghana seeks to extend telecom services nationally; investment in fiber infrastructure and off-grid solutions provide data coverage to over 23 million people; launch of LTE has improved mobile data services, including e-commerce and banking; moderately competitive Internet market, most through mobile networks; international submarine cables, and terrestrial cables have improved Internet capacity; LTE services are widely available; the relatively high cost of 5G-compatible devices also inhibits most subscribers from migrating from 3G and LTE platforms (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line data less than 1 per 100 subscriptions; mobile-cellular subscriptions 123 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 233; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, MainOne, ACE, WACS and GLO-1 fiber-optic submarine cables that provide connectivity to South and West Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); microwave radio relay link to Panaftel system connects Ghana to its neighbors; GhanaSat-1 nanosatellite launched in 2017 (2017)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately owned TV stations and a large number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable" }, @@ -1173,7 +1162,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 15-20,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 15-20,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of older and some newer Chinese, Russian, and Western equipment, including US, which has donated items such as patrol boats; the government in recent years has committed to an increase in funding for equipment acquisitions, including armor, mechanized, and special forces capabilities for the Army, light attack aircraft for the Air Force, and more modern coastal patrol vessels for the Navy (2024)" diff --git a/africa/gv.json b/africa/gv.json index 41f63b9b..7fd7b870 100644 --- a/africa/gv.json +++ b/africa/gv.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "949 sq km (2017)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambie (Gambia) river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambie (Gambia) river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambie (Gambia) river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambie (Gambia) river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -536,20 +536,21 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA (since 1 October 2021)" + "text": "Interim President Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA (since 1 October 2021)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Mamadou Oury BAH (since 27 February 2024)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "formerly the Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - on 5 September 2021, the military arrested and detained the president, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the government and legislature" + "text": "formerly the Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "formerly, the president was directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) and the prime minister appointed by the president; election last held on 18 October 2020; note - a new election timetable has not been announced by the transitional government; note - on 5 September 2021, Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA led a military coup in which President CONDE was arrested and detained, the constitution suspended, and the government and People's National Assembly dissolved; on 1 October 2021, DOUMBOUYA was sworn in as transitional president" + "text": "formerly, the president was directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) and the prime minister appointed by the president; election last held on 18 October 2020" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 59.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 33.5%, other 7%

2015: Alpha CONDE reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 57.8%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 31.4%, other 10.8%" - } + }, + "note": "note 1: in 2021, the military arrested and detained the president, suspended the constitution, and dissolved the government and legislature

note 2: the transitional government has not announced a new election timetable" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1004,19 +1005,8 @@ "text": "102 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the number of mobile subscribers grew strongly while revenue also increased steadily; fixed broadband services are still very limited and expensive, though there have been some positive developments in recent years; the landing of the first international submarine cable in 2012, and the setting up of an IXP in mid-2013, increased the bandwidth available to the ISPs, and helped reduce the cost of internet services for end-users; a National Backbone Network was completed in mid-2020, connecting administrative centers across the country; almost all internet connections are made via mobile networks; GSM services account for a dwindling proportion of connections, in line with the greater reach of services based on 3G and LTE (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is just over 105 per 100 persons (2020)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 224; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

government maintains control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private TV stations; many privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services 

(2022)" + "text": "government maintains control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private TV stations; many privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2022)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".gn" @@ -1111,7 +1101,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10-12,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10-12,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Guinean military's inventory consists almost entirely of Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with small amounts of secondhand material from China, France, Russia, and South Africa  (2024)" diff --git a/africa/iv.json b/africa/iv.json index 3d53208a..79c8ae5b 100644 --- a/africa/iv.json +++ b/africa/iv.json @@ -564,11 +564,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term; election last held on 31 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); vice president elected on same ballot as president; prime minister appointed by the president; note – because President OUATTARA promulgated the new constitution in 2016, he has claimed that the clock is reset on term limits, allowing him to run for up to two additional terms" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term; election last held on 31 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); vice president elected on same ballot as president; prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Alassane OUATTARA reelected president; percent of vote - Alassane OUATTARA (RDR) 94.3%, Kouadio Konan BERTIN (PDCI-RDA) 2.0%, other 3.7%

2015: Alassane OUATTARA reelected president; percent of vote - Alassane OUATTARA (RDR) 83.7%, Pascal Affi N'GUESSAN (FPI) 9.3%, Konan Bertin KOUADIO (independent) 3.9%, other 3.1%" - } + }, + "note": "note: because President OUATTARA promulgated the new constitution in 2016, he has claimed that the clock is reset on term limits, allowing him to run for up to two additional terms" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1090,17 +1091,6 @@ "text": "174 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "in recent years the government of Ivory Coast has helped develop a competitive telecom sector focused on the provision of converged services, thus allowing operators to offer fixed-line and mobile services under a universal services license regime; the fixed internet and broadband sectors remain underdeveloped; this is a legacy of poor international connectivity, which resulted in high wholesale prices, limited bandwidth, and a lack of access for alternative operators to international infrastructure; these limitations were addressed following the landing of a second cable in November 2011; Orange Group has also launched its 20,000km Djoliba cable system, reaching across eight countries in the region, while the 2Africa submarine cable is being developed by a consortium of companies; with a landing station providing connectivity to Côte d'Ivoire, the system is expected to be completed in late 2023 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "1 per 100 fixed-line teledensity; mobile subscriptions are 162 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE, MainOne, and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and South and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) is made up of 2 radio stations (Radio Cote d'Ivoire and Fréquence2) and 2 TV stations (RTI1 and RTI2) with nationwide coverage, broadcasting mainly in French; 178 proximity radio stations, 16 religious radio stations, 5 commercial radio stations, and 5 international radio stations; government now runs radio station UNOCIFM, previously owned by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire; in 2016, 4 media companies were granted licenses: Live TV, Optimum Media Cote d'Ivoire, the Audiovisual Company of Cote d'Ivoire (Sedaci), and Sorano-CI (2019)" }, @@ -1195,7 +1185,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25-30,000 active FACI troops, including Gendarmerie personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 25-30,000 active FACI, including Gendarmerie personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of the FACI consists mostly of older or second-hand equipment, typically of French or Soviet-era origin; Cote d'Ivoire was under a partial UN arms embargo from 2004 to 2016; in recent years it has received some new and secondhand equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Bulgaria, China, France, South Africa, and Turkey (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ke.json b/africa/ke.json index 3dfdd97c..25f938b0 100644 --- a/africa/ke.json +++ b/africa/ke.json @@ -1098,17 +1098,6 @@ "text": "122 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Kenya’s telecom market continues to undergo considerable changes in the wake of increased competition, improved international connectivity, and rapid developments in the mobile market; the country is directly connected to a number of submarine cables, and with Mombasa through a terrestrial network, the country serves as a key junction for onward connectivity to the Arabian states and the Far East; numerous competitors are rolling out national and metropolitan backbone networks and wireless access networks to deliver services to population centers across the country; several fiber infrastructure sharing agreements have been forged, and as a result the number of fiber broadband connections has increased sharply in recent years; much of the progress in the broadband segment is due to the government’s revised national broadband strategy, which has been updated with goals through to 2030, and which are largely dependent on mobile broadband platforms based on LTE and 5G (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriptions at 123 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS, LION2, DARE1, PEACE Cable, and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems covering East, North and South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat; launched first micro satellites in 2018 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "about a half-dozen large, privately owned media companies with TV and radio stations, as well as a state-owned TV broadcaster, provide service nationwide; satellite and cable TV subscription services available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; many private radio stations broadcast nationally, with over 100 private and non-profit regional stations broadcasting in local languages; TV transmissions of all major international broadcasters available, mostly via paid subscriptions (2019)" }, @@ -1202,7 +1191,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25,000 active KDF personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 25,000 active Kenya Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the KDF's inventory is a mix of older, donated/secondhand, and some modern weapon systems from a variety of sources; major suppliers have included China, France, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US; in late 2023, the Kenyan Government unveiled a five-year spending plan to procure upgraded military equipment, including aerial surveillance drones, tactical vehicles, and air defense systems (2024)" diff --git a/africa/li.json b/africa/li.json index 4a3b59a0..4251c4fe 100644 --- a/africa/li.json +++ b/africa/li.json @@ -523,11 +523,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2023 with a runoff on 14 November 2023 (next to be held in October 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 October 2023 with a runoff on 14 November 2023 (next to be held in October 2029) " }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Joseph BOAKAI elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (CDC) 43.8%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 43.4%, Edward APPLETON (GDM) 2.2%, Lusinee KAMARA (ALCOP) 2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS, Jr. (CPP) 1.6%, Tiawan Saye GONGLOE (LPP) 1.4%, other 5.6%; percentage of vote in second round - Joseph BOAKAI 50.6%, George WEAH 49.4%

2017: George WEAH elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, other 7.8%; percentage of vote in second round - George WEAH 61.5%, Joseph BOAKAI 38.5%" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1013,17 +1014,6 @@ "text": "32 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Liberia has a telecom market which is mainly based on mobile networks; this is due to the civil war which destroyed much of the fixed-line infrastructure; to facilitate LTC Mobile’s market entry, the government in January 2022 set in train amendments to telecom legislation; internet services are available from a number of wireless ISPs as well as the mobile operators; the high cost and limited bandwidth of connections means that internet access is expensive and rates are very low; additional bandwidth is available from an international submarine cable but considerable investment is still needed in domestic fixed-line infrastructure before end-users can make full use of the cable (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100; mobile-cellular subscriptions are 32 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 231; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking 20 West African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "8 private and 1 state-owned TV station; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; about 20 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with about 80 more local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 4 international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1117,7 +1107,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2,000 active AFL personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 2,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a limited inventory; in recent years, it has received small quantities of equipment, including donations, from countries such as China and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/lt.json b/africa/lt.json index be48d6b2..e07167a4 100644 --- a/africa/lt.json +++ b/africa/lt.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "12 sq km (2013)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)" @@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)" @@ -544,8 +544,9 @@ "text": "consists of the prime minister, appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State, the deputy prime minister, and 18 other ministers; the prime minister is the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the National Assembly" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "the monarchy is hereditary, but under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a \"living symbol of national unity\" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law, the College of Chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, to determine next in line of succession, or to serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age
note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile" - } + "text": "the monarchy is hereditary, but under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a \"living symbol of national unity\" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law, the College of Chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, to determine next in line of succession, or to serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age" + }, + "note": "note: King LETSIE III previously occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1051,17 +1052,6 @@ "text": "68 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "until late 2020, Lesotho’s telecom regulator maintained a market duopoly which is focused on fixed-line services; competition was insufficient to promote effective price reductions for consumers, while the regulator had no mechanisms in place to monitor the telcos to ensure quality of service and fair pricing for consumers; the small size of the country’s population provided little incentive for new players to enter the market; a positive outcome for consumers was the deployment in early 2021 of a service to monitor traffic and billing; this ended the practice whereby the regulator was dependent on telcos submitting data about their performance, billing, and other matters; the regulator has also turned its attention to addressing multiple SIM ownership and stemming incidences of crimes committed using unregistered SIMs; in May 2022, it instructed the country’s Mobile Network Operators to begin registering SIM cards on their networks from the following month; fixed-wireless 5G trials began in early 2019 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 subscriptions; mobile-cellular service subscribership is 80 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 266; Internet accessibility has improved with several submarine fiber optic cables that land on African east and west coasts, but the country's land locked position makes access prices expensive; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station and 2 state-owned radio stations; most private broadcast media transmitters are connected to government radio signal towers; satellite TV subscription service available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters obtainable (2019)" }, @@ -1113,7 +1103,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 2,000 active Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the LDF is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older or second-hand equipment of European, South African, and US origin (2025)" diff --git a/africa/ly.json b/africa/ly.json index 747dd27b..91e0cdf9 100644 --- a/africa/ly.json +++ b/africa/ly.json @@ -948,17 +948,6 @@ "text": "205 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "political and security instability in Libya has disrupted its telecom sector; much of its infrastructure remains superior to that in most other African countries; rival operators fight for control; investment in fiber backbone and upgrades to international cables; limited LTE and 5G service; some satellite broadband; in 2021 Libya signed deals and projects with US firms to upgrade portions of its infrastructure, increasing the diversity of its telecommunications networks (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 23 per 100 fixed-line and over 43 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions; service generally adequate (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 218; landing points for LFON, EIG, Italy-Libya, Silphium and Tobrok-Emasaed submarine cable system connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat, Arabsat, and Intersputnik;  microwave radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; participant in Medarabtel (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-funded and private TV stations; some provinces operate local TV stations; pan-Arab satellite TV stations are available; state-funded radio (2019)" }, diff --git a/africa/ma.json b/africa/ma.json index a479aee1..97d6a8e0 100644 --- a/africa/ma.json +++ b/africa/ma.json @@ -1021,17 +1021,6 @@ "text": "70 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "internet service is fast compared to other African countries, and telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, which arrived in 2023, provides links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well as Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities, however much of the fiber in country has been installed by Huawei, which also manages data centers for the government; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 56 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) and Television Malagasy (TVM) have an extensive national network reach; privately owned radio and TV broadcasters in cities and major towns; state-run radio dominates in rural areas; relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in Antananarivo (2019)" }, @@ -1122,7 +1111,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 13,000 Armed Forces personnel; estimated 10,000 Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "estimated 13,000 Armed Forces; estimated 10,000 Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists mostly of older or secondhand weapons and equipment originating from countries such as France, South Africa, the UAE, the UK, and the former Soviet Union (2024)" diff --git a/africa/mi.json b/africa/mi.json index 5787059b..d0fed2cc 100644 --- a/africa/mi.json +++ b/africa/mi.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -564,11 +564,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet named by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 June 2020 (next to be held in June 2025) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 June 2020 (next to be held in June 2025) " }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.8%

2014: Peter MUTHARIKA elected president; percent of vote - Peter MUTHARIKA (DPP) 36.4%, Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 27.8%, Joyce BANDA (PP) 20.2%, Atupele MULUZI (UDF) 13.7%, other 1.9% 

" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1035,17 +1036,6 @@ "text": "60 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "with few resources, Malawi is one of the world’s least developed countries; there has been little investment in fixed-line telecom infrastructure, and as a result, the country’s two mobile networks Airtel Malawi and TMN provide the vast majority of connections for voice and data services; both operators have invested in LTE technologies to improve the quality of data services; the lack of market competition, together with limited international internet bandwidth, has also resulted in some of the highest prices for telecom services in the region; the government in late 2020 secured an average 80% reduction in the cost of data bundles offered by the MNOs; following continuing customer complaints, the regulator in mid-2021 ensured that costs were again reduced, this time by about a third; mobile penetration remains low in comparison to the regional average and so there are considerable opportunities for further growth, particularly in the mobile broadband sector, though there is the possibility that a new play come launch services by the end of 2022; the internet sector is reasonably competitive, with about 50 licensed ISPs, though the limited availability and high cost of international bandwidth has held back growth and kept broadband access prices among the highest in the region; these limitations are being addressed, with the second phase of the national fiber backbone having started in mid-2021 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "limited fixed-line subscribership less than 1 per 100 households; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 60 per 100 households (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "radio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns; the largest TV network is state-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1105,7 +1095,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 10,000 active military personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10,000 active Malawi Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the MDF's inventory is a mix of mostly older or secondhand equipment originating from such countries as France, South Africa, and the UK  (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ml.json b/africa/ml.json index 106f5fcd..d3e5c16e 100644 --- a/africa/ml.json +++ b/africa/ml.json @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -562,12 +562,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 July 2018 with runoff on 12 August 2018; prime minister appointed by the president; note - on 21 February 2022, the transition government adopted a charter allowing transition authorities to rule for up to 5 years, but a referendum pushed through by the junta in June 2023 consolidated power in the presidency and would allow junta leaders to serve in a new government, creating the potential for transition President GOITA to maintain his hold on power indefinitely" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 July 2018 with runoff on 12 August 2018; prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2018: Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 41.7%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 17.8%, other 40.5%; percent of vote in second round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 67.2%, Soumaila CISSE 32.8%

2013: Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 39.8%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 19.7%, other 40.5%; percent of vote in second round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 77.6%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 22.4%" }, - "note": "note: an August 2020 coup d'état deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA; on 21 September 2020, a group of 17 electors chosen by the Malian military junta, known as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) and led by Colonel Assimi GOITA, selected Bah NDAW as transition president; GOITA served as vice president of the transition government which was inaugurated on 25 September 2020; Vice President GOITA seized power on 25 May 2021; NDAW resigned on 26 May 2021; on 6 June 2022, GOITA's government announced a transition period of 24 months with a planned return to civilian rule by March 2024" + "note": "note: in 2022, the transition government adopted a charter allowing transition authorities to rule for up to 5 years, but the military junta pushed through a referendum in 2023 that created the potential for transition President GOITA to maintain his hold on power indefinitely" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1036,17 +1036,6 @@ "text": "114 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Mali’s telecom systems are challenged by recent conflict, geography, areas of low population, poverty, security issues, and high illiteracy; telecom infrastructure is barely adequate in urban areas and not available in most of the country with underinvestment in fixed-line networks; high mobile penetration and potential for mobile broadband service; local plans for IXP; dependent on neighboring countries for international bandwidth and access to submarine cables (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscribership is 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to 100 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 223; satellite communications center and fiber-optic links to neighboring countries; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "national public TV broadcaster; 2 privately owned companies provide subscription services to foreign multi-channel TV packages; national public radio broadcaster supplemented by a large number of privately owned and community broadcast stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1109,7 +1098,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard personnel (2025)" + "text": "information varies; estimated 35-40,000 active FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAMa's inventory includes a large amount of Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of secondhand and some more modern material from a variety of other countries, including China, Czechia, France, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE (2024)" diff --git a/africa/mo.json b/africa/mo.json index 4b9b971a..df94cb8c 100644 --- a/africa/mo.json +++ b/africa/mo.json @@ -1117,17 +1117,6 @@ "text": "137 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay; one of the most state-of-the-art markets in Africa; high mobile penetration rates in the region with low cost for broadband Internet access; improvement in LTE reach and capabilities; service providers have all successfully completed 5G proofs of concept and are currently lining up 5G equipment providers for both radio and core technology; regulatory agency expects to conduct the 5G spectrum auction in 2023; mobile Internet accounts for 93% of all Internet connections; World Bank provided funds for Morocco’s digital transformation; government supported digital education during pandemic; submarine cables and satellite provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 7 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is 139 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 212; landing point for the Atlas Offshore, Estepona-Tetouan, Canalink and SEA-ME-WE-3 fiber-optic telecommunications undersea cables that provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 TV broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other; foreign TV is available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks, with RTM operating one; the state-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2019)" }, @@ -1146,9 +1135,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "6 (2022 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "the University of al-Quarawiyyin Library in Fez is recognized as the oldest existing, continually operating library in the world, dating back to A.D. 859; among its holdings are approximately 4,000 ancient Islamic manuscripts" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1224,7 +1210,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 220,000 active Armed Forces personnel (175,000 Army; 10,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force, 20,000 Gendarmerie) (2025)" + "text": "estimated 220,000 active Armed Forces (175,000 Army; 10,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force, 20,000 Gendarmerie) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Moroccan military's inventory is comprised of mostly older French and US equipment, although in recent years it has embarked on a modernization program and received quantities of more modern equipment from a variety of countries, particularly France, Spain, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/mp.json b/africa/mp.json index c9d5e48c..b02f1a46 100644 --- a/africa/mp.json +++ b/africa/mp.json @@ -1001,19 +1001,8 @@ "text": "161 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector in Mauritius has long been supported by the varied needs of tourists; this has stimulated the mobile market, leading to a particularly high penetration rate; the response of the country’s telcos to tourist requirements also contributed to the country being among the first in the region to provide services based on 3G and WiMAX technologies; the incumbent telco provides comprehensive LTE and fiber broadband coverage, and in late 2021 it launched a gigabit fiber-based broadband service; the country has seen improved international internet capacity in recent years, with direct cables linking to India, Madagascar, and South Africa, as well as other connections to Rodrigues and Reunion; mobile subscribers in Mauritius secured 5G services in mid-2021;  this followed the regulator’s award of spectrum in two bands to the MNOs (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity over 36 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular services teledensity 152 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 230; landing points for the SAFE, MARS, IOX Cable System, METISS and LION submarine cable system that provides links to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean Islands of Reunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is the national public TV and radio broadcaster, with programming in French, English, Hindi, Creole, and Chinese; MBC provides 17 television channels in Mauritius;  9 FM radio stations and 2 AM radio stations
(2022)" + "text": "the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is the national public TV and radio broadcaster, with programming in French, English, Hindi, Creole, and Chinese; MBC provides 17 television channels in Mauritius;  9 FM radio stations and 2 AM radio stations (2022)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".mu" diff --git a/africa/mr.json b/africa/mr.json index 676b17c4..52072a05 100644 --- a/africa/mr.json +++ b/africa/mr.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "450 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -461,7 +461,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -1040,17 +1040,6 @@ "text": "113 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Mauritania’s small population and low economic output has limited the country’s ability to develop sustained growth in the telecom sector; low disposable income has restricted growth in the use of services; this has impacted their ability to invest in network upgrades and improvements to service offerings; this has been reflected in the repeated fines imposed against them by the regulator for failing to ensure a good quality of service; there are also practical challenges related to transparency and tax burdens which have hindered foreign investment; financial support has been forthcoming from the government as well as the World Bank and European Investment Bank; their efforts have focused on implementing appropriate regulatory measures and promoting the further penetration of fixed-line broadband services by improving the national backbone network, ensuring connectivity to international telecom cables, and facilitating operator access to infrastructure; progress has been made to improve internet bandwidth capacity, including the completion of a cable link at the border with Algeria, and the connection to the EllaLink submarine cable; the final stage of the national backbone network was completed in December 2021, which now runs to some 4,000km; penetration of fixed telephony and broadband service is very low and is expected to remain so in coming years, though growth is anticipated following improvements to backbone infrastructure and the reduction in access pricing; most voice and data services are carried over the mobile networks (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 141 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 222; landing point for the ACE submarine cable for connectivity to 19 West African countries and 2 European countries; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "12 TV stations, 6 state-owned and 6 private; 19 radio broadcasters, including 15 state-owned and 4 (Radio Nouakchott Libre, Radio Tenwir, Radio Kobeni and Mauritanid) private; of the 15 government stations, 4 broadcast from Nouakchott (Radio Mauritanie, Radio Jeunesse, Radio Koran and Mauritanid) and the other 12 broadcast from each of the 12 regions outside Nouakchott (2022)" }, @@ -1144,7 +1133,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 17,000 Mauritanian Armed Forces personnel; estimated 3,000 Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "estimated 17,000 active Mauritanian Armed Forces; estimated 3,000 Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is limited and made up largely of older French and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, Mauritania has received some secondhand and new military equipment, including unmanned aircraft (drones), from several suppliers, including China and the UAE (2024)" diff --git a/africa/mz.json b/africa/mz.json index 2bc915b0..1a8ec8a2 100644 --- a/africa/mz.json +++ b/africa/mz.json @@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Zambeze (Zambezi) river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Rio Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -1068,17 +1068,6 @@ "text": "42 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "one of the first countries in the region to embark upon telecom reform and to open the sector to competition; the mobile segment in particular has shown strong growth; additional competition followed in late 2020; a new licensing regime ensured that by mid-2019 all operators had been provided with universal licenses, enabling them to offer all types of telephony and data services; mobile, fixed-line and broadband penetration rates remain far below the average for the region; in recent years the government has enforced the registration of SIM cards, but with varying success; at the end of 2016 almost five million unregistered SIM cards were deactivated but poor monitoring meant that the process was revisited in mid-2019 and again in late 2020; the high cost of international bandwidth had long hampered internet use, though the landing of two international submarine cables (SEACOM and EASSy) has reduced the cost of bandwidth and so led to drastic reductions in broadband retail prices as well as a significant jump in available bandwidth; there is some cross-platform competition, with DSL, cable, fibre, WiMAX, and mobile broadband options available, though fixed broadband options can be limited to urban areas; improvements can be expected from the ongoing rollout of a national fiber backbone networks and of upgrades to mobile infrastructure (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and nearly 43 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 258; landing points for the EASSy and SEACOM/ Tata TGN-Eurasia fiber-optic submarine cable systems linking numerous east African countries, the Middle East and Asia ; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean); TdM contracts for Itelsat for satellite broadband and bulk haul services (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-run TV station supplemented by a private TV station; Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are available; state-run radio provides nearly 100% territorial coverage and broadcasts in multiple languages; a number of privately owned and community-operated stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1169,7 +1158,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 12,000 active FADM personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 12,000 active FADM (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FADM's inventory consists primarily of Russian and Soviet-era equipment, although in recent years it has received some more modern equipment from a variety of countries, mostly as aid/donations (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ng.json b/africa/ng.json index 938617fd..8d11f3b6 100644 --- a/africa/ng.json +++ b/africa/ng.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -1021,17 +1021,6 @@ "text": "56 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Niger is one of the largest countries in West Africa but also one of the poorest in the world; as with many African markets, a lack of fixed telecoms infrastructure has led to growth in mobile services; Niger’s mobile penetration is modest compared to other countries in the region, while fixed broadband penetration is negligible; recent international investment to complete the Trans-Saharan Dorsal optical fiber (SDR) network has extended the reach of fiber infrastructure in the country, and also increased international capacity; new cables linking the country with Chad and Burkina Faso have extended Niger’s connectivity with international cable infrastructure (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular at nearly 56 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has the only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private local radio stations; as many as 100 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1083,7 +1072,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 35-40,000 active FAN troops, including Gendarmerie; estimated 5-10,000 National Guard personnel (2025)", + "text": "estimated 35-40,000 active Nigerien Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie; estimated 5-10,000 National Guard (2025)", "note": "note: in 2020, the Nigerien Government announced it intended to increase the size of the FAN to 50,000 by 2025 and 100,000 by 2030" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/africa/ni.json b/africa/ni.json index 8519572e..936fd1d3 100644 --- a/africa/ni.json +++ b/africa/ni.json @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2023: Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU elected president; percent of vote - Bola Ahmed Adekunle TINUBU (APC) 36.6%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 29.1%, Peter OBI (LP) 25.4%, Rabiu KWANKWASO (NNPP) 6.4%, other 2.5%

2019: Muhammadu BUHARI elected president; percent of vote - Muhammadu BUHARI (APC) 53%, Atiku ABUBAKAR (PDP) 39%, other 8%

 

" }, - "note": "Note - the president is chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces" + "note": "note: the president is chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1111,17 +1111,6 @@ "text": "102 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "one of the larger telecom markets in Africa subject to sporadic access to electricity and vandalism of infrastructure; most Internet connections are via mobile networks; market competition with affordable access; LTE technologies available but GSM is dominant; mobile penetration high due to use of multiple SIM cards and phones; government committed to expanding broadband penetration; operators to deploy fiber optic cable in six geopolitical zones and Lagos; operators invested in base stations to deplete network congestion; submarine cable break in 2020 slowed speeds and interrupted connectivity; Nigeria concluded its first 5G spectrum auction in 2021 and granted licenses to two firms; construction of 5G infrastructure has not yet been completed (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscribership remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is 91 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, NCSCS,  MainOne, Glo-1 & 2, ACE, and Equiano fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and South and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "nearly 70 federal government-controlled national and regional TV stations; all 36 states operate TV stations; several private TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; network of federal government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations; roughly 40 state government-owned radio stations; about 20 private radio stations; transmissions of international broadcasters are available; transition to digital completed in three states in 2018 (2019)" }, @@ -1219,7 +1208,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 150,000 active armed forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "information varies; estimated 150,000 active Armed Forces  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of a wide variety of imported weapons systems of Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, Russian (including Soviet-era), and US origin; the military is undergoing a modernization program, and in recent years has received equipment from a range of suppliers, including Brazil, China, France, Italy, Russia, Turkey, and the US; Nigeria is also developing a defense-industry capacity, including small arms, armored personnel vehicles, and small-scale naval production (2024)" diff --git a/africa/od.json b/africa/od.json index ffb3ed24..6b958b1e 100644 --- a/africa/od.json +++ b/africa/od.json @@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ "text": "1,000 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -925,19 +925,8 @@ "text": "30 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "following a referendum, oil-rich South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 and became an independent nation; having been deprived of investment for decades, it inherited one of the least developed telecom markets in the world; there was once investment activity among mobile network operators who sought to expand their networks in some areas of the country; operators in the telecom sector placed themselves in survival mode and are hoping for a political settlement and a return to some degree of social stability; South Sudan has one of the lowest mobile penetration rates in Africa; growth in the sector in coming years is premised on a resolution to the political crisis and a recovery of the country’s economy; the virtually untapped internet and broadband market also depends to a large extent on the country gaining access to international fiber cables and on a national backbone network being in place; sophisticated infrastructure solutions are needed to reach the 80% of the population that live outside of the main urban centers; some improvement has followed from the cable link in February 2020 which connects Juba directly to the company’s submarine landing station at Mombasa; the cable was South Sudan’s first direct international fiber link, and has helped drive down the price of retail internet services for residential and business customers; a second cable linking to the border with Kenya was completed in December 2021 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 subscriptions, mobile-cellular is 30 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 211 (2017)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

1 state-controlled TV channel and radio station; several community and commercial FM stations, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts available

(2019)" + "text": "1 state-controlled TV channel and radio station; several community and commercial FM stations, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts available (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".ss" @@ -996,7 +985,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; the SSPDF has an estimated 150-200,000 active personnel (2025)", + "text": "information varies; estimated 150-200,000 active Defense Forces (2025)", "note": "note: some active SSPDF personnel may be militia; the National/Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) are expected to have up to 80,000 personnel when training and integration is completed; the first batch of approximately 20,000 NUF personnel completed training in late 2022" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/africa/pu.json b/africa/pu.json index 5efc97d3..b9bb0e61 100644 --- a/africa/pu.json +++ b/africa/pu.json @@ -523,11 +523,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for up to 2 consecutive 5-year terms; election last held on 24 November 2019 with a runoff on 29 December 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly; note - the president cannot apply for a third consecutive term; note - President EMBALO was declared winner of the 29 December 2019 runoff presidential election by the electoral commission; in late February 2020, EMBALO inaugurated himself with only military leadership present, even though the Supreme Court of Justice had yet to rule on an electoral litigation appeal lodged by his political rival Domingos Simoes PEREIRA" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for up to 2 consecutive 5-year terms; election last held on 24 November 2019 with a runoff on 29 December 2019 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2019: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Domingos Simoes PEREIRA (PAIGC) 40.1%, Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) 27.7%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (APU-PDGB) 13.2%, Jose Mario VAZ (independent) 12.4%, other 6.6%; percent of vote in second round - Umaro Sissoco EMBALO 53.6%, Domingos Simoes PEREIRA 46.5%

2014: Jose Mario VAZ elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Mario VAZ (PAIGC) 41%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (independent) 25.1%, other 33.9%; percent of vote in second round - Jose Mario VAZ 61.9%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 38.1%  (2019)" - } + "text": "
2019: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Domingos Simoes PEREIRA (PAIGC) 40.1%, Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) 27.7%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (APU-PDGB) 13.2%, Jose Mario VAZ (independent) 12.4%, other 6.6%; percent of vote in second round - Umaro Sissoco EMBALO 53.6%, Domingos Simoes PEREIRA 46.5%

2014: Jose Mario VAZ elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Mario VAZ (PAIGC) 41%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (independent) 25.1%, other 33.9%; percent of vote in second round - Jose Mario VAZ 61.9%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM 38.1% (2019)" + }, + "note": "note: President EMBALO was declared winner of the 2019 runoff presidential election by the electoral commission; in 2020, EMBALO inaugurated himself with only military leadership present, even though the Supreme Court of Justice had yet to rule on an electoral litigation appeal " }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -960,17 +961,6 @@ "text": "126 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "small system including a combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, radiotelephone, and mobile cellular communications; 2 mobile network operators; one of the poorest countries in the world and this is reflected in the country's telecommunications development; radio is the most important source of information for the public (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile cellular teledensity is just over 109 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 245; ACE submarine cable connecting Guinea-Bissau with 20 landing points in Western and South Africa and Europe (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station, Televisao da Guine-Bissau (TGB) and a second station, Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP) Africa, operated by Portuguese public broadcaster (RTP); 1 state-owned radio station, several private radio stations, and some community radio stations; multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1053,7 +1043,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 4,000 active FARP personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 4,000 active FARP (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FARP is outfitted mostly with Soviet-era weapons and equipment, along with a handful of secondhand items from France and Spain (2024)" diff --git a/africa/rw.json b/africa/rw.json index cc62ae2e..7fa47aef 100644 --- a/africa/rw.json +++ b/africa/rw.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -548,11 +548,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a constitutional amendment approved in December 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held on 15 July 2029); prime minister appointed by the president" + "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held on 15 July 2029); prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 99.2%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR) 0.5%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.3%

2017: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent), other 1.2%

 

" - } + }, + "note": "note: a constitutional amendment in 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1078,17 +1079,6 @@ "text": "80 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Rwanda was slow to liberalize the mobile sector; there was effective competition among three operators; the fixed broadband sector has suffered from limited fixed-line infrastructure and high prices; operators are rolling out national backbone networks which also allow them to connect to the international submarine cables on Africa’s east coast; these cables gave the entire region greater internet bandwidth and ended the dependency on satellites; while the country also has a new cable link with Tanzania, and via Tanzania’s national broadband backbone it has gained connectivity to the networks of several other countries in the region; the number of subscribers on LTE infrastructure has increased sharply, helped by national LTE coverage achieved in mid-2018; mobile remains the dominant platform for voice and data services; the regulator noted that the number of mobile subscribers increased 2.7% in 2021, year-on-year; there was a slight fall in the beginning of 2022 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone density is 81 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service); international submarine fiber-optic cables on the African east coast has brought international bandwidth and lessened the dependency on satellites" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "13 TV stations; 35 radio stations, including international broadcasters; government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV available" }, @@ -1139,7 +1129,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 30-35,000 active RDF personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 30-35,000 active Rwanda Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the RDF's inventory includes a mix of older and some modern equipment from suppliers such as China, France, Israel, Russia and the former Soviet Union, South Africa, and Turkey (2024)" diff --git a/africa/se.json b/africa/se.json index 50523b54..d904d512 100644 --- a/africa/se.json +++ b/africa/se.json @@ -957,19 +957,8 @@ "text": "192 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "effective system; direct international calls to over 100 countries; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago; 3 ISPs; use of Internet cafes' for access to Internet; 4G services and 5G pending (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line  is 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 173 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 248; landing points for the PEACE and the SEAS submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

state-run national broadcaster Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has the only terrestrial TV station, which also airs broadcasts from international services; privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available through 2 providers; SBC operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters available in Victoria

(2019)" + "text": "state-run national broadcaster Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has the only terrestrial TV station, which also airs broadcasts from international services; privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available through 2 providers; SBC operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters available in Victoria (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".sc" @@ -1053,7 +1042,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 500 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 500 active Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the SDF's inventory primarily consists of Soviet-era equipment delivered in the 1970s and 1980s; in recent years, the SDF has received limited amounts of more modern equipment, mostly donations of patrol boats and aircraft, from several suppliers, including Bahrain, China, India, and the UAE (2024)" diff --git a/africa/sf.json b/africa/sf.json index 1af211cd..c352a751 100644 --- a/africa/sf.json +++ b/africa/sf.json @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ "text": "16,700 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpoporivier (Limpopo) river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpoporivier (Limpopo) river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)" @@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpoporivier (Limpopo) river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpoporivier (Limpopo) river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)" @@ -564,11 +564,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 May 2024 (next to be held in May 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "text": "president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 May 2024 (next to be held in May 2029) " }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed

2019: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed

 

 

" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1138,17 +1139,6 @@ "text": "167 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "South Africa’s telecom sector boasts one of the most advanced infrastructures on the continent; the focus in recent years has been on back haul capacity and on fiber and LTE networks to extend and improve internet service connectivity; several satellite solutions also appeared in 2023, aimed at providing additional backhaul and improving connectivity in rural areas; the mobile sector has developed strongly in recent years, partly due to the poor availability and level of service of fixed-line networks, which meant that many people had no alternative to mobile networks for voice and data services (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is 167 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 27; landing points for the WACS, ACE, SAFE, SAT-3, Equiano, SABR, SAEx1, SAEx2, IOX Cable System, METISS, EASSy, and SEACOM/ Tata TGN-Eurasia fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting South Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Asia, South America, Indian Ocean Islands, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) operates 6 free-to-air TV stations; 1 private TV station; multiple subscription TV services with mix of local and international channels; mix of public and private radio stations at the national, regional, and local levels; state-owned SABC radio network has 18 stations, including one for each of the 11 official languages, 4 community stations, and 3 commercial stations; over 100 community stations with rural coverage" }, @@ -1244,7 +1234,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 65-70,000 active-duty SAF personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 65-70,000 active-duty National Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the SANDF's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced and foreign-supplied equipment; South Africa's domestic defense industry produced most of the Army's major weapons systems (some were jointly produced with foreign companies), while the Air Force and Navy inventories include a mix of aging European-, Israeli-, and US-origin weapons and equipment; South Africa has one of Africa's leading defense industries (2024)" diff --git a/africa/sg.json b/africa/sg.json index b318b4f1..46b91403 100644 --- a/africa/sg.json +++ b/africa/sg.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "1,200 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambie (Gambia) (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambie (Gambia) (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambie (Gambia) (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambie (Gambia) (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km)" @@ -1054,17 +1054,6 @@ "text": "120 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Senegal’s telecom market continues to show steady growth in all sectors; this has been supported by the particular demands made on consumers during the pandemic, which resulted in a particularly strong increase in the number of subscribers; the mobile subscriber base increased 6.7% in 2020, year-on-year, and by 4.1% in 2021, while the number of fixed broadband subscribers increased 17.5% year-on-year in 2021; mobile internet platforms account for the vast majority of all internet accesses; quality of service issues continue to plague the market, with the regulator periodically issuing fines to the market players (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 2 per 100 and mobile-cellular 118 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 221; landing points for the ACE, Atlantis-2, MainOne and SAT-3/WASC submarine cables providing connectivity from South Africa, numerous western African countries, Europe and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "over 25 private TV stations; state-run Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS) broadcasts from five cities; wide range of independent TV available via satellite; hundreds of radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar" }, @@ -1155,7 +1144,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25,000 active personnel including the Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "approximately 25,000 active Armed Forces personnel, including the Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a mix of older, secondhand, and more modern equipment from a variety of countries, including France, South Africa, and Russia/former Soviet Union; in recent years, the military has undertaken a modernization program and has received newer equipment from more than 10 countries, including France and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/sh.json b/africa/sh.json index 9e3aa73d..e3fbeda6 100644 --- a/africa/sh.json +++ b/africa/sh.json @@ -545,17 +545,6 @@ "text": "74 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "capability to communicate worldwide; ADSL- broadband service; LTE coverage of 95% of population, includes voice calls, text messages, mobile data as well as inbound and outbound roaming; Wi-Fi hotspots in Jamestown, 1 ISP, many services are not offered locally but made available for visitors; some sun outages due to the reliance of international telephone and Internet communication relying on single satellite link (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "automatic digital network; fixed-line is 74 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 74 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code (Saint Helena) - 290, (Ascension Island) - 247; landing point for the SaEx1 submarine cable providing connectivity to South Africa, Brazil, Virginia Beach (US) and islands in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan de Cunha; international direct dialing; satellite voice and data communications; satellite earth stations - 5 (Ascension Island - 4, Saint Helena - 1) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Saint Helena: no local TV station; 2 local radio stations, one of which is relayed to Ascension Island; satellite TV stations rebroadcast terrestrially

Ascension Island: no local TV station; 1 local radio station and receives relays of broadcasts from radio station on Saint Helena; broadcasts from the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) available, as well as US military TV 

Tristan da Cunha: 1 local radio station and receives BFBS TV and radio broadcasts" }, @@ -576,7 +565,7 @@ } }, "Communications - note": { - "text": "Ascension Island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US)); South Africa maintains a meteorological station on Gough Island in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago" + "text": "Ascension Island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US))" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/africa/sl.json b/africa/sl.json index 73ba3516..c6ef59ce 100644 --- a/africa/sl.json +++ b/africa/sl.json @@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023) note - the president is chief of state, head of government, and Minister of Defense" + "text": "President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023) " }, "head of government": { "text": "President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023)" @@ -539,7 +539,8 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Julius Maada BIO reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 56.2%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 41.2%, other 2.6%

2018: Julius Maada BIO elected president in second round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 51.8%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 48.2%" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is chief of state, head of government, and minister of defense" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -980,19 +981,8 @@ "text": "98 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has only gradually recovered from the destruction caused during the war years, and only since 2019 has there been an effective terrestrial fiber backbone infrastructure, while the cable link to neighboring Guinea was not completed until February 2020; there is considerable available capacity from the ACE submarine cable and the national fiber network, but this is used inefficiently and so the price of internet connectivity remains one of the highest in the region; the theft of equipment and cabling, compounded by neglect, mismanagement, and under investment, means that telecommunications companies continue to operate in difficult conditions; the telecom regulator has made efforts to improve the market, including the liberalization of the international gateway and regular checks on QoS; the regulator reduced the price floor for mobile voice calls in early 2020, though consumers objected to the MNOs withdrawing a number of cheap packages as a response; the mobile sector has been the main driver of overall telecom revenue (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 0 per 100 and mobile-cellular just over 98 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 232; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking to South Africa, over 20 western African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

1 state-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; 1 pay-TV service; 1 state-owned national radio station; about 24 private radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available 

(2019)" + "text": "1 state-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; 1 pay-TV service; 1 state-owned national radio station; about 24 private radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".sl" @@ -1075,7 +1065,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Armed Forces have an estimated 10,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 10,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the RSLAF has a small inventory that includes a mix of Soviet-origin and other older foreign-supplied equipment; in recent years, it has received limited amounts of newer equipment, mostly as donations (2024)" diff --git a/africa/so.json b/africa/so.json index 6411e5fe..a42db525 100644 --- a/africa/so.json +++ b/africa/so.json @@ -951,17 +951,6 @@ "text": "50 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure; the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country; in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown; the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector; more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards; all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types; given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity; their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services; the telecom market has flourished; tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years, as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out; the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 50 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 private TV stations rebroadcast Al-Jazeera and CNN; 1 state-operated TV station and 1 private TV station; state-operated Radio Mogadishu; 1 SW and roughly 10 private FM radio stations in Mogadishu; several radio stations in central and southern regions; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters available (2019)" }, @@ -1044,7 +1033,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 20,000 regular military personnel (2025)", + "text": "estimated 20,000 active Somali Armed Forces (2025)", "note": "note: tens of thousands of militia forces are also active in Somalia" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/africa/su.json b/africa/su.json index 2d0b3075..3344b2d5 100644 --- a/africa/su.json +++ b/africa/su.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "15,504 sq km (2019)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

An Nīl (Nile) (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

An Nīl (Nile) (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

An Nīl (Nile) (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

An Nīl (Nile) (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)" @@ -528,21 +528,21 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman" + "text": "Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman (since 11 November 2021)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman" + "text": "Sovereign Council Chair and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces General Abd-al-Fattah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman (since 11 November 2021)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "most members of the Council of Ministers were forced from office in October 2021 by the military and subsequently resigned in November 2021; the military allowed a handful of ministers appointed by former armed opposition groups to retain their posts; at present, most of the members of the Council are senior civil servants serving in an acting minister capacity appointed either by Prime Minister HAMDOUK prior to his resignation or by the military" + "text": "the military forced most members of the Council of Ministers out of office in 2021; a handful of ministers appointed by former armed opposition groups were allowed to retain their posts; at present, most of the members of the Council are appointed senior civil servants serving in an acting-minister capacity" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "the 2019 Constitutional Declaration originally called for elections to be held in late 2022 at the end of the transitional period; that date was pushed back to late 2023 by the Juba Peace Agreement; the methodology for future elections has not yet been defined; according to the 2019 Constitutional Declaration, civilian members of the Sovereign Council and the prime minister were to have been nominated by an umbrella coalition of civilian actors known as the Forces for Freedom and Change; this methodology was followed in selecting HAMDOUK as prime minister in August 2019; the military purports to have suspended this provision of the 2019 Constitutional Declaration in October 2021; Prime Minister HAMDOUK’s restoration to office in November 2021 was the result of an agreement signed between him and Sovereign Council Chair BURHAN; military members of the Sovereign Council are selected by the leadership of the security forces; representatives of former armed groups to the Sovereign Council are selected by the signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement" + "text": "an election was supposed to be held in 2022 or 2023, but the methodology for elections has still not been defined; military members of the Sovereign Council are selected by the leadership of the security forces; representatives of former armed groups to the Sovereign Council are selected by the signatories of the Juba Peace Agreement" }, "election results": { "text": "NA" }, - "note": "note 1: the 2019 Constitutional Declaration established a collective chief of state of the \"Sovereign Council,\" which was chaired by al-BURHAN; on 25 October 2021, al-BURHAN dissolved the Sovereign Council but reinstated it on 11 November 2021, replacing its civilian members (previously selected by the umbrella civilian coalition the Forces for Freedom and Change) with civilians of the military’s choosing but then relieved the newly appointed civilian members of their duties on 6 July 2022

note 2: Sovereign Council currently consists of only the 5 generals

note 3: former Prime Minister Abdallah HAMDOUK resigned on 2 January 2022; HAMDOUK served as prime minister from August 2019 to October 2019 before he was kidnapped; he was later freed and reinstated as prime minister on 21 November 2021" + "note": "note 1: the 2019 Constitutional Declaration established a collective chief of state of the \"Sovereign Council,\" which was chaired by al-BURHAN; on 25 October 2021, al-BURHAN dissolved the Sovereign Council but reinstated it on 11 November 2021, replacing its civilian members (previously selected by the umbrella civilian coalition the Forces for Freedom and Change) with civilians of the military’s choosing, but then relieved the newly appointed civilian members of their duties on 6 July 2022

note 2: Sovereign Council currently consists of 5 generals" }, "Legislative branch": { "note": "note:  the Parliament of Sudan was dissolved after a coup in April 2019; the August 2019 Constitutional Declaration established Sudan's transitional government; a Transitional Legislative Council (TLC) was to have served as the national legislature during the transitional period until elections could be held, but the TLC has not been created" @@ -986,17 +986,6 @@ "text": "74 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Sudan emerged as a poorer country when South Sudan separated from it in 2011; although Sudan has about four times the population of South Sudan, the latter benefits from its control of the majority of known oil reserves; the Sudanese economy has been affected by hyperinflation in recent years, partly the result of the loss of oil revenue but also due to domestic volatility and social unrest; the difficult economic conditions have meant that for several years telcos have reported revenue under hyper inflationary reporting standards; pressure on revenue has made it difficult for operators to invest in infrastructure upgrades, and so provide improved services to customers; despite this, the number of mobile subscribers increased 7% in 2021, year-on-year; this level of growth is expected to have been maintained in 2022, though could slow from 2023; the country’s poor fixed-line infrastructure has helped the development of mobile broadband services; after fighting started in April 2023, much of the telecommunications infrastructure was damaged (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "teledensity fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 74 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 249; landing points for the EASSy, FALCON and SAS-1,-2, fiber-optic submarine cable systems linking Africa, the Middle East, Indian Ocean Islands and Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned broadcasters that self-censor but are somewhat independent (2022)" }, @@ -1092,7 +1081,7 @@ "note": "note: many defense expenditures are probably off-budget" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "prior to the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and the RSF in 2023, size estimates for Sudan's armed forces varied widely: up to 200,000 SAF personnel; up to 100,000 RSF fighters; up to 80,000 Central Reserve Police (2023)" + "text": "prior to the outbreak of fighting between the SAF and the RSF in 2023, size estimates for Sudan's armed forces varied widely: up to 200,000 SAF; up to 100,000 RSF; up to 80,000 Central Reserve Police (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the SAF's inventory includes a mix of mostly Chinese, Russian, Soviet-era, and domestically produced weapons systems; Sudan has one of the largest defense industries in Africa, which includes state-owned companies with military involvement; it has mostly manufactured weapons systems under license from China, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine (2024)", diff --git a/africa/to.json b/africa/to.json index 0f83d506..dcddc9b0 100644 --- a/africa/to.json +++ b/africa/to.json @@ -548,11 +548,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the president of the council of ministers" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president is appointed by the national assembly for one six-year term
the president of the council of ministers is the leader of the majority party in the national assembly and is confirmed by the Constitutional Court with no term limits 
note- on 6 May 2024 the President signed into law changes to the constitution converting the presidential system to a parliamentary republic and creating the President of Council of Ministers position" + "text": "president is appointed by the national assembly for one six-year term; the president of the council of ministers is the leader of the majority party in the national assembly and is confirmed by the Constitutional Court with no term limits " }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 70.8%, Agbeyome KODJO (MPDD) 19.5%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 4.7%, other 5%

2015: Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 58.8%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 35.2%, Tchaboure GOGUE (ADDI) 4%, other 2%

 

" - } + }, + "note": "note: in May 2024, the President signed into law changes to the constitution that converted the presidential system to a parliamentary republic and created the President of Council of Ministers position" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1071,17 +1072,6 @@ "text": "74 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 74 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 228; landing point for the WACS submarine cable, linking countries along the west coast of Africa with each other and with Portugal; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; five private local TV stations; cable TV available; state-owned radio network with two stations; several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019)" }, @@ -1172,7 +1162,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 15-20,000 active Armed Forces personnel, including Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "estimated 15-20,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FAT has a small inventory of mostly older equipment originating from a variety of countries, including Brazil, Russia/former Soviet Union, Turkey, the US, and some European nations, particularly France (2024)" diff --git a/africa/tp.json b/africa/tp.json index e2a9add4..5874807e 100644 --- a/africa/tp.json +++ b/africa/tp.json @@ -958,17 +958,6 @@ "text": "87 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches; mobile cellular superior choice to landline; dial-up quality low; broadband expensive (2018)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 85 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 239; landing points for the Ultramar GE and ACE submarine cables from South Africa to over 20 West African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station; 2 state-owned radio stations; 7 independent local radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1034,7 +1023,7 @@ "note": "note: the Army and Coast Guard are responsible for external security while the public security police and judicial police maintain internal security; both the public security police and the military report to the Ministry of Defense and Internal Affairs; the judicial police report to the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Human Rights" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the FASTP has approximately 500 personnel (2023)" + "text": "approximately 500 active Armed Forces (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FASTP is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older weapons and equipment  (2023)" diff --git a/africa/ts.json b/africa/ts.json index ac6bf320..84d6019f 100644 --- a/africa/ts.json +++ b/africa/ts.json @@ -1085,17 +1085,6 @@ "text": "129 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Tunisia has one of the most sophisticated telecom infrastructures in North Africa; penetration rates for mobile and Internet services are among the highest in the region; government program of regulation and infrastructure projects aims to improve Internet connectivity to underserved areas; operators built extensive LTE infrastructure in 2019, and continue to discuss plans for future 5G networks and services; one operator has signed an agreement to pursue nano-satellite launches in 2023; internet censorship abolished, though concerns of government surveillance remain; legislation passed in 2017 supporting e-commerce and active e-government; importer of some integrated circuits and broadcasting equipment (including radio, television, and communications transmitters) from the PRC (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is nearly 14 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 129 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 216; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-4, Didon, HANNIBAL System and Trapani-Kelibia submarine cable systems that provides links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Southeast Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 state-owned TV stations; 10 private local TV stations; satellite TV service available; state-owned radio network with 2 stations; several dozen private radio stations and community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019)" }, @@ -1195,7 +1184,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 35,000 active-duty personnel (25,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (25,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Tunisian military's inventory consists mostly of older or second-hand equipment from a wide variety of suppliers, including Brazil, China, Turkey, and the US, as well as several European countries, such as France, Germany, and Italy (2024)" diff --git a/africa/tz.json b/africa/tz.json index 1139c6fc..2432b4ac 100644 --- a/africa/tz.json +++ b/africa/tz.json @@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -586,9 +586,9 @@ "text": "president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { - "text": "2020: John MAGUFULI reelected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 84.4%, Tundu LISSU (CHADEMA) 13%, other 2.6%; note - President MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021 and his Vice President, Samia Suluhu HASSAN, assumed the office of the president on 19 March 2021

2015: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%" + "text": "2020: John MAGUFULI reelected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 84.4%, Tundu LISSU (CHADEMA) 13%, other 2.6%

2015: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5%" }, - "note": "note 1: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; election held on 28 October 2020; Hussein MWINYI (CCM) 76.3%, Maalim Seif SHARIF (ACT-Wazalendo) 19.9%, other 3.8%

note 2: the president is both chief of state and head of government

note 3: following the death of President John MAGUFULI in March 2021, then Vice President Samia Suluhu HASSAN assumed the presidency" + "note": "note 1: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; election held on 28 October 2020; Hussein MWINYI (CCM) 76.3%, Maalim Seif SHARIF (ACT-Wazalendo) 19.9%, other 3.8%

note 2: the president is both chief of state and head of government

note 3: after the death of President John MAGUFULI in March 2021, Vice President Samia Suluhu HASSAN assumed the presidency" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1092,17 +1092,6 @@ "text": "92 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Tanzania’s telecom sector enjoys effective competition, particularly in the mobile segment; the government has encouraged foreign participation to promote economic growth and social development, and policy reforms have led to the country having one of the most liberal telecom sectors in Africa; the government has sought to increase broadband penetration by a range of measures, including the reduction in VAT charged on the sale of smartphones and other devices, and reductions in the cost of data; the MNOs became the leading ISPs following the launch of mobile broadband services based on 3G and LTE technologies; operators are hoping for revenue growth in the mobile data services market, given that the voice market is almost entirely prepaid; the MNOs have invested in network upgrades, which in turn has supported m-mobile data use, as well as m-money transfer services and banking services. Together, these have become a fast-developing source of revenue; the landing of the first international submarine cables in the country some years ago revolutionized the telecom market, which up to that point had entirely depended on expensive satellite connections; following the signing of infrastructure investment agreements with mobile network operators, the government plans to extend its national ICT broadband backbone to 99 or 185 districts by 2024 and to all districts by 2030

(2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line telephone network is 2 connections per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service is 92 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 255; landing points for the EASSy, SEACOM/Tata TGN-Eurasia, and SEAS fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "about 45 TV stations, with 13 national that broadcast free-to-air TV; 196 radio stations, most operating at the district level, but also including 5 independent national stations and 1 state-owned national radio station; international broadcasts widely available through satellite TV; 3 major satellite TV providers (2020)" }, @@ -1199,7 +1188,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25,000 active Defense Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 25,000 active Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the TPDF's inventory includes mostly Chinese and Russian/Soviet-era weapons and equipment (2024)" diff --git a/africa/ug.json b/africa/ug.json index 07b480f7..40733ea3 100644 --- a/africa/ug.json +++ b/africa/ug.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)" @@ -1049,17 +1049,6 @@ "text": "70 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "a series of reforms within Uganda’s telecom sector have provided the country with one of the most competitive markets in the region; in line with the regulator’s licensing requirements by which Uganda-based companies should be broadly owned by Ugandans by mid-2022; fixed-line infrastructure remains poor, with low penetration, and as a result fixed-line broadband penetration is also particularly low; consumers have largely depended on mobile infrastructure to provide voice and broadband services; there is sufficient capacity with LTE infrastructure to match data demand during the next few years; Uganda has anticipated the migration to 5G, having held trials in early 2020 though the roll out of 5G is not expected until later in 2022 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile cellular systems teledensity is 66 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 256; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; analog and digital links to Kenya and Tanzania" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "public broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; 31 Free-To-Air (FTA) TV stations, 2 digital terrestrial TV stations, 3 cable TV stations, and 5 digital satellite TV stations; 258 FM stations" }, @@ -1119,7 +1108,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 45-50,000 active Defense Force troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 45-50,000 active Defense Forces  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the UPDF's inventory is mix of older and some more modern weapons and equipment; it is comprised mostly of Russian/Soviet-era arms with smaller quantities of Chinese, Israeli, North Korean, South African, UK, US, and domestically-produced items; Uganda has a small defense industry that assembles or manufactures light armored vehicles and performs maintenance on some military equipment, including its Russian-made helicopters (2024)" diff --git a/africa/uv.json b/africa/uv.json index 500365d8..cde9ba5d 100644 --- a/africa/uv.json +++ b/africa/uv.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "550 sq km (2016)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)" @@ -539,15 +539,15 @@ "text": "Prime Minister Joachim KYLEM DE TAMBELA (since 21 October 2022)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "prior to the 2022 coups and adhoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister" + "text": "prior to the 2022 coups and ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "prior to the 2022 coups and adhoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 22 November 2020 (next were to be held by July 2024, but may be delayed by the transitional government due to security concerns); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly" + "text": "prior to the 2022 coups and ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 22 November 2020 (next were to be held by July 2024, but were delayed); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Roch Marc Christian KABORE reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Roch Marc Christian KABORE (MPP) 57.9%, Eddie KOMBOIGO (CDP) 15.5%, Zephirin DIABRE (UPC) 12.5%, other 14.1%

2015: Roch Marc Christian KABORE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Roch Marc Christian KABORE (MPP) 53.5%, Zephirin DIABRE (UPC) 29.6%, Tahirou BARRY (PAREN) 3.1%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA (UNIR-MS) 2.8%, other 10.9%" }, - "note": "note - on 30 September 2022, a military junta, led by TRAORE, took power and ousted Transition President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA and took over as head of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration

note - Transitional President TRAORE appointed KYLEM DE TAMBELA Prime Minister on 21 October 2022; the position had been vacant since 30 September 2022 when the military ousted former Prime Minister Albert OUEDRAOGO" + "note": "note: on 30 September 2022, a military junta led by TRAORE took power and ousted Transition President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA " }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1013,17 +1013,6 @@ "text": "112 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Burkina Faso’s telecom sector in recent years has made some gains in providing the necessary infrastructure and bandwidth to support telecom services; an IXP completed in September 2020 increased international bandwidth capacity by a third, while in mid-2021 the government was able to start the second phase of a national fiber backbone project; this will link the capital city to an addition 145 municipalities, and provide additional connectivity to terrestrial cables in neighboring countries; the activities of the militants in side areas of the country jeopardize overall security, and render it difficult for the telcos to safeguard their networks and equipment; Burkina Faso joins G5 Sahel countries to eliminate roaming fees (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage nearly 112 per 100, with multiple providers there is competition and the hope for growth from a low base; Internet penetration is 16% (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "14 digital TV channels, of which 2 are state-owned; over 140 national radio stations (commercial, religious, community), including a national and regional state-owned network; state-owned Radio Burkina and private Radio Omega are among the most widely available and broadcast in both French and local languages (2019)" }, @@ -1084,7 +1073,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 20,000 Armed Forces personnel; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)", + "text": "estimated 20,000 Armed Forces; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)", "note": "


" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/africa/wa.json b/africa/wa.json index 3b70c4b1..afe417fb 100644 --- a/africa/wa.json +++ b/africa/wa.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "80 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -547,11 +547,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note- President Hage GEINGOB died on 4 February 2024, and Vice President MBUMBA was sworn in to run the government until the next presidential election in November 2024; note- Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH won the 7 December 2024 election with her inauguration scheduled for 21 March 2025" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2029) " }, "election results": { "text": "2024: Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH elected president in the first round; percent of vote -Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (SWAPO) 57%, Panduleni  ITULA (IPC) 26%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.10%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 4.72%, Job AMUPANDA (AR) 1.80%, Hendrik GAOBEAB (UDF) 1.16%; other 3.31%

2019: Hage GEINGOB reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, other .9%

 

" - } + }, + "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1065,17 +1066,6 @@ "text": "113 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2023, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage; despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; in June 2022 Namibia was connected to a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 113 per 100 persons (2022) (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available" }, @@ -1169,7 +1159,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 12,000 active NDF personnel (2025)" + "text": "estimated 12,000 active Namibian Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the NDF's inventory consists of a mix of Soviet-era and some more modern systems from a variety of countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, India, and South Africa; most of the Navy's vessels and the Air Force's fighter aircraft were acquired from China; Namibia has a small defense industry that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2024)" diff --git a/africa/wz.json b/africa/wz.json index d3673b7a..32bcc1d9 100644 --- a/africa/wz.json +++ b/africa/wz.json @@ -1023,17 +1023,6 @@ "text": "122 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Eswatini was one of the last countries in the world to open up its telecom market to competition; until 2011 the state-owned Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications also acted as the industry regulator and had a stake in the country’s sole mobile network; a new independent regulatory authority was established in late 2013 and has since embarked on significant changes to the sector; mobile market subscriptions have been affected by the common use among subscribers when they use SIM cards from different networks in order to access cheaper on-net calls; subscriber growth has slowed in recent years, but was expected to have reached 8% in 2021, as people adapted to the changing needs for connectivity caused by the pandemic; the internet sector has been open to competition with a small number of licensed ISPs; DSL services were introduced in 2008, development of the sector has been hampered by the limited fixed-line infrastructure and by a lack of competition in the access and backbone networks; Eswatini is landlocked and so depends on neighboring countries for international bandwidth; this has meant that access pricing is relatively high, and market subscriptions remains relatively low; prices have fallen recently in line with greater bandwidth availability resulting from several new submarine cable systems which have reached the region in recent years; in September 2020 a terrestrial cable linked Mozambique with Eswatini and South Africa (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line stands at nearly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 120 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes can access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2019)" }, @@ -1095,7 +1084,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 3,000 active-duty personnel (2023)" + "text": "approximately 3,000 active-duty Defense Force (2023)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the UEDF has a light and small inventory of mostly older equipment originating from Europe, South Africa, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/za.json b/africa/za.json index b45adf52..921dd535 100644 --- a/africa/za.json +++ b/africa/za.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)" @@ -1043,19 +1043,8 @@ "text": "99 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "following elections held in August 2021, the new government immediately established a Ministry of Technology and Science to promote the use of ICT in developing economic growth and social inclusion; this focus on ICT, and on telecoms in particular, has been central to government strategies for some years; as part of the Smart Zambia initiative, investment has been made in data centers, a computer assembly plant, ICT training centers, and a Smart Education program; these efforts have been combined with the extension of broadband access and improved connectivity to international submarine cables; in turn, this has resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed-line and mobile access pricing for end-users; mobile network operators continue to invest in 3G and LTE-based services, the government contracted to upgrade the state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; delays in holding spectrum have stymied the development of 5G thus far; in mid-2021 the regulator completed a consultation of auctioning low, medium, and high band spectrum for 5G, aiming to provide sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated increase in data traffic in coming years; fixed-line broadband services remain underdeveloped (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 100 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

47 state-controlled and private TV stations; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has 2 TV channels, controls 1, and owns shares in 2 more; 137 radio stations, with 133 private and 4 state-owned

(2019)" + "text": "47 state-controlled and private TV stations; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) has 2 TV channels, controls 1, and owns shares in 2 more; 137 radio stations, with 133 private and 4 state-owned (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".zm" @@ -1125,7 +1114,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 16,000 active Defense Force personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 16,000 active Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the ZDF's inventory is largely comprised of Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with smaller quantities of items--particularly aircraft--from such suppliers as Israel and the US (2024)" diff --git a/africa/zi.json b/africa/zi.json index 9177cd9a..16326f39 100644 --- a/africa/zi.json +++ b/africa/zi.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "1,740 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)" @@ -1076,17 +1076,6 @@ "text": "88 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Zimbabwe’s telcos continue to be affected by the country’s poor economy; this has been exacerbated by the significant economic difficulties related to the pandemic; revenue has also been under pressure from a number of recent regulatory measures and additional taxes imposed by the cash-strapped government; inflation has become so high that year-on-year revenue comparisons since 2019 have been difficult to assess meaningfully; the three MNOs continue to invest in network upgrades, partly supported by government efforts and cash released from the Universal Service Fund; as a result of these investments, LTE networks have expanded steadily, though services remain concentrated in urban areas; international bandwidth has improved since fiber links to several submarine cables were established via neighboring countries; the expansion of 3G and LTE-based mobile broadband services has meant that most of the population has access to the internet; the government has started a national broadband scheme aimed at delivering a 1Mb/s service nationally by 2030; investment in fixed broadband infrastructure has also resulted in a slow but steady growth in the number of DSL connections, and also fiber subscriptions; during 2021, most growth in the fixed broadband segment has been with fiber connections (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 2 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 89 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 263; fiber-optic connections to neighboring states provide access to international networks via undersea cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; 5 international digital gateway exchanges" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government owns all local radio and TV stations; foreign shortwave broadcasts and satellite TV available; in rural areas, access to TV broadcasts is extremely limited; analog TV only, no digital service (2017)" }, @@ -1148,7 +1137,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 30,000 active Zimbabwe Defense Force troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 30,000 active Zimbabwe Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the ZDF inventory is comprised mostly of Russian/Soviet-era and Chinese armaments with smaller quantities of older or obsolescent material from countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, South Africa, the UK, and the US; since the early 2010s, Zimbabwe has been under an arms embargo from the EU, as well as targeted sanctions from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/antarctica/ay.json b/antarctica/ay.json index 1f6e2933..454b54f8 100644 --- a/antarctica/ay.json +++ b/antarctica/ay.json @@ -134,17 +134,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

scientists with the US Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station have a designated Starlink terminal, which has improved connectivity to carry out research; this was made possible through laser links between the SpaceX satellites in orbit that eliminate the need for ground stations at the poles

(2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations (2019)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties" - } - }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".aq" }, diff --git a/antarctica/bv.json b/antarctica/bv.json index f0fcddc5..fb82f568 100644 --- a/antarctica/bv.json +++ b/antarctica/bv.json @@ -146,9 +146,6 @@ "Communications": { "Internet country code": { "text": ".bv" - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "has an automated meteorological station" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/antarctica/fs.json b/antarctica/fs.json index 0b289ed1..33ddba26 100644 --- a/antarctica/fs.json +++ b/antarctica/fs.json @@ -158,9 +158,6 @@ "Communications": { "Internet country code": { "text": ".tf" - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "has one or more meteorological stations on each possession" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/aq.json b/australia-oceania/aq.json index 1b2b5809..c1bb56b8 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/aq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/aq.json @@ -642,17 +642,6 @@ "text": "4 (2009 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, ASTCA, supplies telecommunication services to the residents of American Samoa, a US territory; the primary system between the islands consists of fiber-optic cables and satellite connections; in 2021, the undersea fiber-optic cable linking the Tutuila and Manu’a Islands failed, cutting off Manu’a Island; telecommunication services were restored through microwave link, and the link now provides a steady 1Gbps backhaul  (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 22 per 100 fixed-line tele density (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-684; landing points for the ASH, Southern Cross NEXT and Hawaiki  providing connectivity to New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, Hawaii, California, and SAS connecting American Samoa with Samoa; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/as.json b/australia-oceania/as.json index 53964da0..d256d6de 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/as.json +++ b/australia-oceania/as.json @@ -729,7 +729,7 @@ }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { - "text": "highly developed, diversified, regionally and globally integrated economy; strong mining, manufacturing, and service sectors; net exporter driven by commodities to East Asian trade partners; “Future Made in Australia” program focused on green energy investments" + "text": "

high-income and globally integrated economy; strong mining, manufacturing, and service sectors driving slow but steady growth; net exporter, driven by commodities to East Asian trade partners; weak productivity and aging population straining labor force participation

" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { @@ -1125,19 +1125,8 @@ "text": "107 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "in the fixed internet traffic sector, there is an ongoing migration from copper-based platforms to fiber; the extension of fixed wireless access will mean that up to 120,000 premises currently dependent on satellite broadband will be able to access 5G-based fixed services; the fixed-line market has been falling steadily over the past five years; in the Australian fixed broadband market, there is a dynamic shift among customers to fiber networks; the DSL sector is steadily shrinking while subscribers on HFC infrastructure will continue to be provided by existing cable, with a steady migration to full fiber connectivity (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "18 per 100 fixed-line telephone subscriptions and 105 per 100 mobile-cellular; more subscribers to mobile services than there are people; 90% of all mobile device sales are now smartphones, growth in mobile traffic brisk (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 61; landing points for more than 20 submarine cables including: the SeaMeWe-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the INDIGO-Central, INDIGO West and ASC, North West Cable System, Australia-Papua New Guinea cable, CSCS, PPC-1, Gondwana-1, SCCN, Hawaiki, TGA, Basslink, Bass Strait-1, Bass Strait-2, JGA-S, with links to other Australian cities, New Zealand and many countries in southeast Asia, US and Europe; the H2 Cable, AJC, Telstra Endeavor, Southern Cross NEXT with links to Japan, Hong Kong, and other Pacific Ocean countries as well as the US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 other (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

tradition of public broadcasting, but privately owned TV and radio have the biggest audiences; ownership of print and broadcast media is concentrated; Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs national and local public radio and TV; other main public broadcaster is the multilingual Special Broadcasting Service (SBS); national commercial TV is dominated by three big free-to-air networks; broadcasters must carry a minimum percentage of Australian-made programs; pay TV via cable, satellite, and IPTV has a strong foothold

(2023)" + "text": "tradition of public broadcasting, but privately owned TV and radio have the biggest audiences; ownership of print and broadcast media is concentrated; Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs national and local public radio and TV; other main public broadcaster is the multilingual Special Broadcasting Service (SBS); national commercial TV is dominated by three big free-to-air networks; broadcasters must carry a minimum percentage of Australian-made programs; pay TV via cable, satellite, and IPTV has a strong foothold (2023)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".au" diff --git a/australia-oceania/bp.json b/australia-oceania/bp.json index 9afaee17..881c0375 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/bp.json +++ b/australia-oceania/bp.json @@ -937,17 +937,6 @@ "text": "67 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "mobile services have continually expanded in the Solomon Islands; 3G services became available in 2010, leading to an increase in mobile broadband uptake; Solomon Islands currently host three ISPs; fixed broadband services are largely limited to government, corporations, and educational organizations in the Solomon Islands; telecommunication infrastructure in the Solomon Islands requires significant investment due to the geographical make-up of the islands; this presents a great challenge to rural connectivity in the country; although various international organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have taken a special interest in having communication services improved in both the Solomon Islands and the Pacific region in general, internet and broadband penetration remain low; the provision of broadband infrastructure, particularly to rural areas, is also hindered by land disputes; internet services have, improved with the build-out of the Coral Sea Cable System linking Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands, as also with a connecting cable to a landing station at Sydney; the Australian government provided most of the funding for the Coral Sea Cable System, with contributions and support from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea governments; the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite in late 2019 also improved broadband satellite capacity for the region, though for telcos in Solomon Islands satellite services are now largely used as backup for international traffic; in recent years, the country has stabilized both politically and economically and this, along with improvements to mobile infrastructure, has led to a rise in mobile services and the slow uptake of broadband services; while the first LTE services were launched in late 2017 in the capital Honiara, the main platform for mobile voice and data services remains 3G, while in outlying areas GSM is still an important technology for the provision of services (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular telephone density 67 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 677; landing points for the CSCS and ICNS2 submarine cables providing connectivity from Solomon Islands, to PNG, Vanuatu and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multi-channel pay-TV is available; Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/ck.json b/australia-oceania/ck.json index 3f6ca814..ba3df189 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ck.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ck.json @@ -327,17 +327,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "telephone service is part of the Australian network; an operational local mobile-cellular network available; wireless Internet connectivity available" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "local area code - 08" - }, - "international": { - "text": "international code - 61 8; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/cq.json b/australia-oceania/cq.json index 7481f983..20e0319a 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cq.json @@ -632,17 +632,6 @@ "text": "28 (2004)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "digital fiber-optic cables and satellites connect the islands to worldwide networks; demand for broadband growing given that mobile services are the source for Internet across region; future launch of 5G; as of April 2024 the Northern Mariana Islands Broadband Policy and Development Office (BPD) received an award of $81 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program; CNMI submitted its BEAD Five-Year Action Plan to NTIA; this plan aims to improve Internet services in the Commonwealth by outlining strategies for enhancing Internet accessibility and affordability for all members of the CNMI community (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 40 per 100 persons; mobile cellular subscriptions are 28 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-670; landing points for the Atisa and Mariana-Guam submarine cables linking Mariana islands to Guam; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 TV station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio stations (2009)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/cr.json b/australia-oceania/cr.json index 5e7a2435..ce6bb68c 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cr.json @@ -136,11 +136,6 @@ }, "Economy": { }, - "Communications": { - "Communications - note": { - "text": "automatic weather stations on many of the isles and reefs relay data to the mainland" - } - }, "Transportation": { }, "Military and Security": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/cw.json b/australia-oceania/cw.json index 4c6ea09c..9a156ba6 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cw.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cw.json @@ -708,17 +708,6 @@ "text": "100 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to mobile services being the primary and most wide-spread source for Internet access across the region; Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, and fax; individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable; nearly 41 per 100 fixed-line and about 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 682; the Manatua submarine cable to surrounding islands of Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and other Cook Islands, the topography of the South Pacific region has made Internet connectivity a serious issue for many of the remote islands; submarine fiber-optic networks are expensive to build and maintain; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 privately owned TV station in Rarotonga provides a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/fj.json b/australia-oceania/fj.json index 271ba7dd..16b83013 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fj.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fj.json @@ -1002,17 +1002,6 @@ "text": "107 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Fiji is the leading market to watch in terms of both LTE and 5G development in the region; the market boasts relatively sophisticated, advanced digital infrastructure, with telcos’ heavy investment resulting in the country having the highest mobile and internet subscriptions in the Pacific Islands region; LTE, LTE-A, and fiber technologies have received the most investment by the Fijian mobile operators, LTE now accounts for the largest share of connections in the mobile segment; concentrating on the more highly populated areas, the operators are preparing for the next growth area of high-speed data; they also have 5G in mind, and are preparing their networks to be 5G-ready, anticipating an easier migration to the technology based on the relatively high LTE subscription rate; Fiji presents a challenging geographic environment for infrastructure development due to its population being spread across more than 100 islands; the majority of Fijians live on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; in July 2018, the two islands were linked by the Savusavu submarine cable system, which provides a more secure link in times of emergency weather events such as the regular tropical cyclones that often cause massive destruction to the area, including destroying essential infrastructure such as electricity and telecommunications equipment; notably, the December 2021 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano in Tonga damaged the Tonga Cable which connects Fiji, and Tonga blocking the latter off from internet services; cable theft and damage of critical communications infrastructure has also become a concern in Fiji, prompting authorities to establish a joint task force to tackle the issue (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 5 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 679; landing points for the ICN1, SCCN, Southern Cross NEXT, Tonga Cable and Tui-Samoa submarine cable links to US, NZ, Australia and Pacific islands of Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Fallis & Futuna, and American Samoa; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Fiji TV, a publicly traded company, operates a free-to-air channel; Digicel Fiji operates the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations, including 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters; 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1106,7 +1095,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 4,000 active Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 4,000 active Republic of Fiji Military Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the RFMF is lightly armed and equipped; Australia has provided patrol boats and a few armored personnel carriers; it also provides logistical support for RFMF regional or UN operations; in recent years, China and the US have provided small amounts of equipment  (2024)" diff --git a/australia-oceania/fm.json b/australia-oceania/fm.json index bbe8dc55..8108506a 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fm.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fm.json @@ -816,17 +816,6 @@ "text": "19 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Australia, Japan, and the United States are committed to working in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, and Nauru to improve internet connectivity to these three Pacific nations by providing funding to build a new undersea cable; the proposed undersea cable will provide faster, higher quality, and more reliable and secure communications to approximately 100,000 people across three countries; this will support increased economic growth, drive development opportunities, and help to improve living standards as the region recovers from the severe impacts of COVID-19; the new cable will connect Kosrae (FSM), Nauru, and Tarawa (Kiribati) with the existing HANTRU-1 cable at Pohnpei (FSM), providing internet connectivity through a submarine cable for the first time (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed line teledensity roughly 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 19 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 691; landing points for the Chuukk-Pohnpei Cable and HANTRU-1 submarine cable system linking the Federated States of Micronesia and the US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about half a dozen radio stations (2009)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/fp.json b/australia-oceania/fp.json index f9b1e868..4487b90d 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fp.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fp.json @@ -788,17 +788,6 @@ "text": "107 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "French Polynesia has one of the most advanced telecoms infrastructures in the Pacific Islands region; the remoteness of the territory with its scattering of 130 islands and atolls has made connectivity vital for its inhabitants; the first submarine cable was deployed in 2010 and since then additional cables have been connected to the islands, vastly improving French Polynesia’s international connectivity; an additional domestic submarine cable, the Natitua Sud, will connect more remote islands by the end of 2022; French Polynesia is also a hub for satellite communications in the region; a considerable number of consumers access FttP-based services; with the first data center in French Polynesia on the cards, the quality and price of broadband services is expected to improve as content will be able to be cached locally, reducing costs for consumers; for 2022, fixed broadband subscriptions reached an estimated 22%; about 43% of the territory’s mobile connections are on 3G networks, while LTE accounts for 12%; by 2025, LTE is expected to account for more than half of all connections; it is also estimated that 77% of mobile subscribers will have smart phones by 2025 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions nearly 36 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular density is roughly 106 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 689; landing points for the NATITUA, Manatua, and Honotua submarine cables to other French Polynesian Islands, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "French public overseas broadcaster Réseau Outre-Mer provides 2 TV channels and 1 radio station; 1 government-owned TV station; a small number of privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/gq.json b/australia-oceania/gq.json index bd588da5..fe013905 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/gq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/gq.json @@ -736,17 +736,6 @@ "text": "62 (2009 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Guam’s telecommunications companies provide important services that allow other businesses on island to operate; Guam plays a larger, and growing role, in global telecommunications infrastructure, the submarine fiber optic cables that land on Guam benefit island residents and the local economy; in the Asia-Pacific region the demand for 4G, 5G, and broadband access is rapidly increasing; the 11 submarine cables that currently land on Guam, connecting the U.S. to the Asia-Pacific region, are some of the more than 400 cables that are the backbone of global telecommunications, providing nearly all of the world’s internet and phone service; as of January 2024, one of the world's most dominant companies will be landing two new subsea cables on Guam; in May 2024 a global arm of a leading telecommunications and technology company, announced its plans to develop a regional network hub in Guam by establishing a new dedicated point-of-presence (PoP) in Piti at the carrier-neutral GNC iX data center; this PoP will serve growing connectivity demand in the region and will be a key connection point for new cable systems including the Echo cable and central Pacific Connect cable that are being constructed to provide additional low latency network reliability and redundancy throughout Asia and between Asia, Australia, and the U.S. (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions 41 per 100 and 62 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions in 2004 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-671; major landing points for Atisa, HANTRU1, HK-G, JGA-N, JGA-S, PIPE-1, SEA-US, SxS, Tata TGN-Pacific, AJC, GOKI, AAG, AJC and Mariana-Guam Cable submarine cables between Asia, Australia, and the US (Guam is a transpacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "about a dozen TV channels, including digital; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/kr.json b/australia-oceania/kr.json index 4777c34b..81057fc2 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/kr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/kr.json @@ -912,17 +912,6 @@ "text": "49 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "generally good national and international service; wireline service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; recently formed (mobile network operator) MNO is implementing the first phase of improvements with 3G and 4G upgrades on some islands; islands are connected to each other and the rest of the world via satellite; launch of Kacific-1 in December 2019 will improve telecommunication for Kiribati (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular approximately 42 per 100 subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 686; landing point for the Southern Cross NEXT submarine cable system from Australia, 7 Pacific Ocean island countries to the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/kt.json b/australia-oceania/kt.json index 5940aaf6..64c5e449 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/kt.json +++ b/australia-oceania/kt.json @@ -331,17 +331,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "internet access on Christmas Island is provided by satellite; improvements through the Regional Connectivity Program to the macro and small cell mobile sites will provide new and improved mobile, voice and data connectivity for residents and visitors; the upgrade will also support local businesses and community facilities, enabling increased residential access to essential services such as telehealth and education (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "improvements to Christmas Island include an upgrade to the macro cell base stations and deploy a new macro cell base station at the airport (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "international code - 61 8; ASC submarine cable to Singapore and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat provides telephone and telex service) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/nc.json b/australia-oceania/nc.json index 6d20425b..f9d2a925 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nc.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nc.json @@ -814,17 +814,6 @@ "text": "90 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "New Caledonia’s telecom sector provides fixed and mobile voice services, mobile internet, fixed broadband access, and wholesale services for other ISPs; the territory is well serviced by extensive 3G and LTE networks, and is considered to have one of the highest smartphone adoption rates in the Pacific region; by 2025, smart phone penetration is expected to reach 71%; while DSL is still the dominant fixed broadband technology, and a nationwide FttP network; the South Pacific region has become a hub for submarine cable system developments in recent years, with further networks scheduled to come online later in 2021 and into 2022; these new cables are expected to increase competition in the region with regards to international capacity; in 2020, the government owned telco commissioned Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the Gondwana-2 cable system to provide additional network capacity and complement the Gondwana-1 cable (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 90 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 687; landing points for the Gondwana-1 and Picot-1 providing connectivity via submarine cables around New Caledonia and to Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/ne.json b/australia-oceania/ne.json index 9ba40517..f218ea62 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ne.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ne.json @@ -527,17 +527,6 @@ "text": "52 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "in 2020, the Manatua One Polynesia Fiber Cable provided Niue with high speed Internet access for the first time replacing a 4 megabit satellite link with gigabit fiber connectivity; the government set out a strategy to upgrade to a new infrastructure that would be robust enough to operate reliably in a challenging climate: 40 40°C heat, 40% humidity, salty air, frequent power outages during storms, and no air conditioning (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "single-line (fixed line) telephone system connects all villages on island; fixed teledensity at nearly 52 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 683; landing point for the Manatua submarine cable linking Niue to several South Pacific Ocean Islands; expansion of satellite services (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station, with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/nf.json b/australia-oceania/nf.json index bacb356e..5e8f4bd4 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nf.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nf.json @@ -360,17 +360,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the current infrastructure consists of fixed line telephone utilizing copper twisted pair cable and optic fiber, two Satellite Earth Station, GSM Mobile switch with five remote base stations and 2 micro cells, central public exchange which switches international as well as national calls, ADSL Broadband internet connection (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line), and an ISP (Internet Service Provider); 3G/4G telecommunications network went live on Tuesday 12 January, 2021 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "free local calls" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/nh.json b/australia-oceania/nh.json index c7a11540..fab5e12e 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nh.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nh.json @@ -955,17 +955,6 @@ "text": "78 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "for many years, 2G Global System for Mobile Communications was the primary mobile technology for Vanuatu’s 300,000 people; recent infrastructure projects have improved access technologies, with a transition to 3G and 4G; Vanuatu has also benefited from the ICN1 submarine cable and the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite, both of which have considerably improved access to telecom services in recent years; Vanuatu’s telecom sector is liberalized, with the two prominent mobile operators; while fixed broadband penetration remains low, the incumbent operator is slowly exchanging copper fixed-lines for fiber; a number of ongoing submarine cable developments will also assist in increasing data rates and reduce internet pricing in coming years (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 78 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 678; landing points for the ICN1 & ICN2 submarine cables providing connectivity to the Solomon Islands and Fiji; cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu has 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; multiple international broadcasts available (2023)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/nr.json b/australia-oceania/nr.json index cf31ba3c..702d3cd8 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nr.json @@ -784,17 +784,6 @@ "text": "80 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "relies on satellite as the primary Internet service provider and mobile operator; internet connectivity on the island is very limited and unstable due to the vulnerability of the network infrastructure to bad weather and limited network coverage, with several blind spots (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 0 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership approximately 80 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, uses Australian and British programs (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/nz.json b/australia-oceania/nz.json index 1783d1cd..709df17b 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nz.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nz.json @@ -545,8 +545,7 @@ }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor-general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor-general" - }, - "note": "note: according to Prime Minister LUXON, the Winston PETERS of the New Zealand First Party would be the deputy prime minister in the first half of the term while Act party leader, David SEYMOUR, would take the role for the second half of the term" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1044,17 +1043,6 @@ "text": "115 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the growth areas in in New Zealand’s telecom market have been in mobile broadband and fiber; New Zealand’s mobile market continues to undergo significant developments; the coverage of LTE networks has been supported by the Rural Broadband Initiative rollout, which added a significant number of mobile sites to new or underserved areas; the market is undergoing additional consolidation; offering fixed and mobile services

(2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 114 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 64; landing points for the Southern Cross NEXT, Aqualink, Nelson-Levin, SCCN and Hawaiki submarine cable system providing links to Australia, Fiji, American Samoa, Kiribati, Samo, Tokelau, US and around New Zealand; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks; state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial TV and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2019)" }, @@ -1148,7 +1136,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 8,800 active-duty (Regular Force) troops (4,300 Army; 2,100 Navy; 2,400 Air Force) (2025)", + "text": "approximately 8,800 active (Regular Force) New Zealand Defense Forces (4,300 Army; 2,100 Navy; 2,400 Air Force) (2025)", "note": "note: the total NZDF complement is about 15,300 including the Regular Force, Reserves, and civilians" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { @@ -1159,7 +1147,7 @@ "note": "note: New Zealand opened up all military occupations to women in 2000; as of 2024, women accounted for about 20% of Regular Force personnel" }, "Military deployments": { - "text": "small numbers of NZ military personnel are deployed on a variety of international missions in Africa, Antarctica, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East (2024)" + "text": "small numbers of NZ military personnel are deployed on a variety of international missions in Africa, Antarctica, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East (2025)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "the NZDF is a small military with considerable overseas experience; it supports the country’s national security objectives by protecting New Zealand’s sovereignty, promoting its interests, safeguarding peace and security, and conducting peacekeeping, humanitarian, and other international missions

New Zealand is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily

New Zealand has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty since 1951; however, the US suspended its ANZUS security obligations to New Zealand in 1986 after New Zealand implemented a policy barring nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered warships from its ports; the US and New Zealand signed the Wellington Declaration in 2010, which reaffirmed close ties between the two countries, and in 2012 signed the Washington Declaration, which provided a framework for future security cooperation and defense dialogues; in 2016, a US naval ship conducted the first bilateral warship visit to New Zealand since the 1980s; New Zealand has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2025)" diff --git a/australia-oceania/pc.json b/australia-oceania/pc.json index 024bc3e2..6858d0a3 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/pc.json +++ b/australia-oceania/pc.json @@ -327,17 +327,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "satellite-based phone services; rural connectivity a challenge; 2G services widespread; demand for mobile broadband due to mobile services providing Internet source; the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite in 2019 will improve telecommunications in the region (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "local phone service with international connections via Internet (2018)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 872; satellite earth station - 1 Inmarsat" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "satellite TV from Fiji-based Sky Pacific offering a wide range of international channels" }, @@ -348,9 +337,6 @@ "percent of population": { "text": "96.2% (2021 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "satellite-based local phone service and broadband Internet connections available in all homes" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/ps.json b/australia-oceania/ps.json index 9568fb22..126ad4c6 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ps.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ps.json @@ -859,17 +859,6 @@ "text": "133 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Palau telecommunications is a small, formerly unregulated sector undertaking significant growth with the improvement and cost reduction in technology; mobile services have taken over the share of the market from landlines, with both 2-3G cell services throughout the islands; sim cards are easily available and offer 3G and data options; there are pre-paid and post-paid options for both voice and data; there are three data options for using a wireless hotspot network throughout Palau; connection from hotel and restaurant premises is available, enabling users to connect via WiFi throughout the main Islands of Palau (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 44 per 100 and mobile-cellular services roughly 130 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 680; landing point for the SEA-US submarine cable linking Palau, Philippines, Micronesia, Indonesia, Hawaii (US), Guam (US) and California (US); satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no broadcast TV stations; a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 4 local cable stations, rebroadcasts (on a delayed basis) of a number of US stations, as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels; about a half dozen radio stations (1 government-owned) (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/rm.json b/australia-oceania/rm.json index 341097a1..f5dacf3b 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/rm.json +++ b/australia-oceania/rm.json @@ -870,17 +870,6 @@ "text": "38 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the National Telecommunications Act, through Bill No. 66, ushered in a new era in telecommunications in the Marshall Islands; this will enable an open, competitive market for telecommunications that is regulated by a Telecommunications Commissioner; telecom officials announced that they would be able to offer satellite internet services beginning in mid-2023; the World Bank has been promoting telecommunications reform here for a decade and has a multi-million-dollar telecommunications reform grant program in progress (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 5 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is nearly 38 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and TV service to Kwajalein Atoll (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/tl.json b/australia-oceania/tl.json index 7b42359f..5aa59178 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tl.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tl.json @@ -278,11 +278,12 @@ }, "Constitution": { "history": { - "text": "many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Islands Act 1948)" + "text": "many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand)" }, "amendment process": { "text": "proposed as a resolution by the General Fono; passage requires support by each village and approval by the General Fono" - } + }, + "note": "note: Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory and has been administered by New Zealand since 1926; Tokelau is considered \"part of New Zealand” under the Tokelau Act 1948, and Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens; in the mid-2000s Tokelau held two referenda on becoming self-governing in free association with New Zealand; the first vote was held in February 2006 but narrowly missed the two-thirds majority required for a change of status, as did a second vote held in 2007; since the self-government referenda, Tokelau has put questions about its constitutional status on hold; it remains a territory of New Zealand, though one which exercises a substantial degree of self-government" }, "Citizenship": { "text": "see New Zealand" @@ -303,7 +304,7 @@ "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule to serve a 1-year term" }, - "note": "note: the meeting place of the Tokelau Council and the head of government position rotates annually among the three atolls; this tradition has given rise to the somewhat misleading description that the capital rotates yearly between the three atolls; in actuality, it is the seat of the government councilors that rotates since Tokelau has no capital" + "note": "note: the meeting place of the Tokelau Council and the head of government position rotates annually among the three atolls; this tradition has given rise to the somewhat misleading description that the capital rotates yearly between the three atolls, but Tokelau has no capital" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -490,17 +491,6 @@ "text": "22 (2010 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "a new submarine cable between New Zealand and Tokelau will provide high speed, reliable internet to Tokelau for the first time; due for completion in 2022, this will provide Tokelau with affordable, high quality internet and telecommunications, and better, more effective access to digital services and platforms (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 0 per 100 persons (2019)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 690; landing point for the Southern Cross NEXT submarine cable linking Australia, Tokelau, Samoa, Kiribati, Fiji, New Zealand and Los Angeles, CA (USA); radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok); satellite earth stations - 3 (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Sky TV access for about a third of the population; each atoll operates a radio service with shipping news and weather reports (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/tn.json b/australia-oceania/tn.json index df99e83c..3154af3f 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tn.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tn.json @@ -952,17 +952,6 @@ "text": "61 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Tonga was only connected to the global submarine telecommunication network in the last decade; though this system is more stable than other technologies such as satellite and fixed infrastructure; the January 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai severed Tonga’s connection to the submarine telecommunication network (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 10 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity 61 telephones per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 676; landing point for the Tonga Cable and the TDCE connecting to Fiji and 3 separate Tonga islands; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia available via satellite (2019)" }, @@ -1044,7 +1033,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 600 active armed forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 600 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of light weapons, as well as some naval patrol vessels from Australia and a few US-origin aircraft (2024)" diff --git a/australia-oceania/tv.json b/australia-oceania/tv.json index b34a2812..39b12d2e 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tv.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tv.json @@ -816,17 +816,6 @@ "text": "80 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "provides fixed-line telephone communications to subscribers on each of the islands of Tuvalu; each island relies on the use of a satellite dish for inter-island telephone communication, internet access, and mobile phone services (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 80 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 688; international calls can be made by satellite" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV; 1 state-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays from international broadcasters (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/wf.json b/australia-oceania/wf.json index d101884f..1f267b9c 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/wf.json +++ b/australia-oceania/wf.json @@ -539,17 +539,6 @@ "text": "0 (2019)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "2G widespread; bandwidth is limited; mobile subscriber numbers are higher than fixed-line and better suited for islands; good mobile coverage in the capital cities and also reasonable coverage across more remote atolls; recent international interest in infrastructure development; increase in demand for mobile broadband as mobile services serve as primary source for Internet access; broadband satellite launched in 2019 to improve costs and capability (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity 26 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 681; landing point for the Tui-Samoa submarine cable network connecting Wallis & Futuna, Samoa and Fiji (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/wq.json b/australia-oceania/wq.json index 23dc4dde..0f1f554b 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/wq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/wq.json @@ -154,11 +154,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "satellite communications; 2 Defense Switched Network circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS); located in the Hawaii area code - 808 (2018) (2018)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio/TV broadcasts (2018)" } diff --git a/australia-oceania/ws.json b/australia-oceania/ws.json index 656492a9..daf699a1 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ws.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ws.json @@ -948,17 +948,6 @@ "text": "60 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Samoa was one of the first Pacific Island countries to establish a regulatory infrastructure and to liberalize its telecom market; the advent of competition in the mobile market saw prices fall by around 50% and network coverage increase to more than 90% of the population; Samoa also boasts one of the highest rates of mobile phone coverage in the Pacific region; the growth of fixed-line internet has been impeded by factors including the high costs for bandwidth, under investment in fixed-line infrastructure; Samoa’s telecoms sector has been inhibited by a lack of international connectivity; Samoa has had access to the Samoa-America-Samoa (SAS) cable laid in 2009, this cable has insufficient capacity to meet the country’s future bandwidth needs; this issue was addressed with two new submarine cables that became available in 2018 and 2019; combined with the Samoa National Broadband Highway (SNBH), have improved internet data rates and reliability, and have helped to reduce the high costs previously associated with internet access in Samoa; in April 2022, the Samoan government announced its decision to take over control of the Samoa Submarine Cable Company, looking to the cable to generate additional revenue for the state (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity  32 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 685; landing points for the Tui-Samo, Manatua, SAS, and Southern Cross NEXT submarine cables providing connectivity to Samoa, Fiji, Wallis & Futuna, Cook Islands, Niue, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Los Angeles (US), and Tokelau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned TV stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json index 3096d933..6de7cbc8 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json @@ -810,19 +810,8 @@ "text": "132 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "declines in subscriber numbers, particularly for prepaid mobile services  (the mainstay of short-term visitors), and revenue; governments, regulators, and MNOs have not been investing in 5G opportunities; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "33 per 100 fixed-line telephone subscriptions and 130 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 297; landing points for the PAN-AM, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, and Alonso de Ojeda submarine telecommunications cable system that extends from Trinidad and Tobago, Florida, Puerto Ricco, Jamaica, Guyana, Sint Eustatius & Saba, Suriname, Dominican Republic, BVI, USVI, Haiti, Cayman Islands, the Netherlands Antilles,  through Aruba to Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

freedom of the press respected, as guaranteed under Dutch law; newspapers are in the Papiamento language; 2 commercial TV stations, with a cable TV subscription service providing access to foreign channels; wide range of commercial radio stations available

(2023)" + "text": "freedom of the press respected, as guaranteed under Dutch law; newspapers are in the Papiamento language; 2 commercial TV stations, with a cable TV subscription service providing access to foreign channels; wide range of commercial radio stations available (2023)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".aw" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json index e77b6f38..47dbc7e2 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json @@ -887,17 +887,6 @@ "text": "197 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "declines in subscriber numbers, particularly for prepaid mobile services  (the mainstay of short-term visitors), and revenue; governments, regulators, and MNOs are not investing in 5G opportunities; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity roughly 27 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is about 200 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-268; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cable systems with links to other islands in the eastern Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) operates 1 TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; ABS operates 1 radio station; roughly 20 radio stations (2024)" }, @@ -965,7 +954,7 @@ "text": "Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF): Antigua and Barbuda Regiment, Air Wing, Coast Guard

Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) (2025)" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 300 active military personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 300 active Defense Force personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the ABDF's equipment inventory is limited to small arms, light weapons, and soft-skin vehicles; the Coast Guard maintains ex-US patrol vessels and some smaller boats (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json index 1d032384..8e44d670 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json @@ -627,17 +627,6 @@ "text": "170 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "declines in subscriber numbers, particularly for prepaid mobile services  (the mainstay of short-term visitors), and revenue; governments, regulators, and MNOs have shown little interest in investing in 5G opportunities; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is about 38 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 170 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-264; landing points for the SSCS, ECFS, GCN and Southern Caribbean Fiber with submarine cable links to Caribbean islands and to the US; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned (2024)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json index 3c34daa8..aa564625 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json @@ -997,17 +997,6 @@ "text": "115 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity of roughly 43 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density about 113 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-246; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cable with links to 15 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Puerto Ricco; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also has a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen CBC-operated radio stations operate alongside privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1093,7 +1082,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 600 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 600 active BDF personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the BDF's major equipment inventory is comprised mostly of donated items from China, the Netherlands, and the US  (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json index 68b4a7be..3480867b 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json @@ -935,17 +935,6 @@ "text": "99 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "two local providers ensure good telecoms coverage across the archipelago; fiber-to-home investments have been prioritized, with 5G adoption pending (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "22 per 100 fixed-line, 115 per 100 mobile-cellular (2020)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-242; landing points for the ARCOS-1, BICS, Bahamas 2-US, and BDSN fiber-optic submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links all of the major islands; (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "4 major TV providers; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes with 4 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; 32 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, with 31 privately owned FM radio stations; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio network with national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2019)" }, @@ -1031,7 +1020,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 1,700 active RBDF personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 1,700 active RBDF  (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory has been acquired from the Netherlands or the US (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json index 71cc91d6..f8b3d01e 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json @@ -1024,17 +1024,6 @@ "text": "66 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Belize’s fixed-line teledensity and mobile penetration remain lower than average for the region, a legacy of insufficient market competition and under investment in telecoms services; a significant investment in infrastructure, launching an LTE-A service at the end of 2016 and in mid-2017 completing a submarine cable to Ambergris Caye, enabling it to launch an FttP service in San Pedro; the nfrastructure has been updated from the legacy copper to fiber; investments have been made to provide high speed broadband to 80% of residences across Belize. (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 5 per 100 fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of 66 per 100 persons; mobile sector accounting for over 90% of all phone subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 501; landing points for the ARCOS and SEUL fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json index 967af713..254c842d 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json @@ -759,17 +759,6 @@ "text": "147 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "53 per 100 fixed-line and 150 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-345; landing points for the Maya-1, Deep Blue Cable, and the Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System submarine cables that provide links to the US and parts of Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer  international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json index 8d7da982..35420884 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json @@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022) " + "text": "President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)" }, "head of government": { "text": "President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)" @@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ "text": "Cabinet selected by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 6 February 2022 with a runoff on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in February 2026 with a runoff in April 2026)" + "text": "president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 6 February 2022, with a runoff on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in February 2026, with a runoff in April 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2%

2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRSC) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%" @@ -1045,17 +1045,6 @@ "text": "152 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the fixed broadband market is one of the few parts of Costa Rica’s telecom sector to experience solid growth in recent years, both in size and revenue; the country’s fiber network expanded by 56% in 2020, reaching about 176,200km; fixed-line broadband traffic volume also increased by more than 30%, year-on-year;  other areas of the market have proven relatively lack luster, with slow or even negative growth; some of this can be attributed to the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, but the fixed-line and mobile sectors have both been struggling to produce decent results since well before the start of the crisis; the rollout of 5G network infrastructure in Costa Rica is unlikely to occur to any scale before 2023, but this may be one of the few remaining areas of opportunity open to investors outside of fixed-line internet and pay TV services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 11 per 100 fixed-line and 152 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 506; landing points for the ARCOS-1, MAYA-1, and the PAC submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "over two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json index 17396569..560326aa 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json @@ -555,8 +555,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (PCC) reelected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 97.7%; Salvador Antonio VALDES Mesa (PCC) reelected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 93.4%

2018: Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (PCC) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.8%; Salvador Antonio VALDES Mesa (PCC) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.1%" - }, - "note": "note - on 19 April 2018, DIAZ-CANEL succeeded Raul CASTRO as president of the Councils of State and Ministers; on 10 October 2019 he was elected to the newly created position of President of the Republic, which replaced the position of President of the Councils of State and Ministers" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -995,17 +994,6 @@ "text": "68 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "internet availability has increased substantially over the past few years, only about 70 percent of Cubans have Internet access; 69 percent (7.6 million) have acces to cell phone service, 68 percent have internet access through their cell phone; in 2021 the Cuban Government passed a decree that strengthened its authority to censor Internet and telephonic communications; state control of the telecom sector hinders development; Cuba has the lowest mobile phone and Internet subscription rates in the region; fixed-line density is also very low; thaw of US-Cuba relations encouraged access to services, such as Wi-Fi hot spots; access to websites and mobile applications is controlled and censored; DSL and Internet are available in Havana, though costs are too high for most Cubans and access can be turned off by the government; international investment and agreement to improve internet access through cost-free and direct connection between networks (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line density remains low at a little over 14 per 100 inhabitants; mobile-cellular service has expanded to about 63 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 53; the ALBA-1, GTMO-1, and GTMO-PR fiber-optic submarine cables link Cuba, Jamaica, and Venezuela; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government owns and controls all broadcast media: 8 national TV channels (Cubavision, Cubavision Plus, Tele Rebelde, Multivision, Educational Channel 1 and 2, Canal Clave, Canal Habana), 2 international channels (Cubavision Internacional and Canal Caribe), multiple regional TV stations, 7 national radio networks, and multiple regional radio stations; the government uses the Radio-TV Marti signal; private ownership of electronic media is officially prohibited, with several online independent news sites tolerated but blocked if critical of the government; YouTube popular; Christian denominations create original video content to distribute via social media (2023)" }, @@ -1106,7 +1094,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "limited available information; estimated 50,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "limited available information; estimated 50,000 active Armed Forces  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised of Russian and Soviet-era equipment (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json index 6deb865f..802a1229 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json @@ -842,17 +842,6 @@ "text": "86 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "10 fixed-line connections per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriptions are about 86 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-767; landing points for the ECFS and the Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad and to the US; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no terrestrial TV service; subscription cable TV provider offers some locally produced programming, plus channels from the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; state-operated radio broadcasts on 6 stations; privately owned radio broadcasts on about 15 stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json index ee85ebe7..d9527854 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json @@ -1101,17 +1101,6 @@ "text": "90 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Dominican Republic’s telecom sector continued its solid form throughout 2020 and into 2021, shrugging off the economic turmoil unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain a decade-long run of low but positive growth across all areas of the market; the Dominican Republic remains behind most of its counterparts in the Latin American region, especially in terms of fixed-line network coverage; mobile subscriptions are on par with the regional average, but at subscription levels of around 88% there is still ample opportunity for growth; in terms of growth, the standout winner was once again the mobile broadband segment; the market is expected to see close to 8% growth in 2021, building further on the gains it already made in 2020 when lock downs and work-from-home rules encouraged many people to find ways to upgrade their internet access and performance; the limited coverage of fixed-line broadband networks makes mobile the first, if not only, choice for most people in the country (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is about 10 per 100 persons; mobile cellular subscriptions 88 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the ARCOS-1, Antillas 1, AMX-1, SAm-1, East-West, Deep Blue Cable and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; over 300 state-owned and privately owned radio stations  (2019)" }, @@ -1211,7 +1200,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 55-60,000 Armed Forces personnel; up to 35,000 National Police (2025)" + "text": "approximately 55-60,000 Armed Forces; up to 35,000 National Police (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's equipment inventory comes largely from the US, with smaller quantities from such suppliers as Brazil and Spain (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json index 6c23aa1b..df1c0799 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json @@ -1034,17 +1034,6 @@ "text": "182 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "El Salvador is the smallest country in central America geographically, it has the fourth largest economy in the region; the country’s telecom sector has been restricted by poor infrastructure and unequal income distribution; there have been organizational delays which have slowed the development of telecom services; El Salvador’s fixed-line teledensity is substantially lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average; there has been a significant drop in the number of fixed lines since 2010, particularly in 2017, largely due to the substitution for mobile-only alternatives; about 94% of all telephony lines in the country are on mobile networks; mobile subscriptions are remarkably high considering El Salvador’s economic indicators, being about a third higher than average for Latin America and the Caribbean; the country was one of the last in the region to provide LTE services, mainly due to the inadequate provision of suitable spectrum; the multi-spectrum auction conducted at the end of 2019 has allowed MNOs to improve the reach and quality of their service offerings; El Salvador’s telecom legislation is one of the more liberal in Latin America, encouraging competition in most areas and permitting foreign investment; there are no regulations which promote wholesale broadband; the only effective cross-platform competition in the broadband market comes from the few cable operators; there has been some market consolidation in recent years (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line services, roughly 14 per 100, mobile-cellular competition now at 175 subscribers per 100 inhabitants (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio stations and 2 government-owned radio stations; transition to digital transmission was set to begin in 2018, along with adoption of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T) (2022)" }, @@ -1134,7 +1123,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25,000 active military personnel (2025)", + "text": "approximately 25,000 active FAES (2025)", "note": "note: El Salvador has pledged to increase the size of the military to 40,000 troops by 2026" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json index d6235247..3ab3ec63 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json @@ -937,17 +937,6 @@ "text": "81 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "21 per 100 for fixed-line and 81 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-473; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and CARCIP submarine cables with links to 13 Caribbean islands extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad & Tobago including Puerto Rico and Barbados; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple publicly and privately owned TV and radio stations; state-owned Grenada Information Service (GIS) provides TV and radio; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA); approximately 25 private radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json index f628c00f..ea0dbde0 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json @@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since 15 January 2024) " + "text": "President Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since 15 January 2024)" }, "head of government": { "text": "President Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (since 15 January 2024)" @@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 25 June 2023 with a runoff on 20 August 2023 (next to be held in June 2027)" + "text": "president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 25 June 2023, with a runoff on 20 August 2023 (next to be held in June 2027)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Bernardo ARÉVALO de León elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Sandra TORRES (UNE) 21%; Bernardo ARÉVALO de León (SEMILLA) 15.6%, Manuel CONDE Orellana (VAMOS) 10.4%; Armando CASTILLO Alvarado (VIVA) 9.6%, other 43.4%; percent of vote in second round - Bernardo ARÉVALO de León 60.9%, Sandra TORRES 39.1%

2019: Alejandro GIAMMATTEI elected president; percent of vote in first round - Sandra TORRES (UNE) 25.5%, Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (VAMOS) 14%, Edmond MULET (PHG) 11.2%, Thelma CABRERA (MLP) 10.4%, Roberto ARZU (PAN-PODEMOS) 6.1%, other 32.8%; percent of vote in second round - Alejandro GIAMMATTEI 58%, Sandra TORRES 42%" @@ -1070,17 +1070,6 @@ "text": "115 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Guatemala’s telecom infrastructure has suffered from years of under investment from state and provincial government; the poor state of fixed-line infrastructure has led to Guatemala having one of the lowest fixed-line teledensities in the region; in many rural regions of the country there is no fixed-line access available, and so mobile services are adopted by necessity; private investment has been supported by government and regulatory efforts, resulting in a steady growth in the number of fixed lines which has supported growth in the fixed broadband segment; delays in launching LTE services left the country lagging behind in the development of mobile broadband and the benefits which it can bring to the country's social and economic growth; two new submarine cables are due for completion by 2022; improved international connectivity should drive further uptake of both fixed and mobile broadband services; intense competition among the networks has helped to improve services and lower prices for end-users; given the commercial impetus of networks, insufficient government financial investment has resulted in many regional areas remaining with poor or non-existent services; the country benefits from one of the most open regulatory frameworks, with all telecom sectors having been open to competition since 1996; mobile subscriptions are on par with the regional average, though the slower growth in the mobile subscriber base suggests a level of market saturation, with the emphasis among networks being on generating revenue via mobile data services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity roughly 13 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are concentrating on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity about 126 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 502; landing points for the ARCOS, AMX-1, American Movil-Texius West Coast Cable and the SAm-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that, together, provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "4 privately owned national terrestrial TV channels dominate TV broadcasting; multi-channel satellite and cable services are available; 1 government-owned radio station and hundreds of privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1175,7 +1164,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 20,000 active military personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 20,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military is lightly armed with an inventory mostly comprised of older US equipment; in recent years, Guatemala has received small amounts of equipment from several countries, including Colombia, Spain, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json index 9cfc318a..0260e25d 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json @@ -539,10 +539,10 @@ "text": "Prime Minister Alix Didier FILS-AIMÉ (since 10 November 2024)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and Prime Minister's governing policy" + "text": "Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and prime minister's governing policy" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term); last election was 20 November 2016; new elections were delayed in 2022 and 2023 and have not been scheduled by the transitional presidential council" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term); last election was 20 November 2016; new elections were delayed in 2022 and 2023 and have not been scheduled by the transitional presidential council" }, "election results": { "text": "
2016: Jovenel MOÏSE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Jovenel MOÏSE (PHTK) 55.6%, Jude CELESTIN (LAPEH) 19.6%, Jean-Charles MOÏSE (PPD) 11%, Maryse NARCISSE (FL) 9%; other 4.8%

2011: Michel MARTELLY elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Michel MARTELLY (Peasant's Response) 68%, Mirlande MANIGAT (RDNP) 32%" @@ -1031,19 +1031,8 @@ "text": "64 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Haiti is in desperate need of maintaining effective communication services to enable it to keep going through the countless natural disasters, the country’s telecoms sector is really only surviving on the back of international goodwill to repair and replace the systems destroyed in the latest upheaval; Haiti’s fixed-line infrastructure is now practically non-existent, having been torn apart by Hurricane Matthew in 2016; what aid and additional investment has been forthcoming has been directed towards mobile solutions; over half of the country can afford a mobile handset or the cost of a monthly subscription; and mobile broadband subscriptions is half of that again – an estimated 28% in 2022; international aid continues to flow in to try and help the country’s telecoms sector recover – the World Bank has released a further $120 million to go on top of the $60 million grant provided after the last major 7.2 earthquake in August 2021 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is less than 1 per 100; mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 64 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 509; landing points for the BDSNi and Fibralink submarine cables to 14 points in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

398 legal broadcasting stations, including about 60 community radio stations; 105 TV stations, including 36 in Port-au-Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; large number of stations operate irregularly or flout regulations; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations

(2019)" + "text": "398 legal broadcasting stations, including about 60 community radio stations; 105 TV stations, including 36 in Port-au-Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; large number of stations operate irregularly or flout regulations; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".ht" @@ -1107,7 +1096,7 @@ "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "the Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH): Army

Ministry of Justice and Public Security: Haitian National Police (Police Nationale d'Haïti or PNH) (2025)", - "note": "note: the PNH is responsible for maintaining public security; it includes police, corrections, fire, emergency response, airport security, port security, and coast guard functions; its units include a presidential guard and a paramilitary rapid-response Motorized Intervention Unit or BIM 

 

" + "note": "note: the PNH is responsible for maintaining public security; it includes police, corrections, fire, emergency response, airport security, port security, and coast guard functions; its units include a presidential guard and a paramilitary rapid-response Motorized Intervention Unit (BIM) 

 

" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "estimates vary; up to 2,000 trained military personnel (the force is planned to eventually have around 5,000 personnel); estimates for the National Police range from a low of 9,000 to a high of about 13,000 (2025)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json index 42daa81a..9f91fabb 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json @@ -534,16 +534,16 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022) " + "text": "President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022) " + "text": "President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet appointed by president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term; election last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025); note - in 2015, the Constitutional Chamber of the Honduran Supreme Court struck down the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits" + "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term; election last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya elected president; percent of vote - Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (LIBRE) 51.1%, Nasry Juan ASFURA Zablah (PNH) 36.9%, Yani Benjamin ROSENTHAL Hidalgo (PL) 10%, other 2%

2017: Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (PNH) 43%, Salvador NASRALLA (Alianza de Oposicion contra la Dictadura) 41.4%, Luis Orlando ZELAYA Medrano (PL) 14.7%, other 0.9%" @@ -1049,17 +1049,6 @@ "text": "76 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Honduras is among the poorest countries in Central America and has long been plagued by an unstable political framework which has rendered telecom sector reform difficult; this has created real difficulties for telcos as well as consumers; fixed-line teledensity, at only 4.9%, is significantly lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average; poor fixed-line infrastructure has been exacerbated by low investment and topographical difficulties which have made investment in rural areas unattractive or uneconomical; the internet has been slow to develop; DSL and cable modem technologies are available but are relatively expensive, while higher speed services are largely restricted to the major urban centers; the demand for broadband is steadily increasing and there has been some investment in network upgrades to fiber-based infrastructure

 

(2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity of 5 per 100; mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 74 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 504; landing points for both the ARCOS and the MAYA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable systems that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple privately owned terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by multiple cable TV networks; Radio Honduras is the state-owned radio network; roughly 300 privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1154,7 +1143,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 15,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 15,000 active Honduran Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FFAA's inventory is comprised of a mix of older or secondhand and limited amounts of more equipment from a wide mix of suppliers, including Colombia, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json index 6f77f0d6..697c4fe9 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json @@ -521,8 +521,7 @@ }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general" - }, - "note": "note: the Jamaican Government, in May 2023, announced plans to hold a referendum in 2024 to determine whether or not to remain in the Commonwealth or become a republic" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1042,17 +1041,6 @@ "text": "106 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Jamaica’s telecom sector has for many years been propped up by the mobile sector, which accounts for the vast majority of internet connections and voice lines; it also accounts for just over half of telecom sector revenue; in December 2020, the government announced the rollout of a national broadband network costing up to $237 million; the funding will be spent on improving connectivity in under served areas, improving access to education, and deploying networks to public locations such as hospitals, municipal institutions, and police stations; to aid in this national broadband effort, the government received a donation of 650km of fiber cabling from local cable TV providers and the two main toll road operators; to encourage the use of digital channels as the country deals with the Covid-19 pandemic (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions nearly 17 per 100, cellular-mobile roughly 103 per 100 subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-876 and 1-658; landing points for the ALBA-1, CFX-1, Fibralink, East-West, and Cayman-Jamaican Fiber System submarine cables providing connections to South America, parts of the Caribbean, Central America and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 free-to-air TV stations, subscription cable services, and roughly 30 radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1138,7 +1126,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 4,000 personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 4,000 active Jamaica Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the JDF is lightly armed with a limited inventory featuring equipment mostly from Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US  (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json index 60525ce4..13300c7b 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json @@ -406,8 +406,7 @@ }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes premier" - }, - "note": "note: effective with Constitution Order 2010, October 2010, the office of premier replaced the office of chief minister" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -677,17 +676,6 @@ "text": "110 (2020 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "telecom market one of growth in Caribbean and fully digitalized; high dependency on tourism and offshore financial services; operators expand FttP (Fiber to Home) services; LTE launches and operators invest in mobile networks; effective competition in all sectors (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 67 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 110 per 100 persons (2020)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-664; landing point for the ECFS optic submarine cable with links to 14 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Radio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json index f4bc6d31..bf2a9fbe 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json @@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

", + "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)", "note": "note: Sint Maarten is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curacao" }, "Independence": { @@ -631,17 +631,6 @@ "text": "196 (2012 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "generally adequate facilities; growth sectors include mobile telephone and data segments; effective competition; LTE expansion; tourism and telecom sector contribute greatly to the GDP (2018)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "196 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity (2012)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-721; landing points for SMPR-1 and the ECFS submarine cables providing connectivity to the Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Internet country code": { "text": "

.sx; note - IANA has designated .sx for Sint Maarten, but has not yet assigned it to a sponsoring organization

" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json index 3dbcf2d2..f4d35a3c 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json @@ -1018,17 +1018,6 @@ "text": "97 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Nicaragua’s telecoms market has mirrored the country’s poor economic achievements, with fixed-line teledensity and mobile penetration also being the lowest in Central America; the fixed line broadband market remains nascent, with population penetration below 4%; most internet users are concentrated in the largest cities, given that rural and marginal areas lack access to the most basic telecom infrastructure; internet cafés provide public access to internet and email services, but these also tend to be restricted to the larger population centers; to address poor infrastructure, the World Bank has funded a project aimed at improving connectivity via a national fiber broadband network; there are separate schemes to improve broadband in eastern regions and provide links to Caribbean submarine cables; the number of mobile subscribers overtook the number of fixed lines in early 2002, and the mobile sector now accounts for most lines in service (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 3 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is 91 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 505; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic submarine cable which provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are state-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both state-affiliated and privately owned (2019)" }, @@ -1111,7 +1100,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 12,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 12,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's air and ground force inventories include mostly secondhand Russian or Soviet-era equipment; its naval force has a miscellaneous mix of patrol boats from several foreign suppliers, as well as some commercial vessels converted into gunboats domestically (2024)", diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json index b62a62d7..af4bf446 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json @@ -1041,17 +1041,6 @@ "text": "156 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Panama has seen a steady increase in revenue from the telecom sector in recent years; mobile services and broadband remain the key growth sectors, with mobile connections accounting for 90% of all connections, and over half of telecom sector revenue; the mobile market has effective competition; internet services have grown in recent years as consumers responded to government fixed-line projects, improved mobile broadband connectivity and mobile applications (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 18 per 100 and subscribership of mobile-cellular telephone is 138 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 507; landing points for the PAN-AM, ARCOS, SAC, AURORA, PCCS, PAC, and the MAYA-1 submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple privately owned TV networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json index b4c39487..1949d9c6 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json @@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ "text": "President of Territorial Council Louis MUSSINGTON (since 3 April 2022)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council" + "text": "Executive Council, as well as an advisory economic, social, and cultural council" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prefect appointed by French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; president of Territorial Council elected by its members for a 5-year term; election last held on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in 2027)" @@ -500,17 +500,6 @@ "text": "196 (2012 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "fully integrated access; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems (2018)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 590; landing points for the SMPR-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the Saba, Statia Cable System submarine cables providing connectivity to numerous Caribbean islands (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 local TV station; access to about 20 radio stations, including RFO Guadeloupe radio broadcasts via repeater" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json index 8ad0b1c5..91e10617 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json @@ -867,17 +867,6 @@ "text": "120 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Puerto Rico has a small telecom market which in recent years has been deeply affected by a combination of economic mismanagement and natural disasters, including two hurricanes which landed in late 2017 and an earthquake which struck in January 2020; these disasters caused considerable destruction of telecom infrastructure, which in turn led to a marked decline in the number of subscribers for all services; compounding these difficulties have been a long-term economic downturn which encouraged many people not to resume telecom services after these were restored; after some delay, the FCC in late 2019 issued an order relating to the release of funds to help rebuild telecom infrastructure; although Puerto Rico is a US territory it lags well behind the mainland US states in terms of fixed-line and broadband services; this is partly due to high unemployment rates (and consequently low disposable income) and poor telecoms investment in a market; the mobile market has been impacted by several mergers and acquisitions over the last few years; the activities of large multinational telcos continue to impact the Puerto Rican market; operators have secured spectrum in the 600MHz and 3.5GHz bands, thus enabling them to expand the reach of LTE services and launch services based on 5G;  the growing number of submarine cables landing in Puerto Rico is helping to drive down the cost of telecom services, creating a demand for streaming content from abroad; the uptake of cloud-based applications for both business and individuals is also creating a heightened demand for affordable services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 22 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 112 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-787, 939; landing points for the GTMO-PR, AMX-1, BRUSA, GCN, PCCS, SAm-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas-II, Antillas, ARCOS, SMPR-1, and Taino-Carib submarine cables providing connectivity to the mainland US, Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "more than 30 TV stations; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json index 46685fa3..2904e5a8 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json @@ -878,17 +878,6 @@ "text": "119 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 33 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is 120 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-869; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the SSCS submarine cables providing connectivity for numerous Caribbean Islands (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "national state-operated TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription available for local and international channels; national state-operated radio network; mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasters with about 15 radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -964,7 +953,7 @@ "text": "St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF); Regular Force, Coast Guard Force (SKNDF Coast Guard), Reserve Force, Cadet Force

Ministry of National Security: the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (2025)" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "a few hundred active personnel (2024)" + "text": "estimated 200 active Defense Forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the SKNDF is lightly armed with equipment from Belgium, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json index 33ea918a..e00a572e 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json @@ -952,17 +952,6 @@ "text": "96 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "an adequate system that is automatically switched; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 8 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 96 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-758; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to numerous Caribbean islands; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; mix of state-owned and privately owned radio broadcasters with about 25 stations, including repeater transmission stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json index ed819be2..69b7c75d 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json @@ -457,17 +457,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "fully integrated access; 4G and LTE services (2019)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems, 3 FM channels, no broadcasting (2018)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 590; landing points for the SSCS and the Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing voice and data connectivity to numerous Caribbean Islands (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 local TV broadcasters; 5 FM radio channels (2021)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json index c138553e..79b1140a 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json @@ -979,17 +979,6 @@ "text": "131 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "excellent international service; good local service; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launch; regulatory development; major growth in mobile telephony and data segments which attacks operation investment in fiber infrastructure; moves to end roaming charges (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 21 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity 131 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-868; landing points for the EC Link, ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber, SG-SCS and Americas II submarine cable systems provide connectivity to US, parts of the Caribbean and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "6 free-to-air TV networks, 2 of which are state-owned; 24 subscription providers (cable and satellite); over 36 radio frequencies (2019)" }, @@ -1072,7 +1061,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 5,000 TTDF personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 5,000 Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the TTDF's ground force inventory consists of light weapons, while the Coast Guard and Air Guard field mostly secondhand equipment from a mix of countries, including Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json index e9934320..a4915f2e 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json @@ -726,17 +726,6 @@ "text": "110 (2004 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "is connected to the internet via a single submarine fiber-optic cable (Arcos-1), which links the US and several Caribbean countries (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 9 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-649; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable providing connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no local terrestrial TV stations; broadcasts from the Bahamas, multi-channel cable, and satellite TV available; state-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters, with a total of about 15 stations" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json index 9d027caa..568d592f 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json @@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

", + "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)", "note": "note: Curaçao is one of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; the other three are the Netherlands, Aruba, and Sint Maarten" }, "Independence": { @@ -709,17 +709,6 @@ "text": "88 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "fully automatic modern telecommunications system; telecom sector across the Caribbean region continues to be one of the growth areas; given the lack of economic diversity in the region, with a high dependence on tourism and activities such as fisheries and offshore financial services the telecom sector contributes greatly to the GDP (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 28 per 100 users for fixed-line and 88 per 100 users for cellular-mobile (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - +599, PCCS submarine cable system to US, Caribbean and Central and South America (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government-run TeleCuracao operates a TV station and a radio station; 2 other privately owned TV stations and several privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json index 0bc96da5..073b40dd 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json @@ -904,17 +904,6 @@ "text": "100 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "adequate island-wide, fully automatic telephone system; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 11 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-784; landing points for the ECFS, CARCIP and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to US and Caribbean Islands; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "St. Vincent and the Grenadines Broadcasting Corporation operates 1 TV station and 5 repeater stations that provide near total coverage to the multi-island state; multi-channel cable TV service available; a partially government-funded national radio service broadcasts on 1 station and has 2 repeater stations; about a dozen privately owned radio stations and repeater stations" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json index 39797c10..6c09f7de 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json @@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor" }, - "note": "note; on 5 May 2022, Premier Andrew FAHIE was removed from office by a no confidence vote in House of Assembly following his arrest on drug trafficking and money laundering charges on 28 April 2022; Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY sworn in as premier on 5 May 2022" + "note": "note: on 5 May 2022, Premier Andrew FAHIE was removed from office by a no-confidence vote in the House of Assembly after his arrest on drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges; Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY was sworn in as premier on 5 May 2022" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -675,17 +675,6 @@ "text": "121 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections exceed 22 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-284; landing points for PCCS, ECFS, CBUS, Deep Blue Cable, East-West, PAN-AM, Americas-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Columbus- IIb, St Thomas - St Croix System, Taino-Carib, and Americas I- North via submarine cable to Caribbean, Central and South America, and US (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations" }, diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json index c8e04816..2f53058f 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json @@ -679,17 +679,6 @@ "text": "80 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expansion of FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development and expansion in several markets point to investment and focus on data (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 76 per 100 persons, with mobile-cellular 80 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-340; landing points for the BSCS, St Thomas-ST Croix System, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas II, GCN, MAC, PAN-AM and SAC submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "about a dozen TV stations, including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available; 24 radio stations" }, diff --git a/central-asia/kg.json b/central-asia/kg.json index 93f33fee..42f795f1 100644 --- a/central-asia/kg.json +++ b/central-asia/kg.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -1062,17 +1062,6 @@ "text": "130 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the country’s telecom sector (specifically the mobile segment) has been able to prosper; Kyrgyzstan has opened up its telecom market to competition; the mobile market has achieved high levels of penetration (140% in 2021) along with a fairly competitive operating environment with four major players; mobile broadband has come along strongly, reaching over 125% penetration in 2019 before falling back slightly during the COVID-19 crisis; slow-to-moderate growth is expected for both segments in coming years, supported by the anticipated rollout of 5G services which began testing in 2022 with a pilot service in 2023 which has been delayed into 2024 (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions 5 per 100; mobile-cellular subscribership up to over 130 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 996; connections with other CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, 9 members post-Soviet Republics in EU) countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-funded public TV broadcaster NTRK operates Ala-Too 24 news channel and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR is a state-owned TV station; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 TV stations are struggling to increase Kyrgyz-language content to 60% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; several Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations  (2023)" }, @@ -1114,7 +1103,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic: Land Forces (Kygyz Army), Air Defense Forces (Kyrgyz Air Force)

Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Guard, Internal Security Service

State Committee for National Security: Border Guard Service (2025)" + "text": "Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic: Land Forces (Kygyz Army), Air Defense Forces (Kyrgyz Air Force), National Guard of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Security Service

State Committee for National Security: Border Guard Service (2025)" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2022": { @@ -1134,7 +1123,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty troops (9,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Air Force/Air Defense; 3,000 National Guard) (2023)" + "text": "limited available information; estimated 10-15,000 active Armed Forces, including the National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Kyrgyz military inventory is comprised almost entirely of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment; in recent years, the military has acquired small amounts of material from other suppliers such as Turkey, which provided unmanned aerial vehicles/drones (2024)" diff --git a/central-asia/kz.json b/central-asia/kz.json index ffbfe185..49c32724 100644 --- a/central-asia/kz.json +++ b/central-asia/kz.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)" @@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)" @@ -568,8 +568,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Olzhas BEKTENOV elected as prime minister; 69-0 in parliament

2022: Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Kassym-Jomart TOKAYEV (Amanat) 81.3%, Zhiguli DAYRABAEV (Auyl) 3.4%, Qaraqat or Karakat ÄBDEN (KÄQŪA) 2.6%, Meyram KAZHYKEN (Amanat) 2.5%, Nurlan AUYESBAYEV (NSDP) 2.2%, Saltanat TURSYNBEKOVA (QA-DJ) 2.1%, other 5.8%

2019: Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV elected president; percent of vote - Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (Amanat) 71%, Amirzhan KOSANOV (Ult Tagdyry) 16.2%, Daniya YESPAYEVA (Ak Zhol) 5.1%, other 7.7%" - }, - "note": "note: Prime Minister Alikhan SMAILOV resigned on 5 February 2024" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1128,17 +1127,6 @@ "text": "130 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Kazakhstan has one of the most developed telecommunications sectors in the region; this is especially true of the mobile segment, where the country has the second fastest average mobile data rates in Central Asia after Azerbaijan; the competing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have built extensive Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks: about 76% of mobile subscribers were on LTE as of March 2024, while the company’s LTE network provided 89% geographic coverage; this widespread network coverage, as well as the development of 5G networks, has been encouraged by the government with the second stage of its Digital Kazakhstan program, by which most settlements across the country will be furnished with mobile internet connectivity; the remaining rural villages will be covered by satellite services; at the turn of the century, Kazakhstan had a relatively high fixed-line tele density thanks to efforts to invest in the fixed-line infrastructure and in next-generation networks; the gobal demand for traditional voice services are decreasing as customers are increasingly attracted to the flexibility of the mobile platform for voice as well as data services

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed telephone subscriptions are 15 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriber base 130 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 7; international traffic with other former Soviet republics and China carried by landline and microwave radio relay and with other countries by satellite and by the TAE fiber-optic cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; there are 96 TV channels, and 4 state-run radio stations; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; small number of commercial radio stations; all media outlets have to register with the government (2018)" }, @@ -1188,7 +1176,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces

Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police, National Guard

Committee for National Security (KNB): Border Guard Service (2024)", + "text": "Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces (Army of Kazakhstan), Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces

Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police, National Guard

Committee for National Security (KNB): Border Guard Service (2025)", "note": "note: the National Guard is a gendarmerie type force administered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also serves the Ministry of Defense; it is responsible for fighting crime, maintaining public order, and ensuring public safety; other duties include anti-terrorism operations, guarding prisons, riot control, and territorial defense in time of war" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1209,13 +1197,13 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 40,000 active-duty personnel (25,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Naval Forces; 12,000 Air and Air Defense Forces); approximately 30,000 National Guard (2023)" + "text": "available information varies widely; estimated 50,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 30,000 National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { - "text": "the Kazakh military's inventory is comprised of mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, other suppliers have included China, France, Israel, South Korea, and Turkey; Kazakhstan has a defense industry capable of assembling or producing such items as naval vessels, combat vehicles, helicopters, and radar systems (2024)" + "text": "the Kazakh military's inventory is comprised of mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, other suppliers have included China, France, Israel, South Korea, and Turkey; Kazakhstan has a defense industry capable of assembling or producing such items as naval vessels, combat vehicles, helicopters, and radar systems (2025)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "all men 18-27 are required to serve in the military for 12-24 months; women may volunteer (2023)", + "text": "men 18-27 are subject to conscription for 12-24 months; conscripts may be assigned to the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Service, the State Security Service, or the Ministry of Emergency Situations; women may volunteer (2025)", "note": "note: as of 2022, more than 10,000 women served in the Armed Forces and the National Guard" }, "Military - note": { diff --git a/central-asia/rs.json b/central-asia/rs.json index f3370282..49a07df3 100644 --- a/central-asia/rs.json +++ b/central-asia/rs.json @@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Yenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnepr (Dnieper) river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Yenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnepr (Dnieper) river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Arctic Ocean drainage: Kolyma (679,934 sq km), Lena (2,306,743 sq km), Ob (2,972,493 sq km), Pechora (289,532 sq km), Yenisei (2,554,388 sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Caspian Sea basin) Volga (1,410,951 sq km)" @@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Yenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnepr (Dnieper) river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Yenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnepr (Dnieper) river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Arctic Ocean drainage: Kolyma (679,934 sq km), Lena (2,306,743 sq km), Ob (2,972,493 sq km), Pechora (289,532 sq km), Yenisei (2,554,388 sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Caspian Sea basin) Volga (1,410,951 sq km)" @@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2024: Vladimir PUTIN reelected president; percent of vote - Vladimir PUTIN (independent) 88.5%, Nikolay KHARITONOV (Communist Party) 4.4%, Vladislav DAVANKOV (New People party) 3.9%, Leonid SLUTSKY (Liberal Democrats) 3.2%

2018: Vladimir PUTIN reelected president; percent of vote - Vladimir PUTIN (independent) 77.5%, Pavel GRUDININ (CPRF) 11.9%, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKIY (LDPR) 5.7%, other 4.9%; Mikhail MISHUSTIN (independent) approved as premier by Duma; vote - 383 to 0

" }, - "note": "note: there is also a Presidential Administration that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president" + "note": "note: a Presidential Administration provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1183,17 +1183,6 @@ "text": "169 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom market is the largest in Europe, supported by a population of about 143 million; the overall market is dominated by the western regions, particularly Moscow and St Petersburg which are the main cities and economic centers; many other regions in the east and north of the country were settled during the Soviet period; the telecommunication companies continue to deploy and modernize fixed-line network infrastructure to offer improved broadband services as well as a range of IP-delivered content; the number of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connections continues to decrease as subscribers are migrated to fiber; the development of 5G services has been hindered by the lack of frequencies; the 3.4GHz range commonly used for 5G in Europe has been restricted for use in Russia by the military and intelligence agencies; the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have an equal share in a joint venture, New Digital Solutions, aimed at developing a strategy to deploy 5G using a shared network

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "16 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular is 169 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 7; landing points for the Far East Submarine Cable System, HSCS, Sakhalin-Kuril Island Cable, RSCN, BCS North-Phase 2, Kerch Strait Cable and the Georgia-Russian submarine cable system connecting Russia, Japan, Finland, Georgia and Ukraine; satellite earth stations provide access to Intelsat, Intersputnik, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Orbita systems (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "13 national TV stations: the federal government owns 1 and controls a second, state-owned Gazprom controls 2, state-affiliated Bank Rossiya controls 2, Moscow city administration runs 1, the Russian Orthodox Church owns 1, and the Russian military owns 1; around 3,300 national, regional, and local TV stations, with over two-thirds completely or partially state-controlled; satellite TV available; 2 state-run national radio networks, with a third majority-owned by Gazprom; around 2,400 public and commercial radio stations" }, @@ -1269,7 +1258,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Ground Troops (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily, VKS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), and Missile Troops of Strategic Purpose (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN) referred to commonly as Strategic Rocket Forces, are independent \"combat arms,\" not subordinate to any of the three branches

Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation (FSVNG, National Guard, Russian Guard, or Rosgvardiya)

Federal Security Services (FSB): Federal Border Guard Service (includes land and maritime forces) (2024)", + "text": "Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Ground Troops (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily, VKS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), and Missile Troops of Strategic Purpose (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN) referred to commonly as Strategic Rocket Forces, are independent \"combat arms,\" not subordinate to any of the three branches

Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation (FSVNG, National Guard, Russian Guard, or Rosgvardiya)

Federal Security Services (FSB): Federal Border Guard Service (includes land and maritime forces) (2025)", "note": "note 1: the Air Force and Aerospace Defense Forces were merged into the VKS in 2015; VKS responsibilities also include launching military and dual‐use satellites, maintaining military satellites, and monitoring and defending against space threats; in 2024, the Russian Government announced plans to create an Unmanned Systems Force branch in 2025

note 2: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service, Investigative Committee, Office of the Prosecutor General, and National Guard are responsible for law enforcement; the Federal Security Service is responsible for state security, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism, as well as for fighting organized crime and corruption; the national police force, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is responsible for combating all crime

note 3: the National Guard was created in 2016 as an independent agency for internal/regime security, combating terrorism and narcotics trafficking, protecting important state facilities and government personnel, and supporting border security; it also participates in armed defense of the country’s territory in coordination with the Armed Forces; forces under the National Guard include the Special Purpose Mobile Units (OMON), Special Rapid Response Detachment (SOBR), and Interior Troops (VV); these troops were originally under the command of the Interior Ministry (MVD)" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1290,14 +1279,14 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 1.3 million Armed Forces personnel; estimated 350,000-plus Federal National Guard Troops (2024)", + "text": "estimated 1.25 million active Armed Forces; estimated 350,000 Federal National Guard Troops (2024)", "note": "note: in September 2024, President PUTIN ordered the Russian military to increase in size to 1.5 million personnel" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Russian Federation's military and paramilitary services are equipped with domestically produced weapons systems, although in recent years Russia has imported considerable amounts of military hardware from external suppliers such as Iran and North Korea; the Russian defense industry is capable of designing, developing, and producing a full range of advanced air, land, missile, and naval systems; Russia is the world's second largest exporter of military hardware (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18-30 years of age for compulsory service for men; 18-40 for voluntary/contractual service; women and non-Russian citizens (18-30) may volunteer; 12-month service obligation (Russia offers the option of serving on a 24-month contract instead of completing a 12-month conscription period); reserve obligation for non-officers to age 50 (Russian men who have completed their compulsory service to re-enter the army up to the age of 55) (2023)", + "text": "18-30 years of age for compulsory service for men; 18-40 for voluntary/contractual service; women and non-Russian citizens (18-30) may volunteer; 12-month service obligation (Russia offers the option of serving on a 24-month contract instead of completing a 12-month conscription period); reserve obligation for non-officers to age 50 (Russian men who have completed their compulsory service to re-enter the army up to the age of 55) (2024)", "note": "note 1: in 2022, Russia's parliament approved a law removing the upper age limit for contractual service in the military; also in 2022, President Vladimir PUTIN signed a decree allowing dual-national Russians and those with permanent residency status in foreign countries to be drafted into the army for military service

note 2: historically, the Russian military has taken in about 260,000 conscripts each year in two semi-annual drafts (Spring and Fall)

note 3: prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, approximately 40-45,000 women served in the Russian Armed Forces

note 4: since 2015, foreigners 18-30 with a good command of Russian have been allowed to join the military on five-year contracts and become eligible for Russian citizenship after serving three years; in October 2022, the Interior Ministry opened up recruitment centers for foreigners to sign a one-year service contract with the armed forces, other troops, or military formations participating in the invasion of Ukraine with the promise of simplifying the process of obtaining Russian citizenship" }, "Military deployments": { diff --git a/central-asia/ti.json b/central-asia/ti.json index a8f15b09..2a7c8887 100644 --- a/central-asia/ti.json +++ b/central-asia/ti.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "5,681 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea Basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea Basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (two-term limit); however, as the \"Leader of the Nation\" President RAHMON has no term limit; election last held on 11 October 2020 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president" + "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (two-term limit); however, as the \"Leader of the Nation,\" president has no term limit; election last held on 11 October 2020 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2020: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON (PDPT) 92.1%, Rustam LATIFZODA (APT) 3.1%, other 4.8%

2013: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON (PDPT) 84%, Ismoil TALBAKOV CPT) 5%, other 11%" @@ -1071,17 +1071,6 @@ "text": "119 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the size of Tajikistan’s mobile market dwarfs the fixed line segment, with an estimated penetration rate of nearly 120%; with a number of private sector companies active in the mobile market, there been more commitment to investment in network upgrades and expansion; three MNOs have all launched commercial 5G services, initially in areas of the capital city Dushanbe; the move towards higher speed mobile services should further underpin the growth in the nascent mobile broadband market, which is still estimated to be at a relatively low penetration level of 42% (at least relative to most other Asian nations) but is predicted to be a strong compound annual growth rate of more than 8% for at least the next five years; the ICT ecosystem is a complex mix of foreign operators from the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, state-owned enterprises, and telecom systems established by donors and non-governmental organizations (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line over 5 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 119 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); 3 satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run broadcaster has 9 national TV and 10 radio stations, and 4 regional stations; 31 independent TV and 20 independent radio stations broadcast locally and regionally; Russian and other foreign stations available via cable and satellite (2016)" }, @@ -1123,8 +1112,8 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan: Ground Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; Tajik National Guard (TNG)

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops of Tajikistan (ITT); police

State Committee on National Security: Tajik Border Service (TBS) (2024)", - "note": "note: the Mobile Forces are the airborne, air assault, mountain, and rapid reaction troops of the armed forces; the Tajik National Guard, formerly the Presidential Guard, is tasked with ensuring public safety and security, similar to the tasks of the Internal Troops; it also takes part in ceremonial duties" + "text": "Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan: Ground Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces

Tajik National Guard (TNG); Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops of Tajikistan; State Committee on National Security: Border Troops (aka Border Service) (2025)", + "note": "note 1: the Mobile Forces are the airborne, air assault, mountain, and rapid reaction troops of the Armed Forces

note 2: the Tajik National Guard, formerly the Presidential Guard, is a paramilitary force under direct authority of the President; it is tasked with ensuring public safety and security, similar to the tasks of the Internal Troops; it also has ceremonial duties" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2023": { @@ -1144,7 +1133,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 10,000 active-duty Armed Forces troops (7,500 Land and Mobile Forces; 1,500 Air and Air Defense Forces; 1,000 National Guard); approximately 4,000 Internal Troops (2024)" + "text": "estimated 10,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 5-10,000 active paramilitary National Guard, Border Service, and Internal Troops personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised mostly of older Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment; it also has smaller amounts of items from suppliers such as China, Turkey, and the US; in 2022, Tajikistan opened a plant to produce an Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle under license (2024)" diff --git a/central-asia/tx.json b/central-asia/tx.json index 2d5703f5..daad563a 100644 --- a/central-asia/tx.json +++ b/central-asia/tx.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)" @@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)" @@ -554,10 +554,10 @@ "text": "Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 12 March 2022 (next to be held in 2029); note - on 11 February 2022, President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV announced his intent to retire, setting up an early presidential election" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 12 March 2022 (next to be held in 2029)" }, "election results": { - "text": "2022: Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV elected president; percent of vote - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 73%, Khydyr NUNNAYEV (independent) 11.1%, Agadzhan BEKMYRADOV (IAP) 7.2%, other 8.7%; note - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV is the son of previous president Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV

2017: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3%" + "text": "2022: Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV elected president; percent of vote - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 73%, Khydyr NUNNAYEV (independent) 11.1%, Agadzhan BEKMYRADOV (IAP) 7.2%, other 8.7%

2017: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3%" }, "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, @@ -1005,17 +1005,6 @@ "text": "99 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the nation of Turkmenistan, which rivals only North Korea for its isolationism, continues to keep its telecom sector along with the broader populace under tight control; the country inched up just one point off the bottom of the world rankings for press and internet freedom in the most recent report from Reporters Without Borders; most social networks in the country are blocked, although locals do have access to the government-developed platform released in 2019; all internet users, however, need to identify themselves before logging on, and strict censorship over what can be viewed is in force; the end result is that Turkmenistan has one of the lowest usage rates for internet access in the world (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 99 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2018)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled broadcast media; 7 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes available for other broadcasts; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by removing satellite dishes" }, @@ -1065,7 +1054,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of Turkmenistan (aka Turkmen National Army): Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops, Turkmen (National) Police, Federal/State Border Guard Service (2024)" + "text": "Armed Forces of Turkmenistan (aka Turkmen National Army): Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops, Turkmen (National) Police, Federal/State Border Guard Service (2024)" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2019": { @@ -1085,13 +1074,13 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 35,000 active-duty troops (30,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 4,000 Air and Air Defense Forces) (2023)" + "text": "limited available information; estimated 35,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised largely of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment with smaller quantities of military systems from suppliers such as Brazil, China, Italy, and Turkey (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18-27 years of age for compulsory military service for men; 24-month conscript service obligation (30 months for the Navy); 20 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; men may enroll in military schools from age 15 (2023)" + "text": "18-27 years of age for compulsory military service for men and volunteer service for men and women; 24-month conscript service obligation (2025)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "the military is responsible for external defense and works closely with the Border Service on protecting the country’s borders; while Turkmenistan has a policy of permanent and \"positive\" neutrality and has declined to participate in post-Soviet military groupings such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, it has participated in multinational exercises and bilateral training with neighboring countries, including Russia and Uzbekistan; Turkmenistan joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994, but it does not offer any military forces to NATO-led operations

in recent years, Turkmenistan has made efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities on the Caspian Sea, including expanding ship building capabilities, building a new naval base, and adding larger vessels to the Navy’s inventory; in 2018, Turkmenistan opened its first naval shipyard, and in 2021 the Navy commissioned its largest warship, a corvette that was jointly constructed with Turkey, to complement a small existing force of coastal patrol craft (2023)" diff --git a/central-asia/uz.json b/central-asia/uz.json index 441a490b..18fe57af 100644 --- a/central-asia/uz.json +++ b/central-asia/uz.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)" @@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonom respublikasi), and 3 cities** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati [Bukhara Province], Farg'ona Viloyati [Fergana Province], Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Shahri, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Shahri [Samarkand City], Samarqand Viloyati [Samarkand Province], Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City]**, Toshkent Viloyati [Nurafshon], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)  

", + "text": "12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonom respublikasi), and 3 cities** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati [Bukhara Province], Farg'ona Viloyati [Fergana Province], Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Shahri, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Shahri [Samarkand City], Samarqand Viloyati [Samarkand Province], Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City]**, Toshkent Viloyati [Nurafshon], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch)  ", "note": "note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses) " }, "Independence": { @@ -1101,17 +1101,6 @@ "text": "103 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Uzbekistan’s telecom markets both wireline and wireless have been playing \"catch up\" in terms of their development following the country's independence from the former Soviet Union; the government has formally adopted the principles of operating as a market economy, many elements of the old centrally planned economic model remain; this has had the effect of reducing the level of interest from foreign companies and investors in building out the necessary underlying infrastructure, which in turn has constrained the rate of growth in the country’s telecoms sector; the last five years has seen an upswing in prospects for the sector as fiber network roll outs continue beyond the main urban centers, while the mobile market experiences some consolidation for stronger, more efficient competitors; growth is present in the fixed broadband segment with penetration projected to reach 24% by 2027 (a 5-year CAGR of 6.2%); despite the promising signs in the fixed markets, it is the mobile segment that continues to dominate Uzbekistan’s telecoms sector in terms of penetration, revenue, and growth;  there are four major operators providing a modicum of competition; three of the four are government owned entities (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 16 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity of 103 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; the country also has a link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; Uzbekistan has supported the national fiber-optic backbone project of Afghanistan since 2008" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled media; 17 state-owned broadcasters, including 13 TV and 4 radio, with national service; about 20 privately owned TV stations, overseen by local officials, broadcast locally; privately owned TV stations required to lease transmitters from state-owned Republic TV and Radio Industry Corporation (2019)" }, @@ -1174,13 +1163,13 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 50,000 active-duty troops (2025)" + "text": "limited available information; estimated 50,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Uzbek Armed Forces use mainly Russian or Soviet-era weapons and equipment with smaller quantities of items from suppliers such as China, Turkey, and the US; Uzbekistan has a small defense industry, which is involved in repairing and maintaining aircraft and armored vehicles, as well as producing light armored vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles/drones, and other military items (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 12-month conscript service obligation for men (those conscripted have the option of paying for a shorter service of 1 month while remaining in the reserves until the age of 27) (2023)", + "text": "18-27 years of age for compulsory military service for men; 12-month service obligation (those conscripted have the option of paying for a shorter service of one month while remaining in the reserves until the age of 27) (2024)", "note": "note: Uzbek citizens who have completed their service terms in the armed forces have privileges in employment and admission to higher educational institutions" }, "Military - note": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json index 428c07b6..fe6daa6a 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "17,140 sq km (2020)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -566,18 +566,18 @@ "text": "Prime Minister, State Administration Council Chair, Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 1 August 2021)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief; note - on 2 February 2021, the military leadership replaced the Cabinet with the State Administrative Council (SAC), which is the official name of the military government in Burma" + "text": "Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "prior to the military takeover in 2021, president was indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates become vice presidents (president elected for a 5-year term); general election last held on 8 November 2020; the military junta has pledged to hold new general elections but has repeatedly announced delays" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2020:  the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 396 seats across both houses, well above the 322 required for a parliamentary majority, which would have ensured that its preferred candidates would be elected president and second vice president in the Presidential Electoral College; however, on 1 February 2021 the military claimed the results of the election were illegitimate and launched a coup d'état that deposed State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and President WIN MYINT of the NLD, causing military-affiliated Vice President MYINT SWE (USDP) to become Acting President; MYINT SWE subsequently handed power to coup leader MIN AUNG HLAING; WIN MYINT and other key leaders of the ruling NLD party were placed under arrest following the military takeover

2018: WIN MYINT elected president in an indirect by-election held on 28 March 2018 after the resignation of HTIN KYAW; Assembly of the Union vote for president - WIN MYINT (NLD) 403, MYINT SWE (USDP) 211, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 18, 4 votes canceled (636 votes cast)" + "text": "
2020:  the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 396 seats across both houses -- well above the 322 required for a parliamentary majority -- but on 1 February 2021, the military claimed the results of the election were illegitimate and deposed State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and President WIN MYINT of the NLD, causing military-affiliated Vice President MYINT SWE (USDP) to become acting president; MYINT SWE subsequently handed power to coup leader MIN AUNG HLAING; WIN MYINT and other key leaders of the ruling NLD party were placed under arrest after the military takeover

2018: WIN MYINT elected president in an indirect by-election held on 28 March 2018 after the resignation of HTIN KYAW; Assembly of the Union vote for president - WIN MYINT (NLD) 403, MYINT SWE (USDP) 211, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 18, 4 votes canceled (636 votes cast)" }, "state counsellor": { "text": "State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); note - under arrest since 1 February 2021; formerly served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Office of the President" }, - "note": "note 1: the military took over the government on 1 February 2021 and declared a state of emergency

note 2: prior to the military takeover, the a state counsellor served the equivalent term of the president and was similar to a prime minister in that the holder acted as a link between the parliament and the executive branch


" + "note": "note 1: the military took over the government on 1 February 2021 and declared a state of emergency; they replaced the Cabinet with the State Administrative Council (SAC), which is the official name of the military government in Burma

note 2: prior to the military takeover, the state counsellor served the equivalent term of the president and was similar to a prime minister" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1067,17 +1067,6 @@ "text": "107 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Burma, one of the least developed telecom markets in Asia, saw growth in mobile and broadband services through expanded foreign access and investment in the 2010s and roll outs 4G and limited 5G network infrastructures; infrastructure expansion has been challenged by armed conflict, severe weather events, unreliable electricity, inefficient bureaucracy, and decreased foreign investment since the 2021 military coup; digital divide affects rural areas; fixed broadband remains low due to number of fixed-lines and widespread installation of the mobile network platforms; multiple m-banking platforms; tests for NB-IoT; benefit from launch of regional satellite; government censors online content and restricts Internet and mobile network quality in political crisis (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is just under 1 per 100, while mobile-cellular is roughly 126 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 95; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, SeaMeWe-5, AAE-1 and Singapore-Myanmar optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2, Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and ShinSat (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations, with 1 controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; 1 state-controlled radio station; 9 FM stations are joint state-private ventures; several international broadcasts are available in some areas; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite; in 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters for digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV); after the 2021 military coup, the regime revoked the media licenses of most independent outlets, including the free-to-air licenses for DVB and Mizzima (2022)" }, @@ -1171,7 +1160,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 150,000 active armed forces personnel (2024)", + "text": "information varies; estimated 150,000 active military personnel (2025)", "note": "note: the Tatmadaw has reportedly suffered heavy personnel losses in the ongoing fighting against anti-regime forces" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json index e3941be3..bbcd1845 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json @@ -519,12 +519,12 @@ "text": "Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade" + "text": "Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "none; the monarchy is hereditary" }, - "note": "note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note 1: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government, as well as Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade

note 2: 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for Constitutional Issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -966,17 +966,6 @@ "text": "118 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Brunei’s mobile market experienced drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020; in 2022 there was a concerted effort to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services, which was activated in June 2023; Brunei’s fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years; this upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country; strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative; fixed broadband is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth; mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020; Brunei’s 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "25 per 100 fixed-line, 136 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters" }, @@ -1062,7 +1051,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 7,000 active RBAF troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 7,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's s inventory includes equipment and weapons systems from a wide variety of suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json index a7950438..6454cb1e 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch" + "text": "monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; after legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch" }, "note": "note:  MANET succeeded his father, HUN SEN, who had been prime minister since 1985" }, @@ -1051,17 +1051,6 @@ "text": "116 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Cambodia’s mobile-dominated telecoms sector spent much of 2020 battling two major challenges: the global pandemic, and the government’s retraction of trial licenses for the rollout of 5G; citing concerns about waste and inefficiency occurring if each operator built a separate 5G infrastructure in order to maximize their own network’s coverage (and, presumably, to capture greater market share), the regulator withdrew the licenses that the operators had been using for their 5G trials; this was despite all of the operators having already announced a successful completion of their trials; more than a year later, the market is still waiting on the government to release its 5G policy and roadmap, along with the allocation of spectrum and approvals to permit commercial operation; there is little expectation of any further progress happening before the start of 2022; the mobile network operators have maintained their focus and investment strategies on upgrading and expanding their existing LTE networks around the country, and to 5G-enable their base stations; when the 5G market eventually arrives, the underlying infrastructure will at least be ready to support a rapid adoption of the higher-value applications and services; the mobile market fell back slightly during 2020 and 2021 (in terms of total subscriber numbers) as the Covid-19 crisis wore on, but it remains in relatively good health as mobile users increased their data usage over the period; the mobile broadband market experienced a small but very rare contraction in 2020, although rates were already very high in this area; there is likely to be a quick rebound to previous levels once economic conditions stabilize, followed by a modest rates of growth over the next five years; the number of fixed telephony lines in service continues to fall sharply as customers migrate to mobile platforms for both voice and data; the lack of any widespread fixed-line infrastructure has had a flow-on effect in the fixed-line broadband market, a sector that also remains largely under-developed (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is about 120 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 855; landing points for MCT and AAE-1 via submarine cables providing communication to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 27 TV stations, with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station with multiple locations and 11 stations either jointly operated or privately owned, some with several locations; multi-channel cable and satellite systems; 84 radio stations, including 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a mix of public and private broadcasters; one international broadcaster is available, as well as one TV station that is jointly run by China and the Ministry of Interior; several TV and radio operators broadcast online only (often via Facebook) (2019)" }, @@ -1156,7 +1145,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 200,000 Armed Forces personnel, including Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "information varies; estimated 200,000 Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the RCAF is armed largely with older Chinese and Russian-origin equipment; in recent years it has received limited amounts of more modern equipment from several suppliers, particularly China (2024)", diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json index 6910f18e..3171af55 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json @@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Lancang Jiang (Mekong) river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Yarlung Zangbo Jiang (Brahmaputra) river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Yin-tu Ho (Indus) river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Nu Jiang (Salween) river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Zhu Jiang (Pearl) (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Yuan Jiang (Red river) source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Lancang Jiang (Mekong) river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Yarlung Zangbo Jiang (Brahmaputra) river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Yin-tu Ho (Indus) river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Nu Jiang (Salween) river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Zhu Jiang (Pearl) (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Yuan Jiang (Red river) source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km), Huang He (944,970 sq km), Mekong (805,604 sq km), Yangtze (1,722,193 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Ob (2,972,493 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)" @@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Lancang Jiang (Mekong) river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Yarlung Zangbo Jiang (Brahmaputra) river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Yin-tu Ho (Indus) river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Nu Jiang (Salween) river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Zhu Jiang (Pearl) (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Yuan Jiang (Red river) source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Lancang Jiang (Mekong) river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Yarlung Zangbo Jiang (Brahmaputra) river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Yin-tu Ho (Indus) river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Nu Jiang (Salween) river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Zhu Jiang (Pearl) (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Yuan Jiang (Red river) source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km), Huang He (944,970 sq km), Mekong (805,604 sq km), Yangtze (1,722,193 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Ob (2,972,493 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)" @@ -714,9 +714,6 @@ "selected World Heritage Site locales": { "text": "

Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (c); Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (c); The Great Wall (c); Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (c); Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n); Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (c); Ancient Ancient City of Ping Yao (c); Historic Center of Macau (c); Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” (c); The Grand Canal (c); Mount Huangshan (m);Mogao Caves (c);Mount Taishan (m);Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian(c);Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n);Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n);Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (c);Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (c);Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (c);Lushan National Park (c);Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (m); Classical Gardens of Suzhou (c);Old Town of Lijiang (c);Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (c); Dazu Rock Carvings (c); Mount Wuyi (m); Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun (c);Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (c); Longmen Grottoes (c); Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (c); Yungang Grottoes (c); Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (n); Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (c);Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains (c);Yin Xu (c);Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (c);South China Karst (n);Fujian Tulou (c);Mount Sanqingshan National Park (n);Mount Wutai (c);China Danxia (n)West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (c);Chengjiang Fossil Site (n);Site of Xanadu (c)Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces(c);Xinjiang Tianshan (n);Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c);Tusi Sites (c);Hubei Shennongjia (n);Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (c);Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement (c);Qinghai Hoh Xil (n);Fanjingshan (n);Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (c);Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (n);Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China (c; )Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er (c); Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes (n); Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital(c)

" } - }, - "Government - note": { - "text": "in 2018, the Beijing established an investigatory National Supervisory Commission to oversee all state employees" } }, "Economy": { @@ -1146,17 +1143,6 @@ "text": "125 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "China has the largest Internet market in the world with almost all subscribers accessing Internet through mobile devices; market is driven through government-allied investment; fast-developing data center market; government aims to provide universal and affordable broadband coverage through market competition and private investment in state-controlled enterprises; 3G and LTE subscribers will migrate to 5G aiming for 2 million 5G base stations by the end of 2022; government strengthens IoT policies to boost economic growth; China is pushing development of smart cities beyond Beijing; Beijing residents carry virtual card integrating identity, social security, health, and education documents; government controls gateways to global Internet through censorship, surveillance, and shut-downs; major exporter of broadcasting equipment world-wide (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 13 per 100 fixed line and 122 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 86; landing points for the RJCN, EAC-C2C, TPE, APCN-2, APG, NCP, TEA, SeaMeWe-3, SJC2, Taiwan Strait Express-1, AAE-1, APCN-2, AAG, FEA, FLAG and TSE submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "all broadcast media are owned by, or affiliated with, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or a government agency; no privately owned TV or radio stations; state-run Chinese Central TV, provincial, and municipal stations offer more than 2,000 channels; the Central Propaganda Department and local (provincial, municipal) officials direct news reporting and approve all programming; foreign-made TV programs must be approved/censored prior to broadcast; widespread use of online platforms (Bilibili, Tencent Video, iQiyi, etc) to access domestic and international films and TV shows; Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) regulates video platforms (2022)" }, @@ -1247,7 +1233,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2 million active-duty troops (950,000-1 million Ground; 250,000 Navy, including about 50,000 Marines; 350-400,000 Air Force; 120,000 Rocket Forces; 150-175,000 other forces) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 2 million active-duty PLA (950,000-1 million Ground; 250,000 Navy, including about 50,000 Marines; 350-400,000 Air Force; 120,000 Rocket Forces; 150-175,000 other forces) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the PLA has a mix of mostly modern domestically produced and imported weapons and equipment; most of its imported weaponry has come from Russia; China has one of the world's largest defense-industrial sectors and is capable of producing advanced weapons systems across all military domains (2024)", diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json index e574088e..13da2189 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json @@ -901,17 +901,6 @@ "text": "292 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector continues to stay near the top of world rankings for the industry; it has kept its #1 spot in the Asian region in terms of the maturity of its telecom market – a reflection of the high penetration rates across mobile, mobile broadband, and fixed broadband; even fixed-line teledensity in Hong Kong is impressive at over 50%, although it too has started a gradual decline in keeping with most other telecom markets around the world, as consumers slowly transition over to the mobile platform for all of their communication needs (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is over 51 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 319 subscriptions per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 852; landing points for the AAE-1, AAG, APCN-2, APG, ASE, FEA, FNAL, RNAL, H2HE, SeaMeWe-3, SJC and TGN-IA submarine cables that provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China (2022)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "34 commercial terrestrial TV networks, each with multiple stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; 3 licensed broadcasters, one of which is government-funded, operate about 12 radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json index 5ea3e4c5..65d65310 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json @@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "major concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated" @@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { @@ -1120,17 +1120,6 @@ "text": "115 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Indonesia faces more than the usual number of obstacles in terms of enabling widespread access to quality telecommunications services for its population of more than 270 million; the geographical challenges have been further compounded by a variety of social, political, and economic problems over the years that have kept the country’s wealth distributed very thinly; the fixed-line (fiber) and mobile operators have continued to expand and upgrade their networks across the country; Indonesia’s 18,000 islands (many of which, however, are sparsely populated) makes the deployment of fixed-line infrastructure on a broad scale difficult; there has been renewed activity in fiber optic cable, but the bundling of fixed-line telephony with TV and internet services will see the country’s teledensity stabilize; mobile subscriptions have reached more than 130% and is projected to exceed 150% by 2026; with 4G LTE universally available, the major mobile companies have been busy launching 5G services in selected areas; the rollout of 5G will be hampered by the lack of availability of suitable frequencies; the 4G had to be reallocated from broadcasting services, and indications are that the same process is going to have to be followed in order to allow the expansion of 5G into its core frequency bands (3.3 to 4.2GHz) (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscribership roughly 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular 134 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 62; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 5, DAMAI, JASUKA, BDM, Dumai-Melaka Cable System, IGG, JIBA, Link 1, 3, 4,  & 5, PGASCOM, B3J2, Tanjung Pandam-Sungai Kakap Cable System, JAKABARE, JAYABAYA, INDIGO-West, Matrix Cable System, ASC, SJJK, Jaka2LaDeMa, S-U-B Cable System, JBCS, MKCS, BALOK, Palapa Ring East, West and Middle, SMPCS Packet-1 and 2, LTCS, TSCS, SEA-US and Kamal Domestic Submarine Cable System, 35 submarine cable networks that provide links throughout Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of about a dozen national TV networks, including 1 public broadcaster and the rest private; more than 100 local TV stations; widespread use of satellite and cable TV systems; public radio broadcaster operates 6 national networks, as well as regional and local stations; more than 700 radio stations, with over 650 privately operated (2019)" }, @@ -1225,7 +1214,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 400,000 active TNI troops, including about 300,000 Army (2025)" + "text": "approximately 400,000 active Armed Forces, including about 300,000 Army (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a wide mix of Chinese, Russian, and Western (including US) equipment; in recent years, major suppliers have included China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the US; the TNI has been engaged in a modernization program for more than a decade; Indonesia has a growing defense industry fueled by technology transfers and cooperation agreements with several countries; in 2019, the Indonesian Government said that growing its domestic defense industry would be a national priority over the following decade (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json index 39cb406c..bfde1169 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json @@ -1119,17 +1119,6 @@ "text": "168 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Japan has one of the best developed telecom markets globally, the fixed-line segment remains stagnant and the focus for growth is in the mobile sector; the MNOs have shifted their investment from LTE to 5G, and growth in 5G showed early promise although there have been recent setbacks; these have partly been attributed to the economic difficulties, the impact of restrictions imposed during the pandemic, and unfavorable investment climate (not helped by the delay of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021), and to restrictions in the supply of 5G-enabled devices; the fixed broadband market is dominated by fiber, with a strong cable platform also evident; fiber will continue to increase its share of the fixed broadband market, largely at the expense of DSL; the mobile market is dominated by three MNOs, mobile broadband subscriber growth is expected to be relatively low over the next five years, partly due to the high existing subscriptions though growth has been stimulated by measures which have encouraged people to school and work from home; there has also been a boost in accessing entertainment via mobile devices since 2020 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "49 per 100 for fixed-line and 161 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 81; numerous submarine cables with landing points for HSCS, JIH, RJCN, APCN-2, JUS, EAC-C2C, PC-1, Tata TGN-Pacific, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, APCN-2, FASTER, SJC, SJC2, Unity/EAC-Pacific, JGA-N, APG, ASE, AJC, JUPITER, MOC, Okinawa Cellular Cable, KJCN, GOKI, KJCN, and SeaMeWE-3, submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and US; satellite earth stations - 7 Intelsat (Pacific and Indian Oceans), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), 2 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions), and 8 SkyPerfect JSAT (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "a mix of public and commercial TV and radio stations; 5 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; large number of radio and TV stations; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2023)" }, @@ -1234,7 +1223,7 @@ "note": "note: the Japanese Government in 2022 pledged to increase defense expenditures to 2% of GDP in line with NATO standards by March 2028; if the planned increase occurs, Japan would have the world's third largest defense budget" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 230-240,000 active Self Defense Force personnel (145-150,000 Ground; 40-45,000 Maritime; 40-45,000 Air) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 230-240,000 active Self Defense Forces (145-150,000 Ground; 40-45,000 Maritime; 40-45,000 Air) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the JSDF is equipped with a mix of imported and domestically produced equipment; Japan has a robust defense industry and is capable of producing a wide range of air, ground, and naval weapons systems; the majority of its weapons imports are from the US and some domestically produced weapons are US-origin and manufactured under license (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json index 02c59551..218d1c71 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json @@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2019: KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed" }, - "note": "note 1: KIM Jong Un's titles include general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (KWP), chairman of the KWP Central Military Commission, president of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army

note 2: within the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define \"the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission\" as \"the supreme leader who represents the state\"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, however, KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011

note 3: the head of government functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials" + "note": "note 1: KIM Jong Un's titles include general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (KWP), chairman of the KWP Central Military Commission, president of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army

note 2: in the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define \"the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission\" as \"the supreme leader who represents the state\"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, but KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011

note 3: the head of government functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -832,17 +832,6 @@ "text": "23 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "despite years of isolationism, economic under-achievement, and international sanctions, North Korea has improved its telecommunications infrastructure in the last decade; Inconsistent electric power supply and likely difficulties procuring new hardware, however, present enduring obstacles to building reliable high-speed telecom networks; mobile phone use is estimated to have increased to nearly 25% of the polulation as of 2018, yet the high cost of ownership makes mobile communications inaccessible to North Koreans of lower socioeconomic status; strict regime censorship and monitoring of telecom systems in North Korea restricts users from legally contacting anyone outside the country or accessing the global Internet; for those citizens living close to China, it has been possible to illegally obtain Chinese handsets and SIM cards, and to connect to towers located just across the border; while this offers access to the outside world and at much lower prices than the state-controlled offerings, the risks are high including steep fines and the possibility of jail time; North Korea has been effective in building an IT sector and a nascent digital economy on the back of a concerted effort to grow a sizeable, well-trained IT workforce; but even here, its capabilities have been directed more towards nefarious activities such as cyber crime and hacking into foreign countries’ computer and financial systems; North Korea’s determination to maintain ideological control of its populace by isolating itself from the rest of the world will probably lead to tighter controls on communications inside and outside of the country (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-lines are approximately 5 per 100 and mobile-cellular 23 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "no independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 state-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2019)" }, @@ -910,7 +899,7 @@ "text": "defense spending is a regime priority; between 2010 and 2020, military expenditures accounted for an estimated 20-30% of North Korea's GDP annually; spending estimates ranged from $7 billion to $11 billion annually; in 2023, North Korea announced that it would spend nearly 16% of state expenditures on defense; North Korea in the 2010s and 2020s has increasingly relied on illicit activities — including cybercrime — to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to evade US and UN sanctions" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimates vary; approximately 1-1.3 million active-duty Korean People's Army troops (2024)" + "text": "estimates vary; approximately 1-1.3 million active-duty Korean People's Army (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the KPA is equipped with older weapon systems originally acquired from the former Soviet Union, Russia, and China, and some domestically produced equipment; North Korea produces a diverse array of military hardware, including small arms, munitions, light armored vehicles, tanks, naval vessels and submarines, and some advanced weapons systems, such as cruise and ballistic missiles; most are copies or upgrades of older foreign supplied equipment (2024)", diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json index a291e86c..9affbe5a 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json @@ -1089,17 +1089,6 @@ "text": "149 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "South Korea is second only to Hong Kong in the world rankings of telecom market maturity; it is also on the leading edge of the latest telecom technology developments, including around 6G; with its highly urbanized, tech-savvy population, South Korea also enjoys very high communication levels across all segments – fixed-line telephony (44% at the start of 2022), fixed broadband (46%), mobile voice and data (144%), and mobile broadband (120%); the performance of the mobile sector is on a par with other developed markets around the region, but it’s the wire line segment that allows South Korea to stand out from the crowd; this is partly a reflection of the large proportion of its population who live in apartment buildings (around 60%), making fiber and apartment LAN connections relatively easy and cost-effective to deploy; the government’s Ultra Broadband convergence Network (UBcN) had aimed to reach 50% adoption by the end of 2022, but that target may be a few more years away; fixed-line teledensity is also at a very high level compared to most of the rest of the world, but it has been on a sharp decline from a rate of 60% ten years ago; on the mobile front, users have enthusiastically migrated from one generation of mobile platform to the next as each iteration becomes available; there also doesn’t appear to be any great concern about there being a lack of demand for 5G in South Korea (when the country is already well supported by 4G networks), with 30% of all subscribers having already made the switch; part of the reason behind the rapid transition may be the subsidized handsets on offer from each of the MNOs and the MVNOs (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line approximately 45 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 141 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 82; landing points for EAC-C2C, FEA, SeaMeWe-3, TPE, APCN-2, APG, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, KJCN, NCP, and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and US; satellite earth stations - 66 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple national TV networks, with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations" }, @@ -1192,7 +1181,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 500,000 active Armed Forces personnel (365,000 Army; 70,000 Navy, including about 30,000 Marines; 65,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 500,000 active Armed Forces (365,000 Army; 70,000 Navy, including about 30,000 Marines; 65,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the South Korean military is equipped with a mix of mostly modern domestically produced and imported weapons systems, particularly from the US; South Korea's defense industry produces a wide range of military hardware for both domestic use and export, including armored fighting vehicles, artillery, aircraft, missiles, and naval ships; it also jointly produces equipment with other countries (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json index b68b65a3..3bd8849f 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "4,410 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -1045,17 +1045,6 @@ "text": "65 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Laos joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013; one of the conditions of admittance was to establish an independent regulator for its telecom sector within two years; the government had committed to do so by February 2015 as part of the accession agreement; there still has been no sign of any firm plans being made to create an independent regulatory body; the Ministry of Technology and Communications retains the primary role in regulating the country’s telecom market; with the government also having a financial stake (in part or in whole) in every one of the major fixed-line and mobile operators, the MPT’s position and decision-making is far from what could be considered independent; sufficient returns on investment cannot be guaranteed with such strict pricing controls as well as the potential for political interference; fixed-line and mobile penetration levels have, as a result, remained much lower than what’s seen in neighboring South East Asian markets; there are signs of growth in the mobile broadband segment as LTE network coverage slowly widens and, more recently, the country’s first 5G services start to come on stream; residents in the capital will at least be able to enjoy high-speed services in the near future, while the rest of the country waits patiently to catch up with the rest of the world. (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 18 per 100 and 65 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane, with half state-operated and half commercial; 17 provincial stations, with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the state-operated stations in Vientiane; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible" }, @@ -1123,7 +1112,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces troops; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)" + "text": "information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json index e2a474a8..58d01dab 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json @@ -793,17 +793,6 @@ "text": "175 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Macau’s economy and GDP have been on a roller coaster ride since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020; the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China is heavily dependent on tourists coming from the mainland and Hong Kong to play in Macau’s many casinos, but the ensuing lock downs contributed to a dramatic fall in visitor numbers as well as income; this too, has had a major effect on the telecom sector (particularly in the mobile segment) with short-stay visitors as well as foreign workers on temporary-stay visas being forced to stay away.; total mobile subscription numbers are estimated to have dropped from a high of 2.8 million in 2019 (representing a whopping 442% penetration rate in a region with a population of just 700,000) to less than half that by the end of 2021: 1.3 million subscribers; Macau had almost the highest mobile penetration rate in the world; it is now sitting at a more ‘reasonable’ level of 200%; a significant bounce back can be expected to follow the easing of travel restrictions, although perhaps not up to the same lofty heights achieved in 2019; asecond factor behind the steep fall in 2020 was the introduction of a Cyber Security Law that required all prepaid SIM cards to become registered or face being deactivated in October 2020; the combined effect of the pandemic and the new restrictions meant that prepaid subscriber numbers fell by more than 80%; postpaid accounts, largely the domain of Macau’s permanent residents, were barely affected by the external upheaval; they continued to increase in number, year-on-year, and provided better returns to the operators thanks to substantially increased data usage during the lock downs; the mobile broadband market has experienced the same dramatic fluctuations as the broader mobile segment over the last two years, at least in terms of subscriber numbers; but this is largely because mobile broadband uptake is inextricably tied to the base mobile offering in Macau; with total mobile broadband data traffic going up, not down, between 2019 and 2021, that again points to the strength of the contract segment helping to drive future growth in Macau’s telecom sector (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 410 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 853; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; HF radiotelephone communication facility; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "local government dominates broadcast media; 2 TV stations operated by the government, with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; 1 cable TV and 4 satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2019)" }, diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json index c57a9eb9..ed220be5 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "sparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities" @@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { @@ -1059,17 +1059,6 @@ "text": "142 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "liberalized and competitive telecoms market comprises of a number of operators; fixed-line penetration increased steadily in the years to 2018 as more people took on fixed-line access for voice calls and to access copper-based broadband services; the number of lines fell in 2019, and again and more sharply in 2020, partly through the economic consequences of the pandemic (GDP fell 5.3% in 2020, year-on-year) and partly due to the migration to the mobile platform and to VoIP; fixed broadband penetration remains low, mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines and the dominance of the mobile platform; the attraction of fixed broadband as a preferred access where it is available is waning as the mobile networks are upgraded with greater capacity and capabilities; the growing popularity of mobile broadband continues to underpin overall broadband and telecom sector growth, with Mongolia’s market very much being dominated by mobile services, supported by widely available LTE; this will largely determine and shape the future direction of Mongolia’s developing digital economy (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity of 12 per 100; mobile-cellular subscribership is 140 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7 (2016)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run radio and TV provider is now a public-service provider; also available are 68 radio and 160 TV stations, including multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1138,7 +1127,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; estimated 10-20,000 active MAF troops (2025)" + "text": "information varies; estimated 10-20,000 active Mongolian Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the MAF's inventory is comprised largely of Soviet-era and Russian equipment (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json index c16f0619..1fe07f36 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json @@ -1082,17 +1082,6 @@ "text": "141 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "as part of a diverse range of initiatives designed to move the country from developing to developed status by 2025, Malaysia has enabled and encouraged open competition in its telecommunications market; the result is very high penetration levels in both the mobile (147%) and mobile broadband (127%) segments, and near-universal coverage of 4G LTE networks; steady growth is occurring as more fiber optic cable networks are being deployed around the country; consumers are the main beneficiaries of the highly competitive market; they enjoy widespread access to high-speed mobile services as well as attractive offers on bundles to keep data use up but prices low; the downside is that most of Malaysia’s MNOs and MVNOs have struggled to increase revenue in line with growth in subscriber numbers as well as demand for broadband data; while the operators have been very successful in moving a significant proportion (now over 30%) of customers from prepaid over to higher-value postpaid accounts, ARPU continues to fall year after year as a result of competitive pricing pressures; the mobile market, in particular, has become overcrowded and the government is keen to see further rationalization and consolidation with the operators; while customers will no doubt continue to enjoy high quality services at competitive rates, the new entity will be hopeful of squeezing better margins through improved economies of scale; in 2022, the government abandoned its single wholesale 5G network model and committed to deploying a dual 5G network; currently, 80 percent of Malaysia’s population is covered by 5G (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 25 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 141 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 60; landing points for BBG, FEA, SAFE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4 & 5, AAE-1, JASUKA, BDM, Dumai-Melaka Cable System, BRCS, ACE, AAG, East-West Submarine Cable System, SEAX-1, SKR1M, APCN-2, APG, BtoBe,  BaSICS, and Labuan-Brunei Submarine and MCT submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean); launch of Kacific-1 satellite in 2019 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays; the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019)" }, @@ -1189,7 +1178,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Malaysian Armed Forces have approximately 110,000 active troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 110,000 active Malaysian Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military fields a diverse array of mostly older but growing mix of modern weapons and equipment; its inventory originates from a wide variety of suppliers across Europe, Asia, and the US; Malaysia has a domestic defense industry that has some co-production agreements with countries such as France, Germany, and Turkey in such areas armored vehicles and naval vessels (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json index 16b8d804..9d7f0d8a 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json @@ -1020,17 +1020,6 @@ "text": "48 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity in Papua New Guinea has seen little change over the past two decades; progress in the country’s telecom sector has come primarily from mobile networks, where accessibility has expanded considerably in recent years, with population coverage increasing from less than 3% in 2006 to more than 90% by early 2021; the MNOs operate networks offering services based on GSM, 3G, and 4G, depending on location; GSM is prevalent in many rural and remote areas, while 3G and 4G are centered more on urban areas; MNOs’ investments in 4G are growing, though GSM still represents the bulk of all mobile connections owing to the low penetration of smartphones and the concentration of high-speed data networks predominantly in high value urban areas; a lack of sufficient competition and investment in the wire line segment has driven up prices and hampered network coverage and quality; infrastructure deployment costs are high, partly due to the relatively low subscriber base, the difficult terrain, and the high proportion of the population living in rural areas; fixed telecom infrastructure is almost non-existent outside urban centers, leaving most of the population under served; PNG is the Pacific region’s largest poorly developed telecom market, with only around 22% of its people connected to the internet; this falls far behind the recommended targets set in the country’s draft National Broadband Policy, which aimed to provide universal mobile broadband access; low international capacity has meant that internet services are slow and unreliable; two subsea cables connect PNG to Australia (landing at Sydney) and the United States (Guam); despite the improvement in recent years, the country is still impacted by a connectivity infrastructure deficit, making it reliant on more expensive alternatives such as satellites, also weighing on the affordability of services for end-users; the government granted a license to Starlink at the beginning of 2024, which should improve digital access in rural areas (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 2 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 48 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 675; landing points for the Kumul Domestic Submarine Cable System, PNG-LNG, APNG-2, CSCS the PPC-1 submarine cables to Australia, Guam, PNG and Solomon Islands; and CS² to PNG, Solomon Islands, and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2023)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "5 TV stations: 1 commercial (TV Wan), 2 state-run (National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV); 1 digital free-to-view network, and 1 satellite network (Click TV or PNGTV); the state-run NBC operates 3 radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations; several commercial radio stations with multiple transmission points as well as several community stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible (2023)" }, @@ -1115,7 +1104,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 4,000 active PNGDF troops (2025)" + "text": "estimated 4,000 active PNGDF  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the PNGDF is lightly armed; the Land Force has no heavy weapons while the Air and the Maritime forces have a handful of light aircraft and small patrol boats provided by Australia (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json index 17e57bca..1d0885f8 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json @@ -1128,17 +1128,6 @@ "text": "144 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Covid-19 pandemic had a relatively minor impact on the Philippine’s telecom sector in 2020; subscriber numbers fell in some areas, but this was offset by strong growth in mobile data and broadband usage since a significant proportion of the population transitioned to working or studying from home; major investment programs covering LTE, 5G, and fiber broadband networks suffered slight delays due to holdups in supply chains, but activity has since ramped up in an attempt to complete the roll outs as per the original schedule; the major telecom operators had mixed financial results for the past year; overall, the number of mobile subscribers is expected to grow to 153 million by the end of 2021, with the penetration rate approaching 144%; the government remains keen, and committed, to seeing strong competition, growth, and service excellence in the telecom sector, so there is likely to be continued support (financially as well as through legislation such as enabling mobile tower sharing and number portability) to ensure that the sector remains viable for emerging players; the mobile sector will remain the Philippines’ primary market for telecommunications well into the future; the unique terrain and resulting challenges associated with accessing remote parts of the archipelago means that in many areas fixed networks are neither cost-effective nor logistically viable; the bulk of telecoms investment over the coming years will continue to be in 5G and 5G-enabled LTE networks; coverage of LTE and 5G networks extends to over 95% of the population, and for the vast majority of people mobile will likely remain their only platform for telecom services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 143 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 63; landing points for the NDTN, TGN-IA, AAG, PLCN, EAC-02C, DFON, SJC, APCN-2, SeaMeWe, Boracay-Palawan Submarine Cable System, Palawa-Illoilo Cable System, NDTN, SEA-US, SSSFOIP, ASE and JUPITAR submarine cables that together provide connectivity to the US, Southeast Asia, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers; over 1,400 radio stations; was scheduled to move to digital by the end of 2023 (2019)" }, @@ -1235,7 +1224,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 145,000 active AFP personnel (105,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 8,000 Marine Corps; 15,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 145,000 active Armed Forces (105,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 8,000 Marine Corps; 15,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the AFP is equipped with a wide mix of imported weapons systems; in recent years, it has received equipment from more than a dozen countries, including Israel, South Korea, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json index 8a6148ff..3f9a0d2a 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json @@ -1025,17 +1025,6 @@ "text": "156 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "a wealthy city-state, Singapore has a highly developed ICT infrastructure; government supported near universal home broadband penetration and free public access to wireless network; the government's telecommunication regulator, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), issued awards in mid-2020 to telecom operators with the goal of having at least 50% of the city-state covered with a standalone 5G network by the end of 2022; government actively promoting Smart Nation initiative supporting digital innovation; government oversees service providers and controls Internet content; well served by submarine cable and satellite connections (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 32 per 100 and mobile-cellular 146 per 100 teledensity (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 65; landing points for INDIGO-West, SeaMeWe -3,-4,-5, SIGMAR, SJC, i2icn, PGASCOM, BSCS, IGG, B3JS, SAEx2, APCN-2, APG, ASC, SEAX-1, ASE, EAC-C2C, Matrix Cable System and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3, Bukit Timah, Seletar, and Sentosa; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2019 )" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by state-owned MediaCorp; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; 19 domestic radio stations, including 11 for MediaCorp, 5 for state-linked Singapore Press Holdings, 2 for Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association, and 1 for BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations available (2019)" }, @@ -1121,7 +1110,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 55,000 active-duty SAF personnel (40,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force) (2025)", + "text": "information varies; approximately 55,000 active-duty Armed Forces (40,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force) (2025)", "note": "note: the Army is comprised mostly of conscripts and reservists with a small core of professional soldiers, while the Air Force and Navy are staffed mainly by professional personnel" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json index 99019086..fdd6ed94 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Salween (271,914 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Salween (271,914 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -578,8 +578,7 @@ }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister candidate approved by the Senate and House of Representatives and appointed by the king; starting in 2024, approval of prime minister needed only by the House of Representatives" - }, - "note": "note: following its May 2023 election win, the MJP formed an eight-party coalition and put forward its leader PITA Limjaroenrat for prime minister; however, the Senate blocked PITA from becoming prime minister in the first National Assembly vote in July 2023, and the Assembly subsequently voted that he could not submit his name again; the Constitutional Court also suspended PITA after accepting cases accusing him of violating election law; in August 2023, MJP handed over the lead in forming a new government to the second largest party in the coalition, PTP, which then formed a new coalition without MJP; PTP put forward SRETTHA Thavisin for prime minister, and he was approved by the National Assembly 482 votes out of a possible 747" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1144,17 +1143,6 @@ "text": "176 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Thailand’s telecom sector is relatively mature and hosts a mix of public and private sector players; the mobile market is highly developed and has experienced strong growth over the last seven years; the market returned to growth in 2021 after it contracted in 2020 driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, and a steep decline in inbound tourism; it remains highly saturated, owing to overall maturity and the popularity of multiple SIM card use, which has resulted in a particularly high penetration rate; in general, the sector retains considerable potential given the impetus of 5G, the recent spectrum auctions, and continued network deployments by the country’s network operators; further auctions of spectrum in the 700MHz band (being repurposed from digital TV broadcasting), and in the 3.6GHz range will further improve network capacity; in the wire line segment, the decline in fixed-line penetration is expected to continue as subscribers migrate to mobile networks for voice and data services; the emphasis among operators has been to bolster their fiber footprints in key high-value areas; the transition to fiber from DSL and cable has also been facilitated by changes to the regulatory structure that have removed some barriers to investment; this is supporting the cannibalization of older copper-based DSL lines by fiber; the returns from this investment remain a long-term prospect as consumers still favor entry-level packages; there is also strong interest from the government, as well as private vendors, in establishing Thailand as a data center hub to serve the region; the size, capacity and spread of existing data centers in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) outside of Thailand is small; Thailand retains some advantages to attract investment, including improved fiber connectivity and international bandwidth; increasing submarine capacity, such as the SJC2 cable to come online later in 2023, will considerably improve Thailand’s potential as a regional hub (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 19 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 176 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 66; landing points for the AAE-1, FEA, SeaMeWe-3,-4, APG, SJC2, TIS, MCT and AAG submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "26 digital TV stations and 6 terrestrial TV stations broadcast nationally via relay stations, with 2 of the terrestrial stations military-owned and the other 4 state-owned or state-controlled; some leased to private enterprise; all required to broadcast government-produced news; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscriptions available; radio frequencies allotted for over 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2017)" }, @@ -1251,7 +1239,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 350,000 active-duty Armed Forces personnel (250,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "estimated 350,000 active-duty Armed Forces (250,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the RTARF has a diverse array of foreign-supplied weapons and equipment, as well as some domestically produced items; in recent years, Thailand has received arms from a wide variety of countries, including China and the US; Thailand has a domestic defense industry, which produces such items as armored vehicles, artillery systems, naval vessels, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other military technologies (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json index a4c44114..d3324637 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json @@ -521,10 +521,10 @@ "text": "Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the President of the Republic" + "text": "Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 19 March 2022 with a runoff on 19 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2027); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 19 March 2022, with a runoff on 19 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2027); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister" }, "election results": { "text": "2022: José RAMOS-HORTA elected president in second round - RAMOS-HORTA (CNRT) 62.1%, Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 37.9%

2017: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 57.1%, António da CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, other 10.4%" @@ -967,17 +967,6 @@ "text": "110 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Timor-Leste has been moving forward with the regeneration of its economy and rebuilding key infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, that were destroyed during the years of civil unrest; fixed-line and fixed broadband penetration in Timor-Leste remains extremely low, mainly due to the limited fixed-line infrastructure and the proliferation of mobile connectivity; in an effort to boost e-government services; the number of subscribers through to 2026 is expected to develop steadily, though from a low base; by August 2020, Timor-Leste had three telecom service providers who jointly achieved a 98% network coverage nationally; the mobile broadband market is still at an early stage of development, strong growth is predicted over the next five years; at the end of 2020, the government issued new policy guidelines to maximize the use of spectrum in Timor-Leste; it invited mobile operators to submit applications for the allocation of spectrum in the 1800MHz, 2300MHz and 2600MHz bands; in November 2020, the government approved the deployment of a submarine fiber link connecting the south of the country to Australia via the North Western Cable System (NWCS) (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line services less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular services is 110 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 670;  international service is available; partnership with Australia telecom companies for potential deployment of a submarine fiber-optic link (NWCS); geostationary earth orbit satellite" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019)" }, @@ -1062,7 +1051,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2,000 Defense Force personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 2,000 Defense Forces  (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military is lightly armed and has a limited inventory consisting mostly of donated equipment from countries such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json index b9f68bab..daf19c43 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json @@ -887,17 +887,6 @@ "text": "128 (2023 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Taiwan has a highly developed telecoms sector in both the fixed-line and mobile segments; in part this is due to its early moves to liberalize the market, allowing vigorous competition to flourish; the Taiwan authorities have also made concerted efforts to take advantage of Taiwan’s strengths in the development of high-tech, export-oriented industries to encourage and enable the rapid adoption of advanced telecom platforms, while simultaneously leveraging the same telecoms infrastructure to push even further ahead with Taiwan's industrial development plans; Taiwan has one of the highest teledensities in the region; while fixed-line subscriber numbers are trending downwards, the rate of decline has been slowed by the major fixed-line provider investing strongly in building out a widespread fiber network to allow customers to maintain a terrestrial voice connection as part of a fixed broadband package; fiber is the dominant platform in Taiwan’s fixed broadband market; cable services have retained an unusually strong following thanks to the success of cable providers in delivering competitive cable TV and telephony services as a way to get around Chunghwa Telecom’s control of the last mile for its copper and fiber networks; Taiwan also has high penetration rates in its mobile and mobile broadband segments, growth in both markets is almost at a standstill because Taiwan reached 100% penetration very early on – way back when GSM was first introduced, in mobile’s case; the MNOs moved quickly to roll out 4G and 5G networks and services in rapid succession, but subscriber numbers (and market share) has barely changed; the improved quality and performance available with the new platforms will drive increased usage and ARPU; fierce competition following the launch of 4G saw the opposite happen, with price wars causing telco revenues to fall instead; Taiwan’s 5G penetration rate reached 25 percent in October 2023, ranked 5th around the world now; Taiwan’s 5G roll-out plan faces challenges as subscribers enjoy 4G unlimited data flow tariff and yet to see a killer app in the 5G world (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line over 43 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 128 per 100 (2023)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 886; landing points for the EAC-C2C, APCN-2, FASTER, SJC2, TSE-1, TPE, APG, SeaMeWe-3, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, HKA, NCP, and PLCN submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "5 national TV networks with about 22 stations; over 300 satellite TV channels available; about half of households use multi-channel cable TV; almost all subscribe to digital cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 171 radio stations (2023)" }, @@ -995,7 +984,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 180,000 active-duty military personnel (95,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including approximately 10,000 marines; 40,000 Air Force) (2024)", + "text": "approximately 180,000 active-duty Armed Forces (95,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including approximately 10,000 marines; 40,000 Air Force) (2025)", "note": "note: the military is comprised of both volunteers and conscripts; the conscripts serve 4-month tours, or 12 months for those born in 2005 and after; as of mid-2024, there were reportedly about 153,000 volunteer personnel serving in Taiwan's armed forces; in 2025, the military is expected to conscript about 75,000 men; Taiwan aims to maintain a military of about 215,000 plus reservists; Taiwan trains about 120,000 reservists annually, but in 2022 announced intentions to increase that figure to 260,000" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json index e101516a..372dc65c 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "46,000 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Sông Tiên Giang (Mekong) river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Sông Tiên Giang (Mekong) river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Sông Tiên Giang (Mekong) river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Sông Tiên Giang (Mekong) river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)" @@ -1091,17 +1091,6 @@ "text": "140 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "even with Covid-19 pandemic-related mobility restrictions in place, Vietnam’s economy has continued to outperform the rest of the region in 2020 and 2021; the telecom sector essentially spent most of this period in a holding pattern, focusing on maintaining service throughout the crisis while preparing for some major changes to come in the mobile market in 2022; both fixed-line telephony and mobile have experienced small drops in subscriber numbers since the start of the pandemic, but the similarities between the two markets end there; fixed-line teledensity continued its downwards trajectory towards virtual oblivion, with just 3% penetration (around 3 million subscribers) at the start of 2021; the mobile market has lost about the same number of subscribers since the end of 2019, but has been sitting on much higher penetration levels around 130% for many years; growth is expected to kick in again in 2022 following the anticipated launch of commercial 5G mobile services along with a range of government-led schemes to move consumers completely off 2G and 3G; one example is the planned redistribution of GSM/3G bandwidth to LTE; in addition to propelling Vietnam into having one of the most advanced mobile markets in the world, this should also spur on the mobile broadband segment; with a penetration level of just over 70%, mobile broadband has considerable room to grow; increasing economic prosperity coupled with the latest smartphone technology and networks should see mobile broadband underwriting the country’s telecommunications sector for at least the next few years; this report includes the regulator's market data to July 2021, telcos' financial and operating data updates to June 2021, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, and other recent market developments (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 140 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 84; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, APG, SJC2, AAE-1, AAG and the TGN-IA submarine cable system providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the US; telecom satellite earth stations - 2, (Vinasat 1 and Vinasat 2) (Indian Ocean region) (2023)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled broadcast media, with oversight from the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); state-controlled national TV provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), has several channels with regional broadcasting centers; law limits access to satellite TV, but many access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; state-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on several channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations  (2018)" }, @@ -1198,7 +1187,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 450,000 active-duty PAVN personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 450,000 active-duty People's Army of Vietnam (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the PAVN is armed largely with weapons and equipment from Russia and the former Soviet Union; in recent years, Vietnam has moved to diversify arms its arms suppliers and has acquired items from countries such as India, South Korea, and the US; Vietnam has a small defense industry involved in the manufacture of small arms, ground combat vehicles, and naval systems (2024)", diff --git a/europe/al.json b/europe/al.json index cf6ba961..f3a5f182 100644 --- a/europe/al.json +++ b/europe/al.json @@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { - "text": "upper-middle -income Balkan economy; EU accession candidate; growth bolstered by tourism, services, construction, and private consumption; fiscal consolidation through revenue collection to address public debt; challenges include weak governance, corruption, climate adaptation, vulnerability to energy sector shocks, and emigration of workers" + "text": "

upper-middle-income Balkan economy; EU accession candidate; growth bolstered by tourism, agriculture, mining, construction, and private consumption; fiscal consolidation through revenue collection and tax compliance enhancements to address public debt; challenges include weak governance, corruption, and high emigration rates

" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { @@ -1068,17 +1068,6 @@ "text": "98 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Albania’s small telecom market has made upgrades to the fixed-line infrastructure to support broadband services, but fixed-line telephony use and penetration in Albania is declining steadily as subscribers migrate to mobile solutions; the mobile sector is well provided with LTE networks, while operators have invested in 5G; some of these efforts have been made in conjunction with Kosovo, with the intention of a seamless 5G corridor along the highway connecting the two countries; Albania has long sought to join the EU, which has benefited its telecoms sector through closer scrutiny of its regulatory regime and through the injection of funding to help modernize infrastructure (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line approximately 7 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 92 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "over 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally and are sometimes available to neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV via terrestrial reception; TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2024)" }, @@ -1170,7 +1159,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 7,000 total active-duty personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 7,000 total active-duty Armed Forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "since joining NATO, the military has been in the process of modernizing by retiring its inventory of Soviet-era weapons and replacing them with Western equipment, including donated and secondhand deliveries (2024)" diff --git a/europe/an.json b/europe/an.json index 544f4dbe..4c29be91 100644 --- a/europe/an.json +++ b/europe/an.json @@ -807,19 +807,8 @@ "text": "142 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Andorra has a modern telecommunications system with microwave-radio relay connections between the exchanges and landline circuits to France and Spain (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "about 63 per 100 fixed-line, 110 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 376; landline circuits to France and Spain; modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges (2023)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

the media scene is partly shaped by the proximity to France and Spain, Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries

(2023)" + "text": "the media scene is partly shaped by the proximity to France and Spain; Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries (2023)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".ad" diff --git a/europe/au.json b/europe/au.json index f93c8551..fbf81336 100644 --- a/europe/au.json +++ b/europe/au.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Donau (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -1096,19 +1096,8 @@ "text": "123 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "mature telecom market; the mobile market benefits from a growing number of MVNOs; focus on delivering improved telecom infrastructure; the government has a program to provide a national gigabit service by 2030, delivered by private enterprise with some state funding; this is based on fiber networks supported by 5G, with the MNOs able to expand the reach of their 5G services after auctions held in 2019 and 2020; the fixed-line broadband market is still dominated by the DSL sector, while the cable broadband sector has held a steady share of connections in recent years; the fiber sector was slow to develop, and although fiber remains low there are plans to build out the network infrastructure (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "developed and efficient; 43 per 100 fixed telephone subscriptions; 122 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 43; earth stations available in the Astra, Intelsat, Eutelsat satellite systems (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

public broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), is a major player in the TV and radio markets; private broadcasters, cable, and satellite TV are available in most homes are widely used; some German stations carry programs for Austrian viewers; national and regional newspapers compete fiercely for readers; the print media are owned by a handful of mostly Austrian and German media groups

(2023)" + "text": "public broadcaster, Oesterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), is a major player in the TV and radio markets; private broadcasters, cable, and satellite TV are available in most homes are widely used; some German stations carry programs for Austrian viewers; national and regional newspapers compete fiercely for readers; the print media are owned by a handful of mostly Austrian and German media groups (2023)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".at" @@ -1125,9 +1114,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "30 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "note 1: the Austrian National Library contains important collections of the Imperial Library of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Austrian Empire, as well as of the Austrian Republic; among its more than 12 million items are outstanding holdings of rare books, maps, globes, papyrus, and music; its Globe Museum is the only one in the world

note 2: on 1 October 1869, Austria-Hungary introduced the world's first postal card - postal stationery with an imprinted stamp indicating the prepayment of postage; simple and cheap (sent for a fraction of the cost of a regular letter), postal cards became an instant success, widely produced in the millions worldwide

note 3: Austria followed up with the creation of the world's first commercial picture postcards - cards bearing a picture or photo to which postage is affixed - in May 1871; sent from Vienna, the image served as a souvenir of the city; together, postal cards and post cards served as the world's e-mails of the late 19th and early 20th centuries

note 4: Austria was also an airmail pioneer; from March to October of 1918, it conducted the world's first regular (daily) airmail service - between the imperial cities of Vienna, Krakow, and Lemberg - a combined distance of some 650 km (400 mi) (earlier airmail services had been set up in a few parts of the world but only for short stretches, and none lasted beyond a few days or weeks); an expansion of the route in June of 1918 allowed private mail to be flown to Kyiv, in newly independent Ukraine, which made the route the world's first regular international airmail service (covering a distance of some 1,200 km; 750 mi)" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1177,7 +1163,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 14,000 regular troops; 8,000 civilians; 25,000 militia (2024)" + "text": "approximately 22,000 active Armed Forces (includes about 14,000 regular troops and around 8,000 reservists/militia undergoing refresher training) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons systems from European countries and the US; the Austrian defense industry produces a range of equipment and partners with other countries (2024)" diff --git a/europe/be.json b/europe/be.json index 948a9fd9..7b2b6e61 100644 --- a/europe/be.json +++ b/europe/be.json @@ -553,8 +553,7 @@ }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by Parliament" - }, - "note": "note - Alexander DE CROO resigned on 9 June 2024 following the parliamentary elections and is serving as prime minister in a caretaker status until a new prime minister is sworn into office" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -700,7 +699,7 @@ }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { - "text": "high-income, core EU and eurozone economy; slow but steady growth supported by household consumption and energy shock recovery; high public debt and structural deficits linked to social spending; aging workforce with weak productivity growth and participation rates" + "text": "

high-income, core EU and eurozone economy; slow growth with weakened domestic consumption and export demand; high public debt and structural deficits linked to social spending; aging workforce with weak productivity growth and participation rates

" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { @@ -1114,17 +1113,6 @@ "text": "102 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "mobile networks have been upgraded to support growing mobile data use among subscribers, with near-comprehensive LTE coverage; operators have also trialed 5G in preparation for launching services; the auction of 5G-suitable spectrum has been delayed to the beginning of 2022, while the onerous restrictions on radiation have meant that some 5G trials have been suspended; there is effective competition in Belgium between the DSL and cable platforms, while in recent years government support has also encouraged investment in fiber networks; in a bid to encourage investment in under served areas, the regulator in 2018 amended the conditions by which market players grant wholesale access to copper and fiber infrastructure; in May 2019 it opened a further consultation on cost models for access to the networks of cablecos and fiber infrastructure (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "about 28 per 100 fixed-line and 101 per 100 mobile-cellular; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 32; landing points for Concerto, UK-Belgium, Tangerine, and SeaMeWe-3, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "a segmented market with the three major linguistic communities (Flemish-, French-, and German-speaking) each responsible for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community;  over 90% of households are connected to cable and can access TV broadcasts from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network coexisting with private broadcasters" }, @@ -1215,7 +1203,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 23,000 active-duty personnel (10,000 Land Component; 1,500 Marine Component; 5,000 Air Force Component; 1,500 Medical Component; 5,000 other, including joint staff, support, and training schools) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 23,000 active-duty Belgian Armed Forces (10,000 Land Component; 1,500 Marine Component; 5,000 Air Force Component; 1,500 Medical Component; 5,000 other, including joint staff, support, and training schools) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the armed forces have a mix of weapons systems from European countries, Israel, and the US; Belgium has an export-focused defense industry that focuses on components and subcontracting (2024)" diff --git a/europe/bk.json b/europe/bk.json index ef9cf554..32c4e7e8 100644 --- a/europe/bk.json +++ b/europe/bk.json @@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2022: percent of vote - Denis BECIROVIC - (SDP BiH) 57.4% - Bosniak seat; Zeljko KOMSIC (DF) 55.8% - Croat seat; Zeljka CVIJANOVIC (SNSD) 51.7% - Serb seat

2018: percent of vote - Milorad DODIK (SNSD) 53.9% - Serb seat; Zeljko KOMSIC (DF) 52.6% - Croat seat; Sefik DZAFEROVIC (SDA) 36.6% - Bosniak seat" }, - "note": "note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidiia BRADARA (since 28 February 2023); Vice Presidents Refik LENDO (since 28 February 2023) and Igor STOJANOVIC (since 28 February 2023); President of the Republika Srpska Milorad DODIK (since 15 November 2022); Vice Presidents Camil DURAKOVIC (since 15 November 2022) and Davor PRANJIC (since 15 November 2022)" + "note": "note: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidiia BRADARA (since 28 February 2023)" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1068,17 +1068,6 @@ "text": "118 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom market has been liberalized and a regulatory framework created based on the EU’s regulatory framework for communications; although Bosnia-Herzegovina remains an EU candidate country, in July 2017 it applied amended mobile roaming charges to fit in with changes introduced across the Union; further roaming agreements were made in 2019 with other western Balkan countries; the fixed-line broadband network is comparatively underdeveloped, with the result that investments made in mobile upgrades to facilitate broadband connectivity in the country to a greater extent than is common elsewhere in Europe; internet services are available; DSL and cable are the main platforms for fixed-line connectivity, while fiber broadband as yet has only a small market presence; the three MNOs, each affiliated with one of the incumbent fixed-line operators, provide national coverage with 3G, though LTE coverage is only about 89%; their upgraded networks are helping to support broadband in rural areas where fixed-line infrastructure is insufficient; mobile data and mobile broadband offers will provide future revenue growth given the limited potential of mobile voice services; the MNOs tested LTE services under trial licenses from 2013, commercial launches were delayed until the award of spectrum in early 2019; the regulator stipulated that licenses must provide national coverage within five years; trials of 5G technology have been undertaken, though there are no plans to launch services commercially in the short term, given that the MNOs can continue to exploit the capacity of their existing LTE networks (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity roughly 21 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership stands at 114 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 387; no satellite earth stations" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 public TV broadcasters: Radio and TV of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation TV (operating 2 networks), and Republika Srpska Radio-TV; a local commercial network of 5 TV stations; 3 private, near-national TV stations and dozens of small independent TV stations; 3 large public radio broadcasters and many private radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1163,7 +1152,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 10,000 active-duty personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 10,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory of weapons and equipment is a combination of material originating from the former Soviet Union/former Yugoslavia and secondhand deliveries from Western suppliers such as the UK and especially the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/bo.json b/europe/bo.json index 1a8f109a..d55f8db4 100644 --- a/europe/bo.json +++ b/europe/bo.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "260 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dnyapro (Dnieper) (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dnyapro (Dnieper) (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Dnieper (533,966 sq km)" @@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dnyapro (Dnieper) (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dnyapro (Dnieper) (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Dnieper (533,966 sq km)" @@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); first election held on 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999; however, Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held on 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the President LUKASHENKA to run and win a third  term (19 March 2006); a fourth term (19 December 2010); a fifth term (11 October 2015); a sixth term (9 August 2020); a seventh term (26 January 2025); next election to be held in 2030; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); first election held on 23 June and 10 July 1994; the 1994 constitution set the next election for 1999, but Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA extended his term to 2001 via a referendum; subsequent election held in 2001; a 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed LUKASHENKA to run and win a third term (19 March 2006), fourth term (19 December 2010), fifth term (11 October 2015), sixth term (9 August 2020), and seventh term (26 January 2025); next election to be held in 2030; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly" }, "election results": { "text": "
2025: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA reelected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 86.8%, Sergey Syrankov (Communist Party) 3.2%, 3.6% voting against all

2020: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA reelected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 80.1%, Svyatlana TSIKHANOWSKAYA (independent) 10.1%, other 9.8%; note - widespread street protests erupted following announcement of the election results amid allegations of voter fraud

2015: Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA elected president; percent of vote - Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA (independent) 84.1%, Tatsyana KARATKEVIC (BSDPH) 4.4%, Sergey GAYDUKEVICH (LDP) 3.3%, other 8.2%." @@ -1115,17 +1115,6 @@ "text": "123 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the government of Belarus has successfully promoted the migration to an all-IP platform as part of a wider effort towards a digital transformation for the economy; the state-supported infrastructure operator has built an extensive fiber network which reaches all but the smallest settlements in the country; Belarus has the second highest fiber usage rate in Europe, behind only Iceland; LTE coverage is almost universal, while considerable progress has also been made in developing 5G services; telcos have had to invest in network infrastructure while managing a significant fall in the value of the local currency (particularly against the euro and the US dollar)

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line tele density 44 per 100 fixed-line; mobile-cellular tele density 123 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 375; Belarus is landlocked and therefore a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations; almost 31,000 base stations in service in 2019 (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "7 state-controlled national TV channels; Polish and Russian TV broadcasts are available in some areas; state-run Belarusian Radio operates 5 national networks and an external service; Russian and Polish radio broadcasts are available (2019)" }, diff --git a/europe/bu.json b/europe/bu.json index feb523fb..9c905a30 100644 --- a/europe/bu.json +++ b/europe/bu.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "929 sq km (2016)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { - "text": "upper-middle-income EU economy; currency pegged to the euro with accession pending; joined Schengen area as of March 2024; global events and internal political turmoil triggered export slump and stalled reforms; EU structural funds contributing to investment recovery; skilled labor shortage driven by emigration and aging population" + "text": "

upper-middle-income EU economy; currency pegged to the euro, with eurozone accession pending; declining energy prices helping lower inflation rate; EU structural funds contributing to investment recovery; skilled labor shortage driven by emigration and aging population

" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { @@ -1107,17 +1107,6 @@ "text": "117 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Bulgaria’s telecom market was for some years affected by the difficult macroeconomic climate, as well as by relatively high unemployment and a shrinking population; these factors continue to slow investments in the sector, though revenue growth has returned since 2019; there still remains pressure on revenue growth, with consumers migrating from fixed-line voice telephony to mobile and VoIP alternatives, while the volume of SMS and MMS traffic has been affected by the growing use of alternative OTT messaging services; investing in network upgrades and its development of services based on 5G have stimulated other market players to invest in their own service provision; by the end of 2022 about 70% of the population is expected to be covered by 5G; the broadband market in Bulgaria enjoys excellent cross-platform competition; the share of the market held by DSL has fallen steadily as a result of customers being migrated to fiber networks; by early 2021 about 65% of fixed-line broadband subscribers were on fiber infrastructure; Bulgaria joins the U.S. State Department’s Clean Network initiative in a bid to protect its 5G communications networks

(2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line over 11 per 100 persons, mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, is over 115 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 359; Caucasus Cable System via submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine, Georgia and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations, especially in urban areas" }, @@ -1208,7 +1197,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 27,000 active-duty personnel (17,000 Army; 3,000 Navy; 7,000 Air Force) (2024)", + "text": "approximately 27,000 active-duty Armed Forces (17,000 Army; 3,000 Navy; 7,000 Air Force) (2024)", "note": "note: in 2021, Bulgaria released a 10-year defense plan which called for an active military strength of 43,000" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/cy.json b/europe/cy.json index 4579cc3d..42caae80 100644 --- a/europe/cy.json +++ b/europe/cy.json @@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - under the 1960 constitution, 3 of the ministerial posts reserved for Turkish Cypriots, appointed by the vice president; positions currently filled by Greek Cypriots" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on held 5 February 2023 with a runoff on 12 February 2023 (next to be held in 2028)" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on held 5 February 2023, with a runoff on 12 February 2023 (next to be held in 2028)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDIS (independent) 32%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS (independent) 29.6%, Averof NEOFYTOU (DISY) 26.1%, Christos CHRISTOU (ELAM) 6%, other 6.3%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos CHRISTODOULIDS 52%, Andreas MAVROGIANNIS 48%

2018: Nikos ANASTASIADIS reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS (DISY) 35.5%, Stavros MALAS (AKEL) 30.2%, Nicolas PAPADOPOULOS (DIKO) 25.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in second round - Nikos ANASTASIADIS 56%, Stavros MALAS 44%" @@ -1040,17 +1040,6 @@ "text": "149 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Cyprus suffered from the effects of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when the tourism sector was essentially closed; during 2022, there were adverse effects caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in a dramatic drop in the number of Russian tourists entering the country; the mobile market is served by four mobile network operators; the number of mobile subscribers fell in 2020, largely the result of subscribers scaling back on multiple SIM cards as an economic measure; the broadband market continues to develop steadily, providing the country with one of the highest broadband penetration rates in the region; DSL remains the dominant access platform, accounting for about two-thirds of fixed broadband connections; although fiber infrastructure in Cyprus is minimal (supported by the government and regulator) to extend an FttP service to about 200,000 premises; as a result, the number of DSL subscribers is set to fall steadily in coming years as customers are migrated to the fiber platform (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line about 34 per 100 and about 149 per 100 for mobile-cellular teledensity (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 357 (area administered by Turkish Cypriots uses the country code of Turkey - 90); a number of submarine cables, including the SEA-ME-WE-3, CADMOS, MedNautilus Submarine System, POSEIDON, TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medes, UGARIT, Aphrodite2, Hawk, Lev Submarine System, and Tamares combine to provide connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Southeast Asia; Turcyos-1 and Turcyos-2 submarine cable in Turkish North Cyprus link to Turkey; tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 8 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 2 Eutelsat, 2 Intersputnik, and 1 Arabsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of state and privately run TV and radio; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services (including from Greece and Turkey), and a number of private radio stations; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, 7 privately owned TV stations and 21 privately owned radio stations, 6 radio and 4 TV channels at local universities, 1 military radio station, and 1 radio station for civil defense cooperation, as well as relay stations from Turkey (2019)" }, @@ -1135,7 +1124,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 12-15,000 active-duty personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 12-15,000 active Cypriot National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment along with a smaller mix of largely older Brazilian, European, Israeli, and US armaments; in 2023, Cyprus announced a 5-year modernization program to replace its Russian-made weapon systems with modern equipment from the West; the country had been under an arms embargo by the US since 1987 but the embargo was lifted in 2022 with conditions that require certifying each year (2024)" diff --git a/europe/da.json b/europe/da.json index 03f2f4df..54823dcc 100644 --- a/europe/da.json +++ b/europe/da.json @@ -1072,17 +1072,6 @@ "text": "127 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Denmark has one of the highest broadband subscription rates globally, with a near universal availability of super-fast connections; extensive cable and DSL infrastructure has been supported by a progressive regulatory regime which has encouraged operator access to both copper and fiber networks; fiber networks have a fast-growing footprint, while a number of community and metropolitan schemes have supplemented their own commitments to build out fiber nationally; a number of wholesale fiber schemes have also added to the wider availability of fiber broadband; the reach of LTE infrastructure is comprehensive, while the Mobile Network Operators by mid-2021 had also provided about 90% population coverage with 5G; services based on 5G were initially launched using trial 3.5GHz licenses; the multi-spectrum auction held in April 2021 has enabled them to improve the resilience and capacity of 5G; all MNOs are engaged in closing down their 3G networks and repurposing spectrum for LTE and 5G use (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 12 per 100 and about 124 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 45; landing points for the NSC, COBRAcable, CANTAT-3, DANICE, Havfrue/AEC-2, TAT-14m Denmark-Norway-5 & 6, Skagenfiber West & East, GC1, GC2, GC3, GC-KPN, Kattegat 1 & 2 & 3, Energinet Lyngsa-Laeso, Energinet Laeso-Varberg, Fehmarn Balt, Baltica, German-Denmark 2 & 3, Ronne-Rodvig, Denmark-Sweden 15 & 16 & 17 & 18, IP-Only Denmark-Sweden, Scandinavian South, Scandinavian Ring North, Danica North, 34 series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, US, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "strong public-sector TV presence, with Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 6 channels and TV2 operating roughly a half-dozen channels; private stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 FM radio stations, 10 digital audio stations, and 14 web-based radio stations; 140 commercial and 187 community (non-commercial) radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1172,7 +1161,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 17,000 active-duty personnel (10,000 Army; 3,500 Navy; 3,500 Air Force) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 17,000 active-duty Armed Forces (10,000 Army; 3,500 Navy; 3,500 Air Force) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Danish military inventory is comprised of modern European, US, and domestically produced weapons and equipment; the Danish defense industry is active in the production of naval vessels, defense electronics, and subcomponents of larger weapons systems, such as the US F-35 fighter aircraft; the major warships of the Royal Danish Navy were all produced domestically (2024)" diff --git a/europe/ee.json b/europe/ee.json index a2199e02..1be8e636 100644 --- a/europe/ee.json +++ b/europe/ee.json @@ -794,9 +794,6 @@ "text": "124 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "text": "note - see individual country entries of member states" - }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".eu; note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes" }, diff --git a/europe/ei.json b/europe/ei.json index 5c8be44c..d0d7715d 100644 --- a/europe/ei.json +++ b/europe/ei.json @@ -1078,17 +1078,6 @@ "text": "113 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Ireland’s telecom market has rebounded from a long period in which fiscal constraints inhibited investment in the sector; significant infrastructure projects are underway, including the NBN which aims to deliver a fiber-based service of at least 150Mb/s nationally by the end of 2022; the renewed optimism has been seen in company investment in extending fiber-based networks providing 1Gb/s services; the mobile sector is preparing for a multi-frequency availability later in 2021 which will greatly increase the amount of frequencies available, and provide a boost for 5G services; the MNOs are rapidly expanding the reach of 5G (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 32 per 100 and mobile-cellular 108 per 100 subscriptions. (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 353; landing point for the AEConnect -1, Celtic-Norse, Havfrue/AEC-2, GTT Express, Celtic, ESAT-1, IFC-1, Solas, Pan European Crossing, ESAT-2, CeltixConnect -1 & 2, GTT Atlantic, Sirius South, Emerald Bridge Fibres and Geo Eirgrid submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, Norway, Isle of Man and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 4 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households use multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2019)" }, @@ -1179,7 +1168,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 7,500 active-duty personnel (authorized establishment of 9,500)  (2024)" + "text": "approximately 7,500 active-duty Defense Forces (authorized establishment of 9,500) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Irish Defense Forces have a small inventory of imported weapons systems from a variety of mostly European countries, particularly the UK (2024)" diff --git a/europe/en.json b/europe/en.json index 49dbeaef..dde3e858 100644 --- a/europe/en.json +++ b/europe/en.json @@ -547,8 +547,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: Alar KARIS (independent) elected president; won second round of voting in parliament with 72 of 101 votes

2016: Kersti KALJULAID elected president; won sixth round of voting in parliament with 81 of 98 votes (17 ballots blank); KALJULAID sworn in on 10 October 2016 - first female head of state of Estonia" - }, - "note": "note - Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS resigned on 15 July 2024 but will continue as acting prime minister until the new government is sworn in" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1053,17 +1052,6 @@ "text": "155 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

investment in Estonia’s telecom market has been focused on fixed-line infrastructure upgrades, and the deployment of 5G services; fixed broadband subscribers are gradually migrating from digital subscriber lines (DSL) to fiber, with the legacy copper being replaced; the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have comprehensive long-term evolution (LTE) infrastructure in place, and have in recent years channeled investment to 5G; several 5G trials have been undertaken in recent years, though commercial service launches have been restricted by the lack of available internet services

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "20 per 100 for fixed-line subscribership and approximately 155 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 372; landing points for the EE-S-1, EESF-3, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC and EESF-2 fiber-optic submarine cables to other Estonia points, Finland, and Sweden; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service, with a range of channels aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services" }, @@ -1154,7 +1142,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 7,500 active-duty personnel; approximately 15,000 Defense League (2024)", + "text": "approximately 7,500 active-duty Defense Forces; approximately 15,000 Defense League (2024)", "note": "note: the Estonian Defense Forces rely largely on reservists who have completed compulsory conscription in the previous 10 years to fill out its active duty and Territorial Defense units during a crisis; there are more than 40,000 trained reservists, and approximately 230,000 Estonians are enrolled in the mobilization registry" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/ez.json b/europe/ez.json index 1150c54f..29b8cddc 100644 --- a/europe/ez.json +++ b/europe/ez.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "220 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Labe (Elbe) river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Labe (Elbe) river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Labe (Elbe) river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Labe (Elbe) river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held on 13 to 14 January 2023 with a second round held from 27 to 28 January 2023; next election to be by January 2028; prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held 13-14 January 2023, with a second round held  27-28 January 2023; next election to be held by January 2028; prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term" }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Petr PAVEL elected in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Petr PAVEL (independent) 35.4%, Andrej BABIS (ANO) 35%, Danuse NERUDOVA (Mayors and Independents) 13.9%, Pavel FISCHER (independent) 6.8%; percent of vote in the second round - Petr PAVEL 58.3%, Andrej BABIS 41.6%

2018: Milos ZEMAN reelected president in the second round; percent of vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 51.4%, Jiri DRAHOS (independent) 48.6%" @@ -1120,17 +1120,6 @@ "text": "128 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

telcos in the Czech Republic have become multi-service providers, offering a full range of fixed and mobile services; this has enabled the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to expand the reach of their 5G networks while they have been closing down 3G networks and repurposing the internet for 5G and long-term evolution (LTE) use

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 12 fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants and mobile telephone usage of 128 per 100 inhabitants (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "22 national TV stations, with 17 privately owned; publicly operated Czech Television has 5 national channels; over 350 TV channels, many through cable, satellite, and IPTV subscription services; 63 radio broadcasters operate over 80 radio stations, including 7 multiregional radio stations or networks; publicly owned broadcaster Czech Radio operates 4 national, 14 regional, and 4 Internet stations; both Czech Radio and Czech Television are partly financed through a license fee (2019)" }, @@ -1190,7 +1179,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 29,000 active-duty personnel (23,000 Army; 6,000 Air Force) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 29,000 active-duty Armed Forces (23,000 Army; 6,000 Air Force) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Czech military has a mix of domestically produced, Soviet-era, and more recently acquired modern weapons and equipment from such suppliers as Austria, Germany, Sweden, and the US; its domestic defense industry has produced such items as armored combat vehicles and light attack aircraft; during the Cold War, Czechoslovakia was a major producer of tanks, armored personnel carriers, military trucks, and trainer aircraft (2024)", diff --git a/europe/fi.json b/europe/fi.json index 13bafdda..d73f7b75 100644 --- a/europe/fi.json +++ b/europe/fi.json @@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ "text": "Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); first round held on 28 January 2024 with a runoff on 11 February 2024 (next to be held by 28 January 2030); prime minister appointed by Parliament" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); first round held on 28 January 2024, with a runoff on 11 February 2024 (next to be held by 28 January 2030); prime minister appointed by Parliament" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024:  Alexander STUBB elected in the second round; percent of vote in the first round - Alexander STUBB (KoK) 27.2%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 25.8%, Jussi HALLA-AHO (PS) 19.0%, Olli REHN (Kesk) 15.3%; percent of vote in second round - STUBB 51.6%, HAAVISTO 48.4%

2018:  Sauli NIINISTO reelected president; percent of vote - Sauli NIINISTO (independent) 62.7%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 12.4%, Laura HUHTASAARI (PS) 6.9%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (independent) 6.2%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 4.1%, other 7.7%" @@ -1089,17 +1089,6 @@ "text": "129 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Finland’s telecom market is among the more progressive in Europe, with operators having been at the forefront in deploying technologies and with the regulator being among the first to auction spectrum for 5G use; these efforts have been supported by the government which is working towards its target of providing a broadband service of at least 100Mb/s by 2025; 5G services were available to more than 40% of the population by early 2021, and take-up among subscribers has been strong although most will remain with LTE in the short term; the country enjoys one of the highest broadband and mobile subscription rates in the region, with customers able to make use of the latest iterations of technologies including DOCSIS3.1, LTE-A, 5G, and GPON fiber infrastructure; Finland has emerged as one of the pioneers in 5G; the auction of spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.5GHh bands has enabled network operators to extend the availability of LTE services nationally and to prepare for 5G services; Spectrum in the 2.5GHz band was auctioned in mid-2020 and has since enabled the MNOs to widen their 5G footprint considerably; there is an ongoing shift away from DSL to fiber and mobile networks (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 4 per 100 subscriptions and nearly 129 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 358; landing points for Botnia, BCS North-1 & 2, SFL, SFS-4, C-Lion1, Eastern Lights, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC, and EESF-2 & 3 submarine cables that provide links to many Finland points, Estonia, Sweden, Germany, and Russia; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 publicly operated TV stations and numerous privately owned TV stations; several free and special-interest pay-TV channels; cable and satellite multi-channel subscription services are available; all TV signals are digital; 13 national and 25 regional public radio stations; a large number of private radio broadcasters " }, @@ -1191,7 +1180,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 31,000 active-duty personnel (23,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2024)", + "text": "approximately 31,000 active Finnish Defense Forces (23,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2024)", "note": "note: active-duty figures include about 21,000 conscripts carrying out their obligated military service (approximately 17,000 Army; 3,500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/fo.json b/europe/fo.json index fce54672..b3423507 100644 --- a/europe/fo.json +++ b/europe/fo.json @@ -767,17 +767,6 @@ "text": "112 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Faroe Islands have a highly developed communication network, which covers the whole country; from telecommunication and mobile phones to the internet and media, the Faroe Islands are at the forefront of modern communications technology; working within the special geographic circumstances of the Faroe Islands; companies have become world experts in providing digital communication solutions to remote and sparsely populated areas (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "29 per 100 teledensity for fixed-line and nearly 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 298; landing points for the SHEFA-2, FARICE-1, and CANTAT-3 fiber-optic submarine cables from the Faroe Islands, to Denmark, Germany, UK and Iceland; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 publicly owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly owned radio station supplemented by 3 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies" }, diff --git a/europe/fr.json b/europe/fr.json index c164bf99..2c094daa 100644 --- a/europe/fr.json +++ b/europe/fr.json @@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rhin (Rhine)  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rhin (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km; Loire - 1,012 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Loire (115,282 sq km), Seine (78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)" @@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rhin (Rhine)  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rhin (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km; Loire - 1,012 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Loire (115,282 sq km), Seine (78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)" @@ -1172,20 +1172,6 @@ "text": "119 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "France's telecom market is one of the largest in Europe; there is a multi-year Engage 2025 plan which is focused on growth in the developing markets, and on the greater use of artificial intelligence and data; there are many MVNOs in the market; LTE networks provide near universal coverage, and carry about 95% of mobile data traffic; operators have launched 5G services, and these have been supported by the late-2020 auction of spectrum in the 3.5GHz range; France’s fixed broadband market is increasingly focused on fiber, which accounted for 71% of all fixed lines at the beginning of 2021; growth in the fiber sector has been stimulated by households securing faster data packages during the pandemic; the number of DSL lines has fallen sharply as customers migrate to fiber infrastructure (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 59 per 100 persons for fixed-line and over 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 33; landing points for Circe South, TAT-14, INGRID, FLAG Atlantic-1, Apollo, HUGO, IFC-1, ACE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4, Dunant, Africa-1, AAE-1, Atlas Offshore, Hawk, IMEWE, Med Cable, PEACE Cable, and TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medex submarine cables providing links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries (2019)" - }, - "overseas departments": { - "text": "country codes: French Guiana - 594; landing points for Ella Link, Kanawa, Americas II to South America, Europe, Caribbean and US; Guadeloupe - 590; landing points for GCN, Southern Caribbean Fiber, and ECFS around the Caribbean and US; Martinique - 596; landing points for Americas II, ECFS, and Southern Caribbean Fiber to South America, US and around the Caribbean;  Mayotte - 262; landing points for FLY-LION3 and LION2 to East Africa and East African Islands in Indian Ocean; Reunion - 262; landing points for SAFE, METISS, and LION submarine cables to Asia, South and East Africa, Southeast Asia and nearby Indian Ocean Island countries of Mauritius, and Madagascar (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "a mix of both publicly operated and privately owned TV stations; state-owned TV stations operate 4 networks and have part-interest in several thematic cable/satellite channels and international channels; large number of privately owned regional and local TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable services; public broadcaster Radio France operates 7 national networks, a series of regional networks, and services for overseas territories and foreign audiences; Radio France Internationale, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a leading international broadcaster; large number of commercial FM stations" }, @@ -1285,7 +1271,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 205,000 active-duty troops (120,000 Army; 35,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force; 10,000 other, such as joint staffs, administration, logistics, procurement, medical service, etc.); approximately 100,000 National Gendarmerie; approximately 75,000 National Guard (2024)" + "text": "approximately 205,000 active-duty Armed Forces (120,000 Army; 35,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force; 10,000 other, such as joint staffs, administration, logistics, procurement, medical service, etc.); approximately 100,000 National Gendarmerie; approximately 75,000 National Guard (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the French military's inventory consists mostly of domestically produced weapons systems, including some jointly produced with other European countries; there is a smaller mix of armaments from other Western countries, particularly the US; France has a large and sophisticated defense industry capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of air, land, and naval military weapons systems (2024)", diff --git a/europe/gi.json b/europe/gi.json index e4cdb27a..0e257cca 100644 --- a/europe/gi.json +++ b/europe/gi.json @@ -606,17 +606,6 @@ "text": "112 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Gibraltar’s population is urban-based, served by a digital telephone exchange supported by a fiber optic and copper infrastructure; near universal mobile and Internet use (2019)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "53 per 100 fixed-line and 100 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 350; landing point for the EIG to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East via submarine cables; radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio services via 1 TV station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible" }, diff --git a/europe/gk.json b/europe/gk.json index a6c0d241..1f902393 100644 --- a/europe/gk.json +++ b/europe/gk.json @@ -628,17 +628,6 @@ "text": "112 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "fixed network broadband services are those delivered over physical copper connections, fiber connections and fixed wireless communications links (e.g. WiMax); they do not include services delivered over 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 53 per 100 and mobile-cellular 112 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 44; landing points for Guernsey-Jersey, HUGO, INGRID, Channel Islands -9 Liberty and UK-Channel Islands-7 submarine cable to UK and France (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station" }, diff --git a/europe/gm.json b/europe/gm.json index dc7720be..12aaf488 100644 --- a/europe/gm.json +++ b/europe/gm.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Donau (Danube) river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhein (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Donau (Danube) river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhein (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Donau (Danube) river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhein (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Donau (Danube) river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhein (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km 

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -1125,17 +1125,6 @@ "text": "125 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "with one of Europe’s largest telecom markets, Germany hosts a number of significant operators which offer effective competition in the mobile and broadband sectors; the German mobile market is driven by mobile data, with the number of mobile broadband subscribers having increased rapidly in recent years; with LTE now effectively universally available, considerable progress has recently been made in building out 5G networks (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "46 per 100 for fixed-line and 128 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 49; landing points for SeaMeWe-3, TAT-14, AC-1, CONTACT-3, Fehmarn Balt, C-Lion1, GC1, GlobalConnect-KPN, and Germany-Denmark 2 & 3 - submarine cables to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "a mix of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; 70 national and regional public broadcasters compete with nearly 400 privately owned national and regional TV stations; more than 90% of households have cable or satellite TV; hundreds of radio stations, including national and regional networks and a large number of local stations" }, @@ -1227,7 +1216,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 185,000 active-duty armed forces personnel (62,000 Army; 16,000 Navy; 27,000 Air Force; 20,000 Medical Service, 14,000 Cyber and Information Space Command; 45,000 other, including central staff, support, logistics, etc.) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 185,000 active-duty Armed Forces (62,000 Army; 16,000 Navy; 27,000 Air Force; 20,000 Medical Service, 14,000 Cyber and Information Space Command; 45,000 other, including central staff, support, logistics, etc.) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of Federal Armed Forces is comprised of weapons systems produced domestically or jointly with other European countries and Western imports, particularly from the US; Germany's defense industry is capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of air, land, and naval military weapons systems, and Germany is one of the world's leading arms exporters; it also participates in joint defense production projects with the US and European partners (2024)" diff --git a/europe/gr.json b/europe/gr.json index 4c1a7324..1738fe44 100644 --- a/europe/gr.json +++ b/europe/gr.json @@ -1079,17 +1079,6 @@ "text": "109 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Greece’s telecom market is susceptible to the country’s volatile economy, and, as a result, revenue among the key networks has been variable; broadband subscriptions in Greece are developing steadily; the main networks are concentrating investment on fiber-based next generation networks, enabling them to reach the European broadband targets for 2025; their work is also supported by government ultra-fast broadband projects, largely funded by the EC and aimed at delivering a service of at least 100Mb/s to under served areas; Greece’s well-developed mobile market is dominated by the three MNOs; Networks continue to invest in LTE infrastructure and technologies to provide networks capable of meeting customer demand for data services; after extensive trials of 5G, the MNOs were able to launch commercial services in early 2021 following the December 2020 allocation of frequencies in a range of bands; the rapid rollout of 5G encouraged the shut down of the 3G network (a process expected to be completed by the end of 2021) and reallocate for LTE and 5G. (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "47 per 100 subscribers for fixed-line and 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 30; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, Adria-1, Italy-Greece 1, OTEGLOBE, MedNautilus Submarine System, Aphrodite 2, AAE-1 and Silphium optical telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Asia and Australia;  tropospheric scatter; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat - Indian Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "broadcast media dominated by the private sector; roughly 150 private TV channels, about 10 of which broadcast nationwide; 1 state-owned terrestrial TV channel with national coverage; 3 privately owned satellite channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV services available; over 1,500 radio stations, all privately owned; state-owned broadcaster has 2 national radio stations" }, @@ -1180,7 +1169,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 115,000 active-duty personnel (80,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 20,000 Air Force); approximately 35,000 National Guard (2024)" + "text": "approximately 115,000 active-duty Armed Forces (80,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 20,000 Air Force) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons and equipment from Europe and the US; in recent years, France, Germany, and the US have been major suppliers; Greece's defense industry is capable of producing a range of military hardware, including naval vessels and associated subsystems (2024)", diff --git a/europe/hr.json b/europe/hr.json index 88af6477..1db6f8b8 100644 --- a/europe/hr.json +++ b/europe/hr.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "170 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { - "text": "tourism-based economy that was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 economic disruptions; newest euro user since 2023, helping recover from a 6-year recession; public debt increases due to COVID-19 and stimulus packages; weak exports; continuing emigration; new liquefied natural gas import terminal" + "text": "

upper-middle-income Balkan economy; newest euro user (introduced in 2023); increased investments from EU structural funds and tourism sector contributing to strong but moderating economic growth; declining energy prices and restrictive monetary policy easing inflation; historically low unemployment rate with labor shortages within services and manufacturing sectors

" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { @@ -1086,17 +1086,6 @@ "text": "111 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the mobile market is served by three MNOs, supplemented by a number of MVNOs; the network operators have focused on improving ARPU by encouraging prepaid subscribers to migrate to postpaid plans, and on developing revenue from mobile data services; 5G services are widely available, though the sector will only show its full potential later in 2021 following the award of licenses in several bands; this will contribute towards the government’s national broadband plan to 2027, which is tied to the EC’s two allied projects aimed at providing gigabit connectivity by the end of 2025; the broadband sector benefits from effective competition between the DSL and cable platforms, while there are also numerous fiber deployments in urban areas; the number of FttP subscribers broached 134,000 in March 2021. (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity 31 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions are 108 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 385;  the ADRIA-1 submarine cable provides connectivity to Albania and Greece; digital international service is provided through the main switch in Zagreb; Croatia participates in the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic project, which consists of 2 fiber-optic trunk connections with Slovenia and a fiber-optic trunk line from Rijeka to Split and Dubrovnik (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the national state-owned public broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision, operates 4 terrestrial TV networks, a satellite channel that rebroadcasts programs for Croatians overseas, and 6 regional TV centers; 2 private broadcasters with national terrestrial networks; 29 privately owned regional TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; state-owned public broadcaster operates 4 national radio networks and 23 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks and 117 local radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1187,7 +1176,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 14,000 active-duty personnel (10,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 1,500 Air force; 1,000 joint/other) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 14,000 active-duty Armed Forces (10,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 1,500 Air force; 1,000 joint/other) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era (largely from the former Yugoslavia) equipment and a growing amount of more modern, NATO-compatible weapon systems from suppliers such as France, Germany, Turkey, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/hu.json b/europe/hu.json index ffbd3510..4441ecd2 100644 --- a/europe/hu.json +++ b/europe/hu.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Duna (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Duna (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Duna (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Duna (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -1102,17 +1102,6 @@ "text": "104 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Hungary’s telecom infrastructure has been upgraded in recent years following considerable investments made by telcos as they upgrade their mobile networks to 5G and deploy more fiber; these developments have helped operators to promote converged fixed and mobile service; the number of fixed lines continue to fall as subscribers migrate to the mobile platform for voice and data services; a number of measures aimed at promoting competition in the broadband market encourage investment in technology upgrades; Hungary has the highest fixed broadband penetration rate in Eastern Europe; there remains considerable growth in mobile broadband services delivered via upgraded networks; 5G development is supported by the government, universities, other telcos, and vendors

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections, with 29 fixed per 100 persons and 104 mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 36; Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 (very small aperture terminal) VSAT system of ground terminals" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mixed system of state-supported media and private broadcasters; the 5 publicly owned TV channels and the 2 main privately owned TV stations are the major national broadcasters; large number of special-interest channels; highly developed market for satellite and cable TV with about two-thirds of viewers utilizing the services; 4 state-supported radio networks; large number of local stations, including commercial, public service, nonprofit, and community radio stations; digital transition completed in 2013 (2019)" }, @@ -1180,7 +1169,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 21,000 active-duty troops (16,000 Army; 5,000 Air Force) (2024)", + "text": "approximately 21,000 active-duty Defense Forces (16,000 Army; 5,000 Air Force) (2024)", "note": "note: in 2017, Hungary announced plans to increase the number of active soldiers to around 37,000 but did not give a timeline" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/ic.json b/europe/ic.json index 3a4ece32..cd015b4b 100644 --- a/europe/ic.json +++ b/europe/ic.json @@ -993,17 +993,6 @@ "text": "123 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Iceland has one of the smallest yet most progressive telecom markets in Europe; the country in 2020 became the top in Europe for fiber penetration; it aims to provide a fixed broadband service of at least 100Mb/s to 99.9% of the population by the end of 2021, an ambitious target by international standards and one which it is likely to achieve given the progress which operators have made in extending the reach of fiber networks; there is effective competition in the mobile and broadband markets, with a number of players having emerged to challenge the dominance of the two leading operators which have interests across the telecom sectors; the telecom market has shown some resilience in recent years following the significant economic downturn a decade ago, supported by continuing investment in mobile and fixed-line broadband infrastructure by operators and well as by the government’s Telecommunications Fund which is supporting Next Generation Access networks, particularly in rural areas (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "27 per 100 for fixed line and nearing 118 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 354; landing points for the CANTAT-3, FARICE-1, Greenland Connect and DANICE submarine cable system that provides connectivity to Canada, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, UK, Denmark, and Germany; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned public TV broadcaster (RUV) operates 21 TV channels nationally; every household is required to have RUV, which doubles as the emergency broadcast network; 3 privately owned TV stations; 100% of households have multi-channel services though digital and/or fiber-optic connections; RUV operates 3 national and 4 regional radio stations; 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), broadcasts nationwide; over 20 regional radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/europe/im.json b/europe/im.json index 09e03dd2..52ee9315 100644 --- a/europe/im.json +++ b/europe/im.json @@ -647,17 +647,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Isle of Man has an extensive communications infrastructure consisting of telephone cables, submarine cables, and an array of television and mobile phone transmitters and towers (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone system" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 44; fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satellite earth station, submarine cable" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "national public radio has 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial  radio broadcasters; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters" }, diff --git a/europe/it.json b/europe/it.json index fc56d7ab..45da4185 100644 --- a/europe/it.json +++ b/europe/it.json @@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ "text": "Prime Minister Giorgia MELONI (since 22 October 2022); the prime minister's official title is President of the Council of Ministers" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, who is known officially as the President of the Council of Ministers and locally as the Premier; nominated by the president" + "text": "Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, who is known officially as the President of the Council of Ministers and locally as the premier; nominated by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 24-29 January 2022 (eight rounds) (next to be held in 2029); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by parliament" @@ -1123,17 +1123,6 @@ "text": "133 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Italy’s large telecom market has one of the most progressive fiber sectors in Europe, with regulatory measures encouraging network sharing; regulatory measures have also been introduced to facilitate access to next generation networks (NGNs), and a number of deals have been brokered which enable the main telcoms to provide bundled services to large numbers of the population; Italy’s vibrant mobile market has one of the highest subscription rates in Europe, though the number of subscribers has fallen in recent years as customers respond to attractive off-net pricing which has reduced the financial benefit of having SIM cards from different providers; network companies were among the first in Europe to trial services based on 5G; the high cost also encouraged the regulator in early 2021 to consider extending the licenses by an additional six years (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "34 per 100 for fixed-line and nearly 132 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 39; landing points for Italy-Monaco, Italy-Libya, Italy-Malta, Italy-Greece-1, Italy-Croatia, BlueMed, Janna, FEA, SeaMeWe-3 & 4 & 5, Trapani-Kelibia, Columbus-III, Didon, GO-1, HANNIBAL System, MENA, Bridge International, Malta-Italy Interconnector, Melita1, IMEWE, VMSCS, AAE-1, and OTEGLOBE, submarine cables that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia and US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "two Italian media giants dominate, with 3 national terrestrial stations;  privately owned companies have 3 national terrestrial stations; a large number of private stations, a satellite TV network; 3 AM/FM nationwide radio stations; about 1,300 commercial radio stations" }, @@ -1228,7 +1217,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 170,000 active personnel (100,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force); approximately 108,000 Carabinieri (2024)" + "text": "approximately 170,000 active Armed Forces (100,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force); approximately 108,000 Carabinieri (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically manufactured, imported, and jointly produced weapons systems, mostly from Europe and the US; in recent years, the US has been the lead supplier of military hardware to Italy; the Italian defense industry is capable of producing equipment across all the military domains with particular strengths in aircraft, armored vehicles, and naval vessels; it also participates in joint development and production of advanced weapons systems with other European countries and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/je.json b/europe/je.json index c122ad86..1f0e68a6 100644 --- a/europe/je.json +++ b/europe/je.json @@ -632,17 +632,6 @@ "text": "120 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecommunication services comprise of Internet, telephone, broadcasting and postal services, which allow islanders to contact people and receive information; Internet connectivity to the rest of the world is provided by undersea cables linked to Guernsey, the UK and France; (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular 120 per 100 subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 44; landing points for the INGRID, UK-Channel Islands-8, and Guernsey-Jersey-4, submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey; satellite packages available; BBC Radio Jersey and 1 other radio station operating" }, diff --git a/europe/kv.json b/europe/kv.json index 906f1ee0..d274eec3 100644 --- a/europe/kv.json +++ b/europe/kv.json @@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ "text": "President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "vacant (since 15 April 2025)" + "text": "Acting Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 15 April 2025)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet elected by the Assembly" @@ -891,17 +891,6 @@ "text": "98 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Kosovo has benefited from financial and regulatory assistance as part of the EU pre-accession process; the telecom sector has been liberalized, and legislation has aligned the sector with the EU’s revised regulatory framework; infrastructure development includes WiMax and other municipal wireless internet services; digitalization of TV broadcasting; network upgrades include a 5G roll-out in the coming years (2022 )" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 25 per 100 and mobile-cellular 98 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 383" - } - }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".xk; note - assigned as a temporary code under UN Security Council resolution 1244/99

 ", "note": " " @@ -951,7 +940,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 3,300 KSF personnel, including about 800 reserves (2024)" + "text": "approximately 3,300 Kosovo Security Forces, including about 800 reserves (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the KSF is equipped with small arms and light vehicles and has relied on limited amounts of donated equipment from several countries, particularly Turkey and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/lg.json b/europe/lg.json index a500ca20..cbc8adcf 100644 --- a/europe/lg.json +++ b/europe/lg.json @@ -546,8 +546,7 @@ }, "election results": { "text": "
2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39

2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39" - }, - "note": "note: on 15 September 2023, Parliament voted 53-39 to approve Prime Minister Evika SILINA" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1046,17 +1045,6 @@ "text": "117 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom market continues to benefit from investment and from regulatory measures aimed at developing 5G and fiber-based infrastructure; the mobile market is dominated by three operators and there is effective competition between them, with the smallest among them having almost a quarter of the market by subscribers; these multi-service operators have focused investment on fiber networks and on expanding the reach of 5G; mobile network capacity has been improved since 2022 following the auction of spectrum in the 700MHz and 1.5GHz bands; operators have entered into agreements with neighboring Estonia and Lithuania to coordinate the use of spectrum for 5G in border areas, improving coverage to end-users without interference; in the fixed-line broadband sector, the country is ranked among the highest in Europe for fiber coverage; it has the second highest rural FttP coverage after Denmark; with this infrastructure in place, the country has also developed a sophisticated digital economy, with e-commerce and e-government services widely available

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 117 per 100 subscriptions (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 371; the Latvian network is now connected via fiber-optic cable to Estonia, Finland, and Sweden" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "several national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations" }, @@ -1147,7 +1135,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 8,000 active military forces; approximately 10,000 National Guard (2024)" + "text": "approximately 8,000 active Armed Forces; approximately 10,000 National Guard  (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Latvian military's inventory consists of a mix of European and US weapons and equipment (2024)" diff --git a/europe/lh.json b/europe/lh.json index b716915d..72b29562 100644 --- a/europe/lh.json +++ b/europe/lh.json @@ -1066,17 +1066,6 @@ "text": "139 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Lithuania’s small telecoms market is among the more advanced in Europe, particularly given the universal access to long-term evolution (LTE) infrastructure and the extensive fiber footprint; Operator investment has been focused on fiber broadband and mobile network upgrades; Fiber is now by far the dominant fixed broadband platform, with the number of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and cable connections in steady decline; LTE services are available nationally, operators have made steady investments in 5G

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 9 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions; mobile-cellular subscriptions at 139 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 370; landing points for the BCS East, BCS East-West Interlink and NordBalt connecting Lithuania to Sweden, and Latvia ; further transmission by satellite; landline connections to Latvia and Poland (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "public broadcaster operates 3 channels, with the third channel (satellite) introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, with repeater stations in various regions " }, @@ -1167,7 +1156,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 18,000 active-duty personnel (14,000 Army, including about 5,000 active National Defense Voluntary Forces); 500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,500 other, including special operations forces, logistics support, training, etc) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 18,000 active-duty Armed Forces (14,000 Army, including about 5,000 active National Defense Voluntary Forces); 500 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,500 other, including special operations forces, logistics support, training, etc) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of mostly European and US weapons and equipment (2024)" diff --git a/europe/lo.json b/europe/lo.json index 4a380495..364c026a 100644 --- a/europe/lo.json +++ b/europe/lo.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "259 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunaj (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunaj (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunaj (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunaj (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -1089,17 +1089,6 @@ "text": "132 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the broadband market has shown steady growth in recent years; fiber has become the principal platform for fixed broadband services, followed by DSL; the cable sector is a distant third in terms of subscribers, though cable is particularly strong in urban areas; mobile broadband access and content services are developing rapidly in line with operators having upgraded their networks; the regulator prepared the groundwork for 5G services in line with European Union requirements, with concessions in the 3.5GHz range followed by those in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands; 5G was launched in late 2021 and is expected to cover about a fifth of the population by the end of 2022 (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 10 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 132 per 100 tele density (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 421; 3 international exchanges (1 in Bratislava and 2 in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services; connects to DREAM cable (2017)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), has 2 national TV stations; roughly 50 privately owned national, regional, and local TV stations; about 40% of households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; multiple RTVS national and regional radio networks; 32 privately owned radio stations" }, @@ -1159,7 +1148,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty personnel (8,000 Ground Forces; 4,000 Air Force; 3,000 other, including staff, special operations, and support forces) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists mostly of Soviet-era platforms; in recent years it has imported limited quantities of more modern, NATO-compatible equipment, particularly from Italy and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/ls.json b/europe/ls.json index 9d8a6c6b..22209d1d 100644 --- a/europe/ls.json +++ b/europe/ls.json @@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in Parliament usually appointed the head of government by the monarch, and the leader of the largest minority party in Parliament usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government" }, - "note": "note: the prince's successor is Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS (son of the monarch, born 11 June 1968); on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but Prince HANS-ADAM II retains status of chief of state" + "note": "note: the prince's successor is his son, Heir Apparent and Regent of Liechtenstein Prince ALOIS; on 15 August 2004, HANS-ADAM II transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but Prince HANS-ADAM II retains the status of chief of state" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -688,18 +688,6 @@ "text": "126 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "possesses a number of modern communications systems, some of which are shared with the neighboring country of Switzerland (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 30 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 126 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay" - }, - "note": "n" - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based TV station established in 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates one radio station" }, diff --git a/europe/lu.json b/europe/lu.json index 73cf2ca5..bfdc98c5 100644 --- a/europe/lu.json +++ b/europe/lu.json @@ -1029,17 +1029,6 @@ "text": "137 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Luxembourg has a small telecom sector; there remains some pressure from regulatory measures, though no further reductions to fixed and mobile interconnection tariffs have been imposed through to 2024; high mobile penetration has slowed subscriber growth in the mobile market since 2005, though a recent law requiring SIM card registration has not had an adverse effect on the number of mobile subscribers despite network operators deactivating unregistered cards (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity about 42 per 100 persons; 140 per 100 mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 352" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "long national tradition of operating radio and TV services for pan-European audiences; home to Europe's largest privately owned broadcast media group, the RTL Group, which operates 46 TV stations and 29 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Société Européenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL Group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations available; satellite and cable TV services available" }, @@ -1107,7 +1096,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 900 active-duty personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 900 active Luxembourg Army personnel (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of Luxembourg's Army is a small mix of Western origin equipment (2024)" diff --git a/europe/md.json b/europe/md.json index 243c1222..740178e9 100644 --- a/europe/md.json +++ b/europe/md.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "2,150 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Dunărea (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Nistru (Dniester) (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ "text": "Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2024 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament" + "text": "president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2024 (next to be held in 2028); prime minister designated by the president on consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: In the second round of presidential elections, incumbent Maia SANDU (PAS) wins 55.4% of the vote, Alexandr STOIANOGLO (PSRM) 44.6; turnout is 54.3%

2020: Maia SANDU elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3%

2016: Igor DODON elected president in second round; percent of vote - Igor DODON (PSRM) 52.1%, Maia SANDU (PAS) 47.9%" @@ -1038,17 +1038,6 @@ "text": "127 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom market has been affected by a combination of high unemployment and economic difficulties which have led to constraints on consumer spending; Moldova’s aspirations to join the EU have encouraged the government and regulator to adopt a range of measures to bring the country’s telecoms sector into line with EU principles and standards; in July 2017 the Electronic Communications Act was amended to accommodate the 2009 European regulatory framework, while further amendments were adopted in December 2017 and additional changes were proposed in 2019; Moldova is also part of the Eastern Partnership group of countries, and as such has set in train a glidepath to reducing roaming charges, effective between 2022 and 2026; the country’s broadband strategy through to 2025 has been supported by the ITU and industry counterparts from Korea; the internet market is developing rapidly, and though the penetration rate is well below the average for most European countries there are many opportunities for further development; the number of cable broadband subscribers is increasing steadily, though fiber is now by far the strongest sector; by the end of 2020 fiber accounted for about 72.3% of all fixed broadband connections; the mobile market has also grown rapidly, and the sector accounts for the majority of total telecoms revenue; the launch of LTE services has opened up a new revenue growth opportunity centered on mobile broadband; the near comprehensive geographical reach of their mobile networks, market brand recognition and existing customer relationships will make for steady subscriber growth in coming years

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line service is 29 per 100; mobile cellular tele density is 127 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and about 50 radio stations; Russian and Romanian channels are available (2019)" }, @@ -1105,6 +1094,9 @@ "note": "note: the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions; the GPI is the primary law enforcement body, responsible for internal security, public order, traffic, and criminal investigations" }, "Military expenditures": { + "Military Expenditures 2024": { + "text": "0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)" + }, "Military Expenditures 2023": { "text": "0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, @@ -1116,13 +1108,10 @@ }, "Military Expenditures 2020": { "text": "0.4% of GDP (2020 est.)" - }, - "Military Expenditures 2019": { - "text": "0.4% of GDP (2019 est.)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 6,500 active-duty troops; approximately 2,000 Carabinieri (2023)" + "text": "approximately 6,500 Moldovan Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is limited and almost entirely comprised of Soviet-era equipment; in recent years, it has received donated equipment from Western European nations and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/mj.json b/europe/mj.json index 54286a17..333dafd9 100644 --- a/europe/mj.json +++ b/europe/mj.json @@ -1061,17 +1061,6 @@ "text": "203 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "a small telecom market supported by a population of only 623,000; fixed broadband services are available via a variety of technology platforms, though fiber is the dominant platform, accounting for almost 40% of connections; the growth of fiber has largely been at the expense of DSL as customers are migrated to fiber networks as these are built out progressively; mobile penetration is particularly high, though this is partly due to the significant number of tourists visiting the country seasonally, as also to the popularity of subscribers having multiple prepaid cards; in the wake of the pandemic and associated restrictions on travel, the number of mobile subscribers fell in 2020, as also in the first quarter of 2021, year-on-year; networks support a vibrant mobile broadband services sector, largely based on LTE; two of the MNOs began trialing 5G in May 2021, though commercial services will not gain traction until after the multi-spectrum auction is completed at the end of 2021; spectrum is available in the 694-790MHz and 3400-3800MHz ranges, as well as in the 26.5-27.5GHz range (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line over 30 per 100 and mobile-cellular 178 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-funded national radio and TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks; 4 local public TV stations and 14 private TV stations; 14 local public radio stations, 35 private radio stations, and several online media (2019)" }, @@ -1164,7 +1153,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 1,600 active-duty troops (2024)" + "text": "approximately 1,600 active-duty Army of Montenegro forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is small and consists largely of Soviet-era equipment inherited from the former Yugoslavia military, along with a limited but growing mix of imported Western systems (2024)" diff --git a/europe/mk.json b/europe/mk.json index 3e8fc7eb..7069b3cd 100644 --- a/europe/mk.json +++ b/europe/mk.json @@ -1050,17 +1050,6 @@ "text": "98 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "as part of the EU pre-accession process, North Macedonia has built closer economic ties with the Union which accounts for 79% of Macedonia’s exports and 49% of its imports; closer regulatory and administrative ties with European Commission (EC) institutions have done much to develop the telecom sector and prepare the market for the competitive environment encouraged in the EU; as part of EU integration legislation North Macedonia has implemented the principles of the EU’s regulatory framework for communications, established an independent regulator and set out several provisions to provide for a competitive telecom market, including wholesale access to the incumbent’s fixed-line network; broadband services are widely available, with effective competition between DSL and cable platforms complemented by wireless broadband and a developing fiber sector; the number of DSL subscribers has continued to fall in recent years as customers are migrated to fiber networks; the MNOs are increasingly focused on expanding their 5G networks, seeking stronger coverage across North Macedonia’s high value urban areas; mobile data services are also becoming increasingly important following investments in LTE network rollouts and in upgrades to LTE-A technology (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line roughly 20 per 100 and mobile-cellular 92 per 100 subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 389" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "public TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 5 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; 11 regional TV stations broadcast nationally; 29 regional and local broadcasters; a large number of cable operators offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; 4 privately owned national radio stations and 60 regional and local operators (2023)" }, @@ -1120,7 +1109,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 6,000 active-duty personnel (2024)" + "text": "approximately 6,000 active Army of the Republic of North Macedonia forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and increasing amounts of modern equipment from countries such as Turkey, the UK, and the US, with more on order (2024)" diff --git a/europe/mn.json b/europe/mn.json index afaf91e6..b5f9165c 100644 --- a/europe/mn.json +++ b/europe/mn.json @@ -698,17 +698,6 @@ "text": "107 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "modern automatic telephone system: the country's sole fixed-line operator offers a full range of services to residential and business customers; competitive mobile telephony market; 4G LTE widely available (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line a little over 117 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 99 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 377; landing points for the EIG and Italy-Monaco submarine cables connecting Monaco to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "TV Monte-Carlo operates a TV network; cable TV available; Radio Monte-Carlo has extensive radio networks in France and Italy, with French-language broadcasts to France beginning in the 1960s and Italian-language broadcasts to Italy beginning in the 1970s; other radio stations include Riviera Radio and Radio Monaco" }, diff --git a/europe/mt.json b/europe/mt.json index 47eec195..80bfed1a 100644 --- a/europe/mt.json +++ b/europe/mt.json @@ -1004,17 +1004,6 @@ "text": "132 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe; this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure; with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities; the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices; the incumbent telco is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt; expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users; there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line approximately 49 per 100  persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 122 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta and an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, 2 of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1100,7 +1089,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2,000 active-duty personnel (2023)" + "text": "approximately 2,000 active Armed Forces of Malta (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a small inventory that consists of equipment from a mix of European countries, particularly Italy, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/europe/nl.json b/europe/nl.json index c2673fa0..ae267424 100644 --- a/europe/nl.json +++ b/europe/nl.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "2,969 sq km (2019)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rijn (Rhine) river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rijn (Rhine) river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)" @@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rijn (Rhine) river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rijn (Rhine) river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)" @@ -1134,17 +1134,6 @@ "text": "118 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "telecom infrastructure in the Netherlands continues to be upgraded as modernization schemes undertaken by telcos make steady progress; other fiber providers have been supported by regulatory measures which have encouraged municipal governments to intervene with telcos’ fiber builds, facilitating open access networks in a bid to make rollouts cheaper, and completed sooner; while the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are also closing down their Global System for Mobile Communication (MSM) and 3G networks and repurposing their spectrum and physical assets for LTE and 5G, the regulator has also encouraged GSM/3G roaming in the interim, thus safeguarding services such as machine to machine and other low data-use applications while individual MNOs disable their own GSM/3G networks; the country has one of the highest fixed broadband penetration rates in the world, with effective cross-platform competition between Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Hybrid Fiber Coazial (HFC), and fiber networks; in the third quarter of 2020 the number of cable broadband connections fell for the first time, while the DSL segment has long been eclipsed by fiber; by the end of 2021, over a quarter of fixed broadband connections were on fiber infrastructure, while DSL accounted for only about 29%; almost 49% of fixed connections provided data above 100Mb/s, while an additional 43.7% provided data of at least 30Mb/s (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 29 per 100 and mobile-cellular at 125 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 31; landing points for Farland North, TAT-14, Circe North, Concerto, Ulysses 2, AC-1, UK-Netherlands 14, and COBRAcable submarine cables which provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "more than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems with a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder in regional and local markets; 2 nationwide commercial TV companies, each with 3 or more stations, and many commercial TV stations in regional and local markets; nearly 600 radio stations with a mix of public and private stations " }, @@ -1236,7 +1225,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 51,000 active-duty military personnel (22,000 Army; 9,000 Navy/Marines; 8,000 Air Force; 7,000 Constabulary; 5,000 other) (2025)", + "text": "approximately 51,000 active-duty Armed Forces (22,000 Army; 9,000 Navy/Marines; 8,000 Air Force; 7,000 Constabulary; 5,000 other) (2025)", "note": "note: the total figures include both professional military and reservists on active duty" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/no.json b/europe/no.json index c4baac3e..87a33bb8 100644 --- a/europe/no.json +++ b/europe/no.json @@ -1075,17 +1075,6 @@ "text": "111 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Norway has a sophisticated telecom market with high broadband and mobile penetration rates and a highly developed digital media sector. Although not a member of the European Union, the country’s telecoms sector is synchronized with relevant EC legislation; Norway enjoys near comprehensive LTE coverage with upgrades to 5G technologies in the future (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 7 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 110 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 47; landing points for the Svalbard Undersea Cable System, Polar Circle Cable, Bodo-Rost Cable, NOR5KE Viking, Celtic Norse, Tampnet Offshore FOC Network, England Cable, Denmark-Norwary6, Havfrue/AEC-2, Skagerrak 4, and the Skagenfiber West & East submarine cables providing links to other Nordic countries, Europe and the US; satellite earth stations - Eutelsat, Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned public radio and TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide TV stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately owned TV stations broadcast nationally, and another 25 locally; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationwide, with another 240 local stations; Norway was the first country to phase out FM radio in favor of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) (2019)" }, @@ -1179,7 +1168,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 27,000 active personnel (9,000 Army; 4,300 Navy; 4,700 Air Force; 9,000 other, including special operations, cyber, joint staff, intelligence, logistics support, active Home Guard, etc.); approximately 40,000 Home Guard (2024)", + "text": "approximately 27,000 active Armed Forces (9,000 Army; 4,300 Navy; 4,700 Air Force; 9,000 other, including special operations, cyber, joint staff, intelligence, logistics support, active Home Guard, etc.); approximately 40,000 Home Guard (2024)", "note": "note: active personnel include about 10,000 conscripts" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/pl.json b/europe/pl.json index 401bb4c1..67397b79 100644 --- a/europe/pl.json +++ b/europe/pl.json @@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Wisla (Vistula) river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km
note - longest river in Poland" + "text": "Wisla (Vistula) river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km

note: longest river in Poland" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Wisla (Vistula) river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km
note - longest river in Poland" + "text": "Wisla (Vistula) river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km

note: longest river in Poland" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -1126,17 +1126,6 @@ "text": "132 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the liberalized telecom market has seen considerable development in the broadband and mobile sectors; the regulatory environment has encouraged market competition, partly by encouraging operators to secure spectrum and also by ensuring access to cable and fiber infrastructure; the mobile market in recent years has been characterized by the rapid extension of LTE and 5G networks, and the development of mobile data services based on newly released and re-farmed spectrum; the regulator’s attempts to auction spectrum in a range of bands has been delayed, with spectrum in the 5G-suitable 3.4-3.8GHz range having been put back to later in 2023 as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and changes to legislation (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 13 per 100 (service lags in rural areas), mobile-cellular is 132 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 48; landing points for the Baltica and the Denmark-Poland2 submarine cables connecting Poland, Denmark and Sweden; international direct dialing with automated exchanges; satellite earth station - 1 with access to Intelsat, Eutelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run public TV operates 2 national channels supplemented by 16 regional and several niche channels; privately owned entities operate several national TV networks and some special interest channels; many privately owned local channels; roughly half of all households are linked to satellite or cable TV systems with access to foreign TV; state-run public radio operates 5 national networks and 17 regional stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks, several commercial stations, and many privately owned local radio stations (2019)" }, diff --git a/europe/po.json b/europe/po.json index c02fcf21..3ceca1a7 100644 --- a/europe/po.json +++ b/europe/po.json @@ -1067,17 +1067,6 @@ "text": "125 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Portugal has a medium-sized telecom market with a strong mobile sector and a growing broadband customer base; before the pandemic, the country had seen improving economic growth, following several years of austerity measures; revenue among some operators remains under pressure, though investments in network upgrades are continuing in an effort to attract customers to high-end services; Portugal’s broadband services have grown steadily in recent years, largely the result of joint efforts between the regulator and the key market operators which have invested in significant infrastructure upgrades; these operators are focused on fiber-based services, resulting in a migration of subscribers from digital subscriber line DSL infrastructure; the government has also supported open-access wholesale networks; the mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) market remains largely undeveloped, partly because network operators have their own low-cost brands; collectively, MVNOs have about 2.9% share of the market; population coverage by 3G infrastructure is universal, and most investment in the sector is being directed to LTE and 5G technologies; the MNOs have trialed 5G and are looking to launch commercial services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-lineis 52 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular is 121 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 351; landing points for the Ella Link, BUGIO, EIG, SAT-3/WASC, SeaMeWe-3, Equino, MainOne, Tat TGN-Western Europe, WACS, ACE, Atlantis2 and Columbus-III submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Radio e Televisao de Portugal, the publicly owned TV broadcaster, operates 4 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa;  roughly 40 domestic TV stations; widespread access to international broadcasters, with more than half of households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately owned national radio stations and about 300 regional and local commercial radio stations" }, @@ -1168,7 +1157,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 28,000 active-duty personnel (15,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 24,500 National Republican Guard (military personnel) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 28,000 active-duty Armed Forces (15,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 24,500 National Republican Guard (military personnel) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes mostly European- and US-origin weapons systems along with a smaller mix of domestically produced equipment; in recent years, leading foreign suppliers have included Germany and the US; Portugal's defense industry is noted for its shipbuilding (2024)", diff --git a/europe/ri.json b/europe/ri.json index de17a095..f3d775aa 100644 --- a/europe/ri.json +++ b/europe/ri.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "550 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunav (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "

117 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina) and 28 cities (gradovi, singular - grad)

municipalities: Ada*, Aleksandrovac, Aleksinac, Alibunar*, Apatin*, Arandelovac, Arilje, Babusnica, Bac*, Backa Palanka*, Backa Topola*, Backi Petrovac*, Bajina Basta, Batocina, Becej*, Bela Crkva*, Bela Palanka, Beocin*, Blace, Bogatic, Bojnik, Boljevac, Bosilegrad, Brus, Bujanovac, Cajetina, Cicevac, Coka*, Crna Trava, Cuprija, Despotovac, Dimitrov, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Golubac, Gornji Milanovac, Indija*, Irig*, Ivanjica, Kanjiza*, Kladovo, Knic, Knjazevac, Koceljeva, Kosjeric, Kovacica*, Kovin*, Krupanj, Kucevo, Kula*, Kursumlija, Lajkovac, Lapovo, Lebane, Ljig, Ljubovija, Lucani, Majdanpek, Mali Idos*, Mali Zvornik, Malo Crnice, Medveda, Merosina, Mionica, Negotin, Nova Crnja*, Nova Varos, Novi Becej*, Novi Knezevac*, Odzaci*, Opovo*, Osecina, Paracin, Pecinci*, Petrovac na Mlavi, Plandiste*, Pozega, Presevo, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raca, Raska, Razanj, Rekovac, Ruma*, Secanj*, Senta*, Sid*, Sjenica, Smederevska Palanka, Sokobanja, Srbobran*, Sremski Karlovci*, Stara Pazova*, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Svrljig, Temerin*, Titel*, Topola, Trgoviste, Trstenik, Tutin, Ub, Varvarin, Velika Plana, Veliko Gradiste, Vladicin Han, Vladimirci, Vlasotince, Vrbas*, Vrnjacka Banja, Zabalj*, Zabari, Zagubica, Zitiste*, Zitorada

cities: Beograd (Belgrade), Bor, Cacak, Jagodina, Kikinda*, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Krusevac, Leskovac, Loznica, Nis, Novi Pazar, Novi Sad*, Pancevo*, Pirot, Pozarevac, Prokuplje, Sabac, Smederevo, Sombor*, Sremska Mitrovica*, Subotica*, Uzice, Valjevo, Vranje, Vrsac*, Zajecar, Zrenjanin*

", - "note": "note: the northern 37 municipalities and 8 cities - about 28% of Serbia's area - compose the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and are indicated with *" + "note": "note: the northern 37 municipalities and 8 cities -- about 28% of Serbia's area -- compose the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and are indicated with an asterisk" }, "Independence": { "text": "5 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro); notable earlier dates: 1217 (Serbian Kingdom established); 16 April 1346 (Serbian Empire established); 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Serbian independence); 1 December 1918 (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia) established)" @@ -1095,17 +1095,6 @@ "text": "124 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Serbia’s telecom industry has been liberalized in line with the principles of the EU’s regulatory framework for communications, focused on encouraging competition in telecom products and services, and ensuring universal access; considerable network investment has been undertaken in Serbia by incumbent and alternative operators in recent years, despite economic difficulties; this has helped to stimulate internet usage, which has also been bolstered by improved affordability as prices are reduced through competition; the pandemic has stimulated consumer take up of services, particularly mobile data; the government’s various initiatives to improve rural broadband availability have also been supported by European development loans; Serbia’s high mobile services, partly the result of multiple SIM card use, has weighed on revenue growth in recent years, placing further pressure on operators to develop business models which encourage consumer use of mobile data services also in response to the continued substitution of fixed-line for mobile voice calls; the regulator has yet to auction 5G-suitable frequencies, though operators are already investing in their networks in preparation for this next growth frontier; during 2021 the regulator resumed the process towards a 5G spectrum auction, which had been delayed owing to the onset of the covid-19 pandemic (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line over 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 124 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 381" - } - }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".rs" }, @@ -1162,7 +1151,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 25,000 active-duty troops (15,000 Land Forces; 5,000 Air/Air Defense; 5,000 other); approximately 3,000 Gendarmerie (2023)" + "text": "approximately 25,000 active-duty Armed Forces (15,000 Land Forces; 5,000 Air/Air Defense; 5,000 other, including Serbian Guard) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced, Russian/Soviet-era, and Yugoslav equipment and weapons systems; in recent years, it has purchased some weapons systems from China, such as anti-aircraft missiles and armed aerial drones (2024)" diff --git a/europe/ro.json b/europe/ro.json index 07d4bee4..b1a2d1a3 100644 --- a/europe/ro.json +++ b/europe/ro.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "5,280 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -446,7 +446,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunărea (Danube) river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)" @@ -678,7 +678,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador Kathleen KAVALEC (since 14 February 2023)" + "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Michael L. DICKERSON (since 20 May 2025)" }, "embassy": { "text": "4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118" @@ -1140,17 +1140,6 @@ "text": "118 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Romania’s telecom market has undergone several significant changes in recent years; the mobile market is served by network operators that have extensive LTE networks in place, while services based on 5G have been offered under their existing spectrum concessions since 2019; the delayed multi-spectrum auction, expected to be completed later in 2021, will enable the operators to expand 5G network capacity and enable consumers to make far greater use of the technology’s potential; in line with legislation passed in July 2021 the MNOs will have to replace equipment provided by vendors deemed to be a security risk (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 13 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is119 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 40; landing point for the Diamond Link Global submarine cable linking Romania with Georgia; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "a mixture of public and private TV stations; 7 public (2 national, 5 regional) and 187 private TV stations using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks, as well as regional and local stations; 502 private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting, and 26 using satellite broadcasting" }, @@ -1240,7 +1229,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 68,000 active-duty military personnel (53,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 8,000 Air Force) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 68,000 active Armed Forces (53,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 8,000 Air Force) (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a considerable amount of Soviet-era and older domestically produced weapons systems, although in recent years Romania has launched an effort to acquire more modern and NATO-standard equipment from European countries and the US, including aircraft and armored vehicles (2024)" diff --git a/europe/si.json b/europe/si.json index b0301b95..f837cc84 100644 --- a/europe/si.json +++ b/europe/si.json @@ -1100,17 +1100,6 @@ "text": "126 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Slovenia’s telecom sector is dominated by four operators; the mobile market has four MNOs and a small number of MVNOs, operating in a country with a potential market of just over two million people; the regulator in recent years has addressed the need for mobile operators to have more spectrum, so enabling them to improve the quality and range of services; a multi-spectrum auction was concluded in mid-2021, aimed at supporting 5G services; the broadband market continues to be dominated by a small number of players; DSL lost its dominance some years ago, being taken over by fiber as subscribers are migrated to new fiber-based networks; fiber accounted for almost half of all fixed broadband connections by March 2022 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 32 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 126 per 100 teledensity (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 386 (2016)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "public TV broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV), operates a system of national and regional TV stations; 35 commercial TV stations; about 60% of households connected to multi-channel cable TV; public radio broadcaster with 3 national and 4 regional stations; more than 75 regional and local commercial and non-commercial radio stations" }, @@ -1200,7 +1189,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 6,000 active-duty troops (2024)" + "text": "approximately 6,000 active Armed Forces (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and smaller quantities of more modern, mostly Western equipment; in recent years, Slovenia has begun a modernization program and imported growing amounts of NATO-standard European and US equipment (2024)" diff --git a/europe/sm.json b/europe/sm.json index ef23ddb0..1a7f587f 100644 --- a/europe/sm.json +++ b/europe/sm.json @@ -834,17 +834,6 @@ "text": "122 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system (2018)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 119 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 378; connected to Italian international network" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned public broadcaster operates 1 TV station and 3 radio stations; receives radio and TV broadcasts from Italy (2019)" }, diff --git a/europe/sp.json b/europe/sp.json index f7dba666..cd80c40b 100644 --- a/europe/sp.json +++ b/europe/sp.json @@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ "text": "38,012 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Tagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Tagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "with the notable exception of Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations are found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts; numerous smaller cities are spread throughout the interior reflecting Spain's agrarian heritage; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelona" @@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Tagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Tagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { @@ -1142,19 +1142,8 @@ "text": "124 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Spain’s telecom sector has tracked the performance of the overall economy, which has been one of the most heavily impacted by the pandemic in all of Europe; GDP dropped by 10.8% in 2020, while telecom revenue reversed the previous five years’ positive results by falling 5.3%; fixed-line services were the hardest hit, with revenue falling 13.7%; mobile voice services did not fare much better, falling 4.7%; this is despite relatively small shifts in the number of subscribers, though the harsh lockdown conditions resulted in a significant drop in usage; it had appeared that a return to growth might be possible in 2021 following lifting the state of emergency in May, but the most recent surge in cases and the continued restrictions on travel may once again put the brakes on growth until at least 2022; Spain’s fixed-line broadband market managed to extend its decade-long pattern of steady growth into 2020, with a slight increase in demand caused by the need for fast internet access to support working and learning from home; while most of Spain’s larger telcos delivered negative revenue and profit in 2020 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 39 per 100 and mobile-cellular 124 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 34; landing points for the MAREA, Tata TGN-Western Europe, Pencan-9, SAT-3/WASC, Canalink, Atlantis-2, Columbus -111, Estepona-Tetouan, FLAG Europe-Asia (FEA), Balalink, ORVAL and PENBAL-5 submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia, Southeast Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to adjacent countries (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

mix of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; hundreds of TV channels available, including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV available; multiple national radio networks, large number of regional radio networks, and larger number of local radio stations

(2019)" + "text": "mix of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; hundreds of TV channels available, including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV available; multiple national radio networks, large number of regional radio networks, and larger number of local radio stations (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".es" @@ -1246,8 +1235,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 118,000 active-duty troops (70,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 5,500 marines; 23,000 Air and Space Force); 80,000 Guardia Civil (2024)", - "note": "note: military figures include about 3,500 Emergency Response Unit and 1,500-2,000 Royal Guard personnel" + "text": "approximately 120,000 active-duty Armed Forces (70,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 5,500 marines; 25,000 Air and Space Force); approximately 80,000 Guardia Civil (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised of weapons and equipment that were produced domestically, co-produced with or imported from other EU countries, or purchased from the US; in recent years, leading suppliers have included France, Germany, and the US; Spain's defense industry manufactures land, air, and sea weapons systems and is integrated within the European defense-industrial sector (2024)" diff --git a/europe/sv.json b/europe/sv.json index 6ad9af30..adcdf187 100644 --- a/europe/sv.json +++ b/europe/sv.json @@ -237,17 +237,6 @@ "Energy": { }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Svalbard Undersea Cable System is a twin submarine communications cable which connects Svalbard to the mainland of Norway (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "the Svalbard Satellite Station - connected to the mainland via the Svalbard Undersea Cable System - is the only Arctic ground station that can see low-altitude, polar-orbiting satellites; it provides ground services to more satellites than any other facility in the world (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 47-790; the Svalbard Undersea Cable System is a twin communications cable that connects Svalbard to mainland Norway; the system is the sole telecommunications link to the archipelago (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) provides TV transmission to Svalbard via satellite; access to 3 NRK radio stations and 2 TV stations" }, diff --git a/europe/sw.json b/europe/sw.json index 9f604fe4..439ae50b 100644 --- a/europe/sw.json +++ b/europe/sw.json @@ -1085,17 +1085,6 @@ "text": "125 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Sweden’s telecom market includes mature mobile and broadband sectors which have been stimulated by the progressive investment of the main telcos in developing new technologies; the country retains one of the best developed LTE infrastructures in the region, while its MNOs have benefited from the January 2021 auction of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band which will enable them to expand services nationally; the country also has one of the highest fiber broadband penetration rates in Europe; the focus of FttP is aimed at fulfilling the government’s target of providing a 1Gb/s service to 98% of the population by 2025; the methodology to achieve this has rested on regulatory measures supported by public funds, as well as on the auction of spectrum in different bands; in the fixed-line broadband segment, the number of DSL subscribers is falling steadily as customers continue to migrate to fiber networks; there is also competition from HFC infrastructure, offering fiber-based broadband and investing in services based on the DOCSIS3.1 standard; this report assesses key aspects of the Swedish telecom market, providing data on fixed network services and profiling the main players; it also reviews the key regulatory issues, including interconnection, local loop unbundling, number portability, carrier preselection and NGN open access; the report also analyses the mobile market, providing data on network operators and their strategies in a highly competitive environment; in addition, the report considers the fixed and fixed-wireless broadband markets, including analyses of market dynamics and the main operators, as well as providing subscriber forecasts (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 125 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 46; landing points for Botina, SFL, SFS-4, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, Eastern Light, Sweden-Latvia, BCS North-Phase1, EE-S1, LV-SE1, BCS East-West Interlink, NordBalt, Baltica, Denmark-Sweden-15,-17,-18, Scandinavian Ring -North,-South, IP-Only Denmark-Sweden, Donica North, Kattegate-1,-2, Energinet Laeso-Varberg and GC2 submarine cables providing links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Sweden shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Norway) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "publicly owned TV broadcaster has 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly owned radio broadcaster has 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately owned local radio stations, with some consolidating into near-national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently" }, @@ -1188,7 +1177,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the SAF has about 25,000 active-duty personnel: approximately 14,000 continuous service/full-time and approximately 11,000 temporary service; approximately 21,000 Home Guard (some on active duty) (2025)", + "text": "approximately 25,000 active Armed Forces (14,000 continuous service/full-time and 11,000 temporary service); approximately 21,000 Home Guard (some on active duty) (2025)", "note": "note 1: SAF personnel are divided into continuously serving (full-time) and temporary service troops (part-timers who serve periodically and have another main employer or attend school); additional personnel have signed service agreements with the SAF and mostly serve in the Home Guard; the SAF also has about 9,000 civilian employees

note 2: in 2021, Sweden announced plans that increase the total size of the armed forces to about 100,000 personnel by 2030" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/europe/sz.json b/europe/sz.json index 7b8c64cb..51d888e9 100644 --- a/europe/sz.json +++ b/europe/sz.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rhein (Rhine)  river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rhein (Rhine) river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)" @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rhein (Rhine)  river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rhein (Rhine) river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)" @@ -559,7 +559,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2023:  Viola AMHERD elected president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - Viola AMHERD (The Center) 158 of 204; Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP.The Liberals) elected vice president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - 138 of 196

2022:  Alain BERSET elected president for 2023; Federal Assembly vote - Alain BERSET (SP) 140 OF 181; Viola AMHERD elected vice president; Federal assembly vote - 207 of 223" }, - "note": "note: the Federal Council, comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate the 1-year term of federal president" + "note": "note: the Federal Council, composed of 7 federal councilors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate the 1-year term of federal president" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1117,19 +1117,8 @@ "text": "120 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Switzerland has one of the highest broadband penetration rates within Europe, with a focus on services of at least 1Gb/s; this has been supported by sympathetic regulatory measures as well as by cooperative agreements between the main telcos, and with local utilities; fast fiber is complemented by 5G services reaching about 97% of the population by early 2021; together, these networks will soon enable the telcos to provide ultra-fast broadband services nationally, ahead of most other countries in the region; the competitive mobile market is served by three network operators and a small number of MVNOs; 5G services offered by the MNOs offer data rates of up to 2Gb/s, and although various cantons have called a halt to extensions of 5G, citing health concerns, the regulator and environment ministry have put in place measures aimed at ensuring that network roll outs can continue without disruption; with the migration of subscribers to LTE and 5G networks, the MNOs have been able to begin closing down their GSM networks and repurpose physical assets and spectrum; although not a member of the EU, the country’s economic integration has meant that its telecom market deregulation has followed the EU’s liberalization framework, including the recent regulations on international voice roaming; this report presents an analysis of Switzerland’s fixed-line telecom market, including an assessment of network infrastructure (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 33 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership is 120 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

publicly owned Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR) has 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; German, Italian, and French TV broadcasts widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV; SRG/SSR has 17 radio stations 

(2019)" + "text": "publicly owned Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR) has 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; German, Italian, and French TV broadcasts widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV; SRG/SSR has 17 radio stations (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".ch" @@ -1195,8 +1184,8 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Swiss Armed Forces have approximately 145,000 service members (2024)", - "note": "note: the strength figures include professional cadre, people awaiting or participating in mandatory annual training, and people who have already completed their training service obligation" + "text": "approximately 145,000 Swiss Armed Forces (2024)", + "note": "note: the strength figures include professional cadre (approximately 20,000 personnel), people awaiting or participating in mandatory annual training, and people who have already completed their training service obligation" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported European and US weapons systems; the Swiss defense industry produces a range of military land vehicles (2024)" diff --git a/europe/uk.json b/europe/uk.json index 07639d78..9780a9f7 100644 --- a/europe/uk.json +++ b/europe/uk.json @@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ "text": "King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "Prime Minister Keir STARMER (Labor) (since 5 July 2024)" + "text": "Prime Minister Keir STARMER (since 5 July 2024)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet appointed by the prime minister" @@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ "elections/appointments": { "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister; election last held on 12 December 2019 (next to be held no later than 28 January 2025)" }, - "note": "note 1: in addition to serving as the UK head of state, the British sovereign is the constitutional monarch for 14 additional Commonwealth countries (these 15 states are each referred to as a Commonwealth realm)

note 2: King CHARLES succeeded his mother, Queen ELIZABETH II, after serving as Prince of Wales (heir apparent) for over 64 years - the longest such tenure in British history" + "note": "note 1: in addition to serving as the UK head of state, the British sovereign is the constitutional monarch for 14 additional Commonwealth countries (each referred to as a \"Commonwealth realm\")

note 2: King CHARLES III succeeded his mother, Queen ELIZABETH II, after serving as Prince of Wales (heir apparent) for over 64 years -- the longest such tenure in British history" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1117,17 +1117,6 @@ "text": "121 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "UK’s telecom market remains one of the largest in Europe, characterized by competition, affordable pricing, and its technologically advanced systems; mobile penetration above the EU average; government to invest in infrastructure and 5G technologies with ambition for a fully-fibered nation by 2033; operators expanded the reach of 5G services in 2020; super-fast broadband available to about 95% of customers; London is developing smart city technology, in collaboration with private, tech, and academic sectors (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 48 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 120 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 44; Landing points for the GTT Atlantic, Scotland-Northern Ireland -1, & -2, Lanis 1,-2, &-3, Sirius North, BT-MT-1, SHEFA-2, BT Highlands and Islands Submarine Cable System, Northern Lights, FARICE-1, Celtic Norse, Tampnet Offshore FOC Network, England Cable, CC-2, E-LLan, Sirius South, ESAT -1 & -2, Rockabill, Geo-Eirgrid, UK-Netherlands-14, Circle North & South, Ulysses2, Conceto, Farland North, Pan European Crossing, Solas, Swansea-Bream, GTT Express, Tata TGN-Atlantic & -Western Europe, Apollo, EIG, Glo-1, TAT-14, Yellow, Celtic, FLAG Atlantic-1, FEA, Isle of Scilly Cable, UK-Channel Islands-8 and SeaMeWe-3 submarine cables providing links throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "public-service British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the largest broadcasting company in the world; BBC operates multiple TV networks with regional and local TV; mixed system of public and commercial TV broadcasters along with satellite and cable systems provide access to hundreds of international TV stations; BBC operates multiple national, regional, and local radio networks with multiple transmission sites; large number of commercial and satellite radio stations available (2018)" }, @@ -1146,9 +1135,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "41 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "

note 1: the British Library claims to be the largest library in the world with well over 150 million items and in most known languages; it receives copies of all books produced in the UK or Ireland, as well as a significant proportion of overseas titles distributed in the UK; in addition to books (print and digital), holdings include: journals, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, videos, maps, prints, patents, and drawings

note 2: on 1 May 1840, the United Kingdom led the world with the introduction of postage stamps; the Austrian Empire had examined the idea of an \"adhesive tax postmark\" for the prepayment of postage in 1835; while the suggestion was reviewed in detail, it was rejected for the time being; other countries (including Austria) soon followed the UK's example with their own postage stamps; by the 1860s, most countries were issuing stamps; originally, stamps had to be cut from sheets; the UK issued the first postage stamps with perforations in 1854

" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/europe/up.json b/europe/up.json index bf3a2555..539aa581 100644 --- a/europe/up.json +++ b/europe/up.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "1,000 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunay (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnipro (Dnieper) river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dnister (Dniester) river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunay (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnipro (Dnieper) river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dnister (Dniester) river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km)" @@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Dunay (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnipro (Dnieper) river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dnister (Dniester) river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Dunay (Danube) (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnipro (Dnieper) river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dnister (Dniester) river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km)" @@ -561,12 +561,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, approved by the Verkhovna Rada" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 March and 21 April 2019, the next election was scheduled to be held in March/April 2024 but no election was held because Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022, and a presidential election cannot be held when martial law is in effect; prime minister selected by the Verkhovna Rada" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 March and 21 April 2019, the next election was scheduled to be held in March/April 2024, but no election was held because Ukraine has been under martial law since February 2022; prime minister selected by the Verkhovna Rada" }, "election results": { "text": "
2019: Volodymyr ZELENSKYY elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Volodymyr ZELENSKYY (Servant of the People) 30.2%, Petro POROSHENKO (BPP-Solidarity) 15.6%, Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (Fatherland) 13.4%, Yuriy BOYKO (Opposition Platform-For Life) 11.7%, 35 other candidates 29.1%; percent of vote in the second round - Volodymyr ZELENSKYY 73.2%, Petro POROSHENKO 24.5%, other 2.3%; Denys SHMYHAL (independent) elected prime minister; Verkhovna Rada vote - 291-59

2014: Petro POROSHENKO elected president in first round; percent of vote - Petro POROSHENKO (independent) 54.5%, Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (Fatherland) 12.9%, Oleh LYASHKO (Radical Party) 8.4%, other 24.2%; Volodymyr HROYSMAN (BPP) elected prime minister; Verkhovna Rada vote - 257-50" }, - "note": "note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a presidential administration helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president" + "note": "note: a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC was created in 1992 and tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a presidential administration helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1114,17 +1114,6 @@ "text": "135 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "there has been considerable damage and destruction to the communications infrastructure in more than 10 out of 24 regions of Ukraine since the war started; Ukraine estimates it will need $4.67 billion (€4.38 billion) over 10 years to repair an overlooked but expensive casualty in the ongoing Russian invasion: its telecommunications network; forty-five per cent of the total network damage is felt by fixed broadband operators, followed closely by mobile operators at 43 percent; \"it will be difficult to restore telecommunications to their pre-war level until there are \"conditions for the safe living of consumers and service providers\"; the World Bank estimates that roughly 12 per cent of all Ukrainian households have lost mobile service connection: an issue, the report notes, that \"affects not only personal communication but also critical services and economic activities\"; Ukraine is also one of the biggest users of SpaceX’s Starlink, a series of satellites in space that transmit radio signals to users on Earth, with 47,000 units being used by the country; (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 6 per 100; the mobile-cellular telephone is 135 mobile phones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 380; landing point for the Kerch Strait Cable connecting Ukraine to Russia; 2 new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic TAE system and 3 Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic TEL project that connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by an unknown number of earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "media landscape dominated by oligarch-owned news outlets; United News created for 24-hour news about the war with Russia, a joint effort from the Ukrainian public broadcaster and top commercial TV channels; Ukraine Radio's Suspilne and privately owned Radio NV are the national talk radio networks (2021)" }, @@ -1143,9 +1132,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "20 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "a sorting code to expeditiously handle large volumes of mail was first set up in Ukraine in the 1930s (then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, part of the Soviet Union); the sophisticated, three-part (number-letter-number) postal code system, referred to as an \"index,\" was the world's first postal zip code; the system functioned well and was in use from 1932 to 1939 when it was abruptly discontinued" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1203,8 +1189,8 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU; Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny or ZSU): Ground Forces (Sukhoputni Viys’ka, SV), Naval Forces (Viys’kovo-Mors’ki Syly, VMS), Air Forces (Povitryani Syly, PS), Air Assault Forces (Desantno-shturmovi Viyska, DShV), Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF), Unmanned Systems Forces, Territorial Defense Forces (Reserves)

Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (includes Maritime Border Guard or Sea Guard) (2024)", - "note": "note 1: in the event that martial law is declared, all National Guard units, with certain exceptions such as those tasked with providing for diplomatic security of embassies and consulates, would come under the command of the Ministry of Defense as auxiliary forces to the Armed Forces

note 2: the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) were formally established in July 2021; the TDF evolved from former Territorial Defense Battalions and other volunteer militia and paramilitary units that were organized in 2014-2015 to fight Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas; in January 2022, the TDF was activated as a separate military branch" + "text": "Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU; Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny or ZSU): Ground Forces (Sukhoputni Viys’ka, SV), Naval Forces (Viys’kovo-Mors’ki Syly, VMS), Air Forces (Povitryani Syly, PS), Air Assault Forces (Desantno-shturmovi Viyska, DShV), Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF), Unmanned Systems Forces, Territorial Defense Forces (Reserves)

Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (includes Maritime Border Guard or Sea Guard) (2025)", + "note": "note 1: in the event that martial law is declared, all National Guard units, with certain exceptions such as those tasked with providing for diplomatic security of embassies and consulates, would come under the command of the Ministry of Defense as auxiliary forces to the Armed Forces

note 2: the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) were formally established in July 2021; the TDF evolved from former Territorial Defense Battalions and other volunteer militia and paramilitary units that were organized in 2014-2015 to fight Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas; in January 2022, the TDF was activated as a separate military branch

note 3: collectively, the AFU and the forces under the Ministry of Interior are known as the Defense Forces of Ukraine (DFU)" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2021": { @@ -1225,15 +1211,15 @@ "note": "note: since Russia's invasion of the country in early 2022, annual defense spending has increased to more than 30% of GDP according to some estimates" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 800,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2024)", + "text": "estimated 850,000-1 million active Defense Forces (2025)", "note": "note: following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, President ZELENSKY announced a general mobilization of the country; prior to the invasion, Ukraine had approximately 200,000 active Armed Forces troops, approximately 50,000 National Guard, and approximately 40,000 State Border Guard" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "prior to the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian military was equipped largely with Russian-origin and Soviet-era weapons systems; since the invasion, it has received considerable quantities of weapons, including Soviet-era and more modern Western systems, from European countries and the US; Ukraine also has a growing inventory of domestically-produced weapons and equipment (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18 years of age for voluntary service; conscription abolished in 2012, but reintroduced for men in 2014; 25 years of age for conscription; prior to the Russian invasion of February 2022, conscript service obligation was 12-18 months, depending on the service (2024)", - "note": "note 1: following the Russian invasion in 2022, all non-exempt men ages 18-60 were required to register with their local recruitment offices and undergo medical screening for possible service; the Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) accepts volunteers, 18-60 years of age; since the invasion, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have volunteered for the regular armed forces, the TDF, or to work in civilian defense activities 

note 2: women have been able to volunteer for military service since 1993; as of 2024, nearly 70,000 women were serving in the armed forces in both uniformed and civilian positions 

note 3: since 2015, the Ukrainian military has allowed foreigners and stateless persons, 18-45 (in special cases up to 60), to join on 3-5-year contracts, based on qualifications; following the Russian invasion in 2022, the military began accepting medically fit foreign volunteers on a larger scale into an International Legion" + "text": "18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; 25 years of age for conscription for men; 18-24 months service obligation (2025)", + "note": "note 1: conscription was abolished in 2012, but reintroduced in 2014; following the Russian invasion in 2022, all non-exempt men ages 18-60 were required to register with their local recruitment offices and undergo medical screening for possible service; the Territorial Defense Forces accept volunteers, 18-60 years of age

note 2: in February 2025, the military implemented a new option for volunteers age 18-24 to sign one-year contracts in return for higher wages, a signing bonus, exemption from mobilization for 12 months, and other social benefits

note 3: women have been able to volunteer for military service since 1993; as of 2024, nearly 70,000 women were serving in the armed forces in both uniformed and civilian positions 

note 4: since 2015, the Ukrainian military has allowed foreigners and stateless persons, 18-45 (in special cases up to 60), to join on 3-5-year contracts, based on qualifications; following the 2022 Russian invasion, the military began accepting medically fit foreign volunteers on a larger scale into an International Legion" }, "Military deployments": { "text": "note: prior to the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine had committed about 500 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units; units affiliated with the multinational brigade remain within the structures of the armed forces of their respective countries until the brigade is activated for participation in an international operation" diff --git a/europe/vt.json b/europe/vt.json index 7d5a8009..e771ceaa 100644 --- a/europe/vt.json +++ b/europe/vt.json @@ -403,17 +403,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Vatican’s interior telecommunication system is composed of two strongly integrated sub-systems: fixed infrastructure and mobile infrastructure; it is important to note that the mobile communication system has been designed to be capable of using satellite connections so that it is possible to ensure telecommunication services whenever needed, including wherever the Pope travels; the telephone system operates through an automatic digital exchange (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "the telephone system operates through an automatic digital exchange (2020)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 39; uses Italian system" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the Vatican Television Center (CTV) transmits live broadcasts of the Pope's weekly audiences, as well as his public celebrations; CTV also produces documentaries; Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service via shortwave, AM, and FM frequencies, as well as satellite and web; Vatican News website partners with Vatican Radio and provides Catholic news from the Vatican (2021)" }, @@ -424,9 +413,6 @@ "percent of population": { "text": "75% (2021 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "the Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the world's oldest libraries, formally established in 1475, but actually much older; it holds a significant collection of historic texts including 1.1 million printed books and 75,000 codices (manuscript books with handwritten contents); it serves as a research library for history, law, philosophy, science, and theology; the library's collections have been described as \"the world's greatest treasure house of the writings at the core of Western tradition\"" } }, "Transportation": { diff --git a/middle-east/ae.json b/middle-east/ae.json index b0059d33..7f1c8e53 100644 --- a/middle-east/ae.json +++ b/middle-east/ae.json @@ -1033,17 +1033,6 @@ "text": "212 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the UAE has a strong mobile market; while the 5G penetration rate is the second highest globally after China; this has underpinned growth in the mobile broadband sector, and has enabled the strong development in the take-up of rich content and applications, as well as e-commerce; to help increase the capacity of 5G networks in coming years, and so keep up with data demand, the government has allowed for the GSM networks to be closed down and for spectrum and other assets to be re-purposed for 5G by the end of 2022; the fixed-broadband network in the UAE is dominated by fiber, with DSL having a minor and declining presence; this focus on a fully fiber infrastructure has also facilitated growth in e-commerce, and has supported the government’s long-term aim of transitioning the economy from its dependence on oil to being knowledge-based and supported by digital services; the country stands to benefit from having signed the Abraham Accord Declaration with Israel, which aims to normalize relations between the two countries; such benefits can be seen in the agreement to enable local ISPs to access Bezeq International’s submarine cable infrastructure, and so improve direct connectivity to Europe, South East Asia, and Africa; the UAE’s ISPs can also access Bezeq International’s data center in Tel Aviv, improving internet services (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 24 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 190 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 971; landing points for the FLAG, SEA-ME-WE-3 ,-4 & -5, Qater UAE Submarine Cable System, FALCON, FOG, Tat TGN-Gulf, OMRAN/EPEG Cable System, AAE-1, BBG, EIG, FEA, GBICS/MENA, IMEWE, Orient Express, TEAMS, TW1 and the UAE-Iran submarine cables, linking to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "most TV and radio stations state-owned, but many private organizations now operating in media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; widespread use of satellite dishes to access pan-Arab and other international broadcasts (2022)" }, @@ -1108,7 +1097,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces), National Guard (includes Coast Guard) (2024)", + "text": "United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces), National Guard (includes Coast Guard) (2025)", "note": "note: each emirate maintains a local police force called a general directorate, which is officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior; all emirate-level general directorates of police enforce their respective emirate’s laws autonomously; they also enforce federal laws within their emirate in coordination with one another under the federal ministry; the State Security Directorate (SSD) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai State Security (DSS) have primary responsibility for counterterrorism law enforcement efforts; local, emirate-level police forces, especially the Abu Dhabi Police and Dubai Police, are the first responders in such cases and provide technical assistance to SSD and DSS" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1129,7 +1118,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 65,000 active personnel (45,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 12,000 Presidential Guard) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 65,000 active Armed Forces (45,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 12,000 Presidential Guard) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised of a wide variety of mostly modern imported weapons and equipment, and a small, but expanding amount of domestically-produced items; major foreign suppliers have included China, France, Italy, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and the US; the UAE has a  growing domestic defense industry which produces or co-produces such items as armored vehicles, naval vessels, precision munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles/drones (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/aj.json b/middle-east/aj.json index 21b6b6cb..51882f5b 100644 --- a/middle-east/aj.json +++ b/middle-east/aj.json @@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds (if needed) for a 7-year term; a single individual is eligible for unlimited terms; election last held on 7 February 2024 (next to be held in 2031); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; note - a constitutional amendment approved in a September 2016 referendum extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years; a separate constitutional amendment approved in the same referendum also introduced the post of first vice president and additional vice-presidents, who are directly appointed by the president; however, no additional vice presidents have been appointed since the constitutional amendment was passed" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds (if needed) for a 7-year term; a single individual is eligible for unlimited terms; election last held on 7 February 2024 (next to be held in 2031); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV (YAP) 92.1%, Zahid ORUJ (independent) 2.2%; on 16 February 2024, Ali ASADOV reappointed prime minister by parliamentary vote, 105-1

2018: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV (YAP) 86%, Zahid ORUJ (independent) 3.1%, other 10.9%" @@ -1049,19 +1049,8 @@ "text": "107 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom sector was one of the major contributors to Azerbaijan’s non-oil GDP, development, growth, and investment; mobile usage rates reached 100% in 2011, but have largely stagnated since; the MNOs are slowly extending the reach of their LTE networks around the country, and this increased coverage (along with access to faster data-based services) is expected to produce a moderate resurgence for both mobile and mobile broadband over the next few years as customers migrate from 3G to 4G; 5G services are still some way off, as the demand for high-speed data and fast broadband can easily be met by existing capacity; fixed-line teledensity continues to drop each year as customers consolidate their services around the mobile platform; the rate of decline is slow compared to other countries, since Azerbaijan has a high proportion (87%) of fixed-line broadband customers still on DSL; fiber (12% of fixed broadband connections) is gradually being rolled out in urban areas, which makes up the bulk of the limited growth in the fixed broadband market

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "16 fixed-lines subscriptions per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriptions of 107 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 994; Azerbaijan’s largest MNO launched trial 5G mobile services in Baku on 27 December 2022 (2023)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

TV is the most popular medium; many homes are hooked up to satellite; all Azerbaijan-based channels promote government positions; state-owned AzTV runs three national channels, and state-funded iTV is a national public service broadcaster; 4 national privately-owned stations; Turkish, Russian, and western TV is available on cable; analog terrestrial TV was phased out in 2016-17; radio outlets focus on entertainment, with around a dozen stations on FM in Baku; newspaper distribution is largely limited to Baku

(2023)" + "text": "TV is the most popular medium; many homes are hooked up to satellite; all Azerbaijan-based channels promote government positions; state-owned AzTV runs three national channels, and state-funded iTV is a national public service broadcaster; 4 national privately-owned stations; Turkish, Russian, and western TV is available on cable; analog terrestrial TV was phased out in 2016-17; radio outlets focus on entertainment, with around a dozen stations on FM in Baku; newspaper distribution is largely limited to Baku (2023)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".az" diff --git a/middle-east/am.json b/middle-east/am.json index e8ef288d..3cdabe3d 100644 --- a/middle-east/am.json +++ b/middle-east/am.json @@ -1061,19 +1061,8 @@ "text": "135 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom sector has posted modest gains in the mobile and broadband segments; fixed-line services continue to decrease with the rollout of fiber networks; the fixed broadband market remains undeveloped due to the lack of infrastructure outside the main cities; mobile broadband is expected to increase by 2026

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 13 per 100 fixed-line and 135 per 100 mobile-cellular; reliable fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan and in major cities and towns; mobile-cellular coverage available in most rural areas (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic cable through Georgia and Iran to Europe; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near-nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations

(2024)" + "text": "government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near-nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations (2024)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".am" @@ -1131,7 +1120,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 40-50,000 active Armenian Armed Forces troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 40-50,000 active Armenian Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment; in recent years however, Armenia has looked to other countries besides Russia to provide military hardware, including France and India (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/ba.json b/middle-east/ba.json index 5f0f2154..672bbd3a 100644 --- a/middle-east/ba.json +++ b/middle-east/ba.json @@ -1041,17 +1041,6 @@ "text": "145 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "continues to develop its telecoms sector in a bid to develop its Economic Vision 2030 strategy that is aimed at a national digital transformation; 5G services have become widely available since they were launched in 2020; the Fourth National Telecommunications Plan (initiated in 2016) focuses on fiber optic infrastructure deployment and establishing affordable prices for high-speed access (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "approximately 18 per 100 fixed-line and 131 per 100 mobile-cellular; modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly expanding mobile-cellular telephones (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 973; Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has made part of the C-band spectrum available for 5G private networks, in line with the goals outlined in its Workplan for the 2022-23 period (2023)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 6 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station has broadcasts for Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2023)" }, @@ -1137,7 +1126,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 10,000 active BDF personnel; approximately 3,000 National Guard (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 10,000 active Bahrain Defense Force; approximately 3,000 National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of a mix of equipment acquired from a wide variety of suppliers; in recent years, the US has been the leading supplier of arms to Bahrain (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/gg.json b/middle-east/gg.json index 41f9ca27..4c2c5a4d 100644 --- a/middle-east/gg.json +++ b/middle-east/gg.json @@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

city: Tbilisi

autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)

", + "text": "

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

city: Tbilisi

autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)", "note": "note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia" }, "Independence": { @@ -544,12 +544,11 @@ "text": "Cabinet of Ministers" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 December 2024; next election in 2029; prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president; note - 2017 constitutional amendments made the 2018 election the last where the president was directly elected; future presidents will be elected by a 300-member College of Electors" + "text": "president elected by a 300-member College of Electors; election last held on 14 December 2024; next election in 2029; prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Mikheil KAVELASHVILI (Georgian Dream Party) was formally inaugurated on 29 December 2024

2024: Irakli KOBAKHIDZE approved as prime minister by Parliamentary vote 84-10

2018: Salome ZOURABICHVILI elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Salome ZOURABICHVILI (independent, backed by Georgian Dream) 59.5%, Grigol VASHADZE (UNM) 40.5%; Irakli GARIBASHVILI approved as prime minister by Parliamentary vote 89-2; note-resigned on January 29, 2024" - }, - "note": "note: Irakli GARIBASHVILI resigned on 29 January 2024 to prepare for general elections in October 2024" + } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1067,17 +1066,6 @@ "text": "156 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

the telecom sector has been attempting for many years to overcome the decades of under-investment in its fixed-line infrastructure during the Soviet era; concerted efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises and open up the telecom market have been mostly successful, with a large number of operators now competing in both the fixed-line and the mobile segments; Georgia’s government moved fast following the collapse of the Soviet Union to liberalize the country’s telecom market; this resulted in a relatively high number of operators competing in the under-developed fixed-line segment as well as in the emerging mobile market;  the mobile and mobile broadband segments have both demonstrated solid growth in 2021; this upturn follows a significant contraction in subscriber numbers as well as revenue during 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis; funding has continued to flow into mobile ventures, with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) preparing for 5G

(2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions 8 per 100, mobile-cellular tele density roughly 156 per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 995; landing points for the Georgia-Russia, Diamond Link Global, and Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Russia, Romania and Bulgaria; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2, and Adjara TV; independent commercial TV broadcasters include Imedi, Rustavi 2, Pirveli TV, Maestro, Kavkasia, Georgian Dream Studios (GDS), Obiektivi, Mtavari Arkhi, and TOK TV (Russian language); Tabula and Post TV are web-based TV outlets; Georgian Orthodox Church operates a satellite-based television station called Unanimity; 26 regional TV broadcasters; TV shifted to digital in 2015; several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1173,14 +1161,13 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies widely; estimated 35,000 active Defense Force troops (2023)", - "note": "note: in December 2020, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a resolution determining that the Georgian Defense Forces would have a maximum peacetime strength of 37,000 troops" + "text": "the Georgia Defense Forces are authorized up to 37,000 personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the majority of the military's inventory consists of Soviet-era weapons and equipment, some of which has been upgraded; it has smaller quantities of mostly secondhand material from such countries as Israel, Turkey, and the US, as well as some domestically produced equipment; Georgia has a small defense industry which produces such items as small arms and light armored vehicles (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18-27 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription was abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017 for men 18-27 years of age; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2024)", + "text": "18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription was abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017 for men 18-27 years of age; conscript service obligation is up to 11 months (six months of service in a combat unit; or eight months of service in another security organization; or 11 months of service in junior command positions and predetermined specialties  (2024)", "note": "note 1: approximately 6-7,000 individuals are called up annually for conscription for service; conscripts serve in the Defense Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the Ministry of Corrections

note 2: as of 2022, women made up about 8% of the military's full-time personnel" }, "Military - note": { diff --git a/middle-east/gz.json b/middle-east/gz.json index 0b648649..fadc68f4 100644 --- a/middle-east/gz.json +++ b/middle-east/gz.json @@ -740,17 +740,6 @@ }, "note": "note: entry includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip" }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Israel, which controls Palestinian frequencies and telecom infrastructure, limits mobile internet speeds in the Palestinian territories to levels that are significantly lower than in Israel and Jewish West Bank settlements; the World Bank urged Israel to let Palestinian cellular companies set up more advanced networks, and to ease restrictions on the import of equipment needed to build and operate them; Israel is rolling out fifth generation technology for its citizens, while the West Bank operates on 3G and Gaza, 2G; Israeli mobile operators don’t officially service Palestinian areas, but many Palestinians use the faster Israeli networks with SIM cards; the Times of Israel reported in November that Israel tentatively agreed to let Palestinian operators launch 4G services

(2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 28 per 100 (includes West Bank) (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code 970 or 972 (2018)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessible" }, diff --git a/middle-east/ir.json b/middle-east/ir.json index e62ae37f..0be4b168 100644 --- a/middle-east/ir.json +++ b/middle-east/ir.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ "text": "Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "President Masoud PEZESHKIAN (assumed office on 30 July 2024)" + "text": "President Masoud PEZESHKIAN (since 30 July 2024)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the supreme leader has some control over appointments to several ministries" @@ -1054,17 +1054,6 @@ "text": "165 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Iran’s telecom infrastructure has suffered from sanctions in recent years, which prevented the import of equipment and devices and encouraged widespread smuggling, with a consequent loss of tax revenue; to address this, the government introduced a device registration scheme, and bolstered the capacity for domestically manufactured mobile phones; companies have invested in broadening the reach of their LTE networks, which has increased network capacity and improved the quality of mobile broadband services; the country is also looking to 5G; the sector is still limited by low frequency bands; the government is addressing this with plans to reallocate the 3.5GHz band for 5G use; Iran is keen to grow its digital economy; Iran offers significant opportunities for growth in the telecoms sector; the country has one of the largest populations in the Middle East, and there is a high proportion of youthful, tech savvy users having considerable demand for both fixed and mobile telecom services; companies are offering national roaming to improve services in rural areas (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "approximately 33 per 100 for fixed-line and 155 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 98; landing points for Kuwait-Iran, GBICS & MENA, FALCON, OMRAN/3PEG Cable System, POI and UAE-Iran submarine fiber-optic cable to the Middle East, Africa and India; (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates over 60 television channels, over 50 radio stations, and dozens of newspapers and websites; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV can be seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and sometimes confiscated; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2023)" }, diff --git a/middle-east/is.json b/middle-east/is.json index 158f163a..a11c15f3 100644 --- a/middle-east/is.json +++ b/middle-east/is.json @@ -1067,17 +1067,6 @@ "text": "152 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Israel’s developed economy largely revolves around high technology products and services, primarily used in the medical, biotechnology, agricultural, materials, and military industries; the country also attracts investment in its cyber-security industry, and has established itself as a hub for thousands of start-up companies; to underpin these developments, Israel has developed a robust telecoms sector; household broadband subscriptions is high, with a focus on fiber-network deployment; LTE services are almost universally available, while the August 2020 multi-frequency bands also enabled the MNOs to provide services based on 5G; 5G will be supported by moves to close down GSM and 3G networks in stages through to the end of 2025, with the physical assets and frequencies to be repurposed for LTE and 5G use (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 39 per 100 and nearly 140 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the Israel Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) has 3 channels, two in Hebrew and one in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; IBC broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters, and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1170,7 +1159,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 170,000 active-duty personnel (130,000 Ground Forces; 10,000 Naval; 30,000 Air Force); more than 400,000 reserves (2025)" + "text": "approximately 170,000 active-duty Defense Forces (130,000 Ground Forces; 10,000 Naval; 30,000 Air Force); more than 400,000 reserves (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the majority of the IDF's inventory is comprised of weapons that are domestically produced or imported from Europe and the US; the US has been the leading supplier of arms in recent years; Israel has a broad defense industrial base that can develop, produce, support, and sustain a wide variety of weapons systems for both domestic use and export, particularly armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and guided missiles (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/iz.json b/middle-east/iz.json index 1e6d8de9..26c0145d 100644 --- a/middle-east/iz.json +++ b/middle-east/iz.json @@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -1048,17 +1048,6 @@ "text": "98 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "civil stability has made it easier for mobile and fixed-line operators to rebuild telecom services and infrastructure damaged during previous periods of violence; the government extended the licenses held by the MNOs for an additional three years to compensate for the chaos and destruction caused between 2014 and 2017 when Islamic State controlled many areas of the country; the companies have struggled to develop LTE services; most services are still based on GSM and 3G, except in Iraq's Kurdistan region where LTE is more widely available (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "about 7 per 100 for fixed-line and 86 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; state-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly funded Iraqi Media Network; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to about 70% of viewers; many broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2019)" }, diff --git a/middle-east/jo.json b/middle-east/jo.json index b273639c..fd211ebb 100644 --- a/middle-east/jo.json +++ b/middle-east/jo.json @@ -1095,17 +1095,6 @@ "text": "68 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Jordan’s government has focused on the use of ICT in a range of sectors, aimed at transforming the relatively small economy through the use of digital services; this policy has helped the country rise in the league tables for digital connectivity and internet readiness, and it has also attracted investment from foreign companies; during the ongoing global pandemic, the start-up sector has been further encouraged to develop solutions to combat the crisis, while other efforts have facilitated e-government services and encouraged businesses to adapt to new methods of working through their own digital transformation; these developments have been supported by the highly developed mobile sector, led by three major regional players which have near-comprehensive LTE network coverage (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line stands at nearly 4 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscriptions at 65 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 962; landing point for the FEA and Taba-Aqaba submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Asia; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available" }, @@ -1198,7 +1187,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 100,000 active-duty armed forces personnel (85,000 Army; 14,000 Air Force; 1,000 Navy) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 100,000 active-duty Armed Forces (85,000 Army; 14,000 Air Force; 1,000 Navy) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the JAF inventory is comprised of a wide mix of imported equipment, much of it older or secondhand, from China, Europe, some Gulf States, Russia, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/ku.json b/middle-east/ku.json index 2076aef6..33399eb7 100644 --- a/middle-east/ku.json +++ b/middle-east/ku.json @@ -978,17 +978,6 @@ "text": "181 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Kuwait’s telecom infrastructure is well developed, with a focus on mobile infrastructure and services; the telecom sector is important to the country’s economy, and this will become more pronounced in coming years as the economy is purposefully transitioned away from a dependence on oil and gas to one which is increasingly knowledge-based and focused on ICT and related services; the MNOs have focused investment on 5G networks, which support and promote the growth of data traffic; this in turn has been a catalyst for revenue growth in recent quarters; while Kuwait’s mobile sector shows considerable progress; the country’s fixed broadband system is the lowest in the region; the government has stepped up efforts to build up fixed broadband networks, and ultimately this sector offers a potential future growth opportunity; improvements to the fixed broadband infrastructure will help develop sectors such as e-commerce, along with smart infrastructure developments, and tech start-ups (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions are nearly 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular stands at nearly 163 per 100 subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 965; landing points for the FOG, GBICS, MENA, Kuwait-Iran, and FALCON submarine cables linking Africa, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters; satellite TV available, and pan-Arab TV stations are especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2019)" }, @@ -1074,7 +1063,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 17,000 Kuwait Armed Forces; approximately 7,000 National Guard (2025)" + "text": "approximately 17,000 active Kuwait Armed Forces; approximately 7,000 National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists of weapons from a wide variety of sources, including Western Europe, Russia, and particularly the US (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/le.json b/middle-east/le.json index 5c7731e9..5278b416 100644 --- a/middle-east/le.json +++ b/middle-east/le.json @@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ "text": "president indirectly elected by a qualified majority of two-thirds of Parliament members in the first round and if needed a two-thirds quorum of members by simple majority popular vote for a 6-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); last held on 9 January 2025 (next to be held in 2031); prime minister appointed by the president in consultation with the National Assembly" }, "election results": { - "text": "2025: Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - 99 of 128; note - President Michel AWN's term ended 31 October 2022, and the government was in caretaker status until the 9 January National Assembly election of AOUN

2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016" + "text": "2025: Joseph AOUN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - 99 of 128

2016: Michel AWN elected president in second round; National Assembly vote - Michel AWN (FPM) 83; the president elected in its 46th attempt on 31 October 2016" } }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -1023,17 +1023,6 @@ "text": "77 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Lebanon’s economic crisis has had a dire effect on the country’s telecom services; although some progress has been made with developing 5G, the poor economic conditions have contributed to an erratic electricity supply and a lack of fuel to maintain generators; this has meant that internet services to areas of the country are not available on a regular basis, frustrating all those who depend on stable connectivity, and stalling business growth; adding to the difficulties is the political crisis; the cabinet went into caretaker status after the National Assembly election in May 2022 meaning it can only engage in routine decision making; there is little confidence on the ground that sectarian-based political horse-trading will give way to responsible governing to improve the lot of the stressed populace (2023)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 16 per 100 and 77 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 961; landing points for the IMEWE, BERYTAR AND CADMOS submarine cable links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "7 TV stations, 1 of which is state-owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state-owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2019)" }, @@ -1131,7 +1120,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces troops (2025)" + "text": "approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the LAF inventory includes a wide mix of mostly older equipment from a diverse array of countries, including the US; the country's economic crisis has limited military procurement efforts (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/mu.json b/middle-east/mu.json index f9d04063..65c0768a 100644 --- a/middle-east/mu.json +++ b/middle-east/mu.json @@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sabra Ahmed Mahmood AL HOOTI (since 4 November 2024)" + "text": "Ambassador-designate Talal bin Sulaiman bin Habib AL RAHBI (since 17 March 2025)" }, "chancery": { "text": "2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008" @@ -1037,17 +1037,6 @@ "text": "135 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Oman has a modern mobile sector which comprises substantial coverage of both 3G and LTE networks; in February 2021 commercial 5G services were launched; the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a spike in mobile data traffic; while Oman’s fixed broadband infrastructure penetration is considered low, it is being improved with the building of fiber-based networks as part of Oman’s Vision 2040 program; Oman has also established itself as an important communications hub in the Middle East, with access to numerous submarine cables including the 2Africa submarine cable, which should become available during 2023-2024; the 9,800km Oman Australia Cable running from Muscat to Perth, with the potential for a branch line to Djibouti, is making progress and is expected to be completed in December 2021; this additional infrastructure will provide considerable additional bandwidth (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 13 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 135 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 968; landing points for GSA, AAE-1, SeaMeWe-5, Tata TGN-Gulf, FALCON, GBICS/MENA, MENA/Guld Bridge International, TW1, BBG, EIG, OMRAN/EPEG, and POI submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007, and several additional stations now operating (2019)" }, @@ -1133,7 +1122,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 40,000 active-duty SAF troops (25,000 Army, 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 5,000 Royal Guard) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 40,000 active Sultan's Armed Forces (25,000 Army, 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 5,000 Royal Guard) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the SAF's inventory includes a mix of older and some more modern weapons systems from a variety of suppliers, particularly the UK and the US; other suppliers have included China, EU countries, South Africa, and Turkey (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/qa.json b/middle-east/qa.json index 22909e9f..1347dc84 100644 --- a/middle-east/qa.json +++ b/middle-east/qa.json @@ -1021,17 +1021,6 @@ "text": "174 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Qatar had developed a mature telecom sector which has been able to absorb the additional data demands made on it during the pandemic; mobile services based on LTE are universally available to migrate to 5G; in combination with a strong fiber rollout, the country is aiming to provide gigabit services nationally; 5G services are largely based on 3.5GHz spectrum made available following an auction in early 2019 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 17 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is 144 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 974; landing points for the Qatar-UAE Submarine Cable System, AAE-1, FOG, GBICS/East North Africa MENA and the FALCON submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; retains full ownership of two commercial satellites, Es'hailSat 1 and 2 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled TV and radio licensing and access to local media markets; home of satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally  state-owned but is now independent; local radio includes state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies; satellite TV available (2019)" }, @@ -1116,7 +1105,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty QAF personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty Qatar Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Qatari military's inventory includes a broad mix of older and modern weapons systems, mostly from the US and Europe; in the 2010s, Qatar embarked on a military expansion and modernization program with large air, ground, and naval equipment purchases; in recent years, major suppliers have included France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and the US; Qatar is one of the world's largest arms importers (2024)" diff --git a/middle-east/sa.json b/middle-east/sa.json index 2f37a928..8636155a 100644 --- a/middle-east/sa.json +++ b/middle-east/sa.json @@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every 4 years and includes many royal family members" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "none; the monarchy is hereditary; an Allegiance Council created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes for a voice in selecting future Saudi kings" + "text": "none; the monarchy is hereditary; an Allegiance Council created by royal decree in 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes for a voice in selecting future Saudi kings" } }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -1026,17 +1026,6 @@ "text": "132 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Saudi Arabia’s telecom and ICT sectors continue to benefit from the range of programs aimed at diversifying the economy away from a dependence on oil, and establishing a wider digital transformation over the next decade; an essential element of this has been the widening reach of 5G networks, which by mid-2021 reached about half of the population and the majority of cities; the MNOs have focused investment on upgrading LTE infrastructure and further developing 5G; this in part is aimed at generating additional revenue from mobile data services, and also to their contribution to the Vision 2030 program; the ongoing pandemic has resulted in more people working and schooling from home during periods of restricted travel; this has stimulated growth in mobile data traffic, while the government has encouraged non-cash transactions and so helped develop the vast e-commerce market; while Saudi Arabia’s fixed broadband penetration remains relatively low, there has been a concentration of fiber infrastructure and the Kingdom has developed one of the fastest services in the region (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line are 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership is 126 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 966; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, EIG, FALCON, FEA, IMEWE, MENA/Gulf Bridge International, SEACOM, SAS-1, -2, GBICS/MENA, and the Tata TGN-Gulf submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-controlled broadcast media; state-run TV operates 4 networks; major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio with several networks; multiple international broadcasters available" }, @@ -1055,9 +1044,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "44 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "the innovative King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (informally known as Ithra, meaning \"enrichment\") opened on 1 December 2017 in Dhahran, Eastern Region; its facilities include a grand library, several museums, an archive, an Idea Lab, a theater, a cinema, and an Energy Exhibit, all which are meant to provide visitors an immersive and transformative experience" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1133,7 +1119,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Saudi Armed Forces have about 250,000 total active troops; approximately 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense and approximately 125,000 in the Saudi Arabia National Guard (2025)" + "text": "approximately 250,000 active Saudi Armed Forces, including 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense and 125,000 in the National Guard (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of the Saudi military forces, including the SANG, includes a mix of mostly modern weapons and equipment from Europe and the US; the US has been the largest supplier; major European suppliers have included France, Spain, and the UK; Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest importers of arms (2024)", diff --git a/middle-east/sy.json b/middle-east/sy.json index c9c56c5a..3aaec797 100644 --- a/middle-east/sy.json +++ b/middle-east/sy.json @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ "text": "9,820 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -982,17 +982,6 @@ "text": "80 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the years of civil war and destruction to infrastructure continue to have a toll on the telecoms sector in Syria; although over the years the major mobile service providers have endeavored to restore and rebuild damaged networks, the operating environment has been difficult; following disputed demands for back taxes, MTN Group in August 2021 exited the country, after its majority stake had been transferred to judicial guardianship; this effectively meant that the mobile market became a monopoly; in February 2022 the regulator awarded a third mobile license following a process which had been ongoing for many years; telecommunication services in Syria are highly regulated; although urban areas can make use of the network built and maintained by the government-owned incumbent, many under served remote areas in the countryside are obliged to rely on satellite communications; the domestic and international fixed-line markets in Syria remain the monopoly of the STE, despite several initiatives over the years aimed at liberalizing the market; mobile broadband penetration in Syria is still quite low, despite quite a high population coverage of 3G networks and some deployment of LTE infrastructure; this may provide potential opportunities for growth once infrastructure and economic reconstruction efforts make headway, and civil issues subside (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "the number of fixed-line connections is 13 per 100; mobile-cellular service is 80 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 963; landing points for the Aletar, BERYTAR and UGART submarine cable connections to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run TV has 2 networks and 5 satellite channels; roughly two-thirds of homes have a satellite dish with access to foreign TV; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2018)" }, diff --git a/middle-east/tu.json b/middle-east/tu.json index 4b599a8c..0edfdba6 100644 --- a/middle-east/tu.json +++ b/middle-east/tu.json @@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)" @@ -1116,19 +1116,8 @@ "text": "106 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Turkey continues to develop its capabilities within its telecom sector, becoming one of the relatively few countries able to build and develop its own communications satellites; with the successful launch of the Turksat 5A and 5B satellites in 2021, the country has vastly increased its bandwidth capacity; these satellites will be joined by the Turksat 6A in 2023; the country’s telcos have invested in fiber infrastructure; deployment of fiber-based broadband networks are well established, with fiber accounting for 26.7% of all fixed broadband connections as of early 2022; the DSL sector still dominates, accounting for about 63% of connections, but its share is steadily declining, year-on-year, while the number of fiber connections has grown strongly; improved fixed and mobile infrastructure is underpinning the country’s initiatives relating to Smart City concepts, which have become a key area of focus for the emerging digital economy and the transformation to a knowledge-based economy; Turkey’s National Smart Cities Strategy and Action Plan runs through to 2023 (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line nearly 14 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 106 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 90; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3 & -5, MedNautilus Submarine System, Turcyos-1 & -2 submarine cables providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia ; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national TV stations and 567 private regional and local TV stations; multi-channel cable TV available; 1,007 private radio stations

(2019)" + "text": "Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national TV stations and 567 private regional and local TV stations; multi-channel cable TV available; 1,007 private radio stations (2019)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".tr" @@ -1220,7 +1209,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 480,000 active-duty personnel (380,000 Army; 50,000 Navy; 50,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 Gendarmerie (2024)" + "text": "approximately 480,000 active-duty Armed Forces (380,000 Army; 50,000 Navy; 50,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 Gendarmerie (2024)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised of domestically produced, European (particularly from Germany), and US weapons and equipment, as well as some Chinese, Russian, and South Korean acquisitions; it is a mix of older and modern weapons systems; Türkiye has a defense industry capable of producing a range of weapons systems for both export and internal use, including armored vehicles, naval vessels, and unmanned aerial vehicles/drones; Türkiye's defense industry also partners with other countries for defense production (2024)" @@ -1230,7 +1219,7 @@ "note": "note 1: after completing six months of service, if a conscripted soldier wants to and is suitable for extending his military service, he may do so for an additional six months in return for a monthly salary; all male Turkish citizens over the age of 20 are required to undergo a one month military training period, but they can obtain an exemption from the remaining 5 months of their mandatory service by paying a fee 

note 2: as of 2021, women made up about 0.4% of the military's full-time personnel" }, "Military deployments": { - "text": "approximately 150 (Azerbaijan; monitoring cease-fire, clearing mines); 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30-35,000 Cyprus; 800 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 130 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; up to 5,000 Qatar; approximately 200 Somalia (training mission) (2023)", + "text": "estimated few hundred (Azerbaijan); 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30-35,000 Cyprus; 800 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 130 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; up to 5,000 Qatar; approximately 800 Somalia (training mission) (2024)", "note": "note: Turkey maintains military forces in both Iraq and Syria; size estimates vary as some forces are long-term deployments while others are deployed for specific operations" }, "Military - note": { diff --git a/middle-east/we.json b/middle-east/we.json index 0993a55d..5dac9eff 100644 --- a/middle-east/we.json +++ b/middle-east/we.json @@ -773,17 +773,6 @@ }, "note": "note: entry includes the West Bank and the Gaza Strip" }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "most telecommunications companies in the West Bank and Gaza import directly from international vendors; the major challenge they face are Israeli restrictions on telecommunication imports that are listed as “Dual Use” products; during a visit to the West Bank in July 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Israeli and Palestinian teams will work together to roll out an advanced infrastructure for 4G; currently, only 2G service is available in Gaza (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscriptions 78 per 100 (includes Gaza Strip) (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code 970 or 972; 1 international switch in Ramallah" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "the Palestinian Authority operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; about 20 private TV and 40 radio stations; Jordanian TV and satellite TV accessible" }, diff --git a/middle-east/ym.json b/middle-east/ym.json index 590a5d24..c630e1bd 100644 --- a/middle-east/ym.json +++ b/middle-east/ym.json @@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ "text": "24 members from northern and southern Yemen, with representatives from Yemen's major political parties" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "formerly, the president was directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2012 (next election NA); note - a special election was held on 21 February 2012 to remove Ali Abdallah SALIH under the terms of a Gulf Cooperation Council-mediated deal during the political crisis of 2011; vice president appointed by the president; prime minister appointed by the president" + "text": "formerly, the president was directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2012 (next election NA); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "2012: Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI (GPC) elected consensus president" @@ -1031,17 +1031,6 @@ "text": "46 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Yemen continues to provide an exceptionally challenging market for telcos; civil unrest has caused havoc and devastation across most parts of the country, while the threat of sanctions has also made it a challenging environment in which to operate; a large proportion of the population requires humanitarian assistance, and there is little disposable income for services upon which telcos can generate revenue; essential telecom infrastructure, such as mobile towers and fiber cabling, has often been targeted, destroyed, or damaged by the opposing sides in the ongoing conflict; these difficulties have proved to be a disincentive to telcos investing in infrastructure, with the result that the country lacks basic fixed-line infrastructure, and mobile services are based on outdated GSM; this has prevented the development of a mobile broadband sector, or the evolution of mobile data services; the ownership of telecommunication services, and the scrutiny of associated revenues and taxes, have become a political issue in Yemen; until telecom infrastructure can be improved across Yemen, and until civil unrest eases, there will be little progress for the sector (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 4 per 100 but mobile cellular is 46 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 967; landing points for the FALCON, SeaMeWe-5, Aden-Djibouti, and the AAE-1 international submarine cable connecting Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Southeast Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 2 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and Djibouti (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run TV with 2 stations; state-run radio with 2 national radio stations and 5 local stations; stations from Oman and Saudi Arabia can be accessed" }, diff --git a/north-america/bd.json b/north-america/bd.json index 2c2aac47..adef62c5 100644 --- a/north-america/bd.json +++ b/north-america/bd.json @@ -871,17 +871,6 @@ "text": "106 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "the system has a fixed-line teledensity of 39 per 100, coupled with a mobile-cellular teledensity of roughly 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1-441; landing points for the GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, CBUS, and the CB-1 submarine cables to the Caribbean, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating" }, @@ -950,13 +939,13 @@ "note": "note: the Royal Bermuda Regiment (aka \"The Regiment\") includes the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2024)" + "text": "the Royal Bermuda Regiment has about 350 troops (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Regiment is equipped with small arms (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "men and women who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age can volunteer for the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor; annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2025)" + "text": "men and women who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age can volunteer for the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; after completing their initial service, soldiers in the Regiment can choose to extend their service (2025)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "defense is the responsibility of the UK; the Royal Bermuda Regiment’s responsibilities include maritime security of Bermuda’s inshore waters, search and rescue, ceremonial duties, humanitarian/disaster assistance, security of key installations, and assisting the Bermuda Police with maintaining public order; it includes explosive ordnance disposal, diver, maritime, security police, and support units (2024)" diff --git a/north-america/ca.json b/north-america/ca.json index 6c8fcf32..7b4fecf8 100644 --- a/north-america/ca.json +++ b/north-america/ca.json @@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mackenzie - 4,241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of America) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with the US shown with *" @@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Mackenzie - 4,241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of America) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km)
Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with the US shown with *" @@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ "text": "Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general" + "text": "the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons usually designated prime minister by the governor general" }, "note": "note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial" }, @@ -1134,17 +1134,6 @@ "text": "91 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the Canadian telecom market continues to show steady development as operators invest in network upgrades; much of the investment among telcos has been channeled into LTE infrastructure to capitalize on consumer demand for mobile data services, while there has also been further investment in 5G; investment programs have also been supported by regulatory efforts to ensure that operators have spectrum available to develop 5G services; an investment in fixed-line infrastructure, focused on FttP and, among cable broadband providers; government policy has encouraged the extension of broadband to rural and regional areas, with the result that services are almost universally available and the emphasis now is on improving service speeds to enable the entire population to benefit from the digital economy and society; cable broadband is the principal access platform, followed by DSL; the mobile rate remains comparatively low by international standards; Canadians have provided for LTE and LTE-A infrastructure; despite topographical challenges and the remoteness of many areas, the major players effectively offer 99% population coverage with LTE; operators now provide up to 70% population coverage with 5G (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "Nearly 29 per 100 fixed-line and 91 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1; landing points for the Nunavut Undersea Fiber Optic Network System, Greenland Connect, Persona, GTT Atlantic, and Express, KetchCan 1 Submarine Fiber Cable system, St Pierre and Miquelon Cable submarine cables providing links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private commercial networks, also with multiple network affiliates; a total of about 150 TV stations, accessible via multi-channel satellite and cable systems; mix of public and commercial radio, with over 1,000 licensed stations; public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) provides 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to ethnic populations in the north (2016)" }, diff --git a/north-america/gl.json b/north-america/gl.json index faa85127..f94a3cc2 100644 --- a/north-america/gl.json +++ b/north-america/gl.json @@ -799,17 +799,6 @@ "text": "118 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland; a contract has been awarded to build a 5G network in Greenland, initially covering three towns, with 10 towns, including Greenland's capital Nuuk to follow (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "nearly 11 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions and 118 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 299; landing points for Greenland Connect, Greenland Connect North, Nunavut Undersea Fiber System submarine cables to Greenland, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV, with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2019)" }, diff --git a/north-america/mx.json b/north-america/mx.json index 31c11e70..02819e28 100644 --- a/north-america/mx.json +++ b/north-america/mx.json @@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Grande river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 3,057 km; Colorado river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 2,333 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Grande river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 3,057 km; Colorado river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 2,333 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of America) Rio Grande/Bravo (607,965 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: (Gulf of California) Colorado (703,148 sq km)" @@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Grande river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 3,057 km; Colorado river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 2,333 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Grande river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 3,057 km; Colorado river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 2,333 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of America) Rio Grande/Bravo (607,965 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: (Gulf of California) Colorado (703,148 sq km)" @@ -1196,17 +1196,6 @@ "text": "100 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "with a large population and relatively low broadband and mobile penetration, (86 lines for mobile broadband for every 100 habitants in June 2021) Mexico’s telecom sector has potential for growth; adequate telephone service for business and government; improving quality and increasing mobile cellular availability, with mobile subscribers far outnumbering fixed-line subscribers (24.6 million fixed line subscribers and 125 million mobile line subscribers in June 2021); relatively low broadband and mobile penetration, potential for growth and international investment; extensive microwave radio relay network; considerable use of fiber-optic cable and coaxial cable; 5G development slow in part due to high costs (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity 19 lines per every 100; mobile-cellular teledensity is 98 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 52; Columbus-2 fiber-optic submarine cable with access to the US, Virgin Islands, Canary Islands, Spain, and Italy; the ARCOS-1 and the MAYA-1 submarine cable system together provide access to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the U.S.; Pan-American Crossing (PAC) submarine cable system provides access to Panama, California, U.S., and Costa Rica; Lazaro Cardenas-Manzanillo Santiago submarines cable system (LCMSSCS) provides access to Michoacan, Guerrero, and Colima, Mexico; AMX-1 submarine cable system with access to Colombia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Gulf of California Cable submarine cable systems that connects La Paz, Baja California Sur and Topolobambo, Sinaloa; and Aurora submarine cable system provides access to Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, and the U.S. satellite earth stations - 124 (36 Intelsat, 1 Solidaridad (giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America, and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications), 9 Panamsat, numerous Inmarsat mobile earth stations); linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections (2022)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "telecom reform in 2013 ended a quasi-monopoly; now 885 TV stations and 1,841 radio stations, most privately owned; foreign satellite and cable operators are available; completed transition to digital in 2016 (2022)" }, @@ -1303,7 +1292,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 260,000 active-duty armed forces personnel; approximately 110,000 National Guard personnel (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 260,000 active-duty Armed Forces; approximately 110,000 National Guard personnel (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Mexican military inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons and equipment from a variety of mostly Western suppliers, particularly the US; a considerable portion of its inventory, such as ships and fighter aircraft, are older, secondhand items from the US; over the past decade, the Mexican military has made efforts to acquire more modern equipment; Mexico's defense industry produces some naval vessels and light armored vehicles, as well as small arms and other miscellaneous equipment (2023)" diff --git a/north-america/sb.json b/north-america/sb.json index c1f903cb..97868d60 100644 --- a/north-america/sb.json +++ b/north-america/sb.json @@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ "text": "President of Territorial Council Bernard BRIAND (since 13 October 2020)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Le Cabinet du Prefet" + "text": "Le Cabinet du Préfet" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 April and 24 April 2022 (next to be held in 2027); prefect appointed by French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; Territorial Council president elected by Territorial Council councilors by absolute majority vote; term NA; election last held on 13 October 2020 (next to be held NA)" @@ -581,17 +581,6 @@ "text": "76 (2015 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "adequate (2019)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity 76 per 100 persons (2019)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 508; landing point for the St Pierre and Miquelon Cable connecting Saint Pierre & Miquelon and Canada; radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; satellite earth station - 1 in French domestic satellite system (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "8 TV stations, all part of the French Overseas Network, and local cable provided by SPM Telecom; 3 of 4 radio stations are part of the French Overseas Network (2021)" }, diff --git a/north-america/us.json b/north-america/us.json index e3f20d14..1de6bb76 100644 --- a/north-america/us.json +++ b/north-america/us.json @@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source (mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km); Snake - 1,670 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of America) Mississippi* (3,202,185 sq km); Rio Grande (607,965 sq km); (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km total, US only 505,000 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, US only 23,820 sq km); Colorado (703,148 sq km); Columbia* (657,501 sq km, US only 554,501 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with Canada shown with *" @@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "

Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" + "text": "

Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source (mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km); Snake - 1,670 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of America) Mississippi* (3,202,185 sq km); Rio Grande (607,965 sq km); (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km total, US only 505,000 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, US only 23,820 sq km); Colorado (703,148 sq km); Columbia* (657,501 sq km, US only 554,501 sq km)
note - watersheds shared with Canada shown with *" @@ -1099,17 +1099,6 @@ "text": "110 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the US telecom sector adapted well to the particular demands of the pandemic, which has led to strong growth in the number of mobile, mobile broadband, and fixed broadband subscribers since 2020; the level of growth is expected to taper off from late 2022 as the demand for working and schooling from home subsides; the pandemic also encouraged the Federal government to increase its investment in broadband infrastructure; of particular note was the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of November 2021, which provided $65 billion to a range of programs aimed at delivering broadband to unserved areas, providing fiber-based broadband to upgrade existing service areas, and subsidizing the cost of services to low income households; alongside these fiscal efforts have been the several spectrum auctions undertaken during the last two years, which have greatly assisted the main licensees to improve the reach and quality of their offers based on LTE and 5G; some of this spectrum, auctioned during 2021, was only made available to licensees from February 2022; the widening availability of 5G from the main providers has resulted in a dramatic increase in mobile data traffic; in tandem with the focus on 5G, operators have closed down their GSM and CDMA networks, and have either closed down 3G networks (as AT&T did in January 2022), or plan to in coming months; given the size of the US broadband market, and the growing demand for data on both fixed and mobile networks, there is continuous pressure for operators to invest in fiber networks, and to push connectivity closer to consumers; in recent years the US has seen increased activity from regional players as well as the major telcos and cablecos; although there has been considerable investment in DOCSIS4.0, some of the cablecos are looking to ditch HFC in preference for fiber broadband; the process of migrating from copper (HFC and DSL) to fiber is ongoing, but given the scale of the work involved it will take some years; some operators have investment strategies in place through to 2025, which will see the vast majority of their fixed networks being entirely on fiber; service offerings of up to 2Gb/s are becoming more widely available as the process continues (2024)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line just over 27 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 110 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 1; landing points for the Quintillion Subsea Cable Network, TERRA SW, AU-Aleutian, KKFL, AKORN, Alaska United -West, & -East & -Southeast, North Star, Lynn Canal Fiber, KetchCar 1, PC-1, SCCN, Tat TGN-Pacific & -Atlantic, Jupiter, Hawaiki, NCP, FASTER, HKA, JUS, AAG, BtoBE, Currie, Southern Cross NEXT, SxS, PLCN, Utility EAC-Pacific, SEA-US, Paniolo Cable Network, HICS, HIFN, ASH, Telstra Endeavor, Honotua, AURORA, ARCOS, AMX-1, Americas -I & -II, Columbus IIb & -III, Maya-1, MAC, GTMO-1, BICS, CFX-1, GlobeNet, Monet, SAm-1, Bahamas 2, PCCS, BRUSA, Dunant, MAREA, SAE x1, TAT 14, Apollo, Gemini Bermuda, Havfrue/AEC-2, Seabras-1, WALL-LI, NYNJ-1, FLAG Atalantic-1, Yellow, Atlantic Crossing-1, AE Connect -1, sea2shore, Challenger Bermuda-1, and GTT Atlantic submarine cable systems providing international connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, & Atlantic, and Indian Ocean Islands, Central and South America, Caribbean, Canada and US; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "4 major terrestrial TV networks with affiliate stations, plus cable and satellite networks, independent stations, and a limited public broadcasting sector; thousands of TV stations broadcasting; multiple national radio networks with many affiliate stations; over 15,000 radio stations, most commercial; National Public Radio (NPR) has a network of about 900 member stations; satellite radio available (2018)" }, @@ -1128,9 +1117,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "38 (2023 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "

note 1: The Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA, claims to be the largest library in the world with more than 167 million items (as of 2018); its collections are universal, not limited by subject, format, or national boundary, and include materials from all parts of the world and in over 450 languages; collections include: books, newspapers, magazines, sheet music, sound and video recordings, photographic images, artwork, architectural drawings, and copyright data

note 2: Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tistan da Cunha), Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), and at Kwajalein (Marshall Islands)

" } }, "Transportation": { @@ -1207,7 +1193,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 1.28 million active-duty US Military personnel (450,000 Army; 334,000 Navy; 317,000 Air Force; 10,000 Space Force; 168,000 Marine Corps); 42,000 Coast Guard) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 1.28 million active-duty Armed Forces (450,000 Army; 334,000 Navy; 317,000 Air Force; 10,000 Space Force; 168,000 Marine Corps); 42,000 Coast Guard) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the US military's inventory is comprised almost entirely of domestically produced weapons systems (some assembled with foreign components) along with a smaller mix of imported equipment from a variety of countries such as Germany and the UK; the US defense industry is capable of designing, developing, maintaining, and producing the full spectrum of weapons systems; the US is the world's leading arms exporter (2024)" @@ -1232,7 +1218,7 @@ "text": "has 20 commercial, government, and private space ports hosting Federal Aviation Administration-licensed activity spread across 10 states (Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia) (2024)" }, "Space program overview": { - "text": "has a large and comprehensive space program and is one of the world’s top space powers; builds, launches, and operates space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets and the full spectrum of spacecraft, including interplanetary probes, manned craft, reusable rockets, satellites, space stations, and space planes; has an astronaut program and a large corps of astronauts; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as advanced telecommunications and optics, navigational aids, propulsion, robotics, solar sails, space-based manufacturing, and robotic satellite repair/refueling; has launched orbital or lander probes to the Sun and all planets in the solar system, as well as to asteroids and beyond the solar system; has international missions and projects with dozens of countries and organizations, including such major partners as Canada, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU, and their individual member states; as of January 2025, more than 50 countries had signed onto the US-led Artemis Accords, whose purpose is to establish principles, guidelines, and best practices to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space with the intention of advancing the Artemis Program, an international effort to establish a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon and an onward human mission to Mars; the US commercial space industry is one of the world’s largest and most capable and is active across the entire spectrum of US government space programs; the majority of both NASA and US military space launches are conducted by US commercial companies; the US space economy was valued at over $200 billion in 2021 (2025)", + "text": "has a large and comprehensive space program and is one of the world’s top space powers; builds, launches, and operates space launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets and the full spectrum of spacecraft, including interplanetary probes, manned craft, reusable rockets, satellites, space stations, and space planes; has an astronaut program and a large corps of astronauts; researching and developing a broad range of other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as advanced telecommunications and optics, navigational aids, propulsion, robotics, solar sails, space-based manufacturing, and robotic satellite repair/refueling; has launched orbital or lander probes to the Sun and all planets in the solar system, as well as to asteroids and beyond the solar system; has international missions and projects with dozens of countries and organizations, including such major partners as Canada, Japan, Russia, and South Korea, as well as the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU, and their individual member states; as of May 2025, 55 countries had signed onto the US-led Artemis Accords, whose purpose is to establish principles, guidelines, and best practices to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space with the intention of advancing the Artemis Program, an international effort to establish a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon and an onward human mission to Mars; the US commercial space industry is one of the world’s largest and most capable and is active across the entire spectrum of US government space programs; the majority of both NASA and US military space launches are conducted by US commercial companies; the US space economy was valued at over $200 billion in 2021 (2025)", "note": "note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide" } }, diff --git a/oceans/oo.json b/oceans/oo.json index 0679d2f2..f67752ad 100644 --- a/oceans/oo.json +++ b/oceans/oo.json @@ -42,25 +42,25 @@ }, "Bathymetry": { "continental shelf": { - "text": "The continental shelf (see Figure 1), a rather flat area of the sea floor adjacent to the coast that gradually slopes down from the shore to water depths of about 200 m (660 ft). Dimensions can vary: they may be narrow or nearly nonexistent in some places or extend for hundreds of miles in others. The waters along the continental shelf are usually productive in both plant and animal life, from sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling and terrestrial runoff. In Antarctica, the continental shelf is narrower and much deeper than in other oceans, and glacial action has deeply scoured it. The following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Astrid Ridge (see also Figure 4)
Belgrano Bank
Gunnerus Ridge (see also Figure 4)
Hayes Bank
Iselin Bank" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Astrid Ridge (see also Figure 4)
Belgrano Bank
Gunnerus Ridge (see also Figure 4)
Hayes Bank
Iselin Bank" }, "continental slope": { - "text": "The continental slope (see Figure 1) is where the ocean bottom drops off until it meets the deep-sea floor (abyssal plain) at about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) water depth. The deep waters of the continental slope are characterized by cold temperatures, low light conditions, and very high pressures. Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, having been absorbed or reflected in the water above. The continental slope can be indented by submarine canyons, which are often associated with the outflow of major rivers. Another feature of the continental slope is alluvial fans, or cones of sediments, that major rivers carry downstream to the ocean and deposit down the slope. In the case of Antarctica, glacial action has scoured the continental slope, cutting troughs and canyons. 

The following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Amery Basin (see also Figure 4)
Filchner Trough
Hillary Canyon
Pobeda Canyon (Figure 3)" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Amery Basin (Figure 4)
Filchner Trough
Hillary Canyon
Pobeda Canyon (Figure 3)" }, "abyssal plains": { - "text": "The abyssal plains (see Figure 1), at depths of over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and covering 70% of the ocean floor, are the largest habitat on earth. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive than those along the continental shelf. Despite their name, these “plains” are not uniformly flat; they are interrupted by features like hills, valleys, and seamounts. The following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Southern Ocean (see Figures 2, 3, and 4):

Amundsen (Abyssal) Plain
Enderby (Abyssal) Plain
South Indian/Australian-Antarctic Basin
Southeast Pacific/Bellinghausen Basin
Weddell (Abyssal) Plain" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Southern Ocean (see Figures 2, 3, and 4):

Amundsen (Abyssal) Plain
Enderby (Abyssal) Plain
South Indian/Australian-Antarctic Basin
Southeast Pacific/Bellinghausen Basin
Weddell (Abyssal) Plain" }, "mid-ocean ridge": { - "text": "The mid-ocean ridge (see Figure 1), rising up from the abyssal plain, is an underwater mountain range, over 64,000 km (40,000 mi) long, reaching an average depth of 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving apart and magma pushing up from the mantle creates new crust. Tracing their way around the global ocean, this system of underwater volcanoes forms the longest mountain range on earth. Fracture zones are linear transform faults that develop perpendicular to the line of the mid-ocean ridge, which can offset the ridge line and divide it into segments.

The following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (see also Figure 3)" + "text": "the following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (Figure 3)" }, "undersea terrain features": { - "text": "The abyssal plain is commonly interrupted by a variety of undersea terrain features including seamounts, guyots, ridges, and plateaus.

Seamounts (see Figure 1) are submarine mountains at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high formed from individual volcanoes on the ocean floor. They are distinct from the plate-boundary volcanic system of the mid-ocean ridges, because seamounts tend to be circular or conical. A circular-collapse caldera is often centered at the summit, evidence of a magma chamber within the volcano. \"Hot spots\" in the deep mantle often feed long chains of seamounts. These hot spots are associated with stationary plumes of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The hot-spot plumes melt through the overlying tectonic plate as it moves and supplies magma to the active volcanic island at the end of the chain of volcanic islands and seamounts. 

Flat topped seamounts are known as guyots.

An undersea ridge is an elongated elevation of varying complexity and size, generally having steep sides.

An undersea plateau is a large, relatively flat elevation that is higher than the surrounding relief with one or more relatively steep sides. Although submerged, these features can reach close to sea level.

The following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Akopov Seamounts (Figure 3)
De Gerlache Seamounts (see also Figure 3, 4)
Endurance Ridge (Figure 4)
Marie Byrd Seamount (see also Figure 3)
Maud Rise (see also Figure 4)
Scott Seamounts (see also Figure 3)" + "text": "the following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

Akopov Seamounts (Figure 3)
De Gerlache Seamounts (see also Figure 3, 4)
Endurance Ridge (Figure 4)
Marie Byrd Seamount (see also Figure 3)
Maud Rise (see also Figure 4)
Scott Seamounts (see also Figure 3)" }, "ocean trenches": { - "text": "

Ocean trenches (see Figure 1) are the deepest parts of the ocean floor and are created by the process of subduction. Trenches form along convergent boundaries where tectonic plates are moving toward each other, and one plate sinks (is subducted) under another. The location where the sinking of a plate occurs is called a subduction zone. Subduction can occur when oceanic crust collides with and sinks under (subducts) continental crust resulting in volcanic, seismic, and mountain-building processes. Subduction can also occur in the convergence of two oceanic plates where one will sink under the other and in the process create a deep ocean trench.

Subduction processes in oceanic-to-oceanic plate convergence also result in the formation of volcanoes. Over millions of years, the erupted lava and volcanic debris pile up on the ocean floor until a submarine volcano rises above sea level to form a volcanic island. Such volcanoes are typically strung out in curved chains called island arcs.

The following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

South Sandwich Trench (also see Figure 4); note - the deepest location in the Southern Ocean

" + "text": "

the following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Southern Ocean (see Figure 2):

South Sandwich Trench (Figure 4; the deepest location in the Southern Ocean)

" }, "atolls": { - "text": "due to the extremely cold water there are no atolls in the Southern Ocean" + "text": "due to the extremely cold water, there are no atolls in the Southern Ocean" } }, "Elevation": { diff --git a/oceans/xo.json b/oceans/xo.json index 7abb9473..f2e0aa83 100644 --- a/oceans/xo.json +++ b/oceans/xo.json @@ -42,25 +42,25 @@ }, "Bathymetry": { "continental shelf": { - "text": "

The continental shelf (see Figure 1) is a rather flat area of the sea floor adjacent to the coast that gradually slopes from the shore to water depths of about 200 m (660 ft). Dimensions can vary: the shelves may be narrow or nearly nonexistent in some places or extend for hundreds of miles in others. The waters along the continental shelf are usually productive in both plant and animal life, from sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling and terrestrial runoff. The following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Exmouth Plateau
Indus Canyon
The Swatch of No Ground/Ganges Canyon (Bay of Bengal)
Sunda Shelf

" + "text": "

the following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Exmouth Plateau
Indus Canyon
The Swatch of No Ground/Ganges Canyon (Bay of Bengal)
Sunda Shelf

" }, "continental slope": { - "text": "

The continental slope (see Figure 1) is where the ocean bottom drops off more rapidly until it meets the deep-sea floor (abyssal plain) at about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) water depth. The deep waters of the continental slope are characterized by cold temperatures, low light conditions, and very high pressures. Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, having been absorbed or reflected in the water above. The continental slope can be indented by submarine canyons, often associated with the outflow of major rivers. Another feature of the continental slope is alluvial fans, or cones of sediments, that major rivers carry downstream to the ocean and deposit down the slope. The following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Bengal Fan
Indus Fan

" + "text": "

the following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Bengal Fan
Indus Fan

" }, "abyssal plains": { - "text": "

The abyssal plains (see Figure 1), at depths of over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and covering 70% of the ocean floor, are the largest habitat on earth. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive than those along the continental shelf. Despite their name, these “plains” are not uniformly flat; they are interrupted by features like hills, valleys, and seamounts. The following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Arabian Basin
Crozet Basin
Madagascar Basin
Mid-Indian Basin
Mozambique Basin
Wharton Basin

" + "text": "

the following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Arabian Basin
Crozet Basin
Madagascar Basin
Mid-Indian Basin
Mozambique Basin
Wharton Basin

" }, "mid-ocean ridge": { - "text": "

The mid-ocean ridge (see Figure 1), rising up from the abyssal plain, is an underwater mountain range over 64,000 km (40,000 mi) long, reaching an average depth of 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving apart and magma pushing up from the mantle creates new crust. Tracing their way around the global ocean, this system of underwater volcanoes forms the longest mountain range on Earth. Fracture zones are linear transform faults that develop perpendicular to the line of the mid-ocean ridge, which can offset the ridge line and divide it into segments. The following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Central Indian Ridge
Davie Ridge
Southeast Indian Ridge
Southwest Indian Ridge

" + "text": "

the following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Central Indian Ridge
Davie Ridge
Southeast Indian Ridge
Southwest Indian Ridge

" }, "undersea terrain features": { - "text": "

The Abyssal Plain is commonly interrupted by a variety of undersea terrain features including seamounts, guyots, ridges, and plateaus.

Seamounts (see Figure 1) are submarine mountains at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high formed from individual volcanoes on the ocean floor. They are distinct from the plate-boundary volcanic system of the mid-ocean ridges, because seamounts tend to be circular or conical. A circular collapse caldera is often centered at the summit, evidence of a magma chamber within the volcano. \"Hot spots\" in the deep mantle often feed long chains of seamounts. These hot spots are associated with stationary plumes of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The hot-spot plumes melt through the overlying tectonic plate as it moves and supplies magma to the active volcanic island at the end of the chain of volcanic islands and seamounts. 

Flat-topped seamounts are known as guyots.

An undersea ridge is an elongated elevation of varying complexity and size, generally having steep sides.

An undersea plateau is a large, relatively flat elevation that is higher than the surrounding relief with one or more relatively steep sides. Although submerged, these features can reach close to sea level.

The following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Andaman-Nicobar Ridge
Chagos-Laccadive Ridge
Kerguelen Plateau
Madagascar Plateau
Mascarene Plateau
Mozambique Plateau
Ninetyeast Ridge

" + "text": "

the following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Andaman-Nicobar Ridge
Chagos-Laccadive Ridge
Kerguelen Plateau
Madagascar Plateau
Mascarene Plateau
Mozambique Plateau
Ninetyeast Ridge

" }, "ocean trenches": { - "text": "

Ocean trenches (see Figure 1) are the deepest parts of the ocean floor and are created by the process of subduction. Trenches form along convergent boundaries where tectonic plates are moving toward each other, and one plate sinks (is subducted) under another. The location where the sinking of a plate occurs is called a subduction zone. Subduction can occur when oceanic crust collides with and sinks under (subducts) continental crust, resulting in volcanic, seismic, and mountain-building processes. Subduction can also occur in the convergence of two oceanic plates, where one will sink under the other and in the process create a deep ocean trench.

Subduction processes in oceanic-to-oceanic plate convergence also result in the formation of volcanoes. Over millions of years, the erupted lava and volcanic debris pile up on the ocean floor until a submarine volcano rises above sea level to form a volcanic island. Such volcanoes are typically strung out in curved chains called island arcs.

The following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Java/Sunda Trench; note - deepest point in the Indian Ocean

" + "text": "

the following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Java/Sunda Trench (deepest point in the Indian Ocean)

" }, "atolls": { - "text": "

Atolls (see Figure 1) are the remains of dormant volcanic islands. In warm tropical oceans, coral colonies establish themselves on the margins of the island. Then, over time, the high elevation of the island collapses and erodes away to sea level leaving behind an outline of the island in the form of the fringing coral reef. The resulting low island is typified by the coral reef that surrounds a low elevation of sand and coral above sea level, with an interior shallow lagoon. Often the remaining dry land is broken into a ring of islets, and some lagoons can be hundreds of square kilometers.

Guyots are submerged atoll structures, which explains why they are flat-topped seamounts.

The following are examples of atolls found in the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Bassas da India
Chagos Archipelago/Diego Garcia
Europa Island
Juan de Nova Island
Lakshadweep Islands
Maldive Islands
Seychelles

" + "text": "

the following are examples of atolls found in the Indian Ocean (see Figure 2):

Bassas da India
Chagos Archipelago/Diego Garcia
Europa Island
Juan de Nova Island
Lakshadweep Islands
Maldive Islands
Seychelles

" } }, "Elevation": { diff --git a/oceans/xq.json b/oceans/xq.json index ed161366..623b55e5 100644 --- a/oceans/xq.json +++ b/oceans/xq.json @@ -42,22 +42,22 @@ }, "Bathymetry": { "continental shelf": { - "text": "The continental shelf (see Figure 1), a rather flat area of the sea floor adjacent to the coast that gradually slopes down from the shore to water depths that are typically less than 200 m (660 ft). Dimensions can vary: they may be narrow or nearly nonexistent in some places or extend for hundreds of miles in others. The waters above the continental shelf are usually productive in both plant and animal life, both from sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling and terrestrial runoff. More than one quarter of the Arctic sea floor is continental shelf. The Eurasian shelf is very wide, extending out 1,500 km (930 mi), and is the largest continental shelf in the world. The following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2).

Barents Shelf
Beaufort Shelf
Davis Sill
Chukchi Shelf
East Siberian Shelf
Kara Shelf
Laptev Shelf
Lincoln Shelf" + "text": "more than one quarter of the Arctic sea floor; the Eurasian shelf is very wide, extending out 1,500 km (930 mi), and is the largest continental shelf in the world

the following are examples of continental-shelf features in the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Barents Shelf
Beaufort Shelf
Davis Sill
Chukchi Shelf
East Siberian Shelf
Kara Shelf
Laptev Shelf
Lincoln Shelf" }, "continental slope": { - "text": "The continental slope (see Figure 1) is where the ocean bottom drops off more rapidly until it meets the deep-sea floor (abyssal plain) at depths exceeding 3,000 m (9,850 ft). The deep waters of the continental slope are characterized by cold temperatures, low light conditions, and very high pressures. Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, having been absorbed or reflected in the water above. The continental slope can be indented by submarine canyons, often associated with the outflow of major rivers. Another feature of the continental slope is alluvial fans, or cones of sediments, that major rivers carry downstream to the ocean and deposit down the slope. The following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Litke Trough
Novaya Zemlya Trough
Svyataya Anna Trough (Saint Anna Trough)
Voronin Trough" + "text": "the following are examples of continental-slope features found in the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Litke Trough
Novaya Zemlya Trough
Svyataya Anna Trough (Saint Anna Trough)
Voronin Trough" }, "abyssal plains": { - "text": "The abyssal plains (see Figure 1), at depths of over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and covering 70% of the ocean floor, are the largest habitat on earth. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive than those along the continental shelf. Despite their name, these “plains” are not uniformly flat; they are interrupted by features like hills, valleys, and seamounts. The following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Baffin Basin
Canada Basin
Fram/Amundsen Basin
Greenland Abyssal Plain
Iceland Basin
Makarov Basin
Molloy Deep; note - deepest point in the Arctic Ocean
Nansen Basin
Norwegian Basin" + "text": "the following are examples of abyssal-plain features found in the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Baffin Basin
Canada Basin
Fram/Amundsen Basin
Greenland Abyssal Plain
Iceland Basin
Makarov Basin
Molloy Deep (deepest point in the Arctic Ocean)
Nansen Basin
Norwegian Basin" }, "mid-ocean ridge": { - "text": "The mid-ocean ridge (see Figure 1) that rises from the abyssal plain is an underwater mountain range over 64,000 km (40,000 mi) long, reaching an average depth of 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving apart and magma pushing up from the mantle creates new crust. Tracing their way around the global ocean, this system of underwater volcanoes forms the longest mountain range on Earth. Fracture zones are linear transform faults that develop perpendicular to the line of the mid-ocean ridge, which can offset the ridge line and divide it into segments. The following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found in the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Gakkel Ridge
Mohns Ridge" + "text": "the following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found in the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Gakkel Ridge
Mohns Ridge" }, "undersea terrain features": { - "text": "

The Abyssal Plain is commonly interrupted by a variety of undersea terrain features including seamounts, guyots, ridges, and plateaus.

Seamounts (see Figure 1) are submarine mountains at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high that are formed from individual volcanoes on the ocean floor. They are distinct from the plate-boundary volcanic system of the mid-ocean ridges because seamounts tend to be circular or conical. A circular-collapse caldera is often centered at the summit, evidence of a magma chamber within the volcano. \"Hot spots\" in the deep mantle often feed long chains of seamounts. These hot spots are associated with stationary plumes of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The hot-spot plumes melt through the overlying tectonic plate as it moves and supplies magma to the active volcanic island at the end of the chain of volcanic islands and seamounts.

Flat-topped seamounts are known as guyots. 

An undersea ridge is an elongated elevation of varying complexity and size, generally having steep sides.

An undersea plateau is a large, relatively flat elevation that is higher than the surrounding relief, with one or more relatively steep sides. Although submerged, these features can reach close to sea level.

The following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Lomonosov Ridge
Gakkel Ridge
Alpha Ridge
Mendeleev Rise
Chukchi Plateau

" + "text": "

the following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Arctic Ocean (see Figure 2):

Lomonosov Ridge
Gakkel Ridge
Alpha Ridge
Mendeleev Rise
Chukchi Plateau

" }, "ocean trenches": { - "text": "there are no oceanic trenches on the Arctic sea floor" + "text": "there are no ocean trenches on the Arctic sea floor" }, "atolls": { "text": "there are no atolls found in the Arctic Ocean" diff --git a/oceans/zh.json b/oceans/zh.json index 483b0211..a576a4b6 100644 --- a/oceans/zh.json +++ b/oceans/zh.json @@ -42,25 +42,25 @@ }, "Bathymetry": { "continental shelf": { - "text": "The continental shelf (see Figure 1), a rather flat area of the sea floor adjacent to the coast that gradually slopes down from the shore to water depths of about 200 m (660 ft). Dimensions can vary: they may be narrow or nearly nonexistent in some places or extend for hundreds of miles in others. The waters along the continental shelf are usually productive in both plant and animal life, both from sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling and terrestrial runoff. The passive margins of the Atlantic Ocean provide for wide continental shelves in North America, Northwest Europe, and the southern coast of South America. The following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Atlantic Ocean:

Blake Plateau (Figure 5)
Celtic Shelf (Figure 2)
Dogger Bank (Figure 2)
Flemish Cap (Figure 2)
Falkland Plateau (Figure 3)
Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Figure 2)
Great Bahama Bank (Figure 5)
Little Bahama Bank (Figure 5)
Tunisian Plateau (Figure 4)
Yucatán Shelf (Figure 5)

" + "text": "the passive margins of the Atlantic Ocean provide for wide continental shelves in North America, Northwest Europe, and the southern coast of South America

the following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Atlantic Ocean:

Blake Plateau (Figure 5)
Celtic Shelf (Figure 2)
Dogger Bank (Figure 2)
Flemish Cap (Figure 2)
Falkland Plateau (Figure 3)
Grand Banks of Newfoundland (Figure 2)
Great Bahama Bank (Figure 5)
Little Bahama Bank (Figure 5)
Tunisian Plateau (Figure 4)
Yucatán Shelf (Figure 5)

" }, "continental slope": { - "text": "The continental slope (see Figure 1) is where the ocean bottom drops off more rapidly until it meets the deep-sea floor (abyssal plain) at about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) water depth. The deep waters of the continental slope are characterized by cold temperatures, low light conditions, and very high pressures. Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, having been absorbed or reflected in the water above. The continental slope can be indented by submarine canyons, which are often associated with the outflow of major rivers. Another feature of the continental slope is alluvial fans, or cones of sediments, that major rivers carry downstream to the ocean and deposit down the slope. The following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Atlantic Ocean:

Amazon Cone (Figure 3)
Congo Fan (Figure 3)
Hudson Canyon (Figure 5)
Mississippi Fan (Figure 5)

" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Atlantic Ocean:

Amazon Cone (Figure 3)
Congo Fan (Figure 3)
Hudson Canyon (Figure 5)
Mississippi Fan (Figure 5)

" }, "abyssal plains": { - "text": "The abyssal plains (see Figure 1), at depths of over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and covering 70% of the ocean floor, are the largest habitat on earth. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive than those along the continental shelf. Despite their name, these “plains” are not uniformly flat; they are interrupted by features like hills, valleys, and seamounts. The following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Atlantic Ocean:

Angola Basin (Figure 3)
Agulhas Basin (Figure 3)
Argentine Basin (Figure 3)
Brazil Basin (Figure 3)
Canary Basin (Figure 2)
Cape Basin (Figure 3)
Colombia Basin (Figure 2)
Labrador Basin (Figure 2)
Mexico Basin (Figure 2)
Newfoundland Basin (Figure 2)
North American Basin (Figure 2)
Venezuela Basin (Figure 2)
West European Basin (Figure 2)

" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Atlantic Ocean:

Angola Basin (Figure 3)
Agulhas Basin (Figure 3)
Argentine Basin (Figure 3)
Brazil Basin (Figure 3)
Canary Basin (Figure 2)
Cape Basin (Figure 3)
Colombia Basin (Figure 2)
Labrador Basin (Figure 2)
Mexico Basin (Figure 2)
Newfoundland Basin (Figure 2)
North American Basin (Figure 2)
Venezuela Basin (Figure 2)
West European Basin (Figure 2)

" }, "mid-ocean ridge": { - "text": "The mid-ocean ridge (see Figure 1), rising from the abyssal plain, is an underwater mountain range, over 64,000 km (40,000 mi) long, reaching an average depth of 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving apart and magma pushing up from the mantle creates new crust. Tracing their way around the global ocean, this system of underwater volcanoes forms the longest mountain range on Earth. Fracture zones are linear transform faults that develop perpendicular to the line of the mid-ocean ridge, which can offset the ridge line and divide it into segments. The Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone displaces the mid-ocean ridge 350 km to the west, separating the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from the Reykjanes Ridge. The Romanche Fracture Zone, located near the Equator, offsets the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 900 km and is considered the dividing line between the North and South Atlantic Oceans. The following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

East Mediterranean Ridge (Figure 4)
Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Figures 2, 3)
Reykjanes Ridge (Figure 2)

" + "text": "the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone displaces the mid-ocean ridge 350 km to the west, separating the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from the Reykjanes Ridge; the Romanche Fracture Zone, located near the equator, offsets the Mid-Atlantic Ridge 900 km and is considered the dividing line between the North and South Atlantic Oceans

the following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

East Mediterranean Ridge (Figure 4)
Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Figures 2, 3)
Reykjanes Ridge (Figure 2)

" }, "undersea terrain features": { - "text": "The Abyssal Plain is commonly interrupted by a variety of commonly named undersea terrain features including seamounts, guyots, ridges, and plateaus.

Seamounts (see Figure 1) are submarine mountains at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high formed from individual volcanoes on the ocean floor. They are distinct from the plate-boundary volcanic system of the mid-ocean ridges, because seamounts tend to be circular or conical. A circular-collapse caldera is often centered at the summit, evidence of a magma chamber within the volcano. \"Hot spots\" in the deep mantle often feed long chains of seamounts. These hot spots are associated with stationary plumes of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The hot-spot plumes melt through the overlying tectonic plate as it moves and supplies magma to the active volcanic island at the end of the chain of volcanic islands and seamounts. 

Flat topped seamounts are known as guyots.

An undersea ridge is an elongated elevation of varying complexity and size, generally having steep sides.

An undersea plateau is a large, relatively flat elevation that is higher than the surrounding relief with one or more relatively steep sides. Although submerged, these features can reach close to sea level. The following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

Bermuda Rise (Figure 2)
Cape Verde Plateau (Figure 2)
New England Seamounts (Figure 2)
Rio Grande Plateau (Figure 3)
Rockall Plateau (Figure 2)

" + "text": "the following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

Bermuda Rise (Figure 2)
Cape Verde Plateau (Figure 2)
New England Seamounts (Figure 2)
Rio Grande Plateau (Figure 3)
Rockall Plateau (Figure 2)

" }, "ocean trenches": { - "text": "Ocean trenches (see Figure 1) are the deepest parts of the ocean floor and are created by the process of subduction. Trenches form along boundaries where tectonic plates are moving toward each other, and one plate sinks (is subducted) under another. The location where the sinking of a plate occurs is called a subduction zone. Subduction can occur when oceanic crust collides with and sinks under (subducts) continental crust, resulting in volcanic, seismic, and mountain-building processes. Subduction can also occur in the convergence of two oceanic plates, where one will sink under the other and in the process create a deep ocean trench.

Subduction processes in oceanic-to-oceanic plate convergence also result in the formation of volcanoes. Over millions of years, the erupted lava and volcanic debris pile up on the ocean floor until a submarine volcano rises above sea level to form a volcanic island. Such volcanoes are typically strung out in curved chains called island arcs. 

The following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

Cayman Trench (Caribbean Sea) (Figure 2)
Hellenic Trench (Mediterranean Sea) (Figure 4)
Puerto Rico Trench (Figure 2); note - deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean
South Sandwich Trench (South Atlantic) (Figure 3)

" + "text": "the following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean:

Cayman Trench (Caribbean Sea) (Figure 2)
Hellenic Trench (Mediterranean Sea) (Figure 4)
Puerto Rico Trench (Figure 2); note - deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean
South Sandwich Trench (South Atlantic) (Figure 3)

" }, "atolls": { - "text": "Atolls are the remains of dormant volcanic islands. In warm tropical oceans, coral colonies establish themselves on the margins of the island. Then, over time, the high elevation of the island collapses and erodes away to sea level, leaving behind an outline of the island in the form of the fringing coral reef. The resulting low island is typified by the coral reef that surrounds a low elevation of sand and coral, with an interior shallow lagoon. Often the remaining dry land is broken into a ring of islets, and some lagoons can be hundreds of square kilometers. 

Guyots are submerged atoll structures, which explains why they are flat-topped.

Rocas Atoll (Brazil) is the only atoll in the South Atlantic." + "text": "Rocas Atoll (Brazil) is the only atoll in the South Atlantic" } }, "Elevation": { @@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ "text": "major chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean" } }, + "People and Society": { + }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "endangered marine species; fishery issues (over-fishing, unregulated bottom trawling, drift-net fishing, discards, catch of non-target species); pollution (maritime transport, discharges, offshore drilling, oil spills, improperly disposed waste); municipal sludge pollution off eastern US, southern Brazil, and eastern Argentina; oil pollution in Caribbean Sea, Gulf of America, Lake Maracaibo, Mediterranean Sea, and North Sea; industrial waste and municipal sewage pollution in Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Mediterranean Sea" diff --git a/oceans/zn.json b/oceans/zn.json index 6b33a5a1..f3db829a 100644 --- a/oceans/zn.json +++ b/oceans/zn.json @@ -42,25 +42,25 @@ }, "Bathymetry": { "continental shelf": { - "text": "The continental shelf (see Figure 1), a rather flat area of the sea floor adjacent to the coast that gradually slopes down from the shore to water depths of about 200 m (660 ft). Dimensions can vary: they may be narrow or nearly nonexistent in some places or extend for hundreds of miles in others. The waters along the continental shelf are usually productive in both plant and animal life, from sunlight and nutrients from ocean upwelling and terrestrial runoff. The following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Pacific Ocean:

Arafura Shelf (Figure 5)
Sahul Shelf (Figure 5)
Sunda Shelf (Figure 5)
Taiwan Banks (Figure 5)

" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the continental shelf of the Pacific Ocean:

Arafura Shelf (Figure 5)
Sahul Shelf (Figure 5)
Sunda Shelf (Figure 5)
Taiwan Banks (Figure 5)

" }, "continental slope": { - "text": "The continental slope (see Figure 1) is where the ocean bottom drops off more rapidly until it meets the deep-sea floor (abyssal plain) at about 3,200 m (10,500 ft) water depth. The deep waters of the continental slope are characterized by cold temperatures, low light conditions, and very high pressures. Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths, having been absorbed or reflected in the water above. The continental slope can be indented by submarine canyons, often associated with the outflow of major rivers. Another feature of the continental slope is alluvial fans, or cones of sediments, that major rivers carry downstream to the ocean and deposit down the slope. The following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Pacific Ocean:

Pribilof Canyon (Figure 2)
Zhemchug Canyon (Figure 2); note - deepest submarine canyon

" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the continental slope of the Pacific Ocean:

Pribilof Canyon (Figure 2)
Zhemchug Canyon (Figure 2; deepest submarine canyon)

" }, "abyssal plains": { - "text": "The abyssal plains (see Figure 1), at depths of over 3,000 m (10,000 ft) and covering 70% of the ocean floor, are the largest habitat on earth. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive than those along the continental shelf. Despite their name, these “plains” are not uniformly flat; they are interrupted by features like hills, valleys, and seamounts. The following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Pacific Ocean:

Aleutian Basin (Figure 2)
Central Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Northeast Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Northwest Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Philippine Basin (Figure 4)
Southwest Pacific Basin (Figure 4)
Tasman Basin (Figure 4)

" + "text": "the following are examples of features found on the abyssal plains of the Pacific Ocean:

Aleutian Basin (Figure 2)
Central Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Northeast Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Northwest Pacific Basin (Figure 2)
Philippine Basin (Figure 4)
Southwest Pacific Basin (Figure 4)
Tasman Basin (Figure 4)

" }, "mid-ocean ridge": { - "text": "The mid-ocean ridge (see Figure 1), rising up from the abyssal plain, is an underwater mountain range over 64,000 km (40,000 mi) long, reaching an average depth of 2,400 m (8,000 ft). Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving apart and magma  pushing up from the mantle creates new crust. Tracing their way around the global ocean, this system of underwater volcanoes forms the longest mountain range on earth. Fracture zones are linear transform faults that develop perpendicular to the line of the mid-ocean ridge, which can offset the ridge line and divide it into segments. The following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

East Pacific Rise (Figure 3)
Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (Figure 3)

" + "text": "the following are examples of mid-ocean ridges found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

East Pacific Rise (Figure 3)
Pacific-Antarctic Ridge (Figure 3)

" }, "undersea terrain features": { - "text": "The Abyssal Plain is commonly interrupted by a variety of commonly named undersea terrain features including seamounts, guyots, ridges, and plateaus.

Seamounts (see Figure 1) are submarine mountains at least 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high formed from individual volcanoes on the ocean floor. They are distinct from the plate-boundary volcanic system of the mid-ocean ridges, because seamounts tend to be circular or conical. A circular-collapse caldera is often centered at the summit, evidence of a magma chamber within the volcano. \"Hot spots\" in the deep mantle often feed long chains of seamounts. These hot spots are associated with stationary plumes of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The hot-spot plumes melt through the overlying tectonic plate as it moves and supplies magma to the active volcanic island at the end of the chain of volcanic islands and seamounts.

Flat topped seamounts are known as guyots.

An undersea ridge is an elongated elevation of varying complexity and size, generally having steep sides.

An undersea plateau is a large, relatively flat elevation that is higher than the surrounding relief with one or more relatively steep sides. Although submerged, these features can reach close to sea level.

The following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

Caroline Seamounts (Figure 5)
East Mariana Ridge (Figure 4)
Emperor Seamount Chain (Figure 2)
Hawaiian Ridge (Figure 2)
Lord Howe Seamount Chain (Figure 4)
Louisville Ridge (Figure 4)
Kapingamarangi (Ontong-Java) Rise (Figure 5); note - largest submarine plateau
Macclesfield Bank (Figure 5)
Marshall Seamounts (Figure 2)
Magellan Seamounts (Figure 2)
Mid-Pacific Seamounts (Figure 2)
Reed Tablemount (Figure 5)
Shatsky Rise (Figure 2); note - third largest submarine plateau
Tonga-Kermadec Ridge (Figure 4)

" + "text": "the following are examples of undersea terrain features found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

Caroline Seamounts (Figure 5)
East Mariana Ridge (Figure 4)
Emperor Seamount Chain (Figure 2)
Hawaiian Ridge (Figure 2)
Lord Howe Seamount Chain (Figure 4)
Louisville Ridge (Figure 4)
Kapingamarangi (Ontong-Java) Rise (Figure 5; largest submarine plateau)
Macclesfield Bank (Figure 5)
Marshall Seamounts (Figure 2)
Magellan Seamounts (Figure 2)
Mid-Pacific Seamounts (Figure 2)
Reed Tablemount (Figure 5)
Shatsky Rise (Figure 2; third-largest submarine plateau)
Tonga-Kermadec Ridge (Figure 4)

" }, "ocean trenches": { - "text": "Ocean trenches (see Figure 1) are the deepest parts of the ocean floor and are created by the process of subduction. Trenches form along convergent boundaries where tectonic plates are moving toward each other, and one plate sinks (is subducted) under another. The location where the sinking of a plate occurs is called a subduction zone. Subduction can occur when oceanic crust collides with and sinks under (subducts) continental crust resulting in volcanic, seismic, and mountain-building processes. Subduction can also occur in the convergence of two oceanic plates, where one will sink under the other and in the process create a deep ocean trench.

Subduction processes in oceanic-to-oceanic plate convergence also result in the formation of volcanoes. Over millions of years, the erupted lava and volcanic debris pile up on the ocean floor until a submarine volcano rises above sea level to form a volcanic island. Such volcanoes are typically strung out in curved chains called island arcs.

The following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

Aleutian Trench (Figure 2)
Chile Trench (Figure 3)
Izu-Ogasawara Trench (Figure 2)
Japan Trench (Figure 2)
Kermadec Trench (Figure 3, 4)
Kuril-Kamchatka Trench (Figure 2)
Manus Trench (Figure 4)
Mariana Trench (Figure 2, 4); note - deepest ocean trench
Middle America Trench (Figure 3)
Nansei-Shoto Trench (Figure 5)
Palau Trench (Figure 2, 4)
Philippine Trench (Figure 4)
Peru-Chile Trench (Figure 3)
South New Hebrides Trench (Figure 4)
Tonga Trench (Figure 3, 4)
Yap Trench (Figure 2, 4)

" + "text": "the following are examples of ocean trenches found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean:

Aleutian Trench (Figure 2)
Chile Trench (Figure 3)
Izu-Ogasawara Trench (Figure 2)
Japan Trench (Figure 2)
Kermadec Trench (Figures 3, 4)
Kuril-Kamchatka Trench (Figure 2)
Manus Trench (Figure 4)
Mariana Trench (Figures 2, 4; deepest ocean trench)
Middle America Trench (Figure 3)
Nansei-Shoto Trench (Figure 5)
Palau Trench (Figures 2, 4)
Philippine Trench (Figure 4)
Peru-Chile Trench (Figure 3)
South New Hebrides Trench (Figure 4)
Tonga Trench (Figures 3, 4)
Yap Trench (Figures 2, 4)

" }, "atolls": { - "text": "Atolls are the remains of dormant volcanic islands. In warm tropical oceans, coral colonies establish themselves on the margins of the island. Then, over time, the high elevation of the island collapses and erodes away to sea level, leaving behind an outline of the island in the form of the fringing coral reef. The resulting low island is typified by the coral reef that surrounds a low elevation of sand and coral, with an interior shallow lagoon. Often the remaining dry land is broken into a ring of islets, and some lagoons can be hundreds of square kilometers. 

Guyots are submerged atoll structures, which explains why they are flat-topped seamounts.

The following are examples of atolls found in the Pacific Ocean, and because most of these are also countries or territories, they have entries in The World Factbook with additional information:

Federated States of Micronesia
French Polynesia
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Midway Island
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Wake Island" + "text": "the following are examples of atolls found in the Pacific Ocean, and because they are also countries or territories, they have entries in The World Factbook with additional information:

Federated States of Micronesia
French Polynesia
Kiribati
Marshall Islands
Midway Island
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu
Wake Island" } }, "Elevation": { diff --git a/south-america/ar.json b/south-america/ar.json index fc52a6d3..386d96f7 100644 --- a/south-america/ar.json +++ b/south-america/ar.json @@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)" @@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)" @@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Juan Manuel CORTELLETTI (since 1 November 2024)" + "text": "Ambassador-designate Alejandro (Alec) OXENFORD (since November 2024)" }, "chancery": { "text": "1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009" @@ -1152,17 +1152,6 @@ "text": "132 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Argentina’s ongoing hyperinflation continues to distort the telecom market’s performance, which shows strong growth in revenue but only modest gains in subscriber numbers each year; the fixed broadband segment has penetration levels only slightly higher than the fixed-line teledensity; nearly a quarter of the country’s broadband connections are via DSL, although fiber is starting claim an increasing share of that market as networks expand across most of the main cities; mobile broadband continues to be the preferred platform for internet access, supported by high mobile penetration levels and nationwide LTE coverage; the first 5G service was launched in 2021 using refarmed LTE frequencies; the anticipated 5G spectrum auctions should drive even stronger uptake in mobile broadband services; the government's national connectivity plan, \"Plan Conectar,\" launched in 2020 and provides funding to increase coverage (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "roughly 15 per 100 fixed-line and 130 per 100 mobile-cellular; microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 54; landing points for the UNISUR, Bicentenario, Atlantis-2, SAm-1, and SAC, Tannat, Malbec and ARBR submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112 (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "one of South America's biggest media markets; dozens of TV networks, hundreds of radio stations, and more than 150 daily newspapers (2023)" }, @@ -1253,7 +1242,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 75,000 active-duty personnel (45,000 Army; 15,000 Navy, including about 3,500 marines); 15,000 Air Force); estimated 20,000 Gendarmerie (2025)" + "text": "approximately 75,000 active-duty Armed Forces (45,000 Army; 15,000 Navy, including about 3,500 marines; 15,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the inventory of Argentina's armed forces is a mix of domestically-produced and mostly older imported weapons, largely from Europe and the US; in recent years, France and the US have been the leading suppliers of equipment; Argentina has an indigenous defense industry that produces air, land, and naval systems (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/bl.json b/south-america/bl.json index 46fed411..4685dfa5 100644 --- a/south-america/bl.json +++ b/south-america/bl.json @@ -1117,17 +1117,6 @@ "text": "100 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the structure of Bolivia’s fixed telecom market is different from most other countries; local services are primarily provided by 15 telecom cooperatives; these are non-profit-making companies privately owned and controlled by their users; since the market was liberalized, the cooperatives have also provided long-distance telephony, while several also offer broadband and pay TV service; they have invested in network upgrades in a bid to improve services for customers, and to expand their footprints; Bolivia has a multi-carrier system wherein consumers can choose a long-distance carrier for each call by dialing the carrier’s prefix; several operators have also adopted fixed-wireless technologies, and some rent fiber-optic capacity; the fixed broadband services remain expensive, though the cost of bandwidth is only a fraction of what it was only a few years ago; services are still unavailable in many rural and remote areas, and even in some of the major urban areas; being a landlocked country, Bolivia had no direct access to submarine cable networks, and relies on satellite services or terrestrial links across neighboring countries; in September 2020 a new cable running via Peru, has increased capacity and contributed to a dramatic fall in end-user prices; fixed broadband services are fast migrating from DSL to fiber, while there are also cable broadband services available in some major cities; in 2007 the focus was on providing telecom services in rural areas under a project known as ‘Territory with Total Coverage’; this project aims to increase telecom coverage through mobile rather than through fixed networks; Bolivia has almost twenty times as many mobile phone subscribers as fixed line connections, and the trend towards fixed-mobile substitution continues; all the mobile companies offer 3G and LTE services; due to the poor quality, high cost, and poor reach of DSL, mobile networks have become the principal platform for voice services and data access; by early 2021 companies’ networks reached more than 95% of the population; about 92% of all internet accesses are via smartphones (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "4 per 100 fixed-line, mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly and teledensity stands at 100 per 100 persons; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other capital cities (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 591; Bolivia has no direct access to submarine cable networks and must therefore connect to the rest of the world either via satellite or through terrestrial links across neighboring countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2019)" }, @@ -1198,7 +1187,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 35,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 35,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military is equipped with a mix of mostly older Brazilian, Chinese, European, and US equipment (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/br.json b/south-america/br.json index b285d993..2b00db48 100644 --- a/south-america/br.json +++ b/south-america/br.json @@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km)" @@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Río de la Plata/Paraná river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; São Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km)" @@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2022: Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (PT) 48.4%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 43.2%, Simone Nassar TEBET (MDB) 4.2%, Ciro GOMES (PDT) 3%, other 1.2%; percent of vote in second round - Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (PT) 50.9%, Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 49.1%

2018: Jair BOLSONARO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 46%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 29.3%, Ciro GOMEZ (PDT) 12.5%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 4.8%, other 7.4%; percent of vote in second round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 55.1%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 44.9%" }, - "note": "note - the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1176,17 +1176,6 @@ "text": "99 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Brazil is one of the largest mobile and broadband markets in Latin America with healthy competition and pricing; 5G services was provided to all capital cities in July 2022, as well as about 35,500km of the national highway network; the country also has one of the largest fixed line broadband markets in Latin America, though broadband subscriptions is only slightly above the regional average, trailing behind Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay; amendments to the licensing regime adopted in October 2019 also require that ISPs which have switched to authorizations invest money saved from lighter regulations in the expansion of broadband services; the fixed line broadband market has seen rapid growth for a number of years, with a growing focus on fiber broadband; in 2019 the number of fiber accesses overtook DSL connections; the country is a key landing point for a number of important submarine cables connecting to the US, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa; several new cable systems are due to come into service through to 2022, which will increase bandwidth and push down broadband prices for end-users; investments have also been made into terrestrial fiber cables between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections stand at roughly 13 per 100 persons;  mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 102 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 55; landing points for a number of submarine cables, including Malbec, ARBR, Tamnat, SAC, SAm-1, Atlantis -2, Seabras-1, Monet, EllaLink, BRUSA, GlobeNet, AMX-1, Brazilian Festoon, Bicentenario, Unisur, Junior, Americas -II, SAE x1, SAIL, SACS and SABR that provide direct connectivity to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station; satellites is a major communication platform, as it is almost impossible to lay fiber optic cable in the thick vegetation (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating, mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated (2022)" }, @@ -1289,7 +1278,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 360,000 active military personnel (220,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 360,000 active Armed Forces (220,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Brazilian military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons, largely from Europe and the US; Brazil's defense industry designs and manufactures equipment for all three military services and for export; it also jointly produces equipment with other countries (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/ci.json b/south-america/ci.json index 80fb561c..27a81f8d 100644 --- a/south-america/ci.json +++ b/south-america/ci.json @@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 21 November 2021 with a runoff held on 19 December 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025 with runoff if needed on 20 December)" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 21 November 2021 with a runoff held on 19 December 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025 with runoff, if needed, on 20 December)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: Gabriel BORIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Antonio KAST (FSC) 27.9%; Gabriel BORIC (AD) 25.8%; Franco PARISI (PDG) 12.8%; Sebastian SICHEL (ChP+) 12.8%; Yasna PROVOSTE (New Social Pact) 11.6%; other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Gabriel BORIC 55.9%; Jose Antonio KAST 44.1%

2017: Sebastian PINERA Echenique elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique (independent) 36.6%; Alejandro GUILLIER (independent) 22.7%; Beatriz SANCHEZ (independent) 20.3%; Jose Antonio KAST (independent) 7.9%; Carolina GOIC (PDC) 5.9%; Marco ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI (PRO) 5.7%; other 0.9%; percent of vote in second round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique 54.6%, Alejandro GUILLIER 45.4%" @@ -1117,17 +1117,6 @@ "text": "135 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the market for fixed and mobile telephony is highly competitive and rapidly evolving; the mobile rate is among the highest in South America; LTE infrastructure is extensive and 5G spectrum auctions which took place in February 2021 prompted deployment of 5G networks, following extensive trials held by the MNOs; fixed broadband is relatively high for the region, with services among the fastest and least expensive in Latin America; government initiatives such as the National Fiber Optic project and Fibra Óptica Austral are providing high-capacity connectivity across the country and will further increase fixed-line broadband; there is a strong focus on fiber broadband, with the number of fiber subscribers having increased 61.7% in 2020, year-on-year; technological improvements have allowed operators to provide a variety of services via their networks, giving rise to a number of bundled packages at competitive prices, including access to video on demand services which in turn is increasing fixed-line broadband; traditional fixed-line teledensity continues to fall as consumers switch to mobile networks and to fixed broadband for voice and data connectivity; more than 8,300 schools receive free broadband as part of the ‘Connectivity for Education 2030’ project (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "number of fixed-line connections 13 per 100, mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 136 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 56; landing points for the Pan-Am, Prat, SAm-1, American Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable, FOS Quellon-Chacabuco, Fibra Optical Austral, SAC and Curie submarine cables providing links to the US, Caribbean and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "national and local terrestrial TV channels, coupled with extensive cable TV networks; the state-owned Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) network is self-financed through commercial advertising and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations" }, @@ -1224,7 +1213,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 70,000 active armed forces personnel (40,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force); approximately 50,000 Carabineros (2025)" + "text": "approximately 70,000 active Armed Forces (40,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force); approximately 50,000 Carabineros (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Chilean military inventory is comprised of a broad mix of older foreign supplied weapons and equipment and some domestically produced systems; significant foreign suppliers have included Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and the US; Chile's defense industry is active in the production of military aircraft, ships, and vehicles (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/co.json b/south-america/co.json index 9a98741e..2f602092 100644 --- a/south-america/co.json +++ b/south-america/co.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "6,506 sq km (2013)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)" @@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)" @@ -554,12 +554,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 29 May 2022 with a runoff held on 19 June 2022 (next to be held on 31 May 2026); note - political reform in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 29 May 2022, with a runoff held on 19 June 2022 (next to be held on 31 May 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2022: Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (PHxC) 40.3%, Rodolfo HERNÁNDEZ Suárez (LIGA) 28.2%, Federico GUTIÉRREZ Zuluaga (Team for Colombia / CREEMOS) 23.9%, other 7.6%; percent of vote in second round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego 50.4%, Rodolfo HERNÁNDEZ Suarez 47.3%, blank 2.3%

2018: Iván DUQUE Márquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Iván DUQUE Márquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2%" }, - "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note 1: the president is both chief of state and head of government

note 2: reforms in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1118,17 +1118,6 @@ "text": "156 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecom sector had a solid year thanks to positive performances in the fixed-line broadband, mobile broadband, and mobile voice and data markets; the fixed-line penetration remained stable by the end of 2020, though began to increase into 2021 as a result of the particular demands on households resulting from government measures associated with addressing the pandemic; the mobile market reached a penetration rate of 136% (an increase of over three percentage points on 2019) and managed to keep the same upward growth trajectory that it has sustained over the last ten years; the fixed-line broadband market also expanded, with the number of subscribers increasing 11.4%, and with revenue increasing 9.9% thanks to increased data usage as many customers were forced to work or study from home during the year; the mobile broadband market was the standout performer in 2020, with a 13% increase in the number of subscribers year-on-year, the penetration rate is relatively low compared to other Latin American countries; most significant of all was the surge in mobile broadband traffic a 51% increase over the previous year (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is 150 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 57; landing points for the SAC, Maya-1, SAIT, ACROS, AMX-1, CFX-1, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, Globe Net, PAN-AM, SAm-1 submarine cable systems providing links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019)" }, @@ -1228,7 +1217,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 260,000 active troops (200,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including about 20,000 marines; 15,000 Air Force); approximately 175,000 National Police (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 260,000 active Military Forces (200,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including about 20,000 marines; 15,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 National Police (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a wide mix of equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Canada, Germany, Israel, South Korea, and especially the US; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/ec.json b/south-america/ec.json index 51da0056..85ca00b1 100644 --- a/south-america/ec.json +++ b/south-america/ec.json @@ -564,12 +564,12 @@ "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 February 2025 with a runoff on 13 April 2025 (next to be held 28 February 2029); note – on 18 May 2023, Ecuador’s National Electoral Council announced that the legislative and presidential elections—originally scheduled for February 2025—would be held on 20 August 2023 with a runoff on 15 October 2023 after former president Guillermo LASSO dissolved the National Assembly by decree on 17 May 2023; though eligible for a second term, LASSO announced that he would not run in the 2023 election; President Daniel NOBOA Azin served out the remainder of the presidential term (2021–2025)" + "text": "president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 February 2025 with a runoff on 13 April 2025 (next to be held 28 February 2029)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2025: Daniel NOBOA Azin reelected president; percent of vote in the first round - Daniel NOBOA Azin (ADN) 44.2%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar (MRC) 44%, Leonidas IZA (MUPP) 5.3%, other 6.5%; percent of vote in the second round - Daniel NOBOA Azin 55.6%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar 44.4%

2023: Daniel NOBOA Azin elected president; percent of vote in the first round - Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar (MRC) 33.6%, Daniel NOBOA Azin (ADN) 23.5%, Christian Gustavo ZURITA Ron (Construye) 16.4%, Jan Tomislav TOPIĆ Feraud (Por Un País Sin Miedo) 14.7%, Otto Ramón SONNENHOLZNER Sper (Avanza) 7.1%, other 4.7%; percent of vote in the second round - Daniel NOBOA Azin 51.8%, Luisa GONZÁLEZ Alcivar 48.2%

2021: Guillermo LASSO Mendoza elected president; percent of vote in the first round - Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 32.7%, Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 19.7%, Yaku PEREZ Guartambel (MUPP) 19.4%, Xavier HERVAS Mora (ID) 15.7%, other 12.5%; percent of vote in the second round - Guillermo LASSO Mendoza (CREO) 52.5%, Andres ARAUZ (UNES) 47.5%" }, - "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note 1: the president is both chief of state and head of government

note 2: though eligible for a second term, former president Guillermo LASSO announced that he would not run in the 2023 election; President Daniel NOBOA Azin is serving out the remainder of the presidential term (2021–2025)" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1070,19 +1070,8 @@ "text": "97 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Ecuador has a small telecom market dominated by the mobile sector; the evolution of the market has been influenced by the poor fixed-line infrastructure, which has stymied the development of fixed-line broadband services; to some extent poor infrastructure has been the result of topographical challenges which have rendered the cost of deploying networks to remote and mountainous areas prohibitive; although Ecuador has several fixed-line operators and a large number of ISPs, the state-owned incumbent leads the fixed-line market, and thus also the fixed broadband market; thus far the MVNO sector has been slow to develop, partly because the incumbent operators also have their low-cost brands and thus there is little business case for new market entrants; the government is keen to advance and improve teledensity; from 2022, additional revenue will be earmarked for programs aimed at expanding the reach of internet and mobile services in rural areas of the country; Ecuador lacks a national 5G roadmap; the mobile operators have conducted several 5G pilots, but no progress has been made on allocation spectrum for 5G, or on developing strategies to encourage investment in the sector (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "according to 2021 statistics from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society, 50 percent of Ecuadorian homes do not have access to fixed internet; fixed-line teledensity is about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of nearly 94 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 593; landing points for the SPSC (Mistral Submarine Cable), Panamerican Cable System (PAN-AM), Pacific Caribbean Cable System (PCCS), America Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable and SAm-1 submarine (SAm-1) cables that provide links to South and Central America, and extending onward to the Caribbean and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { - "text": "

956 media outlets, of which 89% are private, 5% are public, and 6% belong to small communities; government controls most of the 44 public media stations, including national media and multiple local radio stations; most media outlets are concentrated in Guayas and Pichincha 

(2022)" + "text": "956 media outlets, of which 89% are private, 5% are public, and 6% belong to small communities; government controls most of the 44 public media stations, including national media and multiple local radio stations; most media outlets are concentrated in Guayas and Pichincha (2022)" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".ec" @@ -1155,7 +1144,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Ecuadorian Armed Forces ((Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador): Ground Force (Fuerza Terrestre), Naval Force (Fuerza Naval; includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) (2025)", + "text": "Ecuadorian Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador): Ground Force (Fuerza Terrestre), Naval Force (Fuerza Naval; includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana) (2025)", "note": "note: the National Police of Ecuador (Policía Nacional del Ecuador) is under the Ministry of Government/Interior" }, "Military expenditures": { @@ -1176,7 +1165,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 40,000 active military personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 40,000 active Ecuadorian Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a diverse mix of older and smaller quantities of more modern equipment derived from a variety of sources such as Brazil, China, France, Italy, Germany, Russia/Soviet-Union, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/fk.json b/south-america/fk.json index 371493b1..d0f8e7db 100644 --- a/south-america/fk.json +++ b/south-america/fk.json @@ -564,17 +564,6 @@ "text": "160 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the replacement of the rural internet and phone system was delayed due to COVID; upgrades started at the end of 2019, this included the replacement of all Multi Service Access Nodes (MSANs), the technology used to connect larger settlements; in early 2020 a new system to replace the WiMAX system (the technology used to connect smaller settlements and households) had been delayed as well due to COVID-19; once the equipment is received it will be installed in the largest base stations on East Falklands: Malo, Bombilla, and Mt Pleasant peak


“We also have MSAN equipment and radio links due to arrive towards the end of this month, and these and will be installed at Chartres, New Island, Sea Lion Island, Onion Range, Sand Bay, and Mare Harbour enabling us to migrate additional customers from the existing WiMAX network and also releasing equipment for spares.” (2020)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions approximately 53 per 100, 160 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries (2015)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "TV service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio provided by public broadcaster Falkland Islands Radio Service and the British Forces Broadcasting Service  (2007)" }, diff --git a/south-america/gy.json b/south-america/gy.json index 4c4e6bc7..4157f589 100644 --- a/south-america/gy.json +++ b/south-america/gy.json @@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020) " + "text": "President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)" }, "head of government": { "text": "President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020)" @@ -978,17 +978,6 @@ "text": "106 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "after many years of delays and legal challenges, the 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People’s Party Progressive (PPP); the Telecommunications Act sets out a framework for enabling competition across all segments of the telecommunications sector in Guyana; the mobile market has been open to competition since 2001; the Telecommunications Act presents the country with the potential to benefit from a more level playing field that may attract new players, but nevertheless Guyana’s relatively small size and low GDP may restrict it from reaching its full potential for some more years to come (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is about 16 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 110 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition " }, @@ -1071,7 +1060,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 3,500 active-duty military personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 3,500 active-duty Guyana Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a limited inventory comprised mostly of older or second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/ns.json b/south-america/ns.json index 4239f1e2..a032d202 100644 --- a/south-america/ns.json +++ b/south-america/ns.json @@ -1007,17 +1007,6 @@ "text": "150 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "

Suriname is the smallest nation on the South American continent, with about 580,000 inhabitants; the only Dutch-speaking nation in South America, it has close affinities with the Caribbean, and is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM); the country’s fixed-line infrastructure is reasonably reliable in the more populated coastal region, though poor in the interior; fixed teledensity and broadband penetration are slightly lower than average for Latin America and the Caribbean, while mobile penetration is significantly above the regional average and much higher than would be expected given the country’s relatively low GDP per capita; many Surinamese have up to three mobile lines with different providers, which has pushed up penetration figures although the number of subscribers has fallen in recent years as consumers have responded to economic pressures

(2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is 150 telephones per 100 persons (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 597; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable linking South America with the Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2019)" }, @@ -1102,7 +1091,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 2,000 total personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 2,000 National Army (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Suriname Army has a limited inventory comprised of a mix of older weapons and equipment, largely originating from such suppliers as Brazil, the Netherlands, and India; France also provides material assistance (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/pa.json b/south-america/pa.json index 2bfec692..e90322e1 100644 --- a/south-america/pa.json +++ b/south-america/pa.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "1,362 sq km (2012)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)" @@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Río de la Plata/Paraná (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)" @@ -1061,17 +1061,6 @@ "text": "128 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "limited progress on structural reform and deficient infrastructure of the landlocked country are obstacles to the telecom platform; effective competition in mobile market, serving 96% of population through LTE; deployment of fiber; operator enabled 109 free Internet points across the country and is looking to expand to 430 points in 2022; dependent on neighboring countries for access to submarine cables (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line just over 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 119 per 100 of the population (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 595; Paraguay's landlocked position means they must depend on neighbors for interconnection with submarine cable networks, making it cost more for broadband services; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019)" }, @@ -1164,7 +1153,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 15,000 active-duty Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is comprised of mostly older or obsolescent equipment from a variety of foreign suppliers, particularly Brazil and the US; in recent years, the Paraguayan Government has purchased small quantities of more modern equipment (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/pe.json b/south-america/pe.json index d8821a4e..6f566c38 100644 --- a/south-america/pe.json +++ b/south-america/pe.json @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)" @@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)" @@ -579,12 +579,12 @@ "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" }, "elections/appointments": { - "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms); election last held on 11 April 2021 with a runoff on 6 June 2021 (next to be held in April 2026)" + "text": "president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms); election last held on 11 April 2021, with a runoff on 6 June 2021 (next to be held in April 2026)" }, "election results": { "text": "
2021: Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (PL) 18.9%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi (FP) 13.4%, Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA Cazorla (RP) 11.8%, Hernando DE SOTO Polar (Social Integration Party) 11.6%, Yonhy LESCANO Ancieta (AP) 9.1%, Veronika MENDOZA Frisch (JP) 7.9%, Cesar ACUNA Peralta (APP) 6%, George FORSYTH Sommer (VN) 5.7%, Daniel Belizario URRESTI Elera (PP) 5.6%, other 10%; percent of vote second round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones 50.1%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi 49.9%

2016: Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi (FP) 39.9%, Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard (PPK) 21.1%, Veronika MENDOZA (FA) 18.7%, Alfredo BARNECHEA (AP) 7%, Alan GARCIA (APRA) 5.8%, other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard 50.1%, Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi 49.9%" }, - "note": "note 1: First Vice President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra assumed the office of the president on 7 December 2022 after President Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones was impeached and arrested; BOLUARTE is the first woman to become president of Peru

note 2: Prime Minister Gustavo ADRIANZÉN (since 6 March 2024) does not exercise executive power; this power rests with the president; on 5 March 2024, Prime Minister Alberto OTÁROLA resigned amid allegations of corruption

note 3: the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note 1: First Vice President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra assumed the office of the president on 7 December 2022 after President Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones was impeached and arrested; BOLUARTE is the first woman to become president of Peru

note 2: Prime Minister Eduardo ARANA Ysa (since 14 May 2025) does not exercise executive power; this power rests with the president; on 13 May 2025, Prime Minister Gustavo ADRIANZÉN resigned ahead of a censure vote

note 3: the president is both chief of state and head of government" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -1110,17 +1110,6 @@ "text": "122 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "after suffering a sharp retraction in the number of subscriptions and revenue during 2020 due to the pandemic, Peru’s telecom sector managed to stage a small recovery in the first half of 2021; it will likely be two to three years before penetration rates return to the peak levels last seen in 2018; this is especially true given the overwhelming influence of mobile on Peru’s telecommunications market, which now commands almost 95% of all connections; Peru’s fixed-line teledensity continued its slow dropping below 7% at the end of 2021; investment in network infrastructure is mainly focused on rolling out fiber cable for fixed broadband services in (mainly) urban areas; fixed broadband services inched higher to reach 8.4% at the end of 2020, a positive result that reflected the shift to working from home during enforced lock downs at the start of the year; yet Peru has a relatively low level of computer use, and prices for fixed broadband services are among the highest in Latin America; the overwhelmingly preferred internet access platform will remain the smartphone, with a further 8.6% growth in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions expected in 2021 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity is 7 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is 128 telephones per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 51; landing points for the SAM-1, IGW, American Movil-Telxius, SAC and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "10 major TV networks of which only one, Television Nacional de Peru, is state owned; multi-channel cable TV services are available; in excess of 5,000 radio stations including a substantial number of local-language stations (2021)" }, @@ -1216,7 +1205,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 85,000 active-duty personnel (50,000 Army; 25,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 85,000 active-duty Armed Forces (50,000 Army; 25,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force); approximately 75,000 National Police (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military has a broad mix of mostly older but some more modern equipment from a range of suppliers, including Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the former Soviet Union, South Korea, and the US; some deliveries have been secondhand weapons systems; Peru has a small defense industry, including a shipyard that builds and upgrades naval vessels; it also has defense industrial cooperation agreements with several countries, including Russia, South Korea, Spain, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/uy.json b/south-america/uy.json index 8047d166..408fad47 100644 --- a/south-america/uy.json +++ b/south-america/uy.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major aquifers": { "text": "Guarani Aquifer System" @@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major aquifers": { "text": "Guarani Aquifer System" @@ -1108,17 +1108,6 @@ "text": "139 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Uruguay has an advanced telecom market, with excellent infrastructure and one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Latin America; fixed-line teledensity is also particularly high for the region, while mobile penetration is the second highest after Panama; in terms of computer penetration, Uruguay tops all other countries in the region by a considerable margin, and this has facilitated growth in fixed-line broadband adoption; the government and telecom regulator have introduced a range of measures to help develop the deployment of fiber infrastructure, partly in a bid to encourage economic growth and stimulate e-commerce; fiber accounted for over 95% of all fixed and fixed-wireless broadband connections as of December 2023; with investment projected to reach $800 million, the state-owned incumbent Antel is expected to provide national Fiber to the premises (FttP) coverage by 2023; together with the FttP network, the opening of the submarine cable system in early 2012 and August 2017 have helped boost Uruguay’s internet bandwidth, and increase the data rate available to end-users; changes in legislation in 2020 allowed cable companies to provide home internet service for the first time, ending the state monopoly; Uruguay's regulator authorized five cable companies to provide broadband service; while the country's broadband network is state owned, other segments of the telecom market have been opened to competition, including international long-distance telephony, mobile telephony, and fixed-wireless broadband; cable networks are well equipped technologically, and digital cable TV is widely available, telecom legislation prohibits data transmission over pay TV networks; all three operators offer mobile broadband through 3G and LTE networks; operators have achieved nationwide 3G coverage and the number of mobile broadband subscribers continues to grow; at the end of 2019, spectrum in the 5G-suitable range was auctioned, enabling operators to launch 5G services; Uruguay's regulators held a 5G spectrum auction in June 2023; the three incumbent operators each acquired 100 Ghz in the 3.5 GHz midband; in 2023, Uruguay's state telecom has deployed hundreds of 5G radio bases, covering all regional capitals (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 36 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity 140 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 598; landing points for the Unisor, Tannat, and Bicentenario submarine cable system providing direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; the Firmina cable, which landed in 2023, allowed for direct connectivity to the United States; Bicentenario 2012 and Tannat 2017 cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; over 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in 2010 (2019)" }, @@ -1212,7 +1201,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 23,000 active-duty personnel (15,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 23,000 active-duty Armed Forces (15,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory includes a variety of mostly older or second-hand equipment originating from a wide range of suppliers, including Brazil, Canada, the former Czechoslovakia, Germany, Portugal, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Korea, Spain, and the US (2024)" diff --git a/south-america/ve.json b/south-america/ve.json index e08b119b..4c29d0e5 100644 --- a/south-america/ve.json +++ b/south-america/ve.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)" @@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)" @@ -541,9 +541,9 @@ "text": "president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); election last held on 28 July 2024 (next to be held in 2030)" }, "election results": { - "text": "2024: official results disputed; Nicolas MADURO Moros was declared the winner by the MADURO-controlled National Electoral Council; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 52%, Edmundo GONZÁLEZ Urrutia (Independent) 43.2%, Luis Eduardo MARTÍNEZ (AD) 1.2%, other 3.6%; note – given overwhelming evidence, including more than 80% of the tally sheets received directly from polling stations throughout Venezuela indicating that GONZÁLEZ received the most votes by an insurmountable margin, the United States recognizes that GONZÁLEZ won the most votes in the 28 July 2024 presidential election

2018: Nicolas MADURO Moros reelected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 67.9%, Henri FALCON (AP) 20.9%, Javier BERTUCCI 10.8%; note - the election was reportedly marred by serious shortcomings and electoral fraud

2013: Nicolas MADURO Moros elected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 50.6%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski (PJ) 49.1%, other 0.3%" + "text": "2024: official results disputed; Nicolas MADURO Moros was declared the winner by the MADURO-controlled National Electoral Council; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 52%, Edmundo GONZÁLEZ Urrutia (Independent) 43.2%, Luis Eduardo MARTÍNEZ (AD) 1.2%, other 3.6%

2018: Nicolas MADURO Moros reelected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 67.9%, Henri FALCON (AP) 20.9%, Javier BERTUCCI 10.8%

2013: Nicolas MADURO Moros elected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 50.6%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski (PJ) 49.1%, other 0.3%" }, - "note": "note: the president is both chief of state and head of government" + "note": "note 1: the president is both chief of state and head of government

note 2: the United States recognizes that Edmundo GONZÁLEZ won the most votes in the 28 July 2024 presidential election because of overwhelming evidence, including more than 80% of the tally sheets received directly from polling stations that indicated GONZÁLEZ received the most votes by an insurmountable margin" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -991,17 +991,6 @@ "text": "63 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Venezuela’s fixed-line penetration was relatively high for the region at 7.8 million lines in 2014 but the steady growth in the number of lines came to an end in 2015; since then, the number of fixed lines has plummeted to 2.7 million (2022) or a teledensity of about 9.5%; the cause is largely linked to the country’s ongoing economic troubles, which have compelled many people to terminate fixed-line telecom services and others still to flee the country; these pressures have also distorted sector revenue and have placed into disarray operators’ investment plans aimed at improving networks and expanding the reach and capabilities of new technologies and services; the fixed broadband penetration rate is lower than the regional average, while data speeds are also relatively low; there is no effective competition in the provision of DSL, and as a result the state-owned incumbent CANTV has had little incentive to improve services from its meager revenue streams; mobile penetration in Venezuela is 67% (2022), below the regional average and ahead of only Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Haiti; the number of mobile subscribers decline gradually from 2012 to 2020 as subscribers terminated services in a bid to reduce discretionary spending or left the country; after years of decline, mobile phone lines grew 15% from 2021 to the end of 2022 to reach 18.7 million, as subscribers replaced fixed lines with mobile service and mobile connectivity improved; an estimated 78% of mobile subscribers have smartphones with mobile access to the internet  (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 10 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is 67 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 58; landing points for the Venezuela Festoon, ARCOS, PAN-AM, SAC, GlobeNet, ALBA-1 and Americas II submarine cable system providing connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat (2020)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "mix of state-run and private broadcast media subject to high levels of control; 13 public service networks, 61 privately owned TV networks, 1 privately owned news channel with limited national coverage, and a Maduro-backed Pan-American channel; 3 Maduro-aligned radio networks control about 65 news stations and another 30 stations targeted at specific audiences; Maduro-sponsored community broadcasters include 235 radio stations and 44 TV stations; the number of private broadcast radio stations declining, but many remain  (2021)" }, @@ -1095,7 +1084,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 125-150,000 active Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard personnel; estimated 200,000 Bolivarian Militia (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 125-150,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 200,000 Bolivarian Militia (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FANB inventory is comprised mostly of Russian/Soviet-era weapons and equipment; in recent years, it has acquired some material from China and Iran; it also has smaller quantities of older equipment from France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and the US (2024)", diff --git a/south-asia/af.json b/south-asia/af.json index 4ad94da7..49fafd22 100644 --- a/south-asia/af.json +++ b/south-asia/af.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km; Helmand river source (shared with Iran) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km; Helmand river source (shared with Iran) - 1,130 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Amu Darya (534,739 sq km); Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km)" @@ -452,7 +452,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km; Helmand river source (shared with Iran) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km; Helmand river source (shared with Iran) - 1,130 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Amu Darya (534,739 sq km); Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km)" @@ -555,12 +555,12 @@ "text": "overall Taliban Leader HAYBATULLAH Akhundzada is the [so-called] Amir-ul Momineen of the Taliban and is seen by them as a head of government" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "

the Taliban have announced a “cabinet” for the “caretaker government,” including the “acting prime minister,” “acting deputy prime ministers,” and “ministers” who claim to represent 26 ministries

" + "text": "the Taliban have announced a “cabinet” for the “caretaker government,” including the “acting prime minister,” “acting deputy prime ministers,” and “ministers” who claim to represent 26 ministries" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "the 2004 Afghan constitution directed that the president should be elected by majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 September 2019, and the Taliban have given no indication that they intend to reinstate elections or any other mechanism of democratic governance" }, - "note": "note: the United States has not yet made a decision whether to recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the government of Afghanistan" + "note": "note: the United States has not yet made a decision whether to recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the government of Afghanistan" }, "Legislative branch": { "text": "note: Afghanistan’s bicameral National Assembly consisted of the House of Elders and House of the People but was dissolved after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021" @@ -970,17 +970,6 @@ "text": "57 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Afghanistan's telecom sector is facing challenges providing adequate coverage to all of the population; prior to the Taliban regaining power, the World Bank and other donors supported the development of a nationwide fiber backbone, and there is terrestrial cable connectivity to five neighboring countries; work on the Wakhan Corridor Fiber Optic Survey Project to connect to China has faced obstacles because of Afghanistan's economic issues (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "before the Taliban takeover in August 2021, less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line teledensity; 57 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "under the Taliban, independent media outlets have decreased and are probably self-censoring; the Ministry of Information and Culture monitors all mass media; television and radio are key media platforms; only about a fifth of Afghans use the internet, mostly through smartphones (2023)" }, @@ -1034,7 +1023,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Taliban claims to have 190,000 personnel under the Ministry of Defense and 215,000 under the Ministry of Interior (2025)" + "text": "the Taliban claims to have 190,000 under the Ministry of Defense and 215,000 under the Ministry of Interior (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Taliban military/security forces are armed with weapons and equipment captured in 2021 from the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, which was largely equipped with Russian/Soviet-era and US material (2024)" diff --git a/south-asia/bg.json b/south-asia/bg.json index 46e34df4..0a318862 100644 --- a/south-asia/bg.json +++ b/south-asia/bg.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "83,690 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km)" @@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Brahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km)" @@ -1063,17 +1063,6 @@ "text": "105 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the telecommunications sector has experienced challenges, with mobile data usage exploding at the same time as many consumers being forced to curb their spending; the demand on data grew so large and so rapidly that Bangladesh came close to running out of bandwidth; at the start of 2020, Bangladesh was consuming around 900Gb/s on average, well below the 2,642GB/s capacity of its submarine cables; this ballooned to over 2,300Gb/s during the COVID pandemic; Bangladesh was looking forward to adding 7,200Gb/s capacity when the SEA-ME-WE-6 submarine cable goes into service in mid-2024, but the sudden upsurge in downloads is forcing state-run company Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) to scramble to find alternatives before the country’s internet supply is maxed out; the increased demand during the Covid-19 crisis also put pressure on the country’s existing mobile networks, already under strain as a result of strong growth in the mobile broadband market; this led to premium prices paid at auction for spectrum in the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands, most of which will be used to enhance and expand LTE services; a 5G spectrum auction had been anticipated for 2020, but low interest from the MNOs means that 5G will likely be deferred until 2023 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line teledensity remains less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 107 per 100 persons; mobile subscriber growth is anticipated over the next five years to 2023 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 880; landing points for the SeaMeWe-4 and SeaMeWe-5 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcasts nationally; some channels operate via satellite; the government also owns a medium-wave radio channel and some private FM radio news channels; of the 41 approved TV stations, 26 are currently being used to broadcast, and 23 operate under private management via cable distribution" }, @@ -1170,7 +1159,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 170,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 170,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "much of the military's inventory is comprised of Chinese- and Russian-origin equipment; in recent years, China has been the leading provider of arms to Bangladesh (2024)" diff --git a/south-asia/bt.json b/south-asia/bt.json index b29b3bbc..ad494ca9 100644 --- a/south-asia/bt.json +++ b/south-asia/bt.json @@ -974,17 +974,6 @@ "text": "95 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "the small land-locked Kingdom of Bhutan has only recently emerged from decades of isolation from the modern world; that, and its mountainous terrain, left the country far back in the field in terms of teledensity as well as access to the Internet; over the last decade, the country has undergone a significant transformation due to the opening of its borders, liberalization of its telecom sector, and the active support from the government towards increased competition in the mobile, broadband, and ISP segments; the relatively widespread availability of the mobile platform has caused an explosion in mobile broadband subscriber numbers, growing from zero to over 100% penetration in just ten years (between 2010 and 2019).; the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 caused the subscription rates to drop back a little; growth is projected to return in 2022 (along with the broader mobile market) as the overall economy recovers; the government opens up more to foreign investment, trade, and tourism; and network expansion continues – the recent (December 2021) launch of 5G services by both of the country’s mobile operators being particularly noteworthy (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "approximately 3 to 100 fixed-line and 100 mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 975; international telephone and telegraph service via landline and microwave relay through India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012)" }, @@ -1021,7 +1010,7 @@ "text": "Royal Bhutan Army (RBA; includes Royal Bodyguard of Bhutan, or RBG, and an air wing); National Militia

Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2025)" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 7-8,000 active personnel (2024)" + "text": "estimated 7-8,000 active Royal Bhutan Army (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Royal Bhutan Army is lightly armed; it has a small amount of heavy equipment, such as armored cars and helicopters, originating from India and Thailand (2024)" diff --git a/south-asia/ce.json b/south-asia/ce.json index 48b2390b..623373d3 100644 --- a/south-asia/ce.json +++ b/south-asia/ce.json @@ -1039,17 +1039,6 @@ "text": "143 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Sri Lanka’s fixed-line telephony market was one of the very few in the world to experience a significant upsurge in subscriptions in 2020; while the country suffers from a relatively poor fixed-line infrastructure and a correspondingly strong mobile sector, demand for traditional phone services increased 14% in 2020; preliminary results suggest a further jump of up to 13% can also be expected in 2021; this will take Sri Lanka’s fixed-line penetration to levels not seen since 2013; the most reason behind the market’s reversal of fortunes is the Covid-19 crisis and Sri Lanka’s ensuring lock downs; these forced much of the population back inside and reverting to ‘traditional’ methods of communication for both voice and data services; the fixed broadband market was equally robust, growing 20% in 2020 alone; Sri Lanka possesses a relatively low number of computers per household so the fixed broadband market’s success comes off a small base; the one area of the telecommunications market that experienced a fall was the mobile segment; up until the start of the pandemic, Sri Lanka had a very high mobile penetration rate of 155%; this near-saturation level reflected the preponderance for subscribers to carry multiple SIM cards to take advantage of cheaper on-net call rates; the reduction in demand and traffic because of the pandemic led to a sharp drop in the number of active subscriptions, down to just 135% – a 17% decline in just one year; the market is expected to bounce back quickly, as soon as the country eases back on its lock down measures and reduces travel restrictions; it will also be boosted, come 2022, by the anticipated launch of commercial 5G mobile services (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 143 per 100 (2022)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 94; landing points for the SeaMeWe -3,-5,  Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Network, WARF Submarine Cable, Bharat Lanka Cable System and the Bay of Bengal Gateway submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations" }, @@ -1146,7 +1135,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 215,000 active Armed Forces personnel (140,000 Army; 30,000 Air Force; 45,000 Navy) (2025)", + "text": "estimated 215,000 active Armed Forces (140,000 Army; 30,000 Air Force; 45,000 Navy) (2025)", "note": "note: the Sri Lankan military has been downsizing for several years; in 2025, the Sri Lankan Government announced its intent to decrease the size of the Army to 100,000, the Air Force to 18,000, and the Navy to 40,000 by 2030" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { diff --git a/south-asia/in.json b/south-asia/in.json index 1982a355..fa6a561e 100644 --- a/south-asia/in.json +++ b/south-asia/in.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Brahmaputra (shared with China [s] and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Ganges river source (shared with Bangladesh [m]) - 2,704 km; Godavari - 1,465 km; Sutlej (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 1,372 km; Yamuna - 1,370 km; Narmada - 1,289 km; Chenab river source (shared with Pakistan [m]) - 1,086 km; Ghaghara river mouth (shared with China [s] and Nepal) - 1,080 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Brahmaputra (shared with China [s] and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Ganges river source (shared with Bangladesh [m]) - 2,704 km; Godavari - 1,465 km; Sutlej (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 1,372 km; Yamuna - 1,370 km; Narmada - 1,289 km; Chenab river source (shared with Pakistan [m]) - 1,086 km ; Ghaghara river mouth (shared with China [s] and Nepal) - 1,080 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km)" @@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Brahmaputra (shared with China [s] and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Ganges river source (shared with Bangladesh [m]) - 2,704 km; Godavari - 1,465 km; Sutlej (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 1,372 km; Yamuna - 1,370 km; Narmada - 1,289 km; Chenab river source (shared with Pakistan [m]) - 1,086 km; Ghaghara river mouth (shared with China [s] and Nepal) - 1,080 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Brahmaputra (shared with China [s] and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Ganges river source (shared with Bangladesh [m]) - 2,704 km; Godavari - 1,465 km; Sutlej (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 1,372 km; Yamuna - 1,370 km; Narmada - 1,289 km; Chenab river source (shared with Pakistan [m]) - 1,086 km ; Ghaghara river mouth (shared with China [s] and Nepal) - 1,080 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km)" @@ -1161,17 +1161,6 @@ "text": "81 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "India’s telecommunications sector has struggled for growth over the last five years; the sector’s lackluster performance has been in spite of concerted efforts by the government to bolster the underlying infrastructure in a bid to achieve universal coverage; instead, the country’s relatively liberal regulatory environment has encouraged fierce competition and price wars among the operators; State-owned as well as private operators have been forced to seek redress from the government in order to avoid bankruptcy; one particular area of contention has been the billions owed by the operators to the government in the form of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) dues – usage and licensing fees charged by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) – that have been the subject of long-standing court battles over what should be counted as revenue; the government won that battle in the Supreme Court in 2019, but the financial impairment of that decision has pushed a number of telcos to the brink; add the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020 and 2021 to the mix, and the government had to come to the industry’s rescue by introducing a major reform package in September 2021; along with changes to the definition of AGR with regard to non-telecom revenue, the package includes a four-year moratorium on AGR dues and spectrum instalments; the government has also deferred the spectrum auctions for 5G until later in 2022; mobile spectrum in India is already in short supply in terms of providing the necessary capacity to reach universal coverage, but the cash-strapped MNOs may not yet be in a sufficiently strong financial position for which to make the 5G spectrum auction viable (2022)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line subscriptions 2 per 100 and mobile-cellular at nearly 82 per 100 (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 91; a number of major international submarine cable systems, including SEA-ME-WE-3 & 4, AAE-1, BBG, EIG, FALCON, FEA, GBICS, MENA, IMEWE, SEACOM/ Tata TGN-Eurasia, SAFE, WARF, Bharat Lanka Cable System, IOX, Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar Island Cable, SAEx2, Tata TGN-Tata Indicom and i2icn that provide connectivity to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South East Asia, numerous Indian Ocean islands including Australia ; satellite earth stations - 8 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Inmarsat; Indian Ocean region (2022)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Doordarshan, India's public TV network, has a monopoly on terrestrial broadcasting and operates about 20 national, regional, and local services; a large number of privately owned TV stations are distributed by cable and satellite service providers; cable and satellite TV offer over 850 TV channels; government controls AM radio, with All India Radio operating domestic and external networks; news broadcasts via radio are limited to the All India Radio Network; since 2000, privately owned FM stations have been permitted and have increased rapidly (2020)" }, @@ -1271,7 +1260,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 1.5 million active Indian Armed Forces personnel, including about 1.25 million in the Army (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 1.5 million active Indian Armed Forces, including about 1.25 million in the Army (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "much of the military's inventory consists of Russian- and Soviet-origin equipment; there is a smaller, but growing mix of Western and domestically produced arms; Russia continues to be the leading provider of arms to India, although in recent years India has increased acquisitions from other suppliers, including France, Israel, and the US; it is one of the world's largest importers of arms; India's defense industry is capable of producing a range of air, land, missile, and naval weapons systems for both domestic use and export; it also produces weapons systems under license (2024)" diff --git a/south-asia/io.json b/south-asia/io.json index 2b222056..c033521b 100644 --- a/south-asia/io.json +++ b/south-asia/io.json @@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ "text": "King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "Commissioner Nishi DHOLAKIA (since 16 December 2024); Administrator Bob FAIRWEATHER; note - both reside in the UK and are represented by Commander Andrew WILLIAMS, RN, Officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia (since January 2025)" + "text": "Commissioner Nishi DHOLAKIA (since 16 December 2024); Administrator Bob FAIRWEATHER; both reside in the UK and are represented by Commander Andrew WILLIAMS, RN, the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia (since January 2025)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "NA" @@ -219,17 +219,6 @@ } }, "Communications": { - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "separate facilities for military and public needs are available (2018)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet (2018)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides direct connectivity to Africa, Asia and near-by Indian Ocean island countries; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) broadcasts over 3 frequencies for US and UK military personnel stationed on the islands" }, diff --git a/south-asia/mv.json b/south-asia/mv.json index 7bb981a5..dc8eb960 100644 --- a/south-asia/mv.json +++ b/south-asia/mv.json @@ -977,17 +977,6 @@ "text": "137 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "with its economy so heavily dependent on tourism, the Maldives has suffered heavy economic as well as health casualties during the pandemic; the country had a relatively short period of lock down and was willing to welcome visitors back as early as July 2020; but the effective shutdown of international air travel for most of the year resulted in the bottom falling out of the Maldives’ tourism industry, taking GDP down 32% in the process; the economy fared better in 2021, with a return to growth, yet it may still be a few years before the country’s key industries can return to the same level of prosperity that they previously enjoyed; the country’s high number of tourists and expatriate workers has inflated the penetration rate for mobile services, making it one of the highest in the world; that rate crashed in 2020 as demand for SIM cards (primarily prepaid) dried up; however, the number of contract subscribers increased as locals took advantage of competitive pricing offers from operators; with commercial 5G services already launched and fiber networks rapidly expanding around the country, the Maldives is primed to deliver world-class telecommunications services to its domestic and international customers (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is at nearly 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscriptions stands at nearly 135 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 960; landing points for Dhiraagu Cable Network, NaSCOM, Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Networks and WARF submarine cables providing connections to 8 points in Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "formerly a state-owned radio and TV monopoly; now 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned TV stations; 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned radio stations (2019)" }, @@ -1056,7 +1045,7 @@ "text": "not available" }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "the Defense Force has approximately 3-4,000 active personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 3-4,000 active Defense Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Defense Force has a limited inventory consisting of a mix of mostly secondhand or donated equipment from suppliers such as Germany, India, Japan, Turkey, and the UK (2025)" diff --git a/south-asia/np.json b/south-asia/np.json index 6a158878..5d6a971a 100644 --- a/south-asia/np.json +++ b/south-asia/np.json @@ -1056,17 +1056,6 @@ "text": "127 (2021 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "in relation to its telecom sector, Nepal has several topographical and economic constraints which have impeded efforts to expand network infrastructure and improve the quality of service for end-users; the fixed line market remains underdeveloped, and as a result most traffic is channeled via mobile networks; fixed broadband penetration remains very low, though to address this the government has initiated several programs as part of the Digital Nepal Framework and the wider Optical Fiber Backbone Network Expansion Project, started in 2012; supported by the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund, the programs include building out fiber backbone infrastructure and using this to provide broadband to schools and community centers nationally; telcos have also invested in fiber networks, and competition in the market is intensifying; cheap fiber-based services launched in mid-2021 prompted responses from other ISPs to provide faster and more competitively priced offers; Nepal’s mobile market is relatively developed, with a focus on LTE; in 2021, the regulator considered a range of spectrum bands which could be used for 5G (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "fixed-line is 2 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 130 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 977; Nepal, China and Tibet connected across borders with underground and all-dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cables; radiotelephone communications; microwave and fiber landlines to India; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "state operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, 71 of which are cable TV, 3 are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and 4 are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed, and at least 314 of those are community stations (2019)" }, @@ -1129,7 +1118,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 95,000 active Armed Forces personnel (2025)" + "text": "approximately 95,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the Army's inventory includes a mix of mostly older equipment largely of British, Chinese, Indian, Russian, and South African origin; in recent years, Nepal has received limited amounts of newer hardware from several countries, including China, Indonesia, Italy, and Russia (2023)" diff --git a/south-asia/pk.json b/south-asia/pk.json index 2843adc7..550b8ed8 100644 --- a/south-asia/pk.json +++ b/south-asia/pk.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "194,200 sq km (2022)" }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)" @@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ } }, "Major rivers (by length in km)": { - "text": "Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" + "text": "Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth" }, "Major watersheds (area sq km)": { "text": "Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)" @@ -1157,17 +1157,6 @@ "text": "82 (2022 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Pakistan’s telecom market transitioned from a regulated state-owned monopoly to a deregulated competitive structure in 2003, now aided by foreign investment; moderate growth over the last six years, supported by a young population and a rising use of mobile services; telecom infrastructure is improving, with investments in mobile-cellular networks, fixed-line subscriptions declining; system consists of microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks; 4G mobile services broadly available; 5G tests ongoing; data centers in major cities; mobile and broadband doing well and dominate over fixed-broadband sector; future growth (in market size as well as revenue) is likely to come from the wider availability of value-added services on top of the expansion of 4G LTE and (from 2023) 5G mobile networks; the Universal Service Fund (USF) continues to direct investment towards the development of mobile broadband (and, to a lesser extent, fiber-based networks) in under-served and even under served areas of the country, with multiple projects being approved to start in 2021 and 2022 (2021)" - }, - "domestic": { - "text": "mobile-cellular subscribership has increased; more than 90% of Pakistanis live within areas that have cell phone coverage; fiber-optic networks are being constructed throughout the country to increase broadband access and broadband penetration in Pakistan is increasing--by the end of 2021, 50% of the population had access to broadband services; fixed-line teledensity is a little over 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 82 per 100 persons (2021)" - }, - "international": { - "text": "country code - 92; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, IMEWE, Orient Express, PEACE Cable, and TW1 submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2019)" - } - }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "120 satellite TV stations; 42 media companies/channels; state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is the largest TV network, serves over 85 percent of the population with 9 TV channels; over 100 private cable and satellite channels; state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC or Radio Pakistan) has the largest radio audience, particularly in rural areas, with AM/SW/FM stations covering most of the country (2022)" }, @@ -1264,7 +1253,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "information varies; approximately 650,000 active-duty military personnel (550,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force) (2025)" + "text": "information varies; approximately 650,000 active Armed Forces (550,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force) (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory is a broad mix of mostly imported and some domestically produced weapons and equipment; most of its imported weapons are from China; other suppliers include France, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK, and the US; Pakistan also has a large domestic defense industry, which produces or co-produces such items as armored vehicles, aircraft, missiles, naval vessels (2024)" diff --git a/world/xx.json b/world/xx.json index 7de8d0ce..e236e7ee 100644 --- a/world/xx.json +++ b/world/xx.json @@ -801,14 +801,6 @@ "text": "111 (2023 est.)" } }, - "Telecommunication systems": { - "general assessment": { - "text": "Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) is tied to economic growth; business, trade, and foreign direct investment are all based on effective sources of ICT, and development of ICT flourishes with a vigorous economy, open trade, and sound regulation; some 2020 estimates point to a digital economy worth $11.5 trillion globally, equivalent to 15.5% of global GDP (with ICT growing 2.5 times faster than global GDP over the past 15 years); 2020 reports indicate about 7.7 billion global mobile broadband subscriptions, rising from 3.3 billion in five years, and over 1.1 billion fixed broadband subscribers, up from 830 million in 2015" - }, - "international": { - "text": "economic impact - telecommunications has been and continues to be one of the world’s fastest growing markets; countries and firms are transitioning from analog to digital broadcasting, increasing automation capabilities and applications, adopting more high-definition technologies, and converting to digital channels

broadcasting typically refers to transmission of information to all devices in a network without any acknowledgment by the receivers; data-processing parts and accessories includes many supporting elements to broadcasting equipment, such as monitors, keyboards, printers, etc." - } - }, "Internet users": { "percent of population": { "text": "67% (2023 est.)" @@ -822,9 +814,6 @@ "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "18 (2022 est.)" } - }, - "Communications - note": { - "text": "note 1: the development of formal postal systems may be traced back thousands of years; the earliest documented organized courier service for the dissemination of written dispatches was set up by the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (ca. 2400 B.C.); the invention of a true postal system organized for delivery of post to citizens is credited to Ancient Persia (6th century B.C.); other credible early postal services are those of Ancient India (Mauryan Empire, 4th century B.C.) and Ancient China (Han Dynasty, 3rd century B.C.) 

note 2: data centers consist of a dedicated space within a building or a group of buildings used to house computing resources and other components, such as telecommunications and storage systems; the ongoing worldwide boom in data generation is responsible for the mushrooming of data centers; the three largest data center facilities by area as of the first half of 2022 are:
 
1. the China Telecom data center located in the Inner Mongolia Information Park, Hohhot, China, reportedly covers 1 million sq m (10.7 million sq ft); the largest Internet data center in the world, it has over 50% market share in China, with an extensive network of over 400 data centers located in prime regions in mainland China and overseas markets

2. the China Mobile data center located in the Inner Mongolia Information Park, Hohhot, China, covers 720,000 sq m (7.7 million sq ft); it is one of the world's biggest cloud-computing data centers

3. the Citadel data center owned by US-based Switch, in Reno, Nevada, covers 670,000 sq m (7.2 million sq ft); called the world’s largest technology ecosystem, the facility runs on 100% renewable (solar and wind) energy (2021)" } }, "Transportation": {