diff --git a/africa/ag.json b/africa/ag.json index 058d390f..ffd3febd 100644 --- a/africa/ag.json +++ b/africa/ag.json @@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kassaman\" (We Pledge)" }, @@ -688,8 +688,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote \"Kassaman\" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote \"Kassaman\" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ao.json b/africa/ao.json index c15bf97e..3de511e8 100644 --- a/africa/ao.json +++ b/africa/ao.json @@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Angola Avante\" (Forward Angola)" }, @@ -655,8 +655,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1975" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1975" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/bc.json b/africa/bc.json index 8e407c8c..d13b8d6b 100644 --- a/africa/bc.json +++ b/africa/bc.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "In the early 1800s, multiple political entities in what is now Botswana were destabilized or destroyed by a series of conflicts and population movements in southern Africa. By the end of this period, the Tswana ethnic group, who also live across the border in South Africa, had become the most prominent group in the area. In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana. In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana, which means \"land of the Tswana.\"

More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper-middle-income economy. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI assumed the presidency in 2018 after the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

 

 

" + "text": "In the early 1800s, multiple political entities in what is now Botswana were destabilized or destroyed by a series of conflicts and population movements in southern Africa. By the end of this period, the Tswana ethnic group, who also live across the border in South Africa, had become the most prominent group in the area. In 1852, Tswana forces halted the expansion of white Afrikaner settlers who were seeking to expand their territory northwards into what is now Botswana. In 1885, Great Britain claimed territory that roughly corresponds with modern day Botswana as a protectorate called Bechuanaland. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana, which means \"land of the Tswana.\"

More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper-middle-income economy. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI assumed the presidency in 2018 after the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease." } }, "Geography": { @@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the two zebras, the country’s national symbol, support an elephant tusk that represents the country's fauna and a head of sorghum that signifies agriculture; the three wavy blue bands stand for the country’s reliance on water, the cog wheels for industry, and the bull’s head for the cattle industry; the coat of arms also features the national colors of light blue, white, and black; the motto reflects the scarcity of rain in the country: pula means “let there be rain” in Setswana, the national language" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Fatshe leno la rona\" (Our Land)" }, @@ -649,8 +649,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1966" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1966" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/bn.json b/africa/bn.json index 46b904d4..e597a4ce 100644 --- a/africa/bn.json +++ b/africa/bn.json @@ -666,7 +666,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"L'Aube Nouvelle\" (The Dawn of a New Day)" }, @@ -675,8 +675,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/by.json b/africa/by.json index 80685af7..a728e50b 100644 --- a/africa/by.json +++ b/africa/by.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Established in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure. German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Belgian rule after World War I preserved Burundi’s monarchy. Seeking to simplify administration, Belgian colonial officials reduced the number of chiefdoms and eliminated most Hutu chiefs from positions of power. In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis RWAGASORE, was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability.

Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi. Revolution in neighboring Rwanda stoked ethnic polarization as the Tutsi increasingly feared violence and loss of political power. A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic. A Hutu rebellion in 1972 resulted in the deaths of several thousand Tutsi civilians and sparked brutal Tutsi-led military reprisals against Hutu civilians which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people. International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in 1993. Tutsi military officers feared Hutu domination and assassinated Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, in 1993 after only 100 days in office, sparking a civil war. In 1994, his successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent cease-fire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president. He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit. President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE -- from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party -- was elected in 2020.

" + "text": "Established in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure. German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Belgian rule after World War I preserved Burundi’s monarchy. Seeking to simplify administration, Belgian colonial officials reduced the number of chiefdoms and eliminated most Hutu chiefs from positions of power. In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis RWAGASORE, was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability.

Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi. Revolution in neighboring Rwanda stoked ethnic polarization as the Tutsi increasingly feared violence and loss of political power. A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic. A Hutu rebellion in 1972 resulted in the deaths of several thousand Tutsi civilians and sparked brutal Tutsi-led military reprisals against Hutu civilians which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people. International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in 1993. Tutsi military officers feared Hutu domination and assassinated Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, in 1993 after only 100 days in office, sparking a civil war. In 1994, his successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent cease-fire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president. He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit. President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE -- from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party -- was elected in 2020." } }, "Geography": { @@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Burundi Bwacu\" (Our Beloved Burundi)" }, @@ -699,8 +699,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/cd.json b/africa/cd.json index 41f4eb30..b04121bf 100644 --- a/africa/cd.json +++ b/africa/cd.json @@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Chadian Convention for Peace and Development or CTPD
Federation Action for the Republic or FAR
National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP
National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR
Party for Unity and Reconstruction or PUR
Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS 
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP
Rally of Chadian Nationalists/Awakening or RNDT/Le Reveil
Social Democratic Party for a Change-over of Power or PDSA
Union for Democracy and the Republic or UDR
Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD
Transformers
", + "text": "Chadian Convention for Peace and Development or CTPD
Federation Action for the Republic or FAR
National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP
National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR
Party for Unity and Reconstruction or PUR
Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS 
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP
Rally of Chadian Nationalists/Awakening or RNDT/Le Reveil
Social Democratic Party for a Change-over of Power or PDSA
Union for Democracy and the Republic or UDR
Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD
Transformers", "note": "note 1:  19 additional parties each contributed one member

note 2:  on 5 October 2021, Interim President Mahamat Idriss DEBY appointed 93 members to the interim National Transitional Council (NTC); 30% of the NTC members were retained from parties previously represented in the National Assembly" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { @@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Tchadienne\" (The Chadian)" }, @@ -694,8 +694,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/cf.json b/africa/cf.json index f9a7257c..c62f16b2 100644 --- a/africa/cf.json +++ b/africa/cf.json @@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Congolaise\" (The Congolese)" }, @@ -691,8 +691,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "originally adopted 1959, restored 1991" - }, - "note": "note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/cg.json b/africa/cg.json index d9a9fb57..393a8d2e 100644 --- a/africa/cg.json +++ b/africa/cg.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Bantu, Sudanic, and other migrants from West and Northeastern Africa arrived in the Congo River Basin between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 500. The territory that is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 200 ethnic groups that trace their histories to many communal organizations and kingdoms. The Kingdom of Kongo, for example, ruled the area around the mouth of the Congo River from the 14th to 19th centuries. Meanwhile, the Kingdoms of Luba and Lunda, located to the south and east, were also notable political groupings in the territory and ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century. European prospectors in the Congo Basin invaded and splintered these kingdoms in the late 1800’s, sponsored by King LEOPOLD II of Belgium, and the kingdoms were eventually forced to grant Leopold the rights to the Congo territory as his private property. During this period, known as the Congo Free State, the king's private colonial military forced the local population to produce rubber. From 1885 to 1908, millions of Congolese people died as a result of disease and inhumane treatment. International condemnation finally forced LEOPOLD to cede the land to the state of Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo.

The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, but its early years were marred by instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name to MOBUTU Sese Seko and the country's name to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years, using sham elections and brute force. In 1994, a massive inflow of refugees from conflict in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi sparked ethnic strife and civil war. A rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA toppled the MOBUTU regime in 1997. KABILA renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In 1998, another insurrection -- again backed by Rwanda and Uganda -- challenged the KABILA regime, but troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe helped quell the uprising.

In 2001, KABILA was assassinated, and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In 2002, the new president negotiated the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; the remaining warring parties subsequently signed the Pretoria Accord to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. KABILA was elected as president in 2006 and 2011. The DRC constitution barred him from running for a third term, so in 2016, the DRC Government delayed national elections for two years. This fueled significant civil and political unrest, with sporadic street protests and exacerbation of tensions in the eastern DRC regions. 

The results of the 2018 elections were disputed, but opposition candidate Felix TSHISEKEDI, son of long-time opposition leader Etienne TSHISEKEDI, was announced as the election winner. This was the first transfer of power to an opposition candidate without significant violence or a coup since 1960. In December 2023, the DRC held its fourth electoral cycle since independence; TSHISEKEDI was proclaimed the winner despite some allegations of fraud, with his Sacred Union alliance retaining a large parliamentary majority.  

The DRC continues to experience violence -- particularly in the East -- perpetrated by more than 100 armed groups active in the region, including the March 23 (M23) rebel group, the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, or ISIS-DRC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and assorted local militias known as Mai Mai militias. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has operated in the region since 1999 and is the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission in the world.

 

" + "text": "Bantu, Sudanic, and other migrants from West and Northeastern Africa arrived in the Congo River Basin between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 500. The territory that is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 200 ethnic groups that trace their histories to many communal organizations and kingdoms. The Kingdom of Kongo, for example, ruled the area around the mouth of the Congo River from the 14th to 19th centuries. Meanwhile, the Kingdoms of Luba and Lunda, located to the south and east, were also notable political groupings in the territory and ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century. European prospectors in the Congo Basin invaded and splintered these kingdoms in the late 1800’s, sponsored by King LEOPOLD II of Belgium, and the kingdoms were eventually forced to grant Leopold the rights to the Congo territory as his private property. During this period, known as the Congo Free State, the king's private colonial military forced the local population to produce rubber. From 1885 to 1908, millions of Congolese people died as a result of disease and inhumane treatment. International condemnation finally forced LEOPOLD to cede the land to the state of Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo.

The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, but its early years were marred by instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name to MOBUTU Sese Seko and the country's name to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years, using sham elections and brute force. In 1994, a massive inflow of refugees from conflict in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi sparked ethnic strife and civil war. A rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA toppled the MOBUTU regime in 1997. KABILA renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In 1998, another insurrection -- again backed by Rwanda and Uganda -- challenged the KABILA regime, but troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe helped quell the uprising.

In 2001, KABILA was assassinated, and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In 2002, the new president negotiated the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; the remaining warring parties subsequently signed the Pretoria Accord to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. KABILA was elected as president in 2006 and 2011. The DRC constitution barred him from running for a third term, so in 2016, the DRC Government delayed national elections for two years. This fueled significant civil and political unrest, with sporadic street protests and exacerbation of tensions in the eastern DRC regions. 

The results of the 2018 elections were disputed, but opposition candidate Felix TSHISEKEDI, son of long-time opposition leader Etienne TSHISEKEDI, was announced as the election winner. This was the first transfer of power to an opposition candidate without significant violence or a coup since 1960. In 2023, the DRC held its fourth electoral cycle since independence; TSHISEKEDI was proclaimed the winner despite some allegations of fraud, with his Sacred Union alliance retaining a large parliamentary majority. 

The DRC continues to experience violence -- particularly in the East -- perpetrated by more than 100 armed groups active in the region, including the March 23 (M23) rebel group, the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, or ISIS-DRC), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and assorted local militias known as Mai Mai militias. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has operated in the region since 1999 and is the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission in the world." } }, "Geography": { @@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ "text": "urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the border with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valley

volcanism: Nyiragongo (3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km /hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano

" + "text": "periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valley

volcanism: the active volcano Nyiragongo (3,470 m) poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter of a million people; it produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km/hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor Nyamuragira is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: second-largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Ocean

note 2: the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world, with estimates of the point of greatest depth varying between 220 and 250 meters

" @@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "sky blue, red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Debout Congolaise\" (Arise, Congolese)" }, @@ -718,8 +718,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire, but readopted in 1997" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire, but readopted in 1997" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/cm.json b/africa/cm.json index b8b2d4af..8f8f82b6 100644 --- a/africa/cm.json +++ b/africa/cm.json @@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ "text": "population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986

" + "text": "volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

volcanism: Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in the Oku volcanic field sometimes release fatal levels of gas, which killed about 1,700 people in 1986" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano" @@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"O Cameroun, Berceau de Nos Ancêtres\" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)" }, @@ -712,8 +712,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1957; the anthem, also known as \"Le Chant de Ralliement\" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948; has French and English versions with different lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1957; the anthem, also known as \"Le Chant de Ralliement\" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948; has French and English versions with different lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/cn.json b/africa/cn.json index 76c83260..052110d8 100644 --- a/africa/cn.json +++ b/africa/cn.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ "text": "the capital city of Maroni, on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, Anjouan is the most densely populated of the three islands that comprise Comoros, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore

volcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud

" + "text": "cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore

volcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere" @@ -569,8 +569,7 @@ }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de première instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts" - }, - "note": "
 

 " + } }, "Political parties": { "text": "Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC
Juwa Party (Parti Juwa) or PJ
Orange Party (2020)" @@ -619,7 +618,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the coat of arms is in the national colors of green and white; was adopted in 1978; the crescent and stars represent Islam, with the four stars also symbolizing the archipelago’s four main islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan, and Mayotte (the last of which is a French department claimed by Comoros); above and below the sun’s rays is the name of the nation written in French and Arabic; two olive branches, representing peace, are connected by a banner with the national motto in French, which translates as \"Unity, Solidarity, Development\"" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Udzima wa ya Masiwa\" (The Union of the Great Islands)" }, @@ -628,8 +627,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1978" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1978" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/ct.json b/africa/ct.json index c411d02d..c97d2cc8 100644 --- a/africa/ct.json +++ b/africa/ct.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power.

CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. Widespread corruption and intolerance for any political opposition characterized his regime. In an effort to prolong his mandate, BOKASSA named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic.

CAR’s fifth coup in 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after the Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel coalition, seized the capital and forced BOZIZE to flee the country. The Seleka's widespread abuses spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of these groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious, although focused on identity rather than religious ideology. Elections in 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in 2020. A peace agreement signed in 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory. TOUADERA's United Hearts Movement has governed the country since 2016, and a new constitution approved by referendum on 30 July 2023 effectively ended term limits, creating the potential for TOUADERA to extend his rule. 

" + "text": "The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power.

CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. Widespread corruption and intolerance for any political opposition characterized his regime. In an effort to prolong his mandate, BOKASSA named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic.

CAR’s fifth coup in 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after the Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel coalition, seized the capital and forced BOZIZE to flee the country. The Seleka's widespread abuses spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of these groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious, although focused on identity rather than religious ideology. Elections in 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in 2020. A peace agreement signed in 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory. TOUADERA's United Hearts Movement has governed the country since 2016, and a new constitution approved by referendum on 30 July 2023 effectively ended term limits, creating the potential for TOUADERA to extend his rule." } }, "Geography": { @@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Renaissance\" (The Renaissance)" }, @@ -649,8 +649,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960; BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960; BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/cv.json b/africa/cv.json index 85acd967..3526fb0f 100644 --- a/africa/cv.json +++ b/africa/cv.json @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ "text": "among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

volcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano

" + "text": "prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active

volcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal)" @@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Cantico da Liberdade\" (Song of Freedom)" }, @@ -649,8 +649,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1996" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1996" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/dj.json b/africa/dj.json index ce2194f8..2f820a41 100644 --- a/africa/dj.json +++ b/africa/dj.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, the Afar sultans signed treaties with the French that allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885.

Tension between the ethnic Afar and Somali populations increased over time, as the ethnic Somalis perceived that the French unfairly favored the Afar and gave them disproportionate influence in local governance. In 1958, the French held a referendum that provided residents of French Somaliland the option to either continue their association with France or to join neighboring Somalia as it established its independence. Ethnic Somali protested the vote, because French colonial leaders did not recognize many Somali as residents, which gave the Afar outsized influence in the decision to uphold ties with France. After a second referendum in 1967, the French changed the territory’s name to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, in part to underscore their relationship with the ethnic Afar and downplay the significance of the ethnic Somalis. A final referendum in 1977 established Djibouti as an independent nation and granted ethnic Somalis Djiboutian nationality, formally resetting the balance of power between the majority ethnic Somalis and minority ethnic Afar residents. Upon independence, the country was named after its capital city of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, an ethnic Somali leader, installed an authoritarian one-party state and served as president until 1999. Unrest between the Afar minority and Somali majority culminated in a civil war during the 1990s that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential election resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to serve his third and fourth terms, and to begin a fifth term in 2021.

Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti’s ports also service transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government has longstanding ties to France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as do the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China." + "text": "Present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, the Afar sultans signed treaties with the French that allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885.

Tension between the ethnic Afar and Somali populations increased over time, as the ethnic Somalis perceived that the French unfairly favored the Afar and gave them disproportionate influence in local governance. In 1958, the French held a referendum that provided residents of French Somaliland the option to either continue their association with France or to join neighboring Somalia as it established its independence. Ethnic Somali protested the vote, because French colonial leaders did not recognize many Somali as residents, which gave the Afar outsized influence in the decision to uphold ties with France. After a second referendum in 1967, the French changed the territory’s name to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, in part to underscore their relationship with the ethnic Afar and downplay the significance of the ethnic Somalis. A final referendum in 1977 established Djibouti as an independent nation and granted ethnic Somalis Djiboutian nationality, formally resetting the balance of power between the majority ethnic Somalis and minority ethnic Afar residents. Upon independence, the country was named after its capital city of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, an ethnic Somali leader, installed an authoritarian one-party state and served as president until 1999. Unrest between the Afar minority and Somali majority culminated in a civil war during the 1990s that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential election resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to serve his third and fourth terms, and to begin a fifth term in 2021.

Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti’s ports also service transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government has longstanding ties to France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as do the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China." } }, "Geography": { @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ "text": "most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, and the other cities in the country are a fraction of its size, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

volcanism: experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active

" + "text": "earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

volcanism: experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world" @@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "light blue, green, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Jabuuti\" (Djibouti)" }, @@ -638,8 +638,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1977" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1977" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/eg.json b/africa/eg.json index c7dbb68f..7889087c 100644 --- a/africa/eg.json +++ b/africa/eg.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations in Egypt. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Arab conquerors introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and ruled for the next six centuries. The Mamluks, a local military caste, took control around 1250 and continued to govern after the Ottoman Turks conquered Egypt in 1517.

Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but the country's nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Egypt gained partial independence from the UK in 1922 and full sovereignty in 1952. British forces evacuated the Suez Canal Zone in 1956. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals.

Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed MORSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MORSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MORSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and then elected former defense minister Abdel Fattah EL-SISI president. EL-SISI was reelected to a second four-year term in 2018 and a third term in December 2023. 

 

 

" + "text": "The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations in Egypt. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. Arab conquerors introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and ruled for the next six centuries. The Mamluks, a local military caste, took control around 1250 and continued to govern after the Ottoman Turks conquered Egypt in 1517.

Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but the country's nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Egypt gained partial independence from the UK in 1922 and full sovereignty in 1952. British forces evacuated the Suez Canal Zone in 1956. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals.

Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed MORSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MORSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MORSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and then elected former defense minister Abdel Fattah EL-SISI president. EL-SISI was reelected to a second four-year term in 2018 and a third term in December 2023." } }, "Geography": { @@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Bilady, Bilady, Bilady\" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)" }, @@ -726,8 +726,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was written after the 1979 peace treaty was signed with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, the composer, is widely considered the father of modern Egyptian music" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was written after the 1979 peace treaty was signed with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, the composer, is widely considered the father of modern Egyptian music" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ek.json b/africa/ek.json index 478e2618..8dd6ffa3 100644 --- a/africa/ek.json +++ b/africa/ek.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.

In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system.

Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs. 

 

" + "text": "Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C. In the early 1470s, Portuguese explorers landed on Bioko Island, and Portugal soon after established control of the island and other areas of modern Equatorial Guinea. In 1778, Portugal ceded its colonial hold over present-day Equatorial Guinea to Spain in the Treaty of El Pardo. The borders of modern-day Equatorial Guinea would evolve between 1778 and 1968 as the area remained under European colonial rule.

In 1968, Equatorial Guinea was granted independence from Spain and elected Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA as its first president. MACIAS consolidated power soon after his election and ruled brutally for over a decade. Under his regime, Equatorial Guinea experienced mass suppression, purges, and killings. Some estimates indicate that a third of the population either went into exile or was killed under MACIAS’ rule. In 1979, present-day President OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo, then a senior military officer, deposed MACIAS in a violent coup. OBIANG has ruled since and has been elected in non-competitive contests several times, most recently in 2022. The president exerts near-total control over the political system.

Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in 2004 and has declined since. The country's economic windfall from oil production resulted in massive increases in government revenue, a significant portion of which was earmarked for infrastructure development. Systemic corruption, however, has hindered socio-economic development, and the population has seen only limited improvements to living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy, increase foreign investment, and assume a greater role in regional and international affairs.&nbsp" } }, "Geography": { @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "the two large cities are Bata on the mainland and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko; small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

violent windstorms; flash floods

volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea

" + "text": "violent windstorms; flash floods

volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel and two dormant volcanoes form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the equator passes through Equatorial Guinea -- the mainland part of the country is located just north of the equator" @@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Caminemos pisando la senda\" (Let Us Tread the Path)" }, @@ -635,8 +635,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1968" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1968" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/er.json b/africa/er.json index f23b7809..3f174afa 100644 --- a/africa/er.json +++ b/africa/er.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Eritrea won independence from Italian colonial control in 1941, but the UN only established it as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952, after a decade of British administrative control. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year conflict for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean fighters defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been characterized by highly autocratic and repressive actions. His government has created a highly militarized society by instituting an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service -- divided between military and civilian service -- of indefinite length.

A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in 2000. Ethiopia rejected a subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 when the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Eritrean leaders then engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia led to a resumption of economic ties, but the level of air transport, trade, and tourism have remained roughly the same since late 2020.

The Eritrean economy remains agriculture-dependent, and the country is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Eritrea faced new international condemnation and US sanctions in mid-2021 for its participation in the war in Ethiopia’s Tigray Regional State, where Eritrean forces were found to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. As most Eritrean troops were departing northern Ethiopia in January 2023, ISAIAS began a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at bolstering Eritrea’s foreign partnerships and regional influence. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression, and conscription and militarization continue.

" + "text": "Eritrea won independence from Italian colonial control in 1941, but the UN only established it as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952, after a decade of British administrative control. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year conflict for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean fighters defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been characterized by highly autocratic and repressive actions. His government has created a highly militarized society by instituting an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service -- divided between military and civilian service -- of indefinite length.

A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in 2000. Ethiopia rejected a subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 when the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Eritrean leaders then engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia led to a resumption of economic ties, but the level of air transport, trade, and tourism have remained roughly the same since late 2020.

The Eritrean economy remains agriculture-dependent, and the country is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Eritrea faced new international condemnation and US sanctions in mid-2021 for its participation in the war in Ethiopia’s Tigray Regional State, where Eritrean forces were found to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. As most Eritrean troops were departing northern Ethiopia in January 2023, ISAIAS began a series of diplomatic engagements aimed at bolstering Eritrea’s foreign partnerships and regional influence. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression, and conscription and militarization continue." } }, "Geography": { @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "density is highest in the center of the country, in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarms

volcanism: Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011

" + "text": "frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarms

volcanism: Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life in 2011" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes" @@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, red, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ertra, Ertra, Ertra\" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea)" }, @@ -614,8 +614,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1993, after gaining independence from Ethiopia" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1993, after gaining independence from Ethiopia" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/et.json b/africa/et.json index 6c2371b2..446f2396 100644 --- a/africa/et.json +++ b/africa/et.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The area that is modern-day Ethiopia is rich in cultural and religious diversity with more than 80 ethnic groups. The oldest hominid yet found comes from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia was the second country to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century A.D. A series of monarchies ruled the area that is now Ethiopia from 980 B.C. to 1855, when the Amhara kingdoms of northern Ethiopia united in an empire under Tewodros II. Many Ethiopians still speak reverently about the Battle of Adwa in 1896, when they defeated Italian forces and won their freedom from colonial rule.

Emperor Haile SELASSIE became an internationally renowned figure in 1935, when he unsuccessfully appealed to the League of Nations to prevent Italy from occupying Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941. SELASSIE survived an attempted coup in 1960, annexed modern-day Eritrea in 1962, and played a leading role in establishing the Organization of African Unity in 1963. However, in 1974, a military junta called the Derg deposed him and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, drought, and massive displacement, the Derg regime was toppled in 1991 by a coalition of opposing forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The EPRDF became an ethno-federalist political coalition that ruled Ethiopia from 1991 until its dissolution in 2019. Ethiopia adopted its constitution in 1994 and held its first multiparty elections in 1995.

A two-and-a-half-year border war with Eritrea in the late 1990s ended with a peace treaty in 2000. Ethiopia subsequently rejected the 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission demarcation. This resulted in more than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries. In 2012, longtime Prime Minister MELES Zenawi died in office and was replaced by his Deputy Prime Minister HAILEMARIAM Desalegn, marking the first peaceful transition of power in decades. Following a wave of popular dissent and anti-government protest that began in 2015, HAILEMARIAM resigned in 2018, and ABIY Ahmed Ali took office the same year as Ethiopia's first ethnic Oromo prime minister. In 2018, ABIY promoted a rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea that was marked with a peace agreement and a reopening of their shared border. In 2019, Ethiopia's nearly 30-year ethnic-based ruling coalition, the EPRDF, merged into a single unity party called the Prosperity Party; however, the lead coalition party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), declined to join. In 2020, a military conflict erupted between forces aligned with the TPLF and the Ethiopian military. The conflict -- which was marked by atrocities committed by all parties -- ended in 2022 with a cessation of hostilities agreement between the TPLF and the Ethiopian Government. However, Ethiopia continues to experience ethnic-based violence as other groups -- including the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Amhara militia Fano -- seek concessions from the Ethiopian Government.

" + "text": "The area that is modern-day Ethiopia is rich in cultural and religious diversity with more than 80 ethnic groups. The oldest hominid yet found comes from Ethiopia, and Ethiopia was the second country to officially adopt Christianity in the 4th century A.D. A series of monarchies ruled the area that is now Ethiopia from 980 B.C. to 1855, when the Amhara kingdoms of northern Ethiopia united in an empire under Tewodros II. Many Ethiopians still speak reverently about the Battle of Adwa in 1896, when they defeated Italian forces and won their freedom from colonial rule.

Emperor Haile SELASSIE became an internationally renowned figure in 1935, when he unsuccessfully appealed to the League of Nations to prevent Italy from occupying Ethiopia from 1936 to 1941. SELASSIE survived an attempted coup in 1960, annexed modern-day Eritrea in 1962, and played a leading role in establishing the Organization of African Unity in 1963. However, in 1974, a military junta called the Derg deposed him and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, drought, and massive displacement, the Derg regime was toppled in 1991 by a coalition of opposing forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The EPRDF became an ethno-federalist political coalition that ruled Ethiopia from 1991 until its dissolution in 2019. Ethiopia adopted its constitution in 1994 and held its first multiparty elections in 1995.

A two-and-a-half-year border war with Eritrea in the late 1990s ended with a peace treaty in 2000. Ethiopia subsequently rejected the 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission demarcation. This resulted in more than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate between the two countries. In 2012, longtime Prime Minister MELES Zenawi died in office and was replaced by his Deputy Prime Minister HAILEMARIAM Desalegn, marking the first peaceful transition of power in decades. Following a wave of popular dissent and anti-government protest that began in 2015, HAILEMARIAM resigned in 2018, and ABIY Ahmed Ali took office the same year as Ethiopia's first ethnic Oromo prime minister. In 2018, ABIY promoted a rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea that was marked with a peace agreement and a reopening of their shared border. In 2019, Ethiopia's nearly 30-year ethnic-based ruling coalition, the EPRDF, merged into a single unity party called the Prosperity Party; however, the lead coalition party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), declined to join. In 2020, a military conflict erupted between forces aligned with the TPLF and the Ethiopian military. The conflict -- which was marked by atrocities committed by all parties -- ended in 2022 with a cessation of hostilities agreement between the TPLF and the Ethiopian Government. However, Ethiopia continues to experience ethnic-based violence as other groups -- including the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and Amhara militia Fano -- seek concessions from the Ethiopian Government." } }, "Geography": { @@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ "text": "highest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m), which has caused frequent lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir

" + "text": "geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m) is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the most populous landlocked country in the world; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia" @@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Whedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia\" (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)" }, @@ -708,8 +708,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1992" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1992" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ga.json b/africa/ga.json index 15348af7..7f1df15c 100644 --- a/africa/ga.json +++ b/africa/ga.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia.

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won reelection in 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported democracy-strengthening activities, capacity building, economic development, and security sector education and training programs. 


 

 

" + "text": "In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia.

The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won reelection in 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported democracy-strengthening activities, capacity building, economic development, and security sector education and training programs." } }, "Geography": { @@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue, green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"For The Gambia, Our Homeland\"" }, @@ -652,8 +652,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song \"Foday Kaba Dumbuya\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song \"Foday Kaba Dumbuya\"" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/gb.json b/africa/gb.json index 3ff709dd..33289edd 100644 --- a/africa/gb.json +++ b/africa/gb.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in present-day Gabon and the surrounding area, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, much of Gabon's early history was lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization after World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960.

Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the still-dominant Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG). In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution in response to growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. After BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power, and he was reelected in 2016. He won a third term in the August 2023 election but was overthrown in a military coup a few days later. Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema led a military group called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions that arrested BONGO, canceled the election results, and dissolved state institutions. In September 2023, OLIGUI was sworn in as transitional president of Gabon.

 

" + "text": "Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in present-day Gabon and the surrounding area, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, much of Gabon's early history was lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization after World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960.

Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the still-dominant Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG). In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution in response to growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. After BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power, and he was reelected in 2016. He won a third term in the August 2023 election but was overthrown in a military coup a few days later. Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema led a military group called the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions that arrested BONGO, canceled the election results, and dissolved state institutions. In September 2023, OLIGUI was sworn in as transitional president of Gabon." } }, "Geography": { @@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the panthers represent vigilance and courage, and they support a shield with a ship and an okoume tree, which is a symbol of the timber trade; the ribbon below the shield has the national motto in French, Union, Travail, Justice (\"Union, Work, Justice\"), and the ribbon above the shield has the Latin phrase Uniti Progrediemur (\"We shall go forward united\")" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Concorde\" (The Concorde)" }, @@ -659,8 +659,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/gh.json b/africa/gh.json index 533b33cb..a15c9a33 100644 --- a/africa/gh.json +++ b/africa/gh.json @@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, green, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Bless Our Homeland Ghana\"" }, @@ -666,8 +666,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/gv.json b/africa/gv.json index 9cd3a92d..fb370b27 100644 --- a/africa/gv.json +++ b/africa/gv.json @@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Liberté\" (Liberty)" }, @@ -651,8 +651,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1958" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1958" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/iv.json b/africa/iv.json index c85a3832..3e7f9bb4 100644 --- a/africa/iv.json +++ b/africa/iv.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Various small kingdoms ruled the area of Cote d'Ivoire between the 15th and 19th centuries, when European explorers arrived and then began to expand their presence. In 1844, France established a protectorate. During this period, many of these kingdoms and tribes fought to maintain their cultural identities -- some well into the 20th century. For example, the Sanwi kingdom -- originally founded in the 17th century -- tried to break away from Cote d’Ivoire and establish an independent state in 1969. 

Cote d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960 but has maintained close ties. Foreign investment and the export and production of cocoa drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. Then in 1999, a military coup overthrew the government, and a year later, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup in 2002 that developed into a civil war. In 2003, a cease-fire resulted in rebels holding the north, the government holding the south, and peacekeeping forces occupying a buffer zone in the middle. In 2007, President GBAGBO and former rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister. The two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections.

In 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. Armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French troops eventually forced GBAGBO to step down in 2011. OUATTARA won a second term in 2015 and a controversial third term in 2020 -- despite the two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution -- in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition participated peacefully in 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in 2021, the International Criminal Court in The Hague ruled on a final acquittal for GBAGBO, who was on trial for crimes against humanity, paving the way for GBAGBO’s return to Abidjan the same year. GBAGBO has publicly met with OUATTARA since his return as a demonstration of political reconciliation. 

" + "text": "Various small kingdoms ruled the area of Cote d'Ivoire between the 15th and 19th centuries, when European explorers arrived and then began to expand their presence. In 1844, France established a protectorate. During this period, many of these kingdoms and tribes fought to maintain their cultural identities -- some well into the 20th century. For example, the Sanwi kingdom -- originally founded in the 17th century -- tried to break away from Cote d’Ivoire and establish an independent state in 1969. 

Cote d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960 but has maintained close ties. Foreign investment and the export and production of cocoa drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. Then in 1999, a military coup overthrew the government, and a year later, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup in 2002 that developed into a civil war. In 2003, a cease-fire resulted in rebels holding the north, the government holding the south, and peacekeeping forces occupying a buffer zone in the middle. In 2007, President GBAGBO and former rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister. The two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections.

In 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. Armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French troops eventually forced GBAGBO to step down in 2011. OUATTARA won a second term in 2015 and a controversial third term in 2020 -- despite the two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution -- in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition participated peacefully in 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in 2021, the International Criminal Court in The Hague ruled on a final acquittal for GBAGBO, who was on trial for crimes against humanity, paving the way for GBAGBO’s return to Abidjan the same year. GBAGBO has publicly met with OUATTARA since his return as a demonstration of political reconciliation." } }, "Geography": { @@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "orange, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"L'Abidjanaise\" (Song of Abidjan)" }, @@ -710,8 +710,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960; named after the former capital city of Abidjan" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960; named after the former capital city of Abidjan" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ke.json b/africa/ke.json index 97190376..66d9a49e 100644 --- a/africa/ke.json +++ b/africa/ke.json @@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ "text": "population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

" + "text": "recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second-largest freshwater lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda" @@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party
Amani National Congress or ANC
Chama Cha Kazi or CCK
Democratic Action Party or DAP-K
Democratic Party or DP
Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya
Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP         
Jubilee Party or JP
Kenya African National Union or KANU
Kenya Kwanza coalition
Kenya Union Party or KUP
Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC
Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG
National Agenda Party or NAP-K                       
National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU
Orange Democratic Movement or ODM
Pamoja African Alliance or PAA]
The Service Party or TSP
United Democratic Alliance or UDA
United Democratic Movement or UDM
United Democratic Party or UDP
United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA                                      
United Progressive Alliance or UPA                                        
Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K

" + "text": "Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party
Amani National Congress or ANC
Chama Cha Kazi or CCK
Democratic Action Party or DAP-K
Democratic Party or DP
Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya
Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP         
Jubilee Party or JP
Kenya African National Union or KANU
Kenya Kwanza coalition
Kenya Union Party or KUP
Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC
Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG
National Agenda Party or NAP-K                       
National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU
Orange Democratic Movement or ODM
Pamoja African Alliance or PAA]
The Service Party or TSP
United Democratic Alliance or UDA
United Democratic Movement or UDM
United Democratic Party or UDP
United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA                                      
United Progressive Alliance or UPA                                        
Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -682,7 +682,8 @@ "text": "12 December 1963 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule" + "text": "Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963)", + "note": "note: Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963), marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is at the center; black stands for the majority population, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom" @@ -696,7 +697,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the two lions symbolize protection as they hold a traditional East African shield and spears in defense of freedom and unity; the shield features the national colors: black for the people, green for agriculture and natural resources, red for the struggle for freedom, and white for unity and peace; on the shield, a rooster greets the new day, and the axe represents both authority and the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) that led the country to independence; at the base of the shield is Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak; the scroll has the Swahili word Harambee, meaning “all for one” or “pulling together”" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu\" (O God of All Creation)" }, @@ -705,15 +706,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "8(5 cultural, 3 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c); The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (c)

" + "text": "Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c); The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (c)" } } }, diff --git a/africa/li.json b/africa/li.json index 82e25d6d..736f6bcf 100644 --- a/africa/li.json +++ b/africa/li.json @@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"All Hail, Liberia, Hail!\"" }, @@ -672,8 +672,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia" - }, - "note": "note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/lt.json b/africa/lt.json index bf2b71a6..81668260 100644 --- a/africa/lt.json +++ b/africa/lt.json @@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, green, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona\" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers)" }, @@ -677,8 +677,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ly.json b/africa/ly.json index 7fc0a253..ee29b6d3 100644 --- a/africa/ly.json +++ b/africa/ly.json @@ -522,9 +522,6 @@ "text": "Libya's judicial system consists of a supreme court, central high courts (in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sabha), and a series of lower courts" } }, - "Political parties": { - "text": "NA
" - }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Fadil S M OMAR (since 17 July 2023)" @@ -578,7 +575,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Libya, Libya, Libya\"" }, @@ -587,8 +584,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1951, but replaced in 1969 when QADHAFI came to power; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; also known as \"Ya Beladi\" (O My Country)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1951, but replaced in 1969 when QADHAFI came to power; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; also known as \"Ya Beladi\" (O My Country)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ma.json b/africa/ma.json index f95b82d3..80a2cf8d 100644 --- a/africa/ma.json +++ b/africa/ma.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times

" + "text": "periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation

volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in recorded history" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island, resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else" @@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Group of Young Malagasy Patriots (Groupe des Jeunes Malgaches Patriotes) or GJMP
I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM
Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina coalition or IRD
Malagasy Aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS
Malagasy Tia Tanindrazana or MATITA or ANGADY
Movement for Democracy in Madagascar (Mouvement pour la Démocratie à Madagascar) or MDM
Rally for Democratic Socialism (Rassemblement pour Socialisme Démocratique - Nouveau) or RPSD Vaovao
Young Malagasies Determined (Tanora Malagasy Vonona) or TGV

" + "text": "Group of Young Malagasy Patriots (Groupe des Jeunes Malgaches Patriotes) or GJMP
I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM
Isika Rehetra Miaraka amin'i Andry Rajoelina coalition or IRD
Malagasy Aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS
Malagasy Tia Tanindrazana or MATITA or ANGADY
Movement for Democracy in Madagascar (Mouvement pour la Démocratie à Madagascar) or MDM
Rally for Democratic Socialism (Rassemblement pour Socialisme Démocratique - Nouveau) or RPSD Vaovao
Young Malagasies Determined (Tanora Malagasy Vonona) or TGV" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ry Tanindraza nay malala o\" (O Our Beloved Fatherland)" }, @@ -684,8 +684,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1959" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1959" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/mi.json b/africa/mi.json index 4603083d..3ff8d71e 100644 --- a/africa/mi.json +++ b/africa/mi.json @@ -643,7 +643,8 @@ "text": "6 July 1964 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966" + "text": "Independence Day, 6 July (1964)", + "note": "note: also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green, with a rising red sun centered on the black band; black represents ethnic groups, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa" @@ -654,7 +655,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "black, red, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mulungu dalitsa Malawi\" (O God, Bless Our Land of Malawi)" }, @@ -663,8 +664,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1964" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1964" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ml.json b/africa/ml.json index aac0f7a2..06082eba 100644 --- a/africa/ml.json +++ b/africa/ml.json @@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-Maliba
Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity, and Justice or ADEMA-PASJ
Alliance for the Solidarity of Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces or ASMA-CFP
Convergence for the Development of Mali or CODEM
Democratic Alliance for Peace or ADP-Maliba
Movement for Mali or MPM
Party for National Renewal (also Rebirth or Renaissance or PARENA)
Rally for Mali or RPM 
Social Democratic Convention or CDS
Union for Democracy and Development or UDD
Union for Republic and Democracy or URD
Yéléma

", + "text": "African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-Maliba
Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity, and Justice or ADEMA-PASJ
Alliance for the Solidarity of Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces or ASMA-CFP
Convergence for the Development of Mali or CODEM
Democratic Alliance for Peace or ADP-Maliba
Movement for Mali or MPM
Party for National Renewal (also Rebirth or Renaissance or PARENA)
Rally for Mali or RPM 
Social Democratic Convention or CDS
Union for Democracy and Development or UDD
Union for Republic and Democracy or URD
Yéléma", "note": "note 1:  only parties with 2 or more seats in the last National Assembly parliamentary elections (30 March and 19 April 2020) included

note 2:  the National Assembly was dissolved on 18 August 2020 following a military coup and replaced with a National Transition Council; currently 121 members, party affiliations unknown" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { @@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Le Mali\" (Mali)" }, @@ -664,8 +664,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962; also known as \"Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali\" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and \"A ton appel, Mali\" (At Your Call, Mali)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962; also known as \"Pour l'Afrique et pour toi, Mali\" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and \"A ton appel, Mali\" (At Your Call, Mali)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1101,7 +1100,7 @@ "text": "note 1: in 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced they were forming joint force of 5,000 troops to combat extremist groups in the Sahel

note 2: until announcing its withdrawal in May of 2022, Mali was part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; Mali had committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the FAMa is responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, but also has some domestic security duties, including the maintenance of public order and support to law enforcement; it also participates in socio-economic development projects; the military has traditionally played a large role in Mali’s politics; prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, it had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960 (1968, 1976, 1978, 1991, 2012)

the FAMa and other security forces are actively engaged in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations against several insurgent/terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other armed rebel organizations, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and southern regions of the country; a large portion of the country--up to 50% by some estimates--is outside of government control

the FAMa and the remainder of the security forces collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants and were rebuilt beginning in 2013 with external assistance from the EU and the UN; the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) ended their missions in 2023 and 2024, respectively; France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 to assist with regaining the northern half of the country from rebel and Islamic militant groups; French troops withdrew in 2022; since 2021, Mali has increased security ties with Russia, which has provided equipment, training, and other forms of military support (2025)" + "text": "the FAMa is responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, but also has some domestic security duties, including the maintenance of public order and support to law enforcement; it also participates in socio-economic development projects; the military has traditionally played a large role in Mali’s politics; prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, it had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960 (1968, 1976, 1978, 1991, 2012)

the FAMa and other security forces are actively engaged in combat operations against several insurgent/terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), as well as other armed rebel organizations, communal militias, and criminal bands spread across the central, northern, and southern regions of the country; a large portion of the country--up to 50% by some estimates--is outside of government control

the FAMa and the remainder of the security forces collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants and were rebuilt beginning in 2013 with external assistance from the EU and the UN; the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) ended their missions in 2023 and 2024, respectively; France intervened militarily in Mali in 2013 to assist with regaining the northern half of the country from rebel and Islamic militant groups; French troops withdrew in 2022; since 2021, Mali has increased security ties with Russia, which has provided equipment, training, and other forms of military support (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/mo.json b/africa/mo.json index 4c42cf94..c96e1bee 100644 --- a/africa/mo.json +++ b/africa/mo.json @@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Hymne Cherifien\" (Hymn of the Sharif)" }, @@ -713,8 +713,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/mp.json b/africa/mp.json index 10a4c468..32ec9ce0 100644 --- a/africa/mp.json +++ b/africa/mp.json @@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ "text": "7 November 2019" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2019: Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote

2015: Ameenah GURIB-FAKIM (independent) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote
" + "text": "
2019: Prithvirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote

2015: Ameenah GURIB-FAKIM (independent) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2024" @@ -622,7 +622,8 @@ "text": "12 March 1968 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968 & 1992); note - became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992 respectively" + "text": "Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968, 1992)", + "note": "note: became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992, respectively" }, "Flag description": { "text": "four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green; red stands for self-determination and independence, blue for the Indian Ocean, yellow for the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future, and green for agriculture or the island's lush vegetation", @@ -634,7 +635,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue, yellow, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Motherland\"" }, @@ -643,8 +644,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1968" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1968" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/mr.json b/africa/mr.json index 05c52127..7f7b7f9f 100644 --- a/africa/mr.json +++ b/africa/mr.json @@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Bilāda l-ʾubāti l-hudāti l-kirām\" (Land of the Proud, Guided by Noblemen)" }, @@ -680,8 +680,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 28 November 2017" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 28 November 2017

" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/mz.json b/africa/mz.json index 13603b9f..20a9765a 100644 --- a/africa/mz.json +++ b/africa/mz.json @@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, black, yellow, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Patria Amada\" (Lovely Fatherland)" }, @@ -670,8 +670,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2002" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2002" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ng.json b/africa/ng.json index 714a53ab..0960380e 100644 --- a/africa/ng.json +++ b/africa/ng.json @@ -506,9 +506,9 @@ "text": "several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010" }, "amendment process": { - "text": "formerly proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup cannot be amended" + "text": "formerly proposed by the president of the republic or the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup cannot be amended" }, - "note": "Note: on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the country's constitution" + "note": "note: on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the country's constitution" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction" @@ -590,8 +590,8 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Alliance for Democracy and the Republic
Alliance for Democratic Renewal or ARD-Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 
Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN
Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci
Democratic Alternation for Equity in Niger
Democratic and Republican Renewal-RDR-Tchanji
Democratic Movement for the Emergence of Niger Falala
Democratic Patriots' Rally or RPD Bazara
National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya
Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa
Nigerien Rally for Democracy and Peace
Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya
Peace, Justice, Progress–Generation Doubara
Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a
Rally for Peace and Progress or RPP Farilla
Social Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya
Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira

", - "note": "Note: after the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland dissolved the National Assembly and prohibited all political party activity " + "text": "Alliance for Democracy and the Republic
Alliance for Democratic Renewal or ARD-Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 
Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN
Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci
Democratic Alternation for Equity in Niger
Democratic and Republican Renewal-RDR-Tchanji
Democratic Movement for the Emergence of Niger Falala
Democratic Patriots' Rally or RPD Bazara
National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya
Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa
Nigerien Rally for Democracy and Peace
Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya
Peace, Justice, Progress–Generation Doubara
Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a
Rally for Peace and Progress or RPP Farilla
Social Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya
Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira", + "note": "note: after the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland dissolved the National Assembly and prohibited all political party activity" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -637,7 +637,8 @@ "text": "3 August 1960 (from France)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960" + "text": "Republic Day, 18 December (1958)", + "note": "note: commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger, which predated independence from France in 1960" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green, with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange stands for the northern Sahara regions, white for purity and innocence, and green for hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the people's sacrifices ", @@ -649,7 +650,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "orange, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"L'Honneur de la Patrie\" (The Honor of the Fatherland)" }, @@ -657,9 +658,8 @@ "text": "a government-appointed committee wrote both the lyrics and the music" }, "history": { - "text": "adopted 2023" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2023; replaced previous national anthem, \"La Nigérienne\" (The Nigerien), that was adopted in 1961" + "text": "adopted 2023; replaced previous national anthem, \"La Nigérienne\" (The Nigerien), that was adopted in 1961" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ "text": "note: in 2024, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced they were forming a joint force of 5,000 troops to combat extremist groups in the Sahel" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the military of Niger is responsible for ensuring external security, but most of its focus is on internal counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and border security operations; the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terrorist groups are active in western Niger and in adjacent strongholds in Burkina Faso and Mali, while the Nigeria-based Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa groups threaten southeast Niger; parts of Niger also face spillover from communal, criminal, and vigilante violence in neighboring Nigeria; since the 2023 coup, some former ethnic separatist rebels have taken up arms in support of deposed President BAZOUM

the military has played a significant role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)" + "text": "the military of Niger is responsible for territorial defense, but most of its focus is on internal and border security operations; the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terrorist groups are active in western Niger and in adjacent strongholds in Burkina Faso and Mali, while the Nigeria-based Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa groups threaten southeast Niger; parts of Niger also face spillover from communal, criminal, and vigilante violence in neighboring Nigeria; since the 2023 coup, some former ethnic separatist rebels have taken up arms in support of deposed President BAZOUM

the military has played a significant role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/ni.json b/africa/ni.json index 02a1e474..582b368b 100644 --- a/africa/ni.json +++ b/africa/ni.json @@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ "text": "25 February 2023" }, "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%

 

" + "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%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "27 February 2027" @@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nigeria, We Hail Thee\"" }, diff --git a/africa/od.json b/africa/od.json index aba030d5..102ebe74 100644 --- a/africa/od.json +++ b/africa/od.json @@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ "note": "note: in mid-2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an ad-hoc judiciary committee, a 12-member body led by two eminent jurists, that is charged with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reform, and restructuring the judiciary" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Democratic Change or DC
Democratic Forum or DF
Labour Party or LPSS
South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA
Sudan African National Union or SANU
Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO
United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF    
United South Sudan African Party or USSAP
United South Sudan Party or USSP

" + "text": "Democratic Change or DC
Democratic Forum or DF
Labour Party or LPSS
South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA
Sudan African National Union or SANU
Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO
United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF    
United South Sudan African Party or USSAP
United South Sudan Party or USSP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -582,17 +582,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green, blue, yellow, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"South Sudan Oyee!\" (Hooray!)" + "text": "\"South Sudan Oyee!\" (South Sudan, Hooray!)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/pu.json b/africa/pu.json index 57fbffa5..6599e5fd 100644 --- a/africa/pu.json +++ b/africa/pu.json @@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, green, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada\" (This is Our Beloved Country)" }, @@ -629,8 +629,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1974; a delegation from Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to fight for independence" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1974; a delegation from Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to fight for independence" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/rw.json b/africa/rw.json index 1c0189b4..032b9197 100644 --- a/africa/rw.json +++ b/africa/rw.json @@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ "text": "one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano

" + "text": "periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged, with the population predominantly rural" @@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ "text": "President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017)" + "text": "Prime Minister Justin NSENGIYUMVA (since 23 July 2025)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Council of Ministers appointed by the president" @@ -629,9 +629,8 @@ "text": "Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals, and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA" }, "subordinate courts": { - "text": "High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts
" - }, - "note": " " + "text": "High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts" + } }, "Political parties": { "text": "Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR 
Liberal Party or PL 
Party for Progress and Concord or PPC 
Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF 
Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC, PSP, UDPR, PDI, PSR, PDC) 
Social Democratic Party or PSD 
Social Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri " @@ -691,7 +690,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Rwanda nziza\" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)" }, @@ -700,8 +699,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2001" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2001" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1144,10 +1142,10 @@ "note": "note: as of 2022, women comprised approximately 6% of the Rwanda Defense Force" }, "Military deployments": { - "text": "approximately 3,200 Central African Republic (about 2,200 under MINUSCA, plus some 700 police; approximately 1,000 under a bi-lateral agreement); estimated 3,000 Democratic Republic of the Congo; estimated 3,000 Mozambique (bilateral agreement to assist with combating an insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 450 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025)" + "text": "approximately 3,200 Central African Republic (about 2,200 under MINUSCA, plus some 700 police; approximately 1,000 under a bi-lateral agreement); estimated 3-4,000 Democratic Republic of the Congo; estimated 3,000 Mozambique (bilateral agreement to assist with combating an insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 450 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the RDF is widely regarded as one of East Africa’s best trained and most experienced militaries; its principle responsibilities are ensuring territorial integrity and national sovereignty and preventing infiltrations of illegal armed groups from neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); since 2021, Rwanda has deployed troops to the border region with the DRC to combat the rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which it has accused the DRC of backing; the RDF has been accused by the DRC, the UN, and the US of making military incursions into the DRC and providing material support to the March 23 Movement (M23, aka Congolese Revolutionary Army) rebel group, which has been fighting with DRC troops and UN peacekeeping forces; the RDF also participates in UN and regional military operations, as well as multinational exercises

the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers (2024)" + "text": "the principle responsibilities of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) are ensuring territorial integrity and national sovereignty and preventing infiltrations of illegal armed groups from neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); since 2021, Rwanda has deployed RDF troops to the border region with the DRC to combat the rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which it has accused the DRC of backing; Rwanda has been accused by the DRC, the UN, and the US of deploying RDF troops in the DRC and providing material support to the March 23 Movement (M23, aka Congolese Revolutionary Army) rebel group; the RDF also participates in UN and regional military operations, as well as multinational exercises; it has deployed several thousand RDF troops and police personnel to Mozambique to assist in combating an insurgency since 2021; Rwanda has mutual defense treaties with Kenya and Uganda 

the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/africa/se.json b/africa/se.json index 0acde30a..2a9327a1 100644 --- a/africa/se.json +++ b/africa/se.json @@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Koste Seselwa\" (Seychellois Unite)" }, @@ -618,8 +618,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1996" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1996" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1023,8 +1022,7 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF; aka Seychelles Defense Forces, SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (2025)", - "note": "
 " + "text": "Seychelles People's Defense Forces (SPDF; aka Seychelles Defense Forces, SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force

Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (2025)" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2024": { @@ -1053,7 +1051,7 @@ "text": "18-28 (18-25 for officers) years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; 6-year initial commitment; no conscription (2023)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "formed in 1977, the SDF is one of the World's smallest militaries; its primary responsibility is maritime security, including countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling; it was given police powers in 2022; the Seychelles has close security ties with India (2024)" + "text": "formed in 1977, the SDF is one of the World's smallest militaries; its primary responsibility is maritime security, including countering illegal fishing, piracy, and drug smuggling; it was given police powers in 2022; the Seychelles maintains close security ties with India, which has provided support to the SDF's maritime security operations (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/sf.json b/africa/sf.json index e948baaa..acb6097e 100644 --- a/africa/sf.json +++ b/africa/sf.json @@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ "text": "the population is concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densely populated than the west, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

prolonged droughts

volcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano

" + "text": "prolonged droughts

volcanism: the volcano that formed Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands is South Africa's only active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "note 1: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Eswatini

note 2: sometimes mistaken for the southernmost point of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope is more accurately described as the southwestern-most point of the African continent; Cape Agulhas, the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, is the southernmost point of the African continent" @@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { - "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Ismail ESAU (since 18 March 2025)" + "text": "Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Ismail ESAU (since 17 March 2025)" }, "chancery": { "text": "3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008" @@ -703,7 +703,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green, blue, yellow, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"National Anthem of South Africa\"" }, @@ -712,15 +712,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1994; a combination of \"N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica\" (God Bless Africa) and \"Die Stem van Suid Afrika\" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1994; a combination of \"N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica\" (God Bless Africa) and \"Die Stem van Suid Afrika\" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "12 (7 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (c); iSimangaliso Wetland Park (n); Robben Island (c); Maloti-Drakensberg Park (m); Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (c); Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (n); Vredefort Dome (n); Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (c); Khomani Cultural Landscape (c); Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (n); Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (c); The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa (c)

" + "text": "Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (c); iSimangaliso Wetland Park (n); Robben Island (c); Maloti-Drakensberg Park (m); Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (c); Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (n); Vredefort Dome (n); Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (c); Khomani Cultural Landscape (c); Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (n); Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (c); The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa (c)" } } }, diff --git a/africa/sg.json b/africa/sg.json index 4b324d6b..f59fb4c4 100644 --- a/africa/sg.json +++ b/africa/sg.json @@ -557,7 +557,7 @@ "text": "24 March 2024" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2024: Bassirou Diomaye FAYE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Bassirou Diomaye FAYE (PASTEF) 54%, Amadou BA (APR) 36%, other 10%

2019: Macky SALL reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Macky SALL (APR) 58.3%, Idrissa SECK (Rewmi) 20.5%, Ousmane SONKO (PASTEF) 15.7%, other 5.5%

 

" + "text": "
2024: Bassirou Diomaye FAYE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Bassirou Diomaye FAYE (PASTEF) 54%, Amadou BA (APR) 36%, other 10%

2019: Macky SALL reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Macky SALL (APR) 58.3%, Idrissa SECK (Rewmi) 20.5%, Ousmane SONKO (PASTEF) 15.7%, other 5.5%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "March 2029" @@ -665,17 +665,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons\" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)" + "text": "\"Pincez tous vos koras, frappez les balafons\" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1155,7 +1154,7 @@ "text": "200 Central African Republic (MINUSCA; plus about 525 police); 800 (ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia--ECOMIG); 500 (ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau--EESMGB); 450 police Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "despite limited resources, the Senegalese military is considered to be a well-equipped, experienced, and effective force; the military has a tradition of non-interference in the country’s political process and positive relations with civil authorities; it participates in foreign deployments and multinational exercises and has received assistance from France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as well as Germany, Spain, the UK, and the US; the military’s primary focuses are border, internal, and maritime security; it also works with the civilian government in areas such as preventive healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and disaster response

Senegal's security concerns include the prevalence of multiple active terrorist groups across the region and political instability in neighboring Mali and Guinea; Senegal has recently established new military and gendarmerie camps along its eastern border with Mali

Senegalese security forces have been engaged in a low-level counterinsurgency campaign in the southern Casamance region against various factions of the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MDFC) since 1982; the conflict is one of longest running low-level insurgencies in the World, having claimed more than 5,000 lives while leaving another 60,000 displaced; in May 2023, a faction of the MFDC agreed to a peace deal (2024)" + "text": "the Senegalese military is responsible for both territorial defense and internal security; it also assists the civilian government in such areas as preventive healthcare, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and disaster response; key areas of focus for the military include a low-level insurgency in the country's south, maritime security, and securing the border against smuggling and Sahel-based Islamist insurgent groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State; the military participates in foreign peacekeeping deployments and multinational exercises; its closest security partner is France, which has long maintained a military presence in Senegal  

Senegalese security forces have been engaged in a low-level counterinsurgency campaign in the southern Casamance region against factions of the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MDFC) since 1982; the conflict is one of longest running low-level insurgencies in the World, having claimed more than 5,000 lives while leaving another 60,000 displaced; in recent years, nearly all of the MDFC factions have agreed to cease hostilities (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/africa/sh.json b/africa/sh.json index dd406ff5..dd18ec24 100644 --- a/africa/sh.json +++ b/africa/sh.json @@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ "text": "islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 1,300 km (800 mi) northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 4,300 km (2,700 mi) southwest of Saint Helena" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W;

Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W;

Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W

" + "text": "Saint Helena: 15 57 S, 5 42 W

Ascension Island: 7 57 S, 14 22 W

Tristan da Cunha island group: 37 15 S, 12 30 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Africa" @@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds

Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid

Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

" + "text": "Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds

Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid

Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)" }, "Terrain": { "text": "

the islands of this group are of volcanic origin associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge

Saint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains;

Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; terrain rises to the east;

Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs

" @@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ "text": "Saint Helena: population is concentrated in and around the capital of Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area

Ascension: most of the population lives in and around Georgetown

Tristan da Cunha: most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha

volcanism: the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (365 m) experience volcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingale in 2004

" + "text": "active volcanism

volcanism: the volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (365 m) are active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown elsewhere in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa" @@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ "text": "development threatens wildlife on Saint Helena" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds

Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid

Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)

" + "text": "Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds

Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid

Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -422,7 +422,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the coat of arms of Saint Helena was officially granted on January 30, 1984; the national bird, the Saint Helena plover (Charadrius sanctaehelenae), is at the top of the shield; the lower part of the shield shows a three-masted sailing ship with the mountainous island to the left; below the shield is a scroll with the motto “Loyal and unshakable;” the crest shows an image of Saint Helena, holding a cross and a flower" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -431,8 +431,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: as an overseas territory of the UK, \"God Save the King\" is official (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/sl.json b/africa/sl.json index f236a574..8b70386d 100644 --- a/africa/sl.json +++ b/africa/sl.json @@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free\"" }, @@ -649,8 +649,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1961" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1961" + } } }, "Economy": { @@ -1079,13 +1078,13 @@ "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)" + "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, such as patrol boats from China and South Korea (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { - "text": "18-30 for voluntary military service for men and women (25-40 for specialists); no conscription (2023)" + "text": "18-25 for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the RSLAF’s principle responsibilities are securing the borders and the country’s territorial waters, supporting civil authorities during emergencies and reconstruction efforts, and participating in peacekeeping missions; it is small, lightly armed, and has a limited budget; since being reduced in size and restructured with British assistance after the end of the civil war in 2002, it has received assistance from several foreign militaries, including those of Canada, China, France, the UK, and the US; the RSLAF has participated in peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Sudan

the RSLAF’s origins lie in the Sierra Leone Battalion of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), a multi-regiment force formed by the British colonial office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Gold Coast (Ghana), Nigeria (Lagos and the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria), Sierra Leone, and The Gambia; the RWAFF fought in both World Wars (2024)" + "text": "the RSLAF’s primary responsibilities are securing the country's borders and territorial waters, supporting civil authorities during internal emergencies, and participating in peacekeeping missions; since the end of the civil war in 2002, it has received assistance from several foreign militaries, including those of Canada, China, France, the UK, and the US

the RSLAF’s origins lie in the Sierra Leone Battalion of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), a multi-regiment force formed by the British colonial office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Gold Coast (Ghana), Nigeria (Lagos and the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria), Sierra Leone, and The Gambia; the RWAFF fought in both World Wars (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/africa/so.json b/africa/so.json index 192d6307..7b2c9c4c 100644 --- a/africa/so.json +++ b/africa/so.json @@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ "note": "note: under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established, but most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, whether secular, Somali customary law, or Islamic law" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Cosmopolitan Democratic Party
Green Party
Himilo Qaran Party
Ilays Party
Justice and Reconciliation Party
National Progressive Party
Peace and Unity Party
Qaransoor Party
Qiimo Qaran Party
Security and Justice Party
Social Justice Party
Somali Labour Party
Somali Republic Party
Somali Social Unity Party or SSUP
Union for Peace and Development Party or PDP
Wadajir Party

", + "text": "Cosmopolitan Democratic Party
Green Party
Himilo Qaran Party
Ilays Party
Justice and Reconciliation Party
National Progressive Party
Peace and Unity Party
Qaransoor Party
Qiimo Qaran Party
Security and Justice Party
Social Justice Party
Somali Labour Party
Somali Republic Party
Somali Social Unity Party or SSUP
Union for Peace and Development Party or PDP
Wadajir Party", "note": "note: in 2017 an independent electoral commission (the NIEC) was inaugurated with a mandate to oversee the process of registration of political parties in the country; as of 2021, the NIEC had registered a total of 110 parties" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { @@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Qolobaa Calankeed\" (Every Nation Has Its Own Flag)" }, @@ -640,8 +640,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2012; written in 1959" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2012; written in 1959" + } }, "Government - note": { "text": "regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various areas of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia" diff --git a/africa/su.json b/africa/su.json index 97fd040b..c5c1a3d0 100644 --- a/africa/su.json +++ b/africa/su.json @@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ }, "Environment": { "Environmental issues": { - "text": "

water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water scarcity and drought; overhunting; soil erosion; desertification; deforestation; loss of biodiversity

 

" + "text": "water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water scarcity and drought; overhunting; soil erosion; desertification; deforestation; loss of biodiversity" }, "International environmental agreements": { "party to": { @@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party or DUP
Federal Umma Party
Muslim Brotherhood or MB
National Congress Party or NCP
National Umma Party or NUP
Popular Congress Party or PCP
Reform Movement Now
Sudan National Front
Sudanese Communist Party or SCP
Sudanese Congress Party or SCoP
Umma Party for Reform and Development
Unionist Movement Party or UMP

", + "text": "Democratic Unionist Party
Democratic Unionist Party or DUP
Federal Umma Party
Muslim Brotherhood or MB
National Congress Party or NCP
National Umma Party or NUP
Popular Congress Party or PCP
Reform Movement Now
Sudan National Front
Sudanese Communist Party or SCP
Sudanese Congress Party or SCoP
Umma Party for Reform and Development
Unionist Movement Party or UMP", "note": "note:  in November 2019, the transitional government banned the National Congress Party" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { @@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, black, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan\" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land)" }, @@ -598,8 +598,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/to.json b/africa/to.json index 87f7d5c1..5fb194cb 100644 --- a/africa/to.json +++ b/africa/to.json @@ -687,17 +687,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux\" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)" + "text": "\"Salut à toi, pays de nos aieux\" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960, restored 1992; anthem was replaced during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; anthem was replaced during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/tp.json b/africa/tp.json index 7ed6f7db..27a8b8e1 100644 --- a/africa/tp.json +++ b/africa/tp.json @@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Independencia total\" (Total Independence)" }, @@ -640,8 +640,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1975" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1975" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/ts.json b/africa/ts.json index 75e39be1..c501f49b 100644 --- a/africa/ts.json +++ b/africa/ts.json @@ -510,10 +510,10 @@ }, "Constitution": { "history": { - "text": "

several previous; latest - draft published by the president 30 June 2022, approved by referendum 25 July 2022, and adopted 27 July 2022

" + "text": "several previous; latest draft published by the president 30 June 2022, approved by referendum 25 July 2022, and adopted 27 July 2022" }, "amendment process": { - "text": "proposed by the president of the republic or by one third of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People membership; following review by the Constitutional Court, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote by the Assembly and final passage requires a two-thirds Assembly majority vote; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passage" + "text": "proposed by the president of the republic or one third of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People membership; following Constitutional Court review, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote in the Assembly, and final passage requires a two-thirds Assembly majority vote; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passage" } }, "International law organization participation": { @@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ "text": "6 October 2024" }, "election results": { - "text": "

2024: Kais SAIED reelected president in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 90.7%, Ayachi ZAMMEL (Long Live Tunisia) 7.3%, Zouhair MAGHZAOUI (People's Movement) 2%

2019: Kais SAIED elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 18.4%, Nabil KAROUI (Heart of Tunisia) 15.6%, Abdelfattah MOUROU (Nahda Movement) 12.9%, Abdelkrim ZBIDI (independent) 10.7%, Youssef CHAHED (Long Live Tunisia) 7.4%, Safi SAID (independent) 7.1%, Lotfi MRAIHI (Republican People's Union) 6.6%, other 21.3%; percent of vote in second round - Kais SAIED 72.7%, Nabil KAROUI 27.3%

" + "text": "
2024: Kais SAIED reelected president in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 90.7%, Ayachi ZAMMEL (Long Live Tunisia) 7.3%, Zouhair MAGHZAOUI (People's Movement) 2%

2019: Kais SAIED elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 18.4%, Nabil KAROUI (Heart of Tunisia) 15.6%, Abdelfattah MOUROU (Nahda Movement) 12.9%, Abdelkrim ZBIDI (independent) 10.7%, Youssef CHAHED (Long Live Tunisia) 7.4%, Safi SAID (independent) 7.1%, Lotfi MRAIHI (Republican People's Union) 6.6%, other 21.3%; percent of vote in second round - Kais SAIED 72.7%, Nabil KAROUI 27.3%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2029" @@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Humat Al Hima\" (Defenders of the Homeland)" }, @@ -695,8 +695,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/tz.json b/africa/tz.json index 975bca03..7d2740eb 100644 --- a/africa/tz.json +++ b/africa/tz.json @@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ "text": "the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast, as shown in this population distribution map" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru

" + "text": "flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya in Kenya and the Ruwenzori Mountains on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border); Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second-deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest" @@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, blue, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mungu ibariki Afrika\" (God Bless Africa)" }, @@ -688,8 +688,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the melody of Zambia's anthem; the melody is also part of South Africa's anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the melody of Zambia's anthem; the melody is also part of South Africa's anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/ug.json b/africa/ug.json index 894a3b05..85079777 100644 --- a/africa/ug.json +++ b/africa/ug.json @@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "black, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"O Uganda, Land of Beauty!\"" }, @@ -644,8 +644,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/uv.json b/africa/uv.json index 6d1dc40f..a9659656 100644 --- a/africa/uv.json +++ b/africa/uv.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate.

The country achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. In 1987 Blaise COMPAORE deposed the president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In 2014, COMPAORE resigned after protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition, organizing presidential and legislative elections. In 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president, and he was reelected in 2020. In 2022, the military conducted two takeovers: In January, army colonel Paul Henri DAMIBA overthrew KABORE in a coup d'etat, and then in September, army captain Ibrahim TRAORE deposed DAMIBA and declared himself transition president. The transition government planned to hold elections by July 2024, but they may be delayed due to security concerns.

Terrorist groups -- including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State -- began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By early 2023, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced more than 2 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries.

 

" + "text": "Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate.

The country achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. In 1987 Blaise COMPAORE deposed the president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In 2014, COMPAORE resigned after protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition, organizing presidential and legislative elections. In 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president, and he was reelected in 2020. In 2022, the military conducted two takeovers: In January, army colonel Paul Henri DAMIBA overthrew KABORE in a coup d'etat, and then in September, army captain Ibrahim TRAORE deposed DAMIBA and declared himself transition president. The transition government planned to hold elections by July 2024, but they may be delayed due to security concerns.

Terrorist groups -- including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State -- began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By early 2023, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced more than 2 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries." } }, "Geography": { @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ "text": "none (landlocked)" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert

" + "text": "three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert" }, "Terrain": { "text": "mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast; occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south" @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)" }, "Population distribution": { - "text": "

most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third of the population lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map

(2019)" + "text": "most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map (2019)" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "recurring droughts" @@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ "text": "-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { - "text": "

most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third of the population lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map

(2019)" + "text": "most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map (2019)" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { @@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert

" + "text": "three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -641,7 +641,8 @@ "text": "5 August 1960 (from France)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community" + "text": "Republic Day, 11 December (1958)", + "note": "note: commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red stands for the country's struggle for independence, green for hope and abundance, and yellow for the country's mineral wealth", @@ -653,7 +654,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Le Ditanye\" (Anthem of Victory)" }, @@ -662,8 +663,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1974; also known as \"Une Seule Nuit\" (Only One Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1974; also known as \"Une Seule Nuit\" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1086,8 +1086,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "estimated 20,000 Armed Forces; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)", - "note": "


" + "text": "estimated 20,000 Armed Forces; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the FABF has a mix of older, secondhand, and some modern equipment from a variety of suppliers, including China, Egypt, France, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, and the US (2024)" @@ -1100,7 +1099,7 @@ "text": "note: in 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced they were forming joint force of 5,000 troops to combat extremist groups in the Sahel" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal security role and can be called out to assist internal security forces in restoring public order, combating crime, securing the border, and conducting counterterrorism/counterinsurgency operations

the FABF's primary focus is combatting militants affiliated with the al-Qa'ida and Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist groups, which have operated in the country for more than a decade and are estimated to control at least 30 percent of Burkina Faso as of 2025; Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida linked militant groups that act as al-Qa'ida in the Land of the Islamic Magreb's (AQIM) arm in the Sahel, is strongest in the north but active in nearly all of the country's 13 provinces, while ISIS in the Greater Sahara (aka ISIS-Sahel) operates in the eastern part of the country

the FABF has a history of involvement in the country’s politics, having conducted eight coups since its formation in 1960-61, including the most recent in September 2022; several combat units were disbanded in 2011 following mutinies (2025)" + "text": "the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal security role and can be called out to assist internal security forces in restoring public order, combating crime, securing the border, and conducting counterterrorism/counterinsurgency/internal defense operations

the FABF's primary focus is combatting militants affiliated with the al-Qa'ida and Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist groups, which have operated in the country for more than a decade and are estimated to control at least 30 percent of Burkina Faso as of 2025; Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida linked militant groups that act as al-Qa'ida in the Land of the Islamic Magreb's (AQIM) arm in the Sahel, is strongest in the north but active in nearly all of the country's 13 provinces, while ISIS in the Greater Sahara (aka ISIS-Sahel) operates in the eastern part of the country

the FABF has a history of involvement in the country’s politics, having conducted eight coups since its formation in 1960-61, including the most recent in September 2022; several combat units were disbanded in 2011 following mutinies (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/africa/wa.json b/africa/wa.json index 172b993c..f5011a04 100644 --- a/africa/wa.json +++ b/africa/wa.json @@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, red, green, white, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Namibia, Land of the Brave\"" }, @@ -670,8 +670,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1991" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1991" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/wz.json b/africa/wz.json index e0956cd2..41e6e32d 100644 --- a/africa/wz.json +++ b/africa/wz.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens.

In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections.  Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan.

 

 

 

" + "text": "A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens.

In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections.  Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan." } }, "Geography": { @@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the national coat of arms was adopted in 1968 after independence from the United Kingdom; two national symbols, the lion (representing the king of Eswatini) and the elephant (representing the queen mother), support a traditional Nguni shield; above the shield is the king's lidlabe, or crown of feathers, and at the bottom is Eswatini's motto, Siyinqaba, or \"We are the fortress”" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati\" (O God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)" }, @@ -665,8 +665,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/africa/za.json b/africa/za.json index 6492f39b..e4986237 100644 --- a/africa/za.json +++ b/africa/za.json @@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, red, black, orange" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Lumbanyeni Zambia\" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)" }, @@ -648,8 +648,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1964; the melody, which comes from the popular song \"God Bless Africa,\" is the same as Tanzania's anthem, but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1964; the melody, which comes from the popular song \"God Bless Africa,\" is the same as Tanzania's anthem, but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/africa/zi.json b/africa/zi.json index 3bf900cc..ada537a8 100644 --- a/africa/zi.json +++ b/africa/zi.json @@ -687,7 +687,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, red, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe\" [Northern Ndebele language] \"Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe\" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)" }, @@ -696,8 +696,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1994" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1994" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/antarctica/fs.json b/antarctica/fs.json index ef101a26..57d29e15 100644 --- a/antarctica/fs.json +++ b/antarctica/fs.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

In 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, the Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of \"Adelie Land,\" a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.

Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.

Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.

Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the East), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession, the largest island of the Crozets. Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.

Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.

Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as \"Adelie Land.\" The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.

Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.

Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.

Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.

Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.

" + "text": "In 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, the Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of \"Adelie Land,\" a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.

Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.

Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.

Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the East), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession, the largest island of the Crozets. Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.

Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.

Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as \"Adelie Land.\" The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.

Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.

Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.

Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.

Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station." } }, "Geography": { @@ -9,16 +9,16 @@ "text": "southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, \"Adelie Land\"; the US does not recognize the French claim to \"Adelie Land\"" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E;

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E;

Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E;

Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E;

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E;

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E;

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E;

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E;

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E

" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E

Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E

Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Antarctic RegionAfrica" }, "Area": { - "text": "Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km
note: excludes \"Adelie Land\" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km

note: excludes \"Adelie Land\" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, D.C.;

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, D.C.;

Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware;

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C.;

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, D.C.

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, D.C.

Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C.

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Iles Eparses: tropical

" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Iles Eparses: tropical" }, "Terrain": { "text": "

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau;

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs;

Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands;

Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with peninsulas stretching off its coasts;

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon;

Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy;

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount

" @@ -56,10 +56,10 @@ "note": "note: in the 1950's and 1960's, several species of trout were introduced to Iles Kerguelen of which two, brown trout and brook trout, survived to establish wild populations; reindeer were also introduced to Iles Kerguelen in 1956 as a source of fresh meat for whaling crews -- the herd today, one of two in the Southern Hemisphere, is estimated to number around 4,000" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs

volcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m), which has erupted many times in recent years including 2010, 2015, and 2017, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare, eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities

" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Éparses are subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard because it is under water for three hours before and after high tide

volcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m), which has erupted many times in recent years, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare, eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities" }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "

islands are widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean

Bassas da India (Iles Éparses): atoll is a circular reef atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano

Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Éparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles

Glorioso Island (Iles Éparses): islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system

Tromelin Island (Iles Éparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

" + "text": "islands are widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean

Bassas da India (Iles Éparses): atoll is a circular reef on top of a long-extinct, submerged volcano

Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Éparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles

Glorioso Island (Iles Éparses): an extensive reef system surrounds the island

Tromelin Island (Iles Éparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ "text": "problems from introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Iles Eparses: tropical

" + "text": "Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Iles Eparses: tropical" } }, "Government": { @@ -130,17 +130,16 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "the flag of France is used" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French territory" - }, - "note": "note: \"La Marseillaise\" is the official anthem for the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, as a territory of France (see France)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/aq.json b/australia-oceania/aq.json index c0725f92..7bcd2e59 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/aq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/aq.json @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ "text": "0 sq km (2022)" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

cyclones common from December to March

volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century

" + "text": "cyclones common from December to March

volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean" @@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ } }, "Citizenship": { - "text": "see United States
Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens" + "text": "see United States
note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens" }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" @@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -435,8 +435,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a US territory" - }, - "note": "note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" is the official anthem (see United States)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/as.json b/australia-oceania/as.json index f9250cc2..557468b2 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/as.json +++ b/australia-oceania/as.json @@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ "note": "note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states" + "text": "slightly smaller than the 48 contiguous US states" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ "text": "population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the states and territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or \"outback,\" has a very sparse population" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires

volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands

" + "text": "cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires

volcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "note 1: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders

note 2: the Great Dividing Range that runs along eastern Australia is that continent’s longest mountain range and the third-longest land-based range in the world; the term \"Great Dividing Range\" refers to the fact that the mountains form a watershed crest from which all of the rivers of eastern Australia flow – east, west, north, and south

note 3: Australia is the only continent without glaciers; it is the driest inhabited continent on earth; Perth on the west coast is home to the invigorating sea breeze known as the \"Fremantle Doctor,\" one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia hosts 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world" @@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "King George V of the United Kingdom granted the current Commonwealth Coat of Arms to Australia on 19 September 1912; the center of the shield has the symbols of Australia’s six states; the kangaroo and the emu symbolize a nation moving forward, since neither animal can move backward easily; the gold Commonwealth star sits above the shield, with six points representing the Australian states and the seventh representing the territories; the gold and blue in the wreath under the star are the livery, or identifying, colors for the coat of arms; Australia’s floral emblem, the golden wattle, frames the shield" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/at.json b/australia-oceania/at.json index 1937e6df..408a73e4 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/at.json +++ b/australia-oceania/at.json @@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "12 25 S, 123 20 E", - "note": "note - Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E" + "note": "note: Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Southeast Asia" diff --git a/australia-oceania/bp.json b/australia-oceania/bp.json index 44faaf9c..ba88e1e2 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/bp.json +++ b/australia-oceania/bp.json @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ "text": "most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these about two thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis

volcanism: Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal

" + "text": "tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis

volcanism: Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, and an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; Rennell Island, the southernmost in the Solomon Islands chain, is one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls; the island’s Lake Tegano, formerly a lagoon on the atoll, is the largest lake in the insular Pacific (15,500 hectares; 38,300 acres)" @@ -545,8 +545,8 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Democratic Alliance Party or DAP 
Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KAD 
Ownership, Unity, and Responsibility Party (OUR Party) 
People First Party or PFP 
Solomon Islands Democratic Party or SIDP 
Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA 
Solomon Islands United Party or SIUP 
United for Change Party or U4C
 
Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) is comprised of DAP, SIDP, and U4C", - "note": "note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions" + "text": "Democratic Alliance Party or DAP 
Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KAD 
Ownership, Unity, and Responsibility Party (OUR Party) 
People First Party or PFP 
Solomon Islands Democratic Party or SIDP 
Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA 
Solomon Islands United Party or SIUP 
United for Change Party or U4C
Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) (includes DAP, SIDP, and U4C)", + "note": "note: Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -597,7 +597,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save Our Solomon Islands\"" }, @@ -606,8 +606,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1978" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1978" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/ck.json b/australia-oceania/ck.json index 063642a8..fe80d1a3 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ck.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ck.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

British sea captain William KEELING discovered the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named for their coconut trees in 1622. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired CLUNIES-ROSS's brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands, and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978.

The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, when they were officially named the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992.

" + "text": "British sea captain William KEELING discovered the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named for their coconut trees in 1622. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired CLUNIES-ROSS's brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands, and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978.

The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, when they were officially named the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992." } }, "Geography": { @@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "the flag of Australia is used" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -288,8 +288,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as an Australian territory" - }, - "note": "note: because the islands are a territory of Australia, \"Advance Australia Fair\" is the national anthem, and \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/cq.json b/australia-oceania/cq.json index 024e7f9b..461115cf 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cq.json @@ -378,17 +378,18 @@ "text": "see United States" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025)" }, "head of government": { - "text": "Governor Arnold PALACIOS (since 9 January 2023)" + "text": "Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025)" }, "cabinet": { - "text": "Cabinet appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate" + "text": "Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025" }, "election/appointment process": { "text": "president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed" @@ -444,7 +445,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -453,8 +454,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a US commonwealth" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as \"Satil Matawal Pacifico;\" in addition to the local anthem, \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" is the official anthem for the islands, as a US commonwealth (see United States)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/cr.json b/australia-oceania/cr.json index 52af9a31..008ca9e8 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cr.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The widely scattered Coral Sea Islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969, and the boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within national marine nature reserves.

 

" + "text": "The widely scattered Coral Sea Islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969, and the boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within national marine nature reserves." } }, "Geography": { @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, - "note": "note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important" + "note": "note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi), with the Willis Islets the most important" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C." diff --git a/australia-oceania/cw.json b/australia-oceania/cw.json index 377be5e1..5001b4d1 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/cw.json +++ b/australia-oceania/cw.json @@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Te Atua Mou E\" (To God Almighty)" }, @@ -549,9 +549,8 @@ "text": "Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS" }, "history": { - "text": "adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki, who was a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki, who was a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics" + "text": "adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki, his wife and a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/fj.json b/australia-oceania/fj.json index cff285ec..348467bd 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fj.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fj.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. The first European spotted Fiji in 1643 and by the 1800s, European merchants, missionaries, traders, and whalers frequented the islands. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak, however, and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874.

The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After two coups in 1987, a new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Josaia Voreqe \"Frank\" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin.

" + "text": "Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. The first European spotted Fiji in 1643 and by the 1800s, European merchants, missionaries, traders, and whalers frequented the islands. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak, however, and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874.

The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After two coups in 1987, a new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Josaia Voreqe \"Frank\" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin." } }, "Geography": { @@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "light blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Bless Fiji\"" }, @@ -642,8 +642,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1970; known in Fijian as \"Meda Dau Doka\" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, \"Dwelling in Beulah Land,\" the anthem's English lyrics are usually used, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1970; known in Fijian as \"Meda Dau Doka\" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, \"Dwelling in Beulah Land,\" the anthem's English lyrics are usually used, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/fm.json b/australia-oceania/fm.json index 12ca55eb..876c917f 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fm.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fm.json @@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "light blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Patriots of Micronesia\"" }, @@ -579,8 +579,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1991; also known as \"Across All Micronesia;\" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song \"Ich hab mich ergeben,\" which was the West German national anthem from 1949 to 1950" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1991; also known as \"Across All Micronesia;\" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song \"Ich hab mich ergeben,\" which was the West German national anthem from 1949 to 1950" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/fp.json b/australia-oceania/fp.json index b36d0546..a1fbd501 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/fp.json +++ b/australia-oceania/fp.json @@ -477,7 +477,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas land of France)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note 1: the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)

note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two red horizontal bands flank a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue-and-white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold-and-white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a Polynesian canoe on the disk has a crew of five, represented by five stars that also symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors", @@ -489,17 +490,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; \"La Marseillaise\" is the official anthem for French Polynesia, as a territory of France (see France)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/gq.json b/australia-oceania/gq.json index 2b56c1dd..cd8de233 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/gq.json +++ b/australia-oceania/gq.json @@ -380,7 +380,8 @@ "text": "see United States" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -480,7 +481,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "deep blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -489,8 +490,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a US territory; usually played after \"Stand, Ye Guamanians\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as \"Guam Hymn;\" because of Guam's status as a US territory, \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" is the official anthem and is usually played after \"Stand, Ye Guamanians\" (see United States)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/kr.json b/australia-oceania/kr.json index 80af6e14..d2c91ea2 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/kr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/kr.json @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, - "note": "note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands - dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)" + "note": "note: includes three island groups -- Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands -- dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "four times the size of Washington, D.C." @@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Teirake kaini Kiribati\" (Stand Up, Kiribati)" }, @@ -622,8 +622,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1979" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1979" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/kt.json b/australia-oceania/kt.json index f5eff25d..57a26988 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/kt.json +++ b/australia-oceania/kt.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Although Europeans sighted Christmas Island in 1615, it was named for the day of its rediscovery in 1643. Steep cliffs and dense jungle hampered attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries. The discovery of phosphate on the island in 1887 led to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, 200 Chinese indentured servants were brought in to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore.

Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the company mining the phosphate, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million to compensate for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns, and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.

In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island, and the migrants claimed refugee status because they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island to be outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was closed in 2018 but then reopened in 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China.

" + "text": "Although Europeans sighted Christmas Island in 1615, it was named for the day of its rediscovery in 1643. Steep cliffs and dense jungle hampered attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries. The discovery of phosphate on the island in 1887 led to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, 200 Chinese indentured servants were brought in to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore.

Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the company mining the phosphate, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million to compensate for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns, and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it.

In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island, and the migrants claimed refugee status because they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island to be outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was closed in 2018 but then reopened in 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China." } }, "Geography": { @@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ "National symbol(s)": { "text": "golden bosun bird" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -291,8 +291,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as an Australian territory" - }, - "note": "note: because the island is a territory of Australia, \"Advance Australia Fair\" is the national anthem, and \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nc.json b/australia-oceania/nc.json index 6fa57c77..b2573d74 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nc.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nc.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ "text": "most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

cyclones, most frequent from November to March

volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active

" + "text": "cyclones, most frequent from November to March

volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyauté, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls" @@ -474,7 +474,8 @@ "note": "note: in three independence referenda, on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021, the majority voted to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note 1: the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)

note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two official flags: the flag of France and the Kanak (ethnic Melanesian) flag have equal status; the latter consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side is edged in black and displays a black fleche faîtière symbol, a native rooftop adornment" @@ -485,17 +486,19 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "grey, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National coat of arms": { + "text": "the emblem features two symbols of the local Kanak people: the flèche faîtière, which is a common rooftop adornment on houses, and the nautilus shell, which represents the sea; the third part of the emblem is a stylized representation of a New Caledonia pine tree" + }, + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a self-governing French territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (a local language); in addition to the local anthem, \"La Marseillaise\" is the official anthem for New Caledonia, as a self-governing territory of France (see France)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/ne.json b/australia-oceania/ne.json index 60cb5b3b..f8cf3640 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ne.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ne.json @@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ko e Iki he Lagi\" (The Lord in Heaven)" }, @@ -422,8 +422,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1974" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1974" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nf.json b/australia-oceania/nf.json index a094284d..6c16acd6 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nf.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nf.json @@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Norfolk Island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1980, Queen Elizabeth II granted it a separate coat of arms (pictured); in the center is the island’s symbol, the Norfolk Island Pine, with Britain’s lion and Australia’s kangaroo supporting the shield; the island’s motto, “Inasmuch,” comes from a verse in the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -310,8 +310,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as an Australian overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: the local anthem, whose lyrics come from the Bible's Book of Matthew (25:34-36, 40), is also known as \"The Pitcairn Anthem;\" the island does not recognize \"Advance Australia Fair,\" Australia's national anthem that is used in other Australian territories; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nh.json b/australia-oceania/nh.json index 65e9c91f..23294dee 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nh.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nh.json @@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ "text": "three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head

" + "text": "tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic activity; volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes, including several underwater volcanoes" @@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black, green, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Yumi, Yumi, Yumi\" (We, We, We)" }, @@ -615,8 +615,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nr.json b/australia-oceania/nr.json index 4db718eb..b727d6e9 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nr.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nr.json @@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nauru Bwiema\" (Song of Nauru)" }, @@ -571,8 +571,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1968" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1968" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/nz.json b/australia-oceania/nz.json index 8386f1c9..39b53adc 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/nz.json +++ b/australia-oceania/nz.json @@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ "text": "over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity

volcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity

volcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m) has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanism

note 2: New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: almost 90% of the population lives in cities and over three-quarters on North Island; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world

" @@ -628,7 +628,8 @@ "text": "26 September 1907 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); Anzac Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)" + "text": "Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840); Anzac Day, 25 April (1915)", + "note": "note: the Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand, and the second holiday commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I" }, "Flag description": { "text": "blue with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant, with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation" @@ -642,7 +643,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the first quarter of the shield shows four stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation and three ships that symbolize New Zealand's sea trade; in the second quarter, a fleece represents the sheep farming industry; the wheat sheaf in the third quarter represents the agricultural industry; the crossed hammers in the fourth quarter represent mining; the Māori chieftain holds a taiaha (a Māori war weapon) and a European woman holds the New Zealand flag; St. Edward's crown, shown above the shield, symbolizes the British monarch" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, diff --git a/australia-oceania/pc.json b/australia-oceania/pc.json index a90106a7..731ce486 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/pc.json +++ b/australia-oceania/pc.json @@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ "text": "see United Kingdom" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal with three years residency" + "text": "18 years of age; universal with three years of residency" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "blue with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean; the green field features a yellow anchor with a Bible over it (both were found on the HMS Bounty); a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow is on the crest, with a flowering twig of miro (a local plant)" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -284,8 +284,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for the islands, as a UK overseas territory (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/ps.json b/australia-oceania/ps.json index c8728b80..fcded977 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ps.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ps.json @@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ "text": "1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)" + "text": "Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility" @@ -633,7 +633,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Belau rekid\" (Our Palau)" }, @@ -642,8 +642,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1980" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1980" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/rm.json b/australia-oceania/rm.json index d54b1cd3..ce6c94be 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/rm.json +++ b/australia-oceania/rm.json @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, - "note": "note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik" + "note": "note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km (4,507 sq mi) of lagoon and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "about the size of Washington, D.C." @@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, orange" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Forever Marshall Islands\"" }, @@ -620,8 +620,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1981" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1981" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/tl.json b/australia-oceania/tl.json index 9b2132db..8b54bffc 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tl.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tl.json @@ -348,7 +348,8 @@ "text": "none (territory of New Zealand)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)" + "text": "Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840)", + "note": "note: Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand" }, "Flag description": { "text": "a yellow stylized Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward the Southern Cross constellation with four white five-pointed stars at the hoist side; the stars represent the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture; the stars and canoe together symbolize the country navigating into the future; yellow stands for happiness and peace, and blue for the ocean" @@ -359,7 +360,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -368,8 +369,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2008; national contest was held to choose an anthem; as a territory of New Zealand, in addition to \"God Defend New Zealand,\" \"God Save the King\" serves as a royal anthem (see United Kingdom); \"God Save the King\" normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, \"God Defend New Zealand\" is played (see New Zealand)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/tn.json b/australia-oceania/tn.json index 6f494b7c..96551cf6 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tn.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tn.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "over two thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua

" + "text": "cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou

volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has had frequent activity in recent years, and Niuafo'ou (260 m) has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand" @@ -612,7 +612,8 @@ "text": "4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)" + "text": "Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959)", + "note": "note: actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red with a red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross stands for Christianity in Tonga, red for Christ's blood and sacrifice, and white for purity" @@ -623,7 +624,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ko e fasi 'o e tu'i 'o e 'Otu Tonga\" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)" }, @@ -632,8 +633,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "in use since 1875; more commonly known as \"Fasi Fakafonua\" (National Song)" - }, - "note": "note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as \"Fasi Fakafonua\" (National Song)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/tv.json b/australia-oceania/tv.json index 94ca18f6..1a5134b9 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/tv.json +++ b/australia-oceania/tv.json @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "0.1 times the size of Washington, D.C." + "text": "about the size of Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "there are no political parties, but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings" + "text": "note: no political parties, but members of parliament usually align in informal groupings" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "light blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Tuvalu mo te Atua\" (Tuvalu for the Almighty)" }, @@ -605,8 +605,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/um.json b/australia-oceania/um.json index 1b43f0db..0a2d30de 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/um.json +++ b/australia-oceania/um.json @@ -6,10 +6,10 @@ }, "Geography": { "Location": { - "text": "

Oceania

Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia;

Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia;

Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands;

Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands;

Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa;

Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo;

Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa

" + "text": "Oceania

Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia;

Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia;

Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands;

Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands;

Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa;

Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo;

Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W;

Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W;

Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W;

Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W;

Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W;

Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W;

Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W

" + "text": "Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W

Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W

Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W

Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W

Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W

Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W

Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W" }, "Map references": { "text": "Oceania" @@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ "land": { "text": "6,959.41 sq km (emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km)" }, - "note": "Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km
Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km
Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km
Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km
Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km
Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km
Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km" + "note": "Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km

Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km

Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km

Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km

Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km

Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km

Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "

Baker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

" + "text": "Baker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C.;

Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter

Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year

" + "text": "Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter

Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year" }, "Terrain": { "text": "low and nearly flat sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor" @@ -62,10 +62,10 @@ } }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard;

Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard;

Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA

" + "text": "Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef around the island poses a maritime hazard

Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time; maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes the reef a maritime hazard" }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public

Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands that have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km (21 mi) in circumference; closed to the public

Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife observation and photography

Palmyra Atoll: high rainfall and lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest

" + "text": "Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public

Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands that have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km (21 mi) in circumference; closed to the public

Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public

Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife observation and photography

Palmyra Atoll: high rainfall and lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -75,10 +75,10 @@ }, "Environment": { "Environmental issues": { - "text": "

Baker Island: no natural freshwater resources

Howland Island: no natural freshwater resources

Jarvis Island: no natural freshwater resources

Johnston Atoll: no natural freshwater resources; invasion of non-native species

Midway Islands:  pollution from plastic; predominantly non-native plant species 

Kingman Reef: none

Palmyra Atoll: none

" + "text": "Baker Island: no natural freshwater resources

Howland Island: no natural freshwater resources

Jarvis Island: no natural freshwater resources

Johnston Atoll: no natural freshwater resources; invasion of non-native species

Midway Islands: pollution from plastic; predominantly non-native plant species 

Kingman Reef: none

Palmyra Atoll: none" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter

Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year

" + "text": "Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation

Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter

Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year" }, "Land use": { "other": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/wf.json b/australia-oceania/wf.json index 6d581f3e..ee59dcbe 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/wf.json +++ b/australia-oceania/wf.json @@ -448,17 +448,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French territory" - }, - "note": "note: as a territory of France, \"La Marseillaise\" is official (see France)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/australia-oceania/ws.json b/australia-oceania/ws.json index 41107673..af2d78ea 100644 --- a/australia-oceania/ws.json +++ b/australia-oceania/ws.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "about three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

occasional cyclones; active volcanism

volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active

" + "text": "occasional cyclones; active volcanism

volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m) is historically active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "occupies an almost central position within Polynesia" @@ -613,7 +613,8 @@ "text": "1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June" + "text": "Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962)", + "note": "note: 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white, five-pointed stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation; red stands for courage, blue for freedom, and white for purity", @@ -625,7 +626,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa\" (The Banner of Freedom)" }, @@ -634,8 +635,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962; also known as \"Samoa Tula'i\" (Samoa Arise)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962; also known as \"Samoa Tula'i\" (Samoa Arise)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json index 7cf8301b..76c16d1c 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/aa.json @@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Het Wilhelmus\"" }, @@ -509,8 +509,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands" - }, - "note": "note: local anthem adopted 1986; in addition to the local anthem, \"Het Wilhelmus\" is the official anthem for Aruba as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (see Netherlands)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json index 9df1eb2f..f956ea42 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ac.json @@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue, black, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -594,8 +594,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1967; in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem for the Commonwealth country (see United Kingdom)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json index 8ce5cfcc..7a8ec792 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/av.json @@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the Anguillan coat of arms features three interlocking dolphins jumping out of seawater; they represent endurance, unity, and strength, and their circular motion stands for continuity; the white background symbolizes peace and tranquility, and the turquoise-blue base represents the sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -457,8 +457,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as an overseas UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: local anthem adopted 1981; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for Anguilla as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json index a8c8bc37..ecebe248 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bb.json @@ -620,7 +620,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The National Anthem of Barbados\"" }, @@ -629,8 +629,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as \"In Plenty and In Time of Need\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as \"In Plenty and In Time of Need\"" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json index 5405b311..e814aeb0 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bf.json @@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ "note": "note: The Bahamas is a member of the 15-member Caribbean Community but is not party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as its highest appellate court; the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Coalition of Independents Party or COI
Democratic National Alliance or DNA
Free National Movement or FNM
Progressive Liberal Party or PLP

" + "text": "Coalition of Independents Party or COI
Democratic National Alliance or DNA
Free National Movement or FNM
Progressive Liberal Party or PLP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the motto on the Bahamas coat of arms is “Forward, Upward, Onward Together;” the flamingo and marlin supporting the shield are national animals that represent respectively the land and sea; the pink conch shell symbolizes the marine life of the islands, and the green palm fronds represent the natural vegetation; the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus’s flagship, also appears; the sun signifies the world-famous climate and the bright future of the islands" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -601,8 +601,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1973; in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem for the Commonwealth country (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json index 7ba580f0..0360d645 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/bh.json @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -679,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1981; in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem for the Commonwealth country (see United Kingdom)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json index 9bd18c6b..cb657c44 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cj.json @@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the Queen of England approved the Cayman Islands' coat of arms -- which was designed with input from the public -- in 1958; the shield features the lion of England and three green stars that symbolize the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman; the green turtle stands for the islands’ seafaring history, the rope under it for the thatch-rope industry, and the pineapple for historical ties with Jamaica; the motto comes from Psalms 24, acknowledging the Caymans’ Christian heritage" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -472,8 +472,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as an overseas UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; in addition to the local anthem, \"God Save the King\" is the  official anthem for the Caymans, as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json index 281488e1..251f1992 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cs.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance from Indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two-and-a-half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica was one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence.

Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. General Federico TINOCO Granados led a coup in 1917, but the threat of US intervention pushed him to resign in 1919. In 1948, landowner Jose FIGUERES Ferrer raised his own army and rebelled against the government. The brief civil war ended with an agreement to allow FIGUERES to remain in power for 18 months, then step down in favor of the previously elected Otilio ULATE. FIGUERES was later elected twice in his own right, in 1953 and 1970.

Costa Rica experienced destabilizing waves of refugees from Central American civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s, but peace in the region has since helped the economy rebound.  Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.

 

" + "text": "Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance from Indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two-and-a-half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica was one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence.

Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. General Federico TINOCO Granados led a coup in 1917, but the threat of US intervention pushed him to resign in 1919. In 1948, landowner Jose FIGUERES Ferrer raised his own army and rebelled against the government. The brief civil war ended with an agreement to allow FIGUERES to remain in power for 18 months, then step down in favor of the previously elected Otilio ULATE. FIGUERES was later elected twice in his own right, in 1953 and 1970.

Costa Rica experienced destabilizing waves of refugees from Central American civil wars in the 1970s and 1980s, but peace in the region has since helped the economy rebound.  Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries." } }, "Geography": { @@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ "text": "roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one fifth of the population" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes

volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba

" + "text": "occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes

volcanism: Arenal (1,670 m) is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city, as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65" @@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA
Citizen Action Party or PAC
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC
Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP
Libertarian Movement Party or ML
National Integration Party or PIN
National Liberation Party or PLN
National Restoration Party or PRN
New Generation or PNG
New Republic Party or PNR
Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD

" + "text": "Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA
Citizen Action Party or PAC
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC
Here Costa Rica Commands Party or ACRM
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP
Libertarian Movement Party or ML
National Integration Party or PIN
National Liberation Party or PLN
National Restoration Party or PRN
New Generation or PNG
New Republic Party or PNR
Social Christian Republican Party or PRSC
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC of UNIDAD
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the Costa Rican coat of arms highlights the country’s natural beauty and history; three volcanoes, each topped with a white cloud, are surrounded with water, symbolizing the seaports of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; the rising sun in the background stands for the birth of a new nation, and the seven white stars for the country's provinces; the two merchant ships carrying Costa Rica’s flag are a reminder of the maritime trade that shaped the country's history" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica\" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)" }, @@ -660,8 +660,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1949; the music was originally written for a welcome ceremony in 1853 for the US and UK diplomatic missions; the lyrics were added in 1903" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1949; the music was originally written for a welcome ceremony in 1853 for the US and UK diplomatic missions; the lyrics were added in 1903" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json index 368f6fca..b0e06d3a 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/cu.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the arrival of Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492, as the country was developed as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement, and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898, and after three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902.

Cuba then experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He handed off the presidency to his younger brother Raul CASTRO in 2008. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez, hand-picked by Raul CASTRO to succeed him, was approved as president by the National Assembly and took office in 2018. DIAZ-CANEL was appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party in 2021 after the retirement of Raul CASTRO and continues to serve as both president and first secretary.

Cuba traditionally and consistently portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its socioeconomic difficulties. As a result of efforts begun in 2014 to reestablish diplomatic relations, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries in 2015. The embargo remains in place, however, and the relationship between the US and Cuba remains tense. Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. In 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called \"wet-foot, dry-foot\" policy, by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay. Irregular Cuban maritime migration has dropped significantly since 2016, when migrant interdictions at sea topped 5,000, but land border crossings continue. 

" + "text": "The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the arrival of Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492, as the country was developed as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement, and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898, and after three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902.

Cuba then experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He handed off the presidency to his younger brother Raul CASTRO in 2008. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez, hand-picked by Raul CASTRO to succeed him, was approved as president by the National Assembly and took office in 2018. DIAZ-CANEL was appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party in 2021 after the retirement of Raul CASTRO and continues to serve as both president and first secretary.

Cuba traditionally and consistently portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its socioeconomic difficulties. As a result of efforts begun in 2014 to reestablish diplomatic relations, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries in 2015. The embargo remains in place, however, and the relationship between the US and Cuba remains tense. Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. In 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called \"wet-foot, dry-foot\" policy, by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay. Irregular Cuban maritime migration has dropped significantly since 2016, when migrant interdictions at sea topped 5,000, but land border crossings continue. 

" } }, "Geography": { @@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Bayamesa\" (The Bayamo Song)" }, @@ -673,8 +673,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed it in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just before being shot, he is said to have shouted, \"Morir por la Patria es vivir\" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed it in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just before being shot, he is said to have shouted, \"Morir por la Patria es vivir\" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json index 1db233e4..2e3dbd1a 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/do.json @@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ "text": "population is mostly clustered along the coast, with roughly a third living in the parish of St. George, in or around the capital of Roseau; the volcanic interior is sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months

volcanism: Dominica was the last island to be formed in the Caribbean some 26 million years ago, it lies in the middle of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from the island of Saba in the north to Grenada in the south; of the 16 volcanoes that make up this arc, five are located on Dominica, more than any other island in the Caribbean: Morne aux Diables (861 m), Morne Diablotins (1,430 m), Morne Trois Pitons (1,387 m), Watt Mountain (1,224 m), which last erupted in 1997, and Morne Plat Pays (940 m); the two best known volcanic features on Dominica, the Valley of Desolation and the Boiling Lake thermal areas, lie on the flanks of Watt Mountain and both are popular tourist destinations

" + "text": "flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months

volcanism: Dominica lies in the middle of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from the island of Saba in the north to Grenada in the south; of the 16 volcanoes that make up this arc, five are located on Dominica, more than any other island in the Caribbean: Morne aux Diables (861 m), Morne Diablotins (1,430 m), Morne Trois Pitons (1,387 m), Watt Mountain (1,224 m), which last erupted in 1997, and Morne Plat Pays (940 m); the two best-known volcanic features on Dominica, the Valley of Desolation and the Boiling Lake thermal areas, lie on the flanks of Watt Mountain, and both are popular tourist destinations" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "known as \"The Nature Island of the Caribbean\" due to its lush and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest thermally active lake in the world" @@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, black, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Isle of Beauty\"" }, @@ -554,8 +554,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1967" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1967" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json index 0bad08c3..f08e6aaf 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/dr.json @@ -544,7 +544,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote" + "text": "18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons can vote, regardless of age ", + "note": "note: members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -705,7 +706,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional\" (National Anthem)" }, @@ -713,9 +714,8 @@ "text": "Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES" }, "history": { - "text": "adopted 1934; also known as \"Quisqueyanos valientes\" (Valiant Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem refers to the Dominican people as \"Quisqueyanos,\" which comes from the ethnic name for the island" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1934; also known as \"Quisqueyanos valientes\" (Valiant Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem refers to the Dominican people as \"Quisqueyanos,\" which comes from the ethnic name for the island" + "text": "adopted 1934; also known as \"Quisqueyanos valientes\" (Valiant Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem refers to the Dominican people as Quisqueyanos, which comes from the ethnic name for the island" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json index 51f2f844..c7f300f2 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/es.json @@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ "text": "high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana

" + "text": "known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m) is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea" @@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de El Salvador\" (National Anthem of El Salvador)" }, @@ -662,8 +662,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at four minutes and 20 seconds, the anthem is one of the world's longest" - }, - "note": "note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at four minutes and 20 seconds, the anthem is one of the world's longest" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json index 71759d43..79a99c25 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/gj.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ "text": "approximately one third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the north

" + "text": "lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

volcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) is on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km (5 mi) north of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends to the Dutch dependency of Saba in the north" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -605,7 +605,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Grenada’s coat of arms shows Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake on the volcano that formed Grenada; in the center of the shield is Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, which landed on the island in 1498; the gold cross dividing the shield, the two Madonna lilies, and the national motto signal the importance of religion; two lions symbolize past UK rule (1762-1974), as well as Grenada’s current status as a Commonwealth country; the corn stalk and banana plant represent agriculture; the armadillo and Grenada dove next to the shield are native to the island, and the roses in the bougainvillea flower garland represent Grenada’s seven communities" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -614,8 +614,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1974; in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem for the Commonwealth country (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json index e21c5e51..6047cf17 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/gt.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ "text": "the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms

volcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms

volcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m) is one of the country's most active volcanoes, with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean), there are no natural harbors on the west coast

note 2: Guatemala is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

" @@ -534,7 +534,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: active-duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -669,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de Guatemala\" (National Anthem of Guatemala)" }, @@ -678,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json index dcd1a656..8a4f2f7d 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ha.json @@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ "note": "note: the Superior Council of the Judiciary or Conseil Supérieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire is a 9-member body charged with the administration and oversight of the judicial branch of government

note: Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court (called for in the 1987 constitution but not yet established), and the High Court of Justice, for trying high government officials (currently not functional)

note: Article 174 of Haiti's constitution states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for 10 years, whereas Article 177 states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for life" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation (Ligue Alternative pour le Progres et l’Emancipation Haitienne) or LAPEH
Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MCNH or Mochrenha
Christian National Movement for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH
Combat of Peasant Workers to Liberate Haiti (Konbit Travaye Peyizan Pou Libere Ayiti) or Kontra Pep La
Convention for Democratic Unity or KID
Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA
December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm
Democratic Alliance Party or ALYANS (coalition includes KID and PPRH)
Democratic Centers' National Council or CONACED
Democratic and Popular Sector (Secteur Democratique et Populaire) or SDP
Democratic Unity Convention (Konvansyon Inite Demokratik) or KID
Dessalinian Patriotic and Popular Movement or MOPOD
Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP
Fanmi Lavalas or FL
Forward (En Avant)
Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats (Fusion Des Sociaux-Démocrates Haïtiens) or FHSD
G18 Policy Platform (Plateforme Politique G18)
Haiti in Action (Ayiti An Aksyon Haiti's Action) or AAA
Haitian Tet Kale Party (Parti Haitien Tet Kale) or PHTK
Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN
Lavni Organization or LAVNI
Lod Demokratik
Love Haiti (Renmen Ayiti) or RA
MTV Ayiti
National Consortium of Haitian Political Parties (Consortium National des Partis Politiques Haitiens) or CNPPH
National Shield Network (Reseau Bouclier National)
Organization of the People's Struggle (Oganizasyon Pep Kap Lite) or OPL
Patriotic Unity (Inite Patriyotik) or Inite
Platform Pitit Desalin (Politik Pitit Dessalines) or PPD
Political Party for Us All or Bridge (Pont) or Pou Nou Tout
Popular Patriotic Dessalinien Movement (Mouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien) or MOPOD
Rally of Progressive National Democrats (Rassemblement des Democrates Nationaux Progressistes) or RDNP
Respe (Respect)
Women and Families Political Parties (Defile Pati Politik Fanm Ak Fanmi)" + "text": "Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation (Ligue Alternative pour le Progrès et l’Emancipation Haïtienne) or LAPEH
Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MCNH or Mochrenha
Christian National Movement for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH
Combat of Peasant Workers to Liberate Haiti (Konbit Travaye Peyizan Pou Libere Ayiti) or Kontra Pep La
Convention for Democratic Unity or KID
Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA
December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm
Democratic Alliance Party or ALYANS (coalition includes KID and PPRH)
Democratic Centers' National Council or CONACED
Democratic and Popular Sector (Secteur Démocratique et Populaire) or SDP
Democratic Unity Convention (Konvansyon Inite Demokratik) or KID
Dessalinian Patriotic and Popular Movement or MOPOD
Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP
Fanmi Lavalas or FL
Forward (En Avant)
Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats (Fusion Des Sociaux-Démocrates Haïtiens) or FHSD
G18 Policy Platform (Plateforme Politique G18)
Haiti in Action (Ayiti An Aksyon Haiti's Action) or AAA
Haitian Tet Kale Party (Parti Haitien Tet Kale) or PHTK
Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN
Lavni Organization or LAVNI
Lod Demokratik
Love Haiti (Renmen Ayiti) or RA
MTV Ayiti
National Consortium of Haitian Political Parties (Consortium National des Partis Politiques Haitiens) or CNPPH
National Shield Network (Reseau Bouclier National)
Organization of the People's Struggle (Oganizasyon Pep Kap Lite) or OPL
Patriotic Unity (Inite Patriyotik) or Inite
Platform Pitit Desalin (Politik Pitit Dessalines) or PPD
Political Party for Us All or Bridge (Pont) or Pou Nou Tout
Popular Patriotic Dessalinien Movement (Mouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien) or MOPOD
Rally of Progressive National Democrats (Rassemblement des Démocrates Nationaux Progressistes) or RDNP
Respe (Respect)
Women and Families Political Parties (Defile Pati Politik Fanm Ak Fanmi)" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Dessalinienne\" (The Dessalines Song)" }, @@ -697,8 +697,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of independent Haiti" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of independent Haiti" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1107,7 +1106,7 @@ "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 (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 ef6a2935..ca1f4b04 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/ho.json @@ -669,7 +669,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de Honduras\" (National Anthem of Honduras)" }, @@ -678,8 +678,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json index 106f51f6..97e42fa0 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/jm.json @@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ "note": "note: appeals beyond Jamaica's highest courts are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) rather than to the Caribbean Court of Justice (the appellate court for member states of the Caribbean Community)" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Jamaica Labor Party or JLP
Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP
People's National Party or PNP
United Independents' Congress or UIC

" + "text": "Jamaica Labor Party or JLP
Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP
People's National Party or PNP
United Independents' Congress or UIC" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Jamaica, Land We Love\"" }, @@ -655,8 +655,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json index eba18bb6..09a5a160 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/mh.json @@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ "text": "only the northern half of the island is populated; the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November)

volcanism: Soufriere Hills volcano (915 m), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

" + "text": "volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November)

volcanism: Soufrière Hills volcano (915 m) has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and made about half of the island uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the island is entirely volcanic in origin and composed of three major volcanic centers of differing ages" @@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "blue with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the arms show a woman in a green dress (Erin, the female personification of Ireland) standing beside a yellow harp (a symbol of Ireland) and embracing a large dark cross with her right arm; blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -469,8 +469,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem of Monserrat, as a UK territory (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json index 2494291c..8550b9c3 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/nn.json @@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ }, "Geography": { "Location": { - "text": "

Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands

" + "text": "Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

18 4 N, 63 4 W

" + "text": "18 4 N, 63 4 W" }, "Map references": { - "text": "

Central America and the Caribbean

" + "text": "Central America and the Caribbean" }, "Area": { "total ": { @@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ "note": "note: Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "

one-fifth the size of Washington, D.C.

" + "text": "one-fifth the size of Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November

" + "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November" }, "Terrain": { "text": "

low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin

" @@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ } }, "Natural resources": { - "text": "

fish, salt

" + "text": "fish, salt" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -80,10 +80,10 @@ "text": "the most populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg) and Cul de Sac" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

subject to hurricanes from July to November

" + "text": "subject to hurricanes from July to November" }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "

note 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two self-governing states

note 2: Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared by both entities

" + "text": "note 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world that is shared by two self-governing states

note 2: Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka, Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -260,10 +260,10 @@ }, "Environment": { "Environmental issues": { - "text": "

scarcity of potable water; inadequate solid waste management; pollution from construction, chemical runoff, and sewage 

" + "text": "scarcity of potable water; inadequate solid waste management; pollution from construction, chemical runoff, and sewage" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November

" + "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ "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" }, "Legal system": { - "text": "

based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence

" + "text": "based on Dutch civil law system with some English common law influence" }, "Constitution": { "history": { @@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ "text": "see the Netherlands" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "

18 years of age; universal

" + "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -416,13 +416,14 @@ } }, "International organization participation": { - "text": "

Caricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO

" + "text": "Caricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO" }, "Independence": { - "text": "

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

" + "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "

King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday Sint Maarten's Day, 11 November (1985), commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; celebrated on both halves of the island

" + "text": "King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)", + "note": "note: observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday; local holiday is Sint Maarten's Day, 11 November (1985), and is celebrated on both halves of the island" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and blue, with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays the national coat of arms with an orange-bordered blue shield that prominently displays the white courthouse in Philipsburg, as well as yellow sage (the national flower) in the upper left and the silhouette of a Dutch-French friendship monument in the upper right; over the shield is a yellow rising sun and a brown pelican in flight; a yellow scroll below the shield has the motto SEMPER PROGREDIENS (Always Progressing)", @@ -434,7 +435,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Het Wilhelmus\"" }, @@ -443,8 +444,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands" - }, - "note": "note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, \"La Marseillaise\" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, \"Het Wilhelmus\" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json index 5e021720..61eb3e40 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/nu.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ "text": "the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica

" + "text": "destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m) is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua" @@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Salve a ti, Nicaragua\" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)" }, @@ -635,8 +635,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted in 1971, but the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune was originally from Spain and was used as an anthem without lyrics from the 1830s until 1876" - }, - "note": "note: adopted in 1971, but the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune was originally from Spain and was used as an anthem without lyrics from the 1830s until 1876" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json index c6fd90f1..49c6b424 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/pm.json @@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Istmeno\" (Isthmus Hymn)" }, @@ -657,8 +657,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1925" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1925" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json index 2450aed1..7f97dc73 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/rn.json @@ -402,7 +402,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas collectivity of France)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is Schoelcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848), as well as St. Martin's Day, 11 November (1985), which commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; the latter holiday celebrated on both halves of the island" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note 1: local holiday is Schoelcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848), as well as St. Martin's Day, 11 November (1985); the latter holiday celebrated on both halves of the island

note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "the flag of France is used" @@ -410,17 +411,16 @@ "National symbol(s)": { "text": "brown pelican" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French collectivity" - }, - "note": "note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, \"La Marseillaise\" remains official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, \"Het Wilhelmus\" remains official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json index e5ec3ceb..ef9028f2 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/rq.json @@ -431,7 +431,8 @@ "text": "see United States" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -450,7 +451,7 @@ "text": "5 November 2024" }, "election results": { - "text": "

2024: Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN elected governor; percent of vote - Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (PNP) 39.4%, Juan DALMAU Ramírez (PIP) 32.7%, Jesús Manuel ORTIZ (PPD) 21.1%, Javier JIMÉNEZ (PD) 6.7%, other 0.1%

2020: Pedro PIERLUISI elected governor; percent of vote - Pedro PIERLUISI (PNP) 32.9%, Carlos DELGADO (PPD) 31.6%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 14.2%, Juan DALMAU (PIP) 13.7%, other 7.6%

" + "text": "
2024: Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN elected governor; percent of vote - Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (PNP) 39.4%, Juan DALMAU Ramírez (PIP) 32.7%, Jesús Manuel ORTIZ (PPD) 21.1%, Javier JIMÉNEZ (PD) 6.7%, other 0.1%

2020: Pedro PIERLUISI elected governor; percent of vote - Pedro PIERLUISI (PNP) 32.9%, Carlos DELGADO (PPD) 31.6%, Alexandra LUGARO (independent) 14.2%, Juan DALMAU (PIP) 13.7%, other 7.6%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "7 November 2028" @@ -567,7 +568,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -576,8 +577,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a US commonwealth" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name refers to the local name for the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that Francisco RAMIREZ wrote the music; \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" is the official anthem of Puerto Rico, as a US commonwealth (see United States)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json index 0c1b812e..9539739b 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/sc.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

hurricanes (July to October)

volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

" + "text": "hurricanes (July to October)

volcanism: Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis are part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "smallest country in the Western Hemisphere in terms of both area and population; the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide (9-mi-wide) channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of baseball-bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its ball-shaped namesake island" @@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the coat of arms of Saint Kitts and Nevis features a Carib who represents the original inhabitants of the islands, and a fleur-de-lis and rose that represent the French and English who arrived in the 1620; the shield also features the poinciana (the national flower) and a traditional boat; three hands hold the torch, which represents the quest for freedom: the hand of an African, a European, and a person of mixed ethnicity; pelicans (the national bird) support the shield, with a sugarcane plant and a coconut tree that symbolize the land" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"O Land of Beauty!\"" }, @@ -595,8 +595,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1983" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1983" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json index 04947a79..87a45e46 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/st.json @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "three and a half times the size of Washington, D.C." + "text": "3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

hurricanes

volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

" + "text": "hurricanes

volcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava-dome remnants associated with the Soufrière volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufrière, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean" @@ -619,7 +619,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "cerulean blue, gold, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia\"" }, @@ -628,8 +628,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1967" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1967" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json index 5c2129c0..ddb2dbd5 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/tb.json @@ -382,7 +382,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas collectivity of France)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572)" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note 1: local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572)

note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "the flag of France is used" @@ -390,7 +391,7 @@ "National symbol(s)": { "text": "pelican" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" }, @@ -399,8 +400,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French collectivity" - }, - "note": "note: local anthem in use since 1999; \"La Marseillaise\" is the official anthem of Saint Barthelemy, as a collectivity of France (see France)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json index 2bd6cebb..b7764ee5 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/td.json @@ -450,7 +450,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward

regions: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco

borough: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin

cities: Port of Spain, San Fernando

ward: Tobago

" + "text": "9 regions, 3 boroughs, 2 cities, 1 ward

regions: Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo, Diego Martin, Mayaro/Rio Claro, Penal/Debe, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, San Juan/Laventille, Siparia, Tunapuna/Piarco

borough: Arima, Chaguanas, Point Fortin

cities: Port of Spain, San Fernando

ward: Tobago" }, "Legal system": { "text": "English common law; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts" @@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "designed in 1962, the coat of arms shows the scarlet ibis (national bird of Trinidad) and the cocrico (national bird of Tobago); they support a shield displaying two hummingbirds, because Trinidad is home to 18 species of the bird and is called the “Land of Hummingbirds;” three gold ships on a backdrop of national colors represent Christopher Columbus, who visited the islands; the three peaks in the lower left refer to Trinidad being named after the Holy Trinity and also represent a famous mountain; the image of a gold ship's wheel in front of a coconut palm was also used on the Great Seals of British Colonial Tobago; the gold helmet represents Queen Elizabeth II of England (ruler of the country at the time), and the national motto promotes harmony in diversity" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Forged From the Love of Liberty\"" }, @@ -652,8 +652,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1962; song originally written as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; Trinidad and Tobago adopted it when the Federation dissolved" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1962; song originally written as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; Trinidad and Tobago adopted it when the Federation dissolved" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json index f49d49a5..e83be097 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/tk.json @@ -472,16 +472,13 @@ "Independence": { "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK)" }, - "National holiday": { - "text": "Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June" - }, "Flag description": { "text": "blue with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "conch shell, Turk's cap cactus" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -490,8 +487,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: serves as a local anthem; as an overseas territory of the UK, \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json index a5cea220..5d8e7c4c 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/uc.json @@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ "text": "Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, 55 km off the coast of Venezuela" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

12 10 N, 69 00 W

" + "text": "12 10 N, 69 00 W" }, "Map references": { - "text": "

Central America and the Caribbean

" + "text": "Central America and the Caribbean" }, "Area": { "total ": { @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "

more than twice the size of Washington, D.C.

" + "text": "more than twice the size of Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "text": "0" @@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ } }, "Climate": { - "text": "

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

" + "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year" }, "Terrain": { "text": "

generally low, hilly terrain

" @@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ } }, "Natural resources": { - "text": "

calcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs

" + "text": "calcium phosphates, protected harbors, hot springs" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -80,10 +80,10 @@ "text": "largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened

" + "text": "Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened" }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "

Curaçao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles

" + "text": "Curaçao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -262,10 +262,10 @@ }, "Environment": { "Environmental issues": { - "text": "

waste management, including pollution of marine areas from domestic sewage, inadequate sewage treatment facilities, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, mismanagement of toxic substances, and ineffective regulations; damage from neglect and a lack of controls at major refinery

" + "text": "waste management, including pollution of marine areas from domestic sewage, inadequate sewage treatment facilities, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, mismanagement of toxic substances, and ineffective regulations; damage from neglect and a lack of controls at major refinery" }, "Climate": { - "text": "

tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year

" + "text": "tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { @@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ "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" }, "Legal system": { - "text": "

based on Dutch civil law

" + "text": "based on Dutch civil law" }, "Constitution": { "history": { @@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ "text": "see the Netherlands" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "

18 years of age; universal

" + "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -458,13 +458,14 @@ } }, "International organization participation": { - "text": "

ACS (associate), Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPU

" + "text": "ACS (associate), Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPU" }, "Independence": { - "text": "

none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

" + "text": "none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "

King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday

" + "text": "King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)", + "note": "note: King's or Queen's Day are observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday" }, "Flag description": { "text": "on a blue field, a horizontal yellow band below the center divides the flag; two five-pointed white stars -- the smaller above and to the left of the larger -- appear in the upper left; the blue stands for the sky and sea, and yellow for the sun; the stars symbolize Curacao and its uninhabited sister island of Klein Curacao; the five star points signify the five continents from which Curacao's people originate" @@ -475,7 +476,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himmo di Korsou\" (Anthem of Curacao)" }, @@ -484,8 +485,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to remove colonial references" - }, - "note": "note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to remove colonial references" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json index b204d877..f3e05b2f 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vc.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

hurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

volcanism: La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

" + "text": "hurricanes; La Soufrière volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

volcanism: La Soufrière (1,234 m) last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic-island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is composed of 32 islands and cays" @@ -564,7 +564,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, gold, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!\"" }, @@ -573,8 +573,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1967" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1967" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json index 5abf4ca9..cee1f390 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vi.json @@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, green, red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -476,8 +476,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for BVI, as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json b/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json index 6eb7dcb0..a7cf2c7f 100644 --- a/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json +++ b/central-america-n-caribbean/vq.json @@ -372,7 +372,8 @@ "text": "see United States" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -432,7 +433,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left, with a shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, and the letters stand for the Virgin Islands" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -441,8 +442,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a US territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, \"The Star-Spangled Banner\" is official (see United States)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/central-asia/kg.json b/central-asia/kg.json index 8ac69801..05639b96 100644 --- a/central-asia/kg.json +++ b/central-asia/kg.json @@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni\" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)" }, @@ -653,8 +653,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1992" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1992" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-asia/kz.json b/central-asia/kz.json index ce8a3e05..2404917e 100644 --- a/central-asia/kz.json +++ b/central-asia/kz.json @@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Menin Qazaqstanim\" (My Kazakhstan)" }, @@ -704,8 +704,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-asia/rs.json b/central-asia/rs.json index 4fa8ed04..2e49cb6a 100644 --- a/central-asia/rs.json +++ b/central-asia/rs.json @@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ "text": "population is heavily concentrated in the westernmost fifth of the country, extending from the Baltic Sea south to the Caspian Sea, and eastward parallel to the Kazakh border; elsewhere, sizeable population pockets are isolated and generally found in the south" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia

volcanism: significant volcanic activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands; the peninsula alone is home to some 29 historically active volcanoes, with dozens more in the Kuril Islands; Kliuchevskoi (4,835 m), which erupted in 2007 and 2010, is Kamchatka's most active volcano; Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, which pose a threat to the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Bezymianny, Chikurachki, Ebeko, Gorely, Grozny, Karymsky, Ketoi, Kronotsky, Ksudach, Medvezhia, Mutnovsky, Sarychev Peak, Shiveluch, Tiatia, Tolbachik, and Zheltovsky; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires in Siberia and parts of European Russia

volcanism: Kamchatka Peninsula is home to 29 historically active volcanoes, with dozens more in the Kuril Islands; Kliuchevskoi (4,835 m) is Kamchatka's most active volcano; Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, which pose a threat to the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Bezymianny, Chikurachki, Ebeko, Gorely, Grozny, Karymsky, Ketoi, Kronotsky, Ksudach, Medvezhia, Mutnovsky, Sarychev Peak, Shiveluch, Tiatia, Tolbachik, and Zheltovsky; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes; despite its size, much of the country lacks the soil and climate (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture

note 2: Russia's far east, particularly the Kamchatka Peninsula, lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak; Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, is estimated to hold one fifth of the world's fresh surface water

note 4: Kaliningrad oblast is an exclave annexed from Germany after World War II; its capital city of Kaliningrad -- formerly Koenigsberg -- is the only Baltic port in Russia that remains ice-free in the winter

" @@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ "text": "15-17 March 2024" }, "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

" + "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" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2030" @@ -698,7 +698,8 @@ "text": "25 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union; Russian SFSR renamed Russian Federation); notable earlier dates: 1157 (Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal created); 16 January 1547 (Tsardom of Muscovy established); 22 October 1721 (Russian Empire proclaimed); 30 December 1922 (Soviet Union established)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Russia Day, 12 June (1990); note - commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR)" + "text": "Russia Day, 12 June (1990)", + "note": "note: commemorates the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red; created when Russia built its first naval vessels, and was used mostly as a naval ensign until the 19th century; colors may have been based on the Dutch flag, but no official meaning is assigned; inspired several other Slavic countries to adopt horizontal tricolors of the same colors in different arrangements" @@ -712,7 +713,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the current coat of arms of Russia was adopted by presidential decree on 30 November 1993; the double-headed eagle was adopted as a Russian symbol in 1472 when Ivan III married Sophia Palaiologina, niece of the last Byzantine emperor in Constantinople -- the eagle was her family's emblem" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii\" (National Anthem of the Russian Federation)" }, @@ -721,15 +722,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "in 2000, Russia adopted the tune of the Soviet Union's anthem (composed in 1939), as well as new lyrics; MIKHALKOV, who wrote the new lyrics, also authored the Soviet lyrics in 1943" - }, - "note": "note: in 2000, Russia adopted the tune of the Soviet Union's anthem (composed in 1939), as well as new lyrics; MIKHALKOV, who wrote the new lyrics, also authored the Soviet lyrics in 1943" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "32 (21 cultural, 11 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments (c); Kizhi Pogost (c); Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow (c); Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings (c); White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal (c); Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad (c); Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye (c); Lake Baikal (n); Volcanoes of Kamchatka (n); Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery (c); Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin (c); Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent (c); Uvs Nuur Basin (n); Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (c); Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve (n); Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl (c); Lena Pillars Nature Park (n); Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex (c); Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk (c); Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture (c); Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea (c)

" + "text": "Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments (c); Kizhi Pogost (c); Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow (c); Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings (c); White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal (c); Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad (c); Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye (c); Lake Baikal (n); Volcanoes of Kamchatka (n); Ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery (c); Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin (c); Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent (c); Uvs Nuur Basin (n); Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent (c); Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve (n); Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl (c); Lena Pillars Nature Park (n); Bolgar Historical and Archaeological Complex (c); Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk (c); Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture (c); Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea (c)" } } }, @@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ "note": "note: Russia is also assessed to have thousands of paramilitary security personnel and private military contractors deployed in Africa, including in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Niger, and Sudan" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Russian military is a mixed force of conscripts and professionals (contract servicemen) that is capable of conducting the full range of air, land, maritime, and strategic missile operations; it is also active in the areas of cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and space; in addition to protecting Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the military supports Moscow’s national security objectives, which include maintaining and projecting influence and power outside Russia, particularly in the former Soviet republics, and deterring perceived external threats from the US and NATO

in recent years, the Russian military has conducted combat operations in both Ukraine and Syria; in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the military continues to be heavily engaged there in what is the largest war in Europe since World War II ended in 1945; Russia has occupied Ukraine’s province of Crimea and backed separatist forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine since 2014 with arms, equipment, and training, as well as Russian military troops, although Moscow denied their presence prior to 2022; Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war at the request of the ASAD government in September 2015 in what was Moscow’s first overseas expeditionary operation since the Soviet era; Russian assistance has included air support, arms and equipment, intelligence, military advisors, private military contractors, special operations forces, and training

prior to its military operations in Syria and Ukraine, Russia seized the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force in 2008 (2024)" + "text": "the Russian military is responsible for protecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, providing maritime security, and supporting Moscow's national security objectives, including projecting influence and power abroad and deterring perceived external threats; its missions include air, land, maritime, strategic missile, and expeditionary operations; it is also active in the areas of cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and space; the Russian military's focus is its ongoing war on Ukraine and the perceived threat from NATO and the US

in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, beginning what is the largest war in Europe since World War II ended in 1945; Russian military forces occupied Ukraine’s province of Crimea in 2014, and Moscow subsequently backed separatist forces in the Donbas region of Ukraine with arms, equipment, and training, as well as Russian military troops, although Moscow denied their presence prior to 2022

Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war at the request of the Syrian Government from September 2015 until the collapse of the ASAD regime in December 2024; it was Moscow’s first overseas military expeditionary operation since the Soviet era; Russian assistance included air support, arms and equipment, intelligence, military advisors, private military contractors, special operations forces, and training; Russia seized the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by force in 2008 (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/central-asia/ti.json b/central-asia/ti.json index 5fa7919c..d456fc96 100644 --- a/central-asia/ti.json +++ b/central-asia/ti.json @@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Surudi milli\" (National Anthem)" }, @@ -673,8 +673,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-asia/tx.json b/central-asia/tx.json index 2db5de34..7194097c 100644 --- a/central-asia/tx.json +++ b/central-asia/tx.json @@ -596,7 +596,7 @@ }, "Political parties": { "text": "Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan or APT
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT
Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE", - "note": "note: all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMEDOV; a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad" + "note": "note: all parties support President BERDIMUHAMEDOV; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Garaşsyz, Bitarap Türkmenistanyň\" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)" }, @@ -662,8 +662,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1997; lyrics revised in 2008 to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1997; lyrics revised in 2008 to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/central-asia/uz.json b/central-asia/uz.json index 32ed44d4..fe98b1cf 100644 --- a/central-asia/uz.json +++ b/central-asia/uz.json @@ -687,7 +687,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi\" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan)" }, @@ -696,8 +696,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json index 6f5f8d98..3f0803cc 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/bm.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Burma is home to ethnic Burmans and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history. Britain conquered Burma over a period extending from the 1820s to the 1880s and administered it as a province of India until 1937, when Burma became a self-governing colony.  Burma gained full independence in 1948. In 1962, General NE WIN seized power and ruled the country until 1988 when a new military regime took control.

In 1990, the military regime permitted an election but then rejected the results after the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The military regime placed ASSK under house arrest until 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a \"Saffron Revolution\" consisting of large protests against the regime, which violently suppressed the movement. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve the military's political control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum. The regime conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed.

Burma nonetheless began a halting process of political and economic reforms. ASSK's return to government in 2012 eventually led to the NLD's sweeping victory in the 2015 election. With ASSK as the de facto head of state, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government drew international criticism for blocking investigations into Burma’s military operations -- which the US Department of State determined constituted genocide -- against its ethnic Rohingya population. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced the vote as fraudulent. In 2021, the military's senior leader General MIN AUNG HLAING launched a coup that returned Burma to authoritarian rule, with military crackdowns that undid reforms and resulted in the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors.

Pro-democracy organizations have formed in the wake of the coup, including the National Unity Government (NUG). Members of the NUG include representatives from the NLD, ethnic minority groups, and civil society. In 2021, the NUG announced the formation of armed militias called the People's Defense Forces (PDF) and an insurgency against the military junta. As of 2024, PDF units across the country continued to fight the regime with varying levels of support from and cooperation with the NUG and other anti-regime organizations, including armed ethnic groups that have been fighting the central government for decades. 

" + "text": "Burma is home to ethnic Burmans and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history. Britain conquered Burma over a period extending from the 1820s to the 1880s and administered it as a province of India until 1937, when Burma became a self-governing colony.  Burma gained full independence in 1948. In 1962, General NE WIN seized power and ruled the country until 1988 when a new military regime took control.

In 1990, the military regime permitted an election but then rejected the results after the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The military regime placed ASSK under house arrest until 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a \"Saffron Revolution\" consisting of large protests against the regime, which violently suppressed the movement. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve the military's political control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum. The regime conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed.

Burma nonetheless began a halting process of political and economic reforms. ASSK's return to government in 2012 eventually led to the NLD's sweeping victory in the 2015 election. With ASSK as the de facto head of state, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government drew international criticism for blocking investigations into Burma’s military operations -- which the US Department of State determined constituted genocide -- against its ethnic Rohingya population. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced the vote as fraudulent. In 2021, the military's senior leader General MIN AUNG HLAING launched a coup that returned Burma to authoritarian rule, with military crackdowns that undid reforms and resulted in the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors.

Pro-democracy organizations have formed in the wake of the coup, including the National Unity Government (NUG). Members of the NUG include representatives from the NLD, ethnic minority groups, and civil society. In 2021, the NUG announced the formation of armed militias called the People's Defense Forces (PDF) and an insurgency against the military junta. As of 2024, PDF units across the country continued to fight the regime with varying levels of support from and cooperation with the NUG and other anti-regime organizations, including armed ethnic groups that have been fighting the central government for decades." } }, "Geography": { @@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory

regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)

states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan

union territory: Nay Pyi Taw

" + "text": "7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory

regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon)

states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan

union territory: Nay Pyi Taw" }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary law" @@ -595,8 +595,8 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Arakan National Party or ANP 
Democratic Party or DP 
Kayah State Democratic Party or KySDP
Kayin People's Party or KPP 
Kokang Democracy and Unity Party or KDUP 
La Hu National Development Party or LHNDP 
Lisu National Development Party or LNDP 
Mon Unity Party (formed in 2019 from the All Mon Region Democracy Party and Mon National Party)
National Democratic Force or NDF 
National League for Democracy or NLD 
National Unity Party or NUP 
Pa-O National Organization or PNO 
People's Party 
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP 
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD 
Ta'ang National Party or TNP 
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party or TNDP 
Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP 
Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State or UDPKS 
Wa Democratic Party or WDP 
Wa National Unity Party or WNUP 
Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD ", - "note": "note: more than 90 political parties participated in the 2020 elections; political parties continued to function after the 2021 coup, although some political leaders have been arrested by the military regime; in 2023, the regime announced a new law with several rules and restrictions on political parties and their ability to participate in elections; dozens of parties refused to comply with the new rules; the regime's election commission has subsequently banned more than 80 political parties, including the National League for Democracy

" + "text": "Arakan National Party or ANP 
Democratic Party or DP 
Kayah State Democratic Party or KySDP
Kayin People's Party or KPP 
Kokang Democracy and Unity Party or KDUP 
La Hu National Development Party or LHNDP 
Lisu National Development Party or LNDP 
Mon Unity Party (formed in 2019 from the All Mon Region Democracy Party and Mon National Party)
National Democratic Force or NDF 
National League for Democracy or NLD 
National Unity Party or NUP 
Pa-O National Organization or PNO 
People's Party 
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP 
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD 
Ta'ang National Party or TNP 
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party or TNDP 
Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP 
Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State or UDPKS 
Wa Democratic Party or WDP 
Wa National Unity Party or WNUP 
Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD", + "note": "note: more than 90 political parties participated in the 2020 elections; political parties continued to function after the 2021 coup, although some political leaders have been arrested by the military regime; in 2023, the regime announced a new law with several rules and restrictions on political parties and their ability to participate in elections; dozens of parties refused to comply with the new rules; the regime's election commission has subsequently banned more than 80 political parties, including the National League for Democracy" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -656,7 +656,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, green, red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kaba Ma Kyei\" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar)" }, @@ -665,8 +665,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1948; the song begins with a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1948; the song begins with a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json index 4b0110a5..9d34e13a 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/bx.json @@ -602,7 +602,8 @@ "text": "1 January 1984 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June" + "text": "National Day, 23 February (1984)", + "note": "note: 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June" }, "Flag description": { "text": "yellow with two diagonal bands of white and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is at the center; yellow symbolizes the sultanate, and the white and black bands stand for the chief ministers; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag, a royal umbrella representing the monarchy, two wings with four feathers (justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the  crescent moon of Islam (the state religion); the state motto \"Always render service with God's guidance\" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads \"Brunei, the Abode of Peace\"" @@ -613,7 +614,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, white, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Allah Peliharakan Sultan\" (God Bless His Majesty)" }, @@ -622,8 +623,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1951" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1951" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json index 3ea8bd8b..a197c8d7 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/cb.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries.  Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 13 years of internecine warfare in which a coalition of Khmer Rouge, Cambodian nationalists, and royalist insurgents, with assistance from China, fought the Vietnamese-backed People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK). 

The 1991 Paris Agreements ended the country’s civil war and mandated democratic elections, which took place in 1993 and ushered in a period of multi-party democracy with a constitutional monarchy. King Norodom SIHANOUK was reinstated as head of state, and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the royalist FUNCINPEC party formed a coalition government.  Nevertheless, the power-sharing arrangement proved fractious and fragile, and in 1997, a coup led by CPP leader and former PRK prime minister HUN SEN dissolved the coalition and sidelined FUNCINPEC. Despite further attempts at coalition governance, the CPP has since remained in power through elections criticized for lacking fairness, political and judicial corruption, media control, and influence over labor unions, all of which have been enforced with violence and intimidation. HUN SEN remained as prime minister until 2023, when he transferred power to his son, HUN MANET. HUN SEN has subsequently maintained considerable influence as the leader of the CPP and the Senate. The CPP has also placed limits on civil society, press freedom, and freedom of expression. Despite some economic growth and considerable investment from China over the past decade, Cambodia remains one of East Asia's poorest countries.

The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in 1999. A UN-backed special tribunal established in Cambodia in 1997 tried some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity and genocide. The tribunal concluded in 2022 with three convictions.

" + "text": "Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries.  Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 13 years of internecine warfare in which a coalition of Khmer Rouge, Cambodian nationalists, and royalist insurgents, with assistance from China, fought the Vietnamese-backed People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK). 

The 1991 Paris Agreements ended the country’s civil war and mandated democratic elections, which took place in 1993 and ushered in a period of multi-party democracy with a constitutional monarchy. King Norodom SIHANOUK was reinstated as head of state, and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the royalist FUNCINPEC party formed a coalition government.  Nevertheless, the power-sharing arrangement proved fractious and fragile, and in 1997, a coup led by CPP leader and former PRK prime minister HUN SEN dissolved the coalition and sidelined FUNCINPEC. Despite further attempts at coalition governance, the CPP has since remained in power through elections criticized for lacking fairness, political and judicial corruption, media control, and influence over labor unions, all of which have been enforced with violence and intimidation. HUN SEN remained as prime minister until 2023, when he transferred power to his son, HUN MANET. HUN SEN has subsequently maintained considerable influence as the leader of the CPP and the Senate. The CPP has also placed limits on civil society, press freedom, and freedom of expression. Despite some economic growth and considerable investment from China over the past decade, Cambodia remains one of East Asia's poorest countries.

The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in 1999. A UN-backed special tribunal established in Cambodia in 1997 tried some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity and genocide. The tribunal concluded in 2022 with three convictions." } }, "Geography": { @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "one and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma" + "text": "1.5 times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)

provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum

municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)

" + "text": "24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)

provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum

municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia), customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law" @@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nokoreach\" (Royal Kingdom)" }, @@ -693,8 +693,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json index 65e8c3e5..0118e910 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ch.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

China's historical civilization dates to at least the 13th century B.C., first under the Shang (to 1046 B.C.) and then the Zhou (1046-221 B.C.) dynasties. The imperial era of China began in 221 B.C. under the Qin Dynasty and lasted until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. During this period, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty suffered heavily from overextension by territorial conquest, insolvency, civil war, imperialism, military defeats, and foreign expropriation of ports and infrastructure. It collapsed following the Revolution of 1911, and China became a republic under SUN Yat-sen of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist) Party. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, and continued foreign intervention. In the late 1920s, a civil war erupted between the ruling KMT-controlled government, led by CHIANG Kai-shek, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Japan occupied much of northeastern China in the early 1930s, and then launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 1937. The resulting eight years of warfare devastated the country and cost up to 20 million Chinese lives by the time of Japan’s defeat in 1945. The Nationalist-Communist civil war continued with renewed intensity after the end of World War II and culminated with a CCP victory in 1949, under the leadership of MAO Zedong.

MAO and the CCP established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring the PRC's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and launched agricultural, economic, political, and social policies -- such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) -- that cost the lives of millions of people. MAO died in 1976. Beginning in 1978, leaders DENG Xiaoping, JIANG Zemin, and HU Jintao focused on market-oriented economic development and opening up the country to foreign trade, while maintaining the rule of the CCP. Since the change, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, with real gross domestic product averaging over 9% growth annually through 2021, lifting an estimated 800 million people out of poverty and dramatically improving overall living standards. By 2011, the PRC’s economy was the second largest in the world. Current leader XI Jinping has continued these policies but has also maintained tight political controls. Over the past decade, China has increased its global outreach, including military deployments, participation in international organizations, and a global connectivity plan in 2013 called the \"Belt and Road Initiative\" (BRI). Many nations have signed on to BRI agreements to attract PRC investment, but others have expressed concerns about such issues as the opaque nature of the projects, financing, and potentially unsustainable debt obligations. XI Jinping assumed the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012 and President in 2013. In 2018, the PRC’s National People’s Congress passed an amendment abolishing presidential term limits, which allowed XI to gain a third five-year term in 2023. 

 

" + "text": "China's historical civilization dates to at least the 13th century B.C., first under the Shang (to 1046 B.C.) and then the Zhou (1046-221 B.C.) dynasties. The imperial era of China began in 221 B.C. under the Qin Dynasty and lasted until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. During this period, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty suffered heavily from overextension by territorial conquest, insolvency, civil war, imperialism, military defeats, and foreign expropriation of ports and infrastructure. It collapsed following the Revolution of 1911, and China became a republic under SUN Yat-sen of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist) Party. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, and continued foreign intervention. In the late 1920s, a civil war erupted between the ruling KMT-controlled government, led by CHIANG Kai-shek, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Japan occupied much of northeastern China in the early 1930s, and then launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 1937. The resulting eight years of warfare devastated the country and cost up to 20 million Chinese lives by the time of Japan’s defeat in 1945. The Nationalist-Communist civil war continued with renewed intensity after the end of World War II and culminated with a CCP victory in 1949, under the leadership of MAO Zedong.

MAO and the CCP established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring the PRC's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and launched agricultural, economic, political, and social policies -- such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) -- that cost the lives of millions of people. MAO died in 1976. Beginning in 1978, leaders DENG Xiaoping, JIANG Zemin, and HU Jintao focused on market-oriented economic development and opening up the country to foreign trade, while maintaining the rule of the CCP. Since the change, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, with real gross domestic product averaging over 9% growth annually through 2021, lifting an estimated 800 million people out of poverty and dramatically improving overall living standards. By 2011, the PRC’s economy was the second largest in the world. Current leader XI Jinping has continued these policies but has also maintained tight political controls. Over the past decade, China has increased its global outreach, including military deployments, participation in international organizations, and a global connectivity plan in 2013 called the \"Belt and Road Initiative\" (BRI). Many nations have signed on to BRI agreements to attract PRC investment, but others have expressed concerns about such issues as the opaque nature of the projects, financing, and potentially unsustainable debt obligations. XI Jinping assumed the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012 and President in 2013. In 2018, the PRC’s National People’s Congress passed an amendment abolishing presidential term limits, which allowed XI to gain a third five-year term in 2023. 

 

" } }, "Geography": { @@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ "text": "overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many Asian and European countries; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence

volcanism: China contains some historically active volcanoes including Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or P'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have been relatively inactive in recent centuries

" + "text": "frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence

volcanism: China contains some historically active volcanoes including Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or P'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have been relatively inactive in recent centuries" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "note 1: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) and largest country situated entirely in Asia; Mount Everest, on the border with Nepal, is the world's tallest peak above sea level

note 2: the largest cave chamber in the world is the Miao Room, in the Gebihe cave system at China's Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park, which encloses about 10.78 million cu m (380.7 million cu ft); the world's largest sinkhole is the Xiaoxhai Tiankeng sinkhole in Chongqing Municipality, which is 660 m deep, with a volume of 130 million cu m" @@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural), and two special administrative regions (tebie xingzhengqu, singular and plural)

provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan)

autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Xizang (Tibet)

municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin

special administrative regions: Hong Kong, Macau

", + "text": "23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural), and two special administrative regions (tebie xingzhengqu, singular and plural)

provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan)

autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Xizang (Tibet)

municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin

special administrative regions: Hong Kong, Macau", "note": "note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau" }, "Legal system": { @@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\" (The March of the Volunteers)" }, @@ -706,8 +706,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1949; the anthem, which was banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as \"Zhongguo Guoge\" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, \"Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1949; the anthem, which was banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as \"Zhongguo Guoge\" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, \"Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm\"" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json index b005bb72..cc206dbb 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/hk.json @@ -410,7 +410,8 @@ "text": "see China" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years; note - in indirect elections, suffrage is limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies for the other 70 legislature seats and a 1,500-member election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad sectoral groupings, central government bodies, municipal organizations, and elected Hong Kong officials" + "text": "18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years", + "note": "note: in indirect elections, suffrage is limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies for the other 70 legislature seats and a 1,500-member election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad sectoral groupings, central government bodies, municipal organizations, and elected Hong Kong officials" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -514,7 +515,8 @@ "text": "none (special administrative region of China)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July (1997) is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day" + "text": "National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)", + "note": "note: 1 July (1997) is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red with a stylized, five-petal, white Bauhinia flower in the center; each petal has a small, five-pointed red star; the red color is the same as the Chinese flag and represents the motherland, and the five stars also echo the Chinese flag; the Bauhinia flower was developed in Hong Kong the late 19th century and has come to symbolize the region" @@ -525,17 +527,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\"" + "text": "\"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\" (The March of the Volunteers)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "TIAN Han/NIE Er" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China" - }, - "note": "note: China's national anthem, \"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\" (The March of the Volunteers), is the official anthem for Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China (see China)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json index 7c8055a0..4fe1a8ab 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/id.json @@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ "text": "major concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands, 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" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires

volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in the world - some 76 are historically active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea; Merapi (2,968 m), Indonesia's most active volcano and in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; on 22 December 2018, a large explosion and flank collapse destroyed most of the 338 m high island of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) and generated a deadly tsunami inundating portions of western Java and southern Sumatra leaving more than 400 dead; other notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, Sinabung, and Tambora; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires

volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in the world, with over 75 historically active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea; Merapi (2,968 m), Indonesia's most active volcano, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; in 2018, a large explosion and flank collapse destroyed most of the island of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) and generated a deadly tsunami that left more than 400 dead; other notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, Sinabung, and Tambora; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: 13,466 islands are in the archipelago, of which 922 are permanently inhabited; Indonesia is the world's largest country composed solely of islands; the country straddles the equator and occupies a strategic location along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean

note 2: Indonesia is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire; 80% of tsunamis, caused by volcanic or seismic events, occur within the \"Pacific Ring of Fire\"

note 3: despite having the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily forested region on earth after the Amazon

" @@ -693,7 +693,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Indonesia Raya\" (Great Indonesia)" }, @@ -702,8 +702,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1945" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1945" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json index df9a7c4e..b573560e 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ja.json @@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ "text": "all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons

volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama (Honshu Island's most active volcano), Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands (the \"Home Islands\") -- Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest, most populous, and site of Tokyo, the capital), Shikoku, and Kyushu  

note 2: a 2023 Geospatial Information Authority of Japan survey detected 100,000 islands and islets, but only the 14,125 islands with a circumference of at least 100 m (330 ft) were officially counted; about 260 of the islands are inhabited

note 3: Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

" @@ -680,7 +680,8 @@ "text": "3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 11 February 660 B.C. (mythological date of Emperor JIMMU founding the nation); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Birthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960); note - celebrates the birthday of the current emperor" + "text": "Birthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960)", + "note": "note: celebrates the birthday of the current emperor" }, "Flag description": { "text": "white with a large red disk, representing the sun without rays, in the center" @@ -694,7 +695,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the Kikumon is the Japanese emperor's family coat of arms and dates from 1183; the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem (菊の御紋, kikunogomon) is a yellow or orange chrysanthemum with black or red outlines and background; a central disc is surrounded by a front set of 16 petals; a rear set of 16 petals are half-staggered in relation to the front set and are visible at the edges of the flower" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kimigayo\" (The Emperor's Reign)" }, @@ -703,15 +704,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; some oppose the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; some oppose the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "26 (21 cultural, 5 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Himeji-jo (c); Shiretoko (n); Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan (c); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c); Yakushima (n); Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (c); Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (c); Shirakami-Sanchi (n); Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (c); Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Shrines and Temples of Nikko (c); Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (c); Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (c); Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (c); Ogasawara Islands (n); Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (c); Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (c); Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (n); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c)

" + "text": "Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Himeji-jo (c); Shiretoko (n); Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan (c); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c); Yakushima (n); Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (c); Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (c); Shirakami-Sanchi (n); Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (c); Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Shrines and Temples of Nikko (c); Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (c); Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (c); Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (c); Ogasawara Islands (n); Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (c); Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (c); Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (n); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c)" } } }, diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json index 4a76ec05..a26cebec 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/kn.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least-populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall

volcanism: P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active

" + "text": "late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall

volcanism: P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated" @@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural)

provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang

special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason

", + "text": "9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural)

provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang

special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason", "note": "note: P'yongyang is considered a directly controlled city; Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities" }, "Legal system": { @@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Aegukka\" (Patriotic Song)" }, @@ -603,8 +603,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as \"Ach'imun pinnara\" (Let Morning Shine)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as \"Ach'imun pinnara\" (Let Morning Shine)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -917,7 +916,7 @@ }, "Space": { "Space agency/agencies": { - "text": "National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA; established 2013); predecessor organization, Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST; established 1980s); State Space Development Bureau; Academy of Defense Science; Ministry of People’s Armed Forces (2024)" + "text": "National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA; established 2013); predecessor organization, Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST; established 1980s); State Space Development Bureau; Academy of Defense Science; Ministry of People’s Armed Forces (2024)" }, "Space launch site(s)": { "text": "Sohae Satellite Launching Station (aka Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center; North Pyongan province); Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (North Hamgyong province) (2024)" diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json index 94a54eb0..0efc6294 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/ks.json @@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ "text": "the population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest

volcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

" + "text": "occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest

volcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active; it has not erupted in many centuries" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts" @@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ "note": "note: Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, serves as an administrative capital for segments of the South Korean government" }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)

provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla)

metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan

special city: Seoul

special self-governing city: Sejong

" + "text": "9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)

provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla)

metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan

special city: Seoul

special self-governing city: Sejong" }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought" @@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18 beginning with the 2020 national election" + "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Aegukga\" (Patriotic Song)" }, @@ -676,8 +676,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json index d36d99c7..1303b822 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/la.json @@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Pheng Xat Lao\" (Hymn of the Lao People)" }, @@ -667,9 +667,8 @@ "text": "SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit" }, "history": { - "text": "music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975 " - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975 " + "text": "music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json index bd23c8f5..b25d1ca1 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/mc.json @@ -351,7 +351,8 @@ "text": "see China" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past 7 years; note - indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as \"corporate voters\" and an election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials" + "text": "18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past 7 years", + "note": "note: indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as \"corporate voters\" and an election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -435,7 +436,8 @@ "text": "none (special administrative region of China)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day" + "text": "National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)", + "note": "note: 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day" }, "Flag description": { "text": "green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, under an arc of five five-pointed gold stars; the lotus is the national floral emblem, and the three petals represent the country's peninsula and two islands; the five stars echo those on the Chinese flag" @@ -446,7 +448,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\" (The March of the Volunteers)" }, @@ -455,8 +457,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China" - }, - "note": "note: \"Yiyongjun Jinxingqu\" is the official anthem for Macau, as a Special Administrative Region of China (see China)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json index 3b181f66..0f27cd85 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/mg.json @@ -658,7 +658,8 @@ "text": "29 December 1911 (independence declared from China; in actuality, autonomy attained); 11 July 1921 (from China)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Naadam (games) holiday (commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution), 11-15 July; Constitution Day (marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution), 26 November (1924)" + "text": "Naadam (games) holiday, 11-15 July; Constitution Day, 26 November (1924)", + "note": "note: the first holiday commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution, and the second marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution
" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem, the soyombo, which is an abstract geometric representation of fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol; blue stands for the sky, and red for progress and prosperity" @@ -669,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal\" (National Anthem of Mongolia)" }, @@ -678,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json index 44423c2e..13232f26 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/my.json @@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ "note": "note: Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA 
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC
United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO 
United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS 

Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH:
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP 
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH 
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR 
United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO 

National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN:
Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM 
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU 
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS 

Sabah People's Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS:
Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR 
Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS
Sabah People's Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS 
 

Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS:
Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP 
Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS 
Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP 
United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB 

Others: 
Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM
Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN 
Homeland Fighter's Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG 
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA 
United Sarawak Party (PSB) 

" + "text": "National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN:
Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA 
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC
United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO 
United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS 

Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH:
Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP 
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH 
People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR 
United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO 

National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN:
Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM 
Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU 
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS 

Sabah People's Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS:
Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR 
Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS
Sabah People's Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS 

Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS:
Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP 
Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS 
Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP 
United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB 

others: 
Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM
Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN 
Homeland Fighter's Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG 
Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA 
United Sarawak Party (PSB)" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -678,7 +678,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "gold, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Negaraku\" (My Country)" }, @@ -687,15 +687,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1957; full version only performed in the king's presence; the tune was adopted from a popular French melody called \"La Rosalie\" and was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the king's presence; the tune was adopted from a popular French melody called \"La Rosalie\" and was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c); The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (c)

" + "text": "Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c); The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (c)" } } }, diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/pg.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/pg.json index 26813208..1655a8c3 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/pg.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/pg.json @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, - "note": "note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) of the central South China Sea" + "note": "note: includes over 100 islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) in the central South China Sea" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C." diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json index 41c9234b..531bf47d 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/pp.json @@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ "text": "population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one fifth of the population residing in urban areas" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

active volcanism; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis

volcanism: severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (2,334 m), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (688 m) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951 killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "active volcanism; frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis

volcanism: severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (2,334 m), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (688 m) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951, killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; highlands that trend from east to west break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps lies along the southwest coast

note 2: Papua New Guinea is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

" @@ -647,17 +647,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"O Arise All You Sons\"" + "text": "\"O Arise, All You Sons\"" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Thomas SHACKLADY" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1975" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1975" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json index 56711cb9..a58673a8 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/rp.json @@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ "text": "population concentrated in areas with good farmland; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one eighth of the national population" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "astride typhoon belt, usually affected by several cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 and forced over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641, though not all of the new islands have been verified; the country is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait

note 2: Philippines is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: the Philippines sits on the Pacific typhoon belt, and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year -- with about 5 of these being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms

" @@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

81 provinces and 38 chartered cities

provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay;

chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga

" + "text": "81 provinces and 38 chartered cities

provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay

chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga" }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law" @@ -692,7 +692,8 @@ "text": "4 July 1946 (from the US)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from the US" + "text": "Independence Day, 12 June (1898)", + "note": "note: 12 June 1898 was the date of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was the date of independence from the US" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle has a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small five-pointed yellow star; blue stands for peace and justice, red for courage, and the triangle for equality; the rays represent the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, and the stars represent the country's three parts: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design dates to 1897", @@ -707,7 +708,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the coat of arms was adopted on 3 July 1946; the three gold stars represent the major island groups of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao; the rays of the sun represent the provinces of the Philippines; the American eagle and lion of Spain represent the nation's colonial past" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Lupang Hinirang\" (Chosen Land)" }, @@ -716,8 +717,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; English and Filipino versions were created after the original Spanish version; today, only the Filipino lyrics are used" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; English and Filipino versions were created after the original Spanish version; today, only the Filipino lyrics are used" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1233,7 +1233,7 @@ "note": "note: as of 2023, women made up about 8% of the active military; women have attended the Philippine Military Academy and trained as combat soldiers since 1993" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were formally organized during the American colonial period as the Philippine Army; they were established by the National Defense Act of 1935 and were comprised of both Filipinos and Americans

the US and Philippines agreed to a mutual defense treaty in 1951; in 2014, the two governments signed an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) that established new parameters for military cooperation; under the EDCA, the Philippine Government may grant US troops access to Philippine military bases on a rotational basis “for security cooperation exercises, joint and combined military training activities, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities”; the Philippines 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

the Philippine Government faces internal threats from several armed separatists, terrorists, and criminal groups; as such, much of the AFP's operational focus is internal security, particularly in the south, where several separatist Islamic insurgent and terrorist groups operate and a considerable portion of the AFP is typically deployed; additional combat operations are conducted against the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army, which is active mostly on Luzon, as well as the Visayas and areas of Mindanao; prior to a peace deal in 2014, the AFP fought a decades-long conflict against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a separatist organization based mostly on the island of Mindanao; the MILF's armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), had up to 40,000 fighters under arms

the AFP's naval forces are also involved in interdiction operations against terrorist, insurgent, and criminal groups around the southern islands, including joint maritime patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in the Sulu Sea; rising tensions with China over disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea since 2012 have spurred the AFP to place more emphasis on blue-water naval capabilities, including acquiring larger warships such guided missile frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ships

the Philippines National Police (PNP) has an active role in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations alongside the AFP, particularly the Special Action Force, a PNP commando unit that specializes in urban counter-terrorism operations (2024)" + "text": "the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are responsible for territorial defense and assisting with internal security; much of the AFP's operational focus is on internal security alongside the Philippines National Police, particularly in the south, where several separatist insurgent, terrorist, and criminal groups operate and a considerable portion of the AFP is typically deployed; additional combat operations are conducted against the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army, which is active mostly on Luzon, as well as the Visayas and areas of Mindanao; prior to a peace deal in 2014, the AFP fought a decades-long conflict against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a separatist organization based mostly on the island of Mindanao, which had up to 40,000 fighters under arms

maritime security is also a priority; the AFP's naval forces conduct naval interdiction missions in support of security operations on the southern islands, including joint maritime patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia; rising tensions with China over disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea since 2012 have spurred the AFP to place more emphasis on blue-water naval capabilities, including acquiring larger warships such as guided missile frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ships

the Philippine military was formally organized during the American colonial period as the Philippine Army; they were established by the National Defense Act of 1935 and comprised of both Filipinos and Americans; the US and Philippines agreed to a mutual defense treaty in 1951; based on agreements signed in 2014 and 2023, the Philippine Government allows the rotational presence of US military forces, aircraft, and ships at up to nine bases in the Philippines; also in 2023, the US agreed to assist in modernizing Philippine defense capabilities, deepen interoperability, enhance bilateral planning and information-sharing, and combat transnational and nonconventional threats (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json index c09a8184..5bd869da 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/sn.json @@ -651,17 +651,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"Majulah Singapura\" (Onward Singapore)" + "text": "\"Majulah Singapura\" (Onward, Singapore)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "ZUBIR Said" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre; the anthem is sung only in Malay" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre; the anthem is sung only in Malay" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1128,7 +1127,7 @@ "text": "maintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2025)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the SAF’s primary responsibility is external defense, but it has trained for certain domestic security operations, including joint deterrence patrols with police in instances of heightened terrorism alerts; the Army includes a “people’s defense force,” which is a divisional headquarters responsible for homeland security and counterterrorism

the SAF's roots go back to 1854 when the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed under colonial rule; the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment, was organized in 1957; the modern SAF was established in 1965 and is today widely viewed as the best equipped military in Southeast Asia

Singapore 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; Singapore also has close security ties with the US, including granting the US military access, basing, and overflight privileges (2025)" + "text": "the SAF’s primary responsibility is external defense, particularly maritime security, but it also trains for certain domestic security operations, including joint deterrence patrols with police in instances of heightened terrorism alerts; the Army includes a “people’s defense force,” which is a divisional headquarters responsible for homeland security and counterterrorism; the SAF regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral training exercises

Singapore 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; Singapore also has close security ties with the US, including granting the US military access, basing, and overflight privileges

the SAF's roots go back to 1854 when the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed under colonial rule; the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment, was organized in 1957; the modern SAF was established in 1965 (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json index 1c378343..0503971c 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/th.json @@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "in 1911, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of Thailand officially adopted the Garuda as the national coat of arms and emblem; this mythological half-man, half-bird figure from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions is considered the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu (Narayana) and was a symbol of royalty in Thailand for centuries" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami\" (A Salute to the Monarch)" }, @@ -723,15 +723,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 (8 am) and 1800 (6 pm) every day, when it is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio; \"Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami\" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "8 (5 cultural, 3 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Historic City of Ayutthaya (c); Historic Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (c); Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (n); Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (c); Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (n); Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (n); The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments (n); Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (c)

" + "text": "Historic City of Ayutthaya (c); Historic Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (c); Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (n); Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (c); Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (n); Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (n); The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments (n); Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (c)" } } }, diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json index 54fcddf4..41e063de 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/tt.json @@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Patria\" (Fatherland)" }, @@ -648,8 +648,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json index 5c267b12..451157f7 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/tw.json @@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ "text": "distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

earthquakes; typhoons

volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

" + "text": "earthquakes; typhoons

volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is the only historically active volcano, but it has not erupted in centuries" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait" @@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "includes main island of Taiwan, plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan

counties: Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin

cities: Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung

special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city)

", + "text": "includes main island of Taiwan, plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan

counties: Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin

cities: Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung

special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city)", "note": "note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, but the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names; other local authorities use different romanization systems" }, "Legal system": { @@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "20 years of age; universal; note - in March 2022, the Legislative Yuan approved lowering the voting age to 18, but the change will require a constitutional amendment that must be submitted to a referendum" + "text": "20 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -423,7 +423,7 @@ "text": "13 January 2024" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2024: LAI Ching-te elected president; percent of vote - LAI Ching-te (DPP) 40.1%, HOU Yu-ih (KMT) 33.5%, KO Wen-je (TPP) 26.5%)

2020: TSAI Ing-wen reelected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 57.1%, HAN Kuo-yu (KMT) 38.6%, James SOONG (PFP) 4.3%


" + "text": "
2024:LAI Ching-te elected president; percent of vote - LAI Ching-te (DPP) 40.1%, HOU Yu-ih (KMT) 33.5%, KO Wen-je (TPP) 26.5%)

2020: TSAI Ing-wen reelected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 57.1%, HAN Kuo-yu (KMT) 38.6%, James SOONG (PFP) 4.3%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2028" @@ -510,10 +510,11 @@ }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ADB (Chinese Taipei), APEC (Chinese Taipei), BCIE, CABEI, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO (Chinese Taipei)", - "note": "note - separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu" + "note": "note: separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Republic Day (National Day), 10 October (1911); note - celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution, also known as Double Ten (10-10) Day" + "text": "Republic Day (National Day), 10 October (1911)", + "note": "note: celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution, also known as Double Ten (10-10) Day" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner, bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue-and-white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; blue stands for liberty, justice, and democracy, red for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, and white for equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays represent the months of the year and the traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)", @@ -525,7 +526,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Zhonghua Minguo guoge\" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)" }, @@ -534,8 +535,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; informally known as \"San Min Chu I\" or \"San Min Zhu Yi\" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, \"Guo Qi Ge\" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; informally known as \"San Min Chu I\" or \"San Min Zhu Yi\" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, \"Guo Qi Ge\" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json index d53aacef..61b741a0 100644 --- a/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json +++ b/east-n-southeast-asia/vm.json @@ -513,7 +513,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)

provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai

municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

" + "text": "58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)

provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai

municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system with European influences" @@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ }, "Political parties": { "text": "Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV", - "note": "note:  other parties proscribed" + "note": "note: other parties banned" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Tien quan ca\" (The Song of the Marching Troops)" }, @@ -682,8 +682,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; it has two verses, but only the first is used as the official anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; it has two verses, but only the first is used as the official anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/al.json b/europe/al.json index f8ec3ecb..285cc971 100644 --- a/europe/al.json +++ b/europe/al.json @@ -653,7 +653,7 @@ }, "International organization participation": { "text": "BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO", - "note": "note: Albania is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership" + "note": "note: Albania is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership" }, "Independence": { "text": "28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)" @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Hymni i Flamurit\" (Hymn to the Flag)" }, @@ -679,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1912" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1912" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/an.json b/europe/an.json index 7af0597d..d5d336f7 100644 --- a/europe/an.json +++ b/europe/an.json @@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"El Gran Carlemany\" (The Great Charlemagne)" }, @@ -588,8 +588,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first-person narrative" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first-person narrative" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/au.json b/europe/au.json index 58b8b1db..52b8adac 100644 --- a/europe/au.json +++ b/europe/au.json @@ -676,7 +676,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Bundeshymne\" (Federal Hymn)" }, diff --git a/europe/be.json b/europe/be.json index 9fe0f41c..9e63aa59 100644 --- a/europe/be.json +++ b/europe/be.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, longstanding tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.

" + "text": "Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, longstanding tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO." } }, "Geography": { @@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "Flemish parties:
Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V 
Vooruit or Forward (formerly Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A)
Groen or Green (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens)
New Flemish Alliance or N-VA 
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD 
Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB 
Francophone parties:
Ecolo (Francophone Greens) 
Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi 
Les Engages (formerly Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH)
Reform Movement or MR 
Socialist Party or PS 
Workers' Party or PVDA-PTB" + "text": "Flemish parties:
Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V 
Vooruit or Forward (formerly Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A)
Groen or Green (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens)
New Flemish Alliance or N-VA 
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD 
Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB 

Francophone parties:
Ecolo (Francophone Greens) 
Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi 
Les Engages (formerly Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH)
Reform Movement or MR 
Socialist Party or PS 
Workers' Party or PVDA-PTB" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, black, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Brabançonne\" (The Song of Brabant)" }, @@ -695,8 +695,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater where the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater where the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/bk.json b/europe/bk.json index f53d43f4..208c4919 100644 --- a/europe/bk.json +++ b/europe/bk.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

After four centuries of Ottoman rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria-Hungary took control in 1878 and held the region until 1918, when it was incorporated into the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. After World War II, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the SFRY on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. Bosnian Serb militias, with the support of Serbia and Croatia, then tried to take control of territories they claimed as their own. From 1992 to 1995, ethnic cleansing campaigns killed thousands and displaced more than two million people. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement, and the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995.

The Dayton Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the agreement's implementation. In 1996, the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) took over responsibility for enforcing the peace. In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. As of 2022, EUFOR deploys around 1,600 troops in Bosnia in a peacekeeping capacity. Bosnia and Herzegovina became an official candidate for EU membership in 2022.

" + "text": "After four centuries of Ottoman rule over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria-Hungary took control in 1878 and held the region until 1918, when it was incorporated into the newly created Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. After World War II, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY).

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the SFRY on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. Bosnian Serb militias, with the support of Serbia and Croatia, then tried to take control of territories they claimed as their own. From 1992 to 1995, ethnic cleansing campaigns killed thousands and displaced more than two million people. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement, and the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995.

The Dayton Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the agreement's implementation. In 1996, the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) took over responsibility for enforcing the peace. In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. As of 2022, EUFOR deploys around 1,600 troops in Bosnia in a peacekeeping capacity. Bosnia and Herzegovina became an official candidate for EU membership in 2022." } }, "Geography": { @@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { - "text": "Chairperson of the Presidency Zeljka CVIJANOVIC (chairperson since 16 November 2024; presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Serb seat); Denis BECIROVIC (presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Bosniak seat); Zeljko KOMSIC (presidency member since 20 November 2018 - Croat seat)" + "text": "Chairperson of the Presidency Zeljko KOMSIC (chairperson since 16 July 2025; presidency member since 20 November 2018 - Croat seat); Denis BECIROVIC (presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Bosniak seat); Zeljka CVIJANOVIC (presidency member since 16 November 2022 - Serb seat)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Borjana KRISTO (since 25 January 2023)" @@ -676,7 +676,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine\" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)" }, @@ -685,8 +685,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2008 and 2016 were not approved" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2008 and 2016 were not approved" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/bo.json b/europe/bo.json index 81b393fb..00e98a60 100644 --- a/europe/bo.json +++ b/europe/bo.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. In 1999, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union, envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place and negotiations on further integration have been contentious. Since taking office in 1994 as the country's first and only directly elected president, Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means and a centralized economic system. Government restrictions on political and civil freedoms, freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion have remained in place. Restrictions on political freedoms have tightened in the wake of the disputed presidential election in 2020. The election results sparked large-scale protests as members of the opposition and civil society criticized the election’s validity. LUKASHENKA has remained in power as the disputed winner of the presidential election after quelling protests in 2020. Since 2022, Belarus has facilitated Russia's war in Ukraine, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory. 

 

 

 

 

" + "text": "After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. In 1999, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union, envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place and negotiations on further integration have been contentious. Since taking office in 1994 as the country's first and only directly elected president, Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means and a centralized economic system. Government restrictions on political and civil freedoms, freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion have remained in place. Restrictions on political freedoms have tightened in the wake of the disputed presidential election in 2020. The election results sparked large-scale protests as members of the opposition and civil society criticized the election’s validity. LUKASHENKA has remained in power as the disputed winner of the presidential election after quelling protests in 2020. Since 2022, Belarus has facilitated Russia's war in Ukraine, which was launched in part from Belarusian territory." } }, "Geography": { @@ -677,7 +677,8 @@ "text": "25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union" + "text": "Independence Day, 3 July (1944)", + "note": "note: 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red stands for past struggles from oppression, and the green represents hope and the many forests of the country" @@ -688,7 +689,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"My, Bielarusy\" (We Belarusians)" }, @@ -697,8 +698,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as \"Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus\" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as \"Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus\" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/bu.json b/europe/bu.json index 6b7b9123..fa06af57 100644 --- a/europe/bu.json +++ b/europe/bu.json @@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Bulgaria’s coat of arms in the national colors of white, green, and red was adopted in 1997; the three lions are a national symbol for strength, courage, and leadership that was used during the country’s liberation movement in the 1870s and the kingdom period in the early 20th century; above the shield is the crown of Bulgaria (originally the crown of the medieval Bulgarian tsars) with a gold cross on top; a white scroll over the oak branches bears the Bulgarian national motto, “United we stand strong”" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mila Rodino\" (Dear Homeland)" }, @@ -666,8 +666,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/cy.json b/europe/cy.json index 7b0bd6d3..d8eca286 100644 --- a/europe/cy.json +++ b/europe/cy.json @@ -656,7 +656,8 @@ "note": "note: Turkish Cypriots proclaimed self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but only Turkey recognizes these proclamations" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as \"Republic Day\"" + "text": "Independence Day, 1 October (1960)", + "note": "note: Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as \"Republic Day\"" }, "Flag description": { "text": "a copper-colored silhouette of the island is centered on a white field above two crossed green olive branches, which symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities", @@ -668,7 +669,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian\" (Hymn to Liberty)" }, @@ -677,8 +678,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1960; Cyprus uses the Greek national anthem; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses Turkey's national anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1960; Cyprus uses the Greek national anthem; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses Turkey's national anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/da.json b/europe/da.json index 3efbb33b..9a8c2ce7 100644 --- a/europe/da.json +++ b/europe/da.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is part of the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. The country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union and justice and home affairs issues. a 2022 referendum resulted in the removal of Denmark's 30-year opt-out on defense issues, now allowing Denmark to participate fully in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.

" + "text": "Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is part of the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. The country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union and justice and home affairs issues. a 2022 referendum resulted in the removal of Denmark's 30-year opt-out on defense issues, now allowing Denmark to participate fully in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy." } }, "Geography": { @@ -642,7 +642,8 @@ "text": "ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under Harald I GORMSSON); 5 June 1849 (became a parliamentary constitutional monarchy)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Constitution Day, 5 June (1849); note - closest equivalent to a national holiday" + "text": "Constitution Day, 5 June (1849)", + "note": "note: closest equivalent to a national holiday" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th-century battle and inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign", @@ -657,7 +658,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Denmark’s King Frederick VI adopted the national coat of arms in 1819; the crown of King Christian V, who ruled Denmark and Norway from 1670 to 1699, sits atop the shield, symbolizing royal and national authority; the three lions represent a strong and powerful country, with red lily pads in the shape of hearts that stand for strength, valor, and joy" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kong Christian\" (King Christian)" }, diff --git a/europe/ee.json b/europe/ee.json index 9bf9a9e6..340c9592 100644 --- a/europe/ee.json +++ b/europe/ee.json @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ "text": "

The European Union's (EU) evolution is unprecedented in history, transforming from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent. Such a large number of nation-states ceding some of their sovereignty to an overarching entity is unique. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe, although country-level unions were sometimes arranged, such as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

The EU is not a federation in the strict sense, but it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN or Mercosur. It has certain attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, currency (for some members), and law-making abilities, as well as diplomatic representation and a common foreign and security policy in its dealings with external partners.

For these reasons, The World Factbook includes basic information on the EU as a separate entity.

" }, "Background": { - "text": "

In the aftermath and devastation of the two World Wars, a number of far-sighted European leaders in the late 1940s sought to respond to the overwhelming desire for peace and reconciliation on the continent. In 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed pooling the production of coal and steel in Western Europe, which would bring France and West Germany together and be open to other countries as well. The following year, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members -- Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands -- signed the Treaty of Paris.

Within a few years, the ECSC was so successful that member states decided to further integrate their economies. In 1957, envisioning an \"ever closer union,\" the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), which eliminated trade barriers among the six member states to create a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and a legislative body known today as the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but direct elections began in 1979 and have been held every five years since.

In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC added Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. The 1980s saw further membership expansion, with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further cooperation in foreign and defense policy and judicial and internal affairs, as well as the creation of an economic and monetary union -- including a common currency. The Maastricht Treaty created the European Union (EU), at the time standing alongside the EC. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU/EC, raising the total number of member states to 15. On 1 January 1999, the new euro currency was launched in world markets and became the unit of exchange for all EU member states except Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. In 2002, citizens of the 12 participating member states began using euro banknotes and coins.

In an effort to ensure that the EU could function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice in 2000 set forth rules to streamline the size and procedures of the EU's institutions. An effort to establish a \"Constitution for Europe,\" growing out of a Convention held in 2002-2003, foundered when it was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. A subsequent effort in 2007 incorporated many features of the rejected draft Constitutional Treaty, while also making a number of substantive as well as symbolic changes. The new treaty, referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon, sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. The treaty was approved at a conference of member states, and after all member states ratified, the Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009, at which point the EU officially replaced and succeeded the EC.

Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 -- Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia in 2013. UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU; the formal exit, widely known as \"Brexit,\" took place on 31 January 2020. The EU and the UK negotiated a withdrawal agreement that included a status quo transition period through December 2020, when the follow-on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded. Current EU membership stands at 27. Eight of the newer member states -- Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- have now adopted the euro, bringing total euro-zone membership to 20.

 

" + "text": "In the aftermath and devastation of the two World Wars, a number of far-sighted European leaders in the late 1940s sought to respond to the overwhelming desire for peace and reconciliation on the continent. In 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed pooling the production of coal and steel in Western Europe, which would bring France and West Germany together and be open to other countries as well. The following year, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members -- Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands -- signed the Treaty of Paris.

Within a few years, the ECSC was so successful that member states decided to further integrate their economies. In 1957, envisioning an \"ever closer union,\" the Treaties of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), which eliminated trade barriers among the six member states to create a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and a legislative body known today as the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but direct elections began in 1979 and have been held every five years since.

In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC added Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. The 1980s saw further membership expansion, with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further cooperation in foreign and defense policy and judicial and internal affairs, as well as the creation of an economic and monetary union -- including a common currency. The Maastricht Treaty created the European Union (EU), at the time standing alongside the EC. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU/EC, raising the total number of member states to 15. On 1 January 1999, the new euro currency was launched in world markets and became the unit of exchange for all EU member states except Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. In 2002, citizens of the 12 participating member states began using euro banknotes and coins.

In an effort to ensure that the EU could function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice in 2000 set forth rules to streamline the size and procedures of the EU's institutions. An effort to establish a \"Constitution for Europe,\" growing out of a Convention held in 2002-2003, foundered when it was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. A subsequent effort in 2007 incorporated many features of the rejected draft Constitutional Treaty, while also making a number of substantive as well as symbolic changes. The new treaty, referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon, sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. The treaty was approved at a conference of member states, and after all member states ratified, the Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009, at which point the EU officially replaced and succeeded the EC.

Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 -- Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia in 2013. UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU; the formal exit, widely known as \"Brexit,\" took place on 31 January 2020. The EU and the UK negotiated a withdrawal agreement that included a status quo transition period through December 2020, when the follow-on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded. Current EU membership stands at 27. Eight of the newer member states -- Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia -- have now adopted the euro, bringing total euro-zone membership to 20.

" } }, "Geography": { @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ "note": "rank by area (sq km):
1. France (includes five overseas regions) 643,801
2. Spain 505,370
3. Sweden 450,295
4. Germany 357,022
5. Finland 338,145
6. Poland 312,685
7. Italy 301,340
8. Romania 238,391
9. Greece 131,957
10. Bulgaria 110,879
11. Hungary 93,028
12. Portugal 92,090
13. Austria 83,871
14. Czechia 78,867
15. Ireland 70,273
16. Lithuania 65,300
17. Latvia 64,589
18. Croatia 56,594
19. Slovakia 49,035
20. Estonia 45,228
21. Denmark 43,094
22. Netherlands 41,543
23. Belgium 30,528
24. Slovenia 20,273
25. Cyprus 9,251
26. Luxembourg 2,586
27. Malta 316" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "less than one half the size of the United States" + "text": "less than one-half the size of the United States" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -248,10 +248,10 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age (16 years in Austria); universal; voting for the European Parliament is permitted in each member state" + "text": "18 years of age (16 years in Austria); universal; voting for the European Parliament occurs in each member state" }, "Executive branch": { - "text": "
three EU institutions have functions that can be regarded as executive in nature:

European Council - composed of member-state heads of state or government, along with the president of the European Commission; meets at least four times a year to issue general policy guidance; the president of the European Council is appointed by leaders of the EU member states for a 2 1/2 year term, renewable once

president: António Costa (since 1 December 2024)

Council of the European Union - consists of member-state officials, ranging from working-level diplomats to cabinet ministers in specific policy fields such as foreign affairs, agriculture, or economy; has policymaking, coordinating, and legislative functions

president: the six-month presidency rotates among the member states 

European Commission - composed of 27 commissioners (one from each member state), including the president; the president assigns each commissioner one or more policy areas, called portfolios; the Commission has the sole right to initiate EU legislation, except for foreign and security/defense policy, and is responsible for monitoring the application of EU law, implementing/executing the EU budget, negotiating in certain policy areas, and ensuring the EU's external representation in some policy areas; the president is nominated for a 5-year term by the European Council and confirmed by the European Parliament; the European Parliament also confirms the entire Commission for a 5-year term

president: Ursula von der Leyen (since 1 December 2019)", + "text": "three EU institutions have functions that can be regarded as executive in nature:

European Council - composed of member-state heads of state or government, along with the president of the European Commission; meets at least four times a year to issue general policy guidance; the president of the European Council is appointed by leaders of the EU member states for a 2 1/2 year term, renewable once

president: António Costa (since 1 December 2024)

Council of the European Union - consists of member-state officials, ranging from working-level diplomats to cabinet ministers in specific policy fields such as foreign affairs, agriculture, or economy; has policymaking, coordinating, and legislative functions

president: the six-month presidency rotates among the member states 

 European Commission - composed of 27 commissioners (one from each member state), including the president; the president assigns each commissioner one or more policy areas, called portfolios; the Commission has the sole right to initiate EU legislation, except for foreign and security/defense policy, and is responsible for monitoring the application of EU law, implementing/executing the EU budget, negotiating in certain policy areas, and ensuring the EU's external representation in some policy areas; the president is nominated for a 5-year term by the European Council and confirmed by the European Parliament; the European Parliament also confirms the entire Commission for a 5-year term

president: Ursula von der Leyen (since 1 December 2019)", "note": "note: for external representation and foreign policy, member-state leaders appoint a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; the High Representative's concurrent appointment as Vice President of the European Commission is meant to bring more coherence to the EU’s foreign policy; the High Representative helps develop and implement the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and Common Security and Defense Policy, chairs the Council of the EU's meetings of member-state foreign ministers, represents and acts for the EU in many international contexts, and oversees the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic corps" }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ode to Joy\"" }, @@ -357,8 +357,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1985; the anthem is meant to represent all of Europe rather than just the organization, conveying the ideals of peace, freedom, and unity" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1985; the anthem is meant to represent all of Europe rather than just the organization, conveying the ideals of peace, freedom, and unity" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/ei.json b/europe/ei.json index 1cc17e72..ca3fb600 100644 --- a/europe/ei.json +++ b/europe/ei.json @@ -660,7 +660,8 @@ "text": "6 December 1921 (from the UK); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903" + "text": "Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March", + "note": "note: marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated as early as the ninth century, but it only became an official public holiday in 1903" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; the flag colors have no official meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green stands for the Irish nationalist tradition, orange for the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange), and white for peace or a lasting truce between the green and the orange", @@ -672,7 +673,10 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National coat of arms": { + "text": "the coat of arms features a gold harp on a blue shield and dates back to the 13th century, although it only became official in 1945; the harp, a national symbol that Ireland adopted after gaining independence from the United Kingdom in 1921, represents the country’s history, culture, and national identity" + }, + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Amhran na bhFiann\" (The Soldier's Song)" }, @@ -681,8 +685,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1926; the song \"Ireland's Call\" is often used as the anthem at athletic events if citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland are competing as a unified team" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1926; the song \"Ireland's Call\" is often used as the anthem at athletic events if citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland are competing as a unified team" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/en.json b/europe/en.json index 1eb06156..a046de1e 100644 --- a/europe/en.json +++ b/europe/en.json @@ -630,7 +630,8 @@ "text": "24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union restoring its statehood" + "text": "Independence Day, 24 February (1918)", + "note": "note: 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union and restored its statehood" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white; blue represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, and also the sky, sea, and lakes; black stands for the soil of the country, as well as the Estonian people's past suffering; white stands for striving towards enlightenment and virtue and also for birch bark, snow, and summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun" @@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, black, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room\" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)" }, @@ -650,8 +651,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1920, but banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; unofficially in use since 1869, it has the same melody as Finland's anthem, but with different lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1920, but banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; unofficially in use since 1869, it has the same melody as Finland's anthem, but with different lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/ez.json b/europe/ez.json index 87ab4f7e..2794da93 100644 --- a/europe/ez.json +++ b/europe/ez.json @@ -684,7 +684,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "white, red, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kde domov muj?\" (Where is My Home?)" }, @@ -693,8 +693,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music for the play \"Fidlovacka\" (1834), but it soon became popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, and the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after Czechoslovakia was dissolved in 1993" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music for the play \"Fidlovacka\" (1834), but it soon became popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, and the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after Czechoslovakia was dissolved in 1993" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/fi.json b/europe/fi.json index 5dd6e38c..4405bcca 100644 --- a/europe/fi.json +++ b/europe/fi.json @@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Maamme\" (Our Land)" }, @@ -673,8 +673,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "in use since 1848; although never officially adopted, the anthem has been popular since a student group first sang it in 1848" - }, - "note": "note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted, the anthem has been popular since a student group first sang it in 1848" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/fo.json b/europe/fo.json index 6e36a7a6..6ceb35ba 100644 --- a/europe/fo.json +++ b/europe/fo.json @@ -480,7 +480,8 @@ "text": "none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Olaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)" + "text": "Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030)", + "note": "note: commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF" }, "Flag description": { "text": "white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); referred to as Merkid, meaning \"the banner\" or \"the mark,\" the flag resembles the flags of Iceland and Norway and uses the same three colors in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky and sea foam; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors", @@ -489,7 +490,7 @@ "National symbol(s)": { "text": "ram" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mitt alfagra land\" (My Fairest Land)" }, @@ -498,8 +499,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as \"Tu alfagra land mitt\" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted to have their own national anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as \"Tu alfagra land mitt\" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted to have their own national anthem" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/fr.json b/europe/fr.json index ab4cf34c..35c9ec4b 100644 --- a/europe/fr.json +++ b/europe/fr.json @@ -1,18 +1,18 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing then President Charles DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities -- French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion -- became French regions and were made part of France proper.

" + "text": "France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing then President Charles DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities -- French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion -- became French regions and were made part of France proper." } }, "Geography": { "Location": { - "text": "

metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain;

French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname;

Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico;

Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago;

Mayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique;

Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

" + "text": "metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain

French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname

Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico

Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Mayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "

metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E;

French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W;

Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W;

Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W;

Mayotte: 12 50 S, 45 10 E;

Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E

" + "text": "metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E

French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W

Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W

Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W

Mayotte: 12 50 S, 45 10 E

Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E" }, "Map references": { - "text": "

metropolitan France: Europe;

French Guiana: South America;

Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean;

Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean;

Mayotte: Africa;

Reunion: World

" + "text": "metropolitan France: Europe

French Guiana: South America

Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean

Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean

Mayotte: Africa

Reunion: World" }, "Area": { "total ": { @@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ "text": "much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean;

overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding;

volcanism: Montagne Pelee (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in May 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufriere (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean last erupted from July 1976 to March 1977; these volcanoes are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south

" + "text": "metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south

overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding

volcanism: Montagne Pelée (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, although it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufrière (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe has also had explosive eruptions in recent years" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "largest Western European nation; most major French rivers -- the Meuse, Seine, Loire, Charente, Dordogne, and Garonne -- flow northward or westward into the Atlantic Ocean, only the Rhone flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea" @@ -708,7 +708,8 @@ "text": "no official date of independence: 486 (Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship); 10 August 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 14 July 1789 (French monarchy overthrown); 22 September 1792 (First French Republic established); 4 October 1958 (Fifth French Republic established)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790); note - often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the le tricolore (tricolor), the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution, when the traditional color of white was combined with the blue and red of the Paris militia; serves as the official flag for all French dependencies", @@ -720,7 +721,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, @@ -729,8 +730,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as \"Le Chant de Guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin\" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as \"Le Chant de Guerre pour l’Armée du Rhin\" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/gi.json b/europe/gi.json index d4a946a1..7ab26d80 100644 --- a/europe/gi.json +++ b/europe/gi.json @@ -79,8 +79,7 @@ "text": "occasional droughts; no streams or large bodies of water on the peninsula (all potable water comes from desalination)" }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea", - "note": " 

 " + "text": "strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -435,7 +434,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain" + "text": "National Day, 10 September (1967)", + "note": "note: day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two horizontal bands of white (top, double-width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; a gold key hangs from the castle gate and is centered in the red band; the design comes from Gibraltar's coat of arms that was granted on 10 July 1502 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain; the castle symbolizes Gibraltar as a fortress, and the key represents Gibraltar's strategic importance -- the key to the Mediterranean" @@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain granted this coat of arms to Gibraltar in 1502; the castle in the center of the shield represents Gibraltar as a fortress, and the gold key represents its strategic position as the gateway to the Mediterranean; below the shield is the national motto, Montis Insignia Calpe (“Badge of the Rock of Gibraltar”); the coat of arms uses the national colors of red, white, and yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -458,8 +458,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as an overseas UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for Gibraltar, as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/gk.json b/europe/gk.json index d94dcb64..45af1d0a 100644 --- a/europe/gk.json +++ b/europe/gk.json @@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -476,8 +476,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a British crown dependency" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for Guernsey, as a British crown dependency (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/gm.json b/europe/gm.json index 28ad29f3..709c62aa 100644 --- a/europe/gm.json +++ b/europe/gm.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

As Europe's largest economy and second most-populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating world wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, including the EC (now the EU) and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War allowed German reunification to occur in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

" + "text": "As Europe's largest economy and second most-populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating world wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, including the EC (now the EU) and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War allowed German reunification to occur in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro." } }, "Geography": { @@ -692,7 +692,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "black, red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Das Lied der Deutschen\" (Song of the Germans)" }, @@ -701,8 +701,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "first adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as \"Deutschlandlied\" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; the Nazis later appropriated the first verse -- specifically the phrase \"Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles\" (Germany, Germany above all) -- to promote nationalism, and the anthem was banned after 1945; in 1952, West Germany adopted the third verse as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany" - }, - "note": "note: first adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as \"Deutschlandlied\" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; the Nazis later appropriated the first verse -- specifically the phrase \"Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles\" (Germany, Germany above all) -- to promote nationalism, and the anthem was banned after 1945; in 1952, West Germany adopted the third verse as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/gr.json b/europe/gr.json index 6b5b17d7..fa231ec6 100644 --- a/europe/gr.json +++ b/europe/gr.json @@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ "text": "one third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

severe earthquakes

volcanism: Santorini (367 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; although there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active

" + "text": "severe earthquakes

volcanism: Santorini (367 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are also classified as historically active" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, with an archipelago of about 2,000 islands" @@ -540,7 +540,7 @@ "text": "12 February 2025" }, "election results": { - "text": "2025: Konstantinos TASOULAS (ND) elected president by Parliament - 160 of 300 votes

2020: Katerina SAKELLAROPOULOU (independent) elected president by Parliament - 261 of 300 votes
" + "text": "
2025: Konstantinos TASOULAS (ND) elected president by Parliament - 160 of 300 votes

2020: Katerina SAKELLAROPOULOU (independent) elected president by Parliament - 261 of 300 votes" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2030" @@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the coat of arms was designed by Greek artist Kostas Grammatopoulos and has been in use since 1975; depicted in the national colors of blue and white; the white cross represents the country’s primary religion, Greek Orthodoxy, and the laurel branches symbolize victory" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian\" (Hymn to Liberty)" }, @@ -671,8 +671,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses \"Hymn to Liberty\" as its anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses \"Hymn to Liberty\" as its anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/hr.json b/europe/hr.json index a8c0df3c..d9a99244 100644 --- a/europe/hr.json +++ b/europe/hr.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics, including Croatia, under the strong hand of Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before Yugoslav forces were cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013. In January 2023, Croatia further integrated into the EU by joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area.

" + "text": "The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics, including Croatia, under the strong hand of Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before Yugoslav forces were cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013. In January 2023, Croatia further integrated into the EU by joining the Eurozone and the Schengen Area." } }, "Geography": { @@ -650,7 +650,8 @@ "note": "note: 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian parliament voted for independence; the legislature adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Statehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990); note - marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened" + "text": "Statehood Day (National Day), 30 May (1990)", + "note": "note: marks the day in 1990 that the first modern multi-party Croatian parliament convened" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue -- the pan-Slav colors -- with the Croatian coat of arms in the center; the coat of arms consists of a main shield (a checkerboard of 13 red and 12 silver fields) with five smaller shields that form a crown over the main shield; the small shields represent the five historic regions (from left to right): Croatia, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Istria, and Slavonia", @@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Lijepa nasa domovino\" (Our Beautiful Homeland)" }, @@ -671,8 +672,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; the lyrics were written in 1835, and it served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891" - }, - "note": "note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; the lyrics were written in 1835, and it served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/hu.json b/europe/hu.json index 0b9aa1b5..4874c06c 100644 --- a/europe/hu.json +++ b/europe/hu.json @@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 25 cities with county rights (megyei jogu varosok, singular - megyei jogu varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)

counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad-Csanad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala

cities with county rights: Baja, Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Esztergom, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg

capital city: Budapest

" + "text": "19 counties (megyek, singular - megye), 25 cities with county rights (megyei jogu varosok, singular - megyei jogu varos), and 1 capital city (fovaros)

counties: Bacs-Kiskun, Baranya, Bekes, Borsod-Abauj-Zemplen, Csongrad-Csanad, Fejer, Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Hajdu-Bihar, Heves, Jasz-Nagykun-Szolnok, Komarom-Esztergom, Nograd, Pest, Somogy, Szabolcs-Szatmar-Bereg, Tolna, Vas, Veszprem, Zala

cities with county rights: Baja, Bekescsaba, Debrecen, Dunaujvaros, Eger, Erd, Esztergom, Gyor, Hodmezovasarhely, Kaposvar, Kecskemet, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyiregyhaza, Pecs, Salgotarjan, Sopron, Szeged, Szekesfehervar, Szekszard, Szolnok, Szombathely, Tatabanya, Veszprem, Zalaegerszeg

capital city: Budapest" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil system influenced by the German model" @@ -648,7 +648,8 @@ "text": "16 November 1918 (republic proclaimed); notable earlier dates: 25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional founding date); 30 March 1867 (Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy established)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August (1083); note - commemorates his canonization and the transfer of his remains to Buda (now Budapest) in 1083" + "text": "Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August (1083)", + "note": "note: commemorates the saint's canonization and the transfer of his remains to Buda (now Budapest) in 1083" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green; the flag dates to the national movement of the 18th and 19th centuries and fuses the medieval colors of the Hungarian coat of arms with the revolutionary tricolor of the French flag; folklore attributes virtues to the colors: red for strength, white for faithfulness, and green for hope; alternatively, the red can stand for the blood spilled in defense of the land, white for freedom, and green for pasturelands " @@ -659,7 +660,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himnusz\" (Hymn)" }, @@ -668,8 +669,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1844" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1844" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/ic.json b/europe/ic.json index d7236730..45f6d0d9 100644 --- a/europe/ic.json +++ b/europe/ic.json @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ "text": "Iceland is almost entirely urban, with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

earthquakes and volcanic activity

volcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air traffic; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar

" + "text": "earthquakes and volcanic activity

volcanism: Iceland is situated on top of a hotspot and experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe" @@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Center Party (Midflokkurinn) or CP 
Independence Party (Sjalfstaedisflokkurinn) or IP 
Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin-graent frambod) or LGM 
Liberal Reform Party (Vidreisn) 
People's Party (Flokkur Folksins) 
Pirate Party (Piratar) 
Progressive Party (Framsoknarflokkurinn) or PP 
Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) or SDA 

" + "text": "Center Party (Midflokkurinn) or CP 
Independence Party (Sjalfstaedisflokkurinn) or IP 
Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin-graent frambod) or LGM 
Liberal Reform Party (Vidreisn) 
People's Party (Flokkur Folksins) 
Pirate Party (Piratar) 
Progressive Party (Framsoknarflokkurinn) or PP 
Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) or SDA" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Lofsongur\" (Song of Praise)" }, @@ -644,8 +644,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1944; also known as \"O, Gud vors lands\" (O God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1944; also known as \"O, Gud vors lands\" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/im.json b/europe/im.json index 236bb0a4..72b6ca80 100644 --- a/europe/im.json +++ b/europe/im.json @@ -512,7 +512,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom granted the Isle of Man’s coat of arms on July 12, 1996; the triskelion (three conjoined legs) on the shield represents resilience, resourcefulness, and hope; the Latin motto means “Wherever you throw it, it will stand,” a reference to the islanders’ ability to stand strong; the peregrine falcon represents the two falcons that the Isle of Man has paid to the UK monarch on Coronation Day since 1406, and the raven symbolizes the island’s former status as a Viking colony; the crown represents the UK monarch’s status as the Lord of Mann, although the island is self-governing" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -521,8 +521,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a British Crown dependency; played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for the Isle of Man as a British Crown dependency (see United Kingdom), and it is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/it.json b/europe/it.json index f33af510..382acb82 100644 --- a/europe/it.json +++ b/europe/it.json @@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ "text": "a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples) attracting larger and denser populations" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m), which is in eruption as of 2013, is Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in the Bay of Naples area, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

" + "text": "regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice

volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m) is Europe's most active volcano, and its flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location dominating central Mediterranean, as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe" @@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)

regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto

autonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallée d'Aoste (French)

" + "text": "15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)

regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto

autonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallée d'Aoste (French)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legislation under certain conditions" @@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ "text": "24-29 January 2022 (eight rounds)" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2022: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) reelected president; electoral college vote count in eighth round - 759 out of 1,009 (505 vote threshold)

2015: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 995 (505 vote threshold)

 

" + "text": "
2022: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) reelected president; electoral college vote count in eighth round - 759 out of 1,009 (505 vote threshold)

2015: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 995 (505 vote threshold)" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2029" @@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Action-Italia Viva 
Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE 
Brothers of Italy or FdI 
Democratic Party or PD 
Five Star Movement or M5S 
Forza Italia or FI 
Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU 
Greens and Left Alliance or AVS 
Italexit 
League or Lega 
More Europe or +EU 
Popular Union or PU 
South calls North or ScN 
South Tyrolean Peoples Party or SVP 
other minor parties

" + "text": "Action-Italia Viva 
Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE 
Brothers of Italy or FdI 
Democratic Party or PD 
Five Star Movement or M5S 
Forza Italia or FI 
Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU 
Greens and Left Alliance or AVS 
Italexit 
League or Lega 
More Europe or +EU 
Popular Union or PU 
South calls North or ScN 
South Tyrolean Peoples Party or SVP 
other minor parties" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -691,7 +691,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Il Canto degli Italiani\" (The Song of the Italians)" }, @@ -700,15 +700,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as \"L'Inno di Mameli\" (Mameli's Hymn), and \"Fratelli d'Italia\" (Brothers of Italy)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as \"L'Inno di Mameli\" (Mameli's Hymn), and \"Fratelli d'Italia\" (Brothers of Italy)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "60 (54 cultural, 6 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Historic Center of Rome (c); Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata (c); Venice and its Lagoon (c); Historic Center of Florence (c); Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (c); Historic Centre of Naples (c); Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)(c); Mount Etna (n); Cultural landscape of the Benedictine settlements in medieval Italy (c); Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (c); City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (c); Crespi d'Adda (c); Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (c); Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (c); Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (c); Costiera Amalfitana (c); Villa Romana del Casale (c); Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (c); Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (c); Historic Centre of Urbino (c); Villa Adriana (Tivoli) (c); Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (c); City of Verona (c); Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) (n); Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (c); Val d'Orcia (c); Mantua and Sabbioneta (c); The Dolomites (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany (c); Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar (c); Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles (c); The Porticoes of Bologna (c); Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (n); Via Appia: Regina Viarum (c)

" + "text": "Historic Center of Rome (c); Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata (c); Venice and its Lagoon (c); Historic Center of Florence (c); Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (c); Historic Centre of Naples (c); Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)(c); Mount Etna (n); Cultural landscape of the Benedictine settlements in medieval Italy (c); Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (c); City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (c); Crespi d'Adda (c); Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (c); Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (c); Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (c); Costiera Amalfitana (c); Villa Romana del Casale (c); Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (c); Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (c); Historic Centre of Urbino (c); Villa Adriana (Tivoli) (c); Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (c); City of Verona (c); Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) (n); Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (c); Val d'Orcia (c); Mantua and Sabbioneta (c); The Dolomites (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany (c); Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar (c); Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles (c); The Porticoes of Bologna (c); Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (n); Via Appia: Regina Viarum (c)" } } }, diff --git a/europe/je.json b/europe/je.json index 3261d82d..8bf02014 100644 --- a/europe/je.json +++ b/europe/je.json @@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -463,8 +463,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a British Crown dependency" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for Jersey, as a British Crown dependency (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/jn.json b/europe/jn.json index cbc8adf9..17eb478d 100644 --- a/europe/jn.json +++ b/europe/jn.json @@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ "text": "0 sq km (2022)" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

dominated by the volcano Beerenberg

volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985

" + "text": "dominated by the volcano Beerenberg

volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "barren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon \"bowl\") and the smaller Sor-Jan (the \"handle\"), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the \"stem\") with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon)" diff --git a/europe/kv.json b/europe/kv.json index 33d27d67..4431a7d6 100644 --- a/europe/kv.json +++ b/europe/kv.json @@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, gold, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Europe\"" }, @@ -535,8 +535,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2008; Kosovo chose not to include lyrics in its anthem to avoid offending the country's minority ethnic groups" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose not to include lyrics in its anthem to avoid offending the country's minority ethnic groups" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -962,9 +961,6 @@ } }, "Transnational Issues": { - "Disputes - international": { - "note": "note: NATO-led Kosovo Force peacekeepers deployed under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 continue to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all Kosovo citizens; in September 2023, KFOR deployed additional forces in the north of Kosovo and increased patrols along the border with Serbia after Kosovo-Serb paramilitaries attacked Kosovo police near the town of Banjska; some of Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority, most of whom live in the northern regions, view themselves as part of Serbia, and Serbian municipalities along the northern border have challenged the final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; some protests have turned violent " - }, "Refugees and internally displaced persons": { "IDPs": { "text": "16,000 (primarily ethnic Serbs displaced during the 1998-1999 war fearing reprisals from the majority ethnic-Albanian population; a smaller number of ethnic Serbs, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians fled their homes in 2004 as a result of violence) (2022)" diff --git a/europe/lg.json b/europe/lg.json index ba7a1a2a..a2074251 100644 --- a/europe/lg.json +++ b/europe/lg.json @@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils

" + "text": "36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices" @@ -631,7 +631,8 @@ "text": "18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Latvian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union" + "text": "Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)", + "note": "note: 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon; the flag is one of the older banners in the world -- a medieval chronicle mentions Latvian tribes using a red standard with a white stripe around 1280" @@ -642,7 +643,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "maroon, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Dievs, sveti Latviju!\" (God Bless Latvia)" }, @@ -651,8 +652,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 when Latvia was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/lh.json b/europe/lh.json index 981172cf..69304a88 100644 --- a/europe/lh.json +++ b/europe/lh.json @@ -642,7 +642,8 @@ "text": "16 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia and Germany); 11 March 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 6 July 1253 (coronation of MINDAUGAS, traditional founding date); 1 July 1569 (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth created)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and its concomitant independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of Lithuanian statehood and its concomitant independence from the Soviet Union" + "text": "Independence Day (or National Day), 16 February (1918)", + "note": "note: 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania established its statehood and independence from Soviet Russia and Germany; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared the restoration of statehood and independence from the Soviet Union" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red; yellow stands for golden fields, the sun, light, and goodness; green represents the forests, nature, freedom, and hope; red stands for courage and the blood spilled in defense of the homeland" @@ -653,7 +654,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, green, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Tautiska giesme\" (The National Song)" }, @@ -662,8 +663,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 when Lithuania was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 when Lithuania was part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/lo.json b/europe/lo.json index 55a83434..a9e475c8 100644 --- a/europe/lo.json +++ b/europe/lo.json @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "about one and a half times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire" + "text": "about 1.5 times the size of Maryland; about twice the size of New Hampshire" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -651,7 +651,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "white, blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nad Tatrou sa blyska\" (Lightning Over the Tatras)" }, @@ -660,8 +660,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song \"Kopala studienku\" (She was digging a well)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song \"Kopala studienku\" (She was digging a well)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1151,7 +1150,7 @@ "text": "240 Cyprus (UNFICYP); up to 150 Latvia (NATO) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Slovak military was created from the Czechoslovak Army after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in January 1993; it is responsible for external defense and fulfilling Slovakia’s commitments to European and international security; Slovakia has been a member of both the EU and NATO since 2004; a key focus of the Slovak military is fulfilling the country’s security responsibilities to NATO, including modernizing and acquiring NATO-compatible equipment, participating in training exercises, and providing forces for security missions such as NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States; since 2022, Slovakia has hosted a NATO ground force battlegroup comprised of troops from Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the US as part of the NATO effort to boost the defenses of Eastern Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine; Slovakia also contributes to EU and UN peacekeeping missions

the Slovak Air Force has only a handful of fighter aircraft and is assisted by NATO’s air policing mission over Slovakia, which includes fighter aircraft from Czechia and Poland; in 2022, Slovakia signed a defense agreement with the US that allows the US to use two Slovak military air bases (2024)" + "text": "the Slovak military is responsible for external defense and fulfilling Slovakia’s commitments to European and international security; Slovakia has been a member of both the EU and NATO since 2004; a key focus of the Slovak military is fulfilling the country’s security responsibilities to NATO, including modernizing and acquiring NATO-compatible equipment, participating in training exercises, and providing forces for security missions such as NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States; since 2022, Slovakia has hosted a multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the NATO effort to boost the defenses of Eastern Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine; Slovakia also contributes to EU and UN peacekeeping missions

the Slovak Air Force has only a handful of fighter aircraft and is assisted by NATO’s air policing mission over Slovakia, which includes fighter aircraft from Czechia and Poland; in 2022, Slovakia signed a defense agreement with the US that allows the US to use two Slovak military air bases (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/ls.json b/europe/ls.json index a4a75d69..3fbf92b7 100644 --- a/europe/ls.json +++ b/europe/ls.json @@ -537,7 +537,8 @@ "text": "23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire); 24 August 1866 (independence from the German Confederation)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 15 August (1940); note - a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) whose birth fell on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday by law in 1990" + "text": "National Day, 15 August (1940)", + "note": "note: a National Day was originally established in 1940 to combine celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption (15 August) with those honoring the birthday of former Prince FRANZ JOSEF II (1906-1989) on 16 August; after the prince's death, National Day became the official national holiday in 1990" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red, with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band; the colors may derive from the blue-and-red livery used in the principality's household in the 18th century; the prince's crown was introduced in 1937 to distinguish it from Haiti's flag" @@ -551,7 +552,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the six motifs on the coat of arms provide a history of the royal House of Liechtenstein since 1719, when the country was founded; the small shield at the center is the royal family’s gold-and-red coat of arms, the gold-crowned eagle signifies the Silesia family, the diamond wreath represents the Kuenringer family, the red-and-silver shield is the Duchy of Troppau, the black eagle comes from the coat of arms of a family that married into the royal line, and the golden hunting horn represents the Duchy of Jägerndorf" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Oben am jungen Rhein\" (High Above the Young Rhine)" }, @@ -560,8 +561,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of the United Kingdom's anthem, \"God Save the King\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of the United Kingdom's anthem, \"God Save the King\"" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/lu.json b/europe/lu.json index 4bd987f4..19c81900 100644 --- a/europe/lu.json +++ b/europe/lu.json @@ -620,7 +620,8 @@ "text": "1839 (from the Netherlands)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day (birthday of Grand Duke HENRI), 23 June; note - this date of birth is not the true date of birth for any of the Royals, but the national festivities were shifted in 1962 to allow observance during a more favorable time of year" + "text": "National Day (birthday of Grand Duke HENRI), 23 June", + "note": "note: this is not the true date of birth for any of the Royals, but the national festivities were shifted in 1962 to allow observance during a more favorable time of year" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; the coloring is derived from the Grand Duke's coat of arms" @@ -631,7 +632,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, light blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"De Wilhelmus\" (The William)" }, @@ -640,8 +641,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg" - }, - "note": "note: \"Ons Heemecht,\" adopted 1864, is the national anthem, and \"De Wilhelmus,\" adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/md.json b/europe/md.json index 44eb7bfb..7657b627 100644 --- a/europe/md.json +++ b/europe/md.json @@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ "note": "note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyov)" }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

32 districts (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)

" + "text": "32 districts (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)

districts: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni

municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau

autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia

territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts" @@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ "note": "note: the Constitutional Court is autonomous; it interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS
Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS

" + "text": "Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS
Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -643,7 +643,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Limba noastra\" (Our Language)" }, @@ -652,8 +652,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1994" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1994" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/mj.json b/europe/mj.json index 94d21d67..666ed9f8 100644 --- a/europe/mj.json +++ b/europe/mj.json @@ -653,7 +653,8 @@ "text": "3 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro); notable earlier dates: 13 March 1852 (Principality of Montenegro established); 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Montenegrin independence); 28 August 1910 (Kingdom of Montenegro established)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Statehood Day, 13 July (1878, the day the Berlin Congress recognized Montenegro as the 27th independent state in the world, and 1941, the day the Montenegrins staged an uprising against fascist occupiers and sided with the partisan communist movement)" + "text": "Statehood Day, 13 July (1878, 1941)", + "note": "note: the holiday celebrates the day in 1878 when the Berlin Congress recognized Montenegro as an independent state, as well as the day in 1941 when the Montenegrins staged an uprising against its occupiers" }, "Flag description": { "text": "a red field bordered with a narrow golden-yellow stripe and the Montenegrin coat of arms in the center; the arms consist of a double-headed golden eagle that symbolizes the unity of church and state, with a crown above; the eagle holds a golden scepter in its right claw and a blue orb in its left; the breast shield over the eagle shows a golden lion on a green field in front of a blue sky; the lion is a symbol of episcopal authority, a reference to the three-and-a-half centuries when Montenegro was ruled as a theocracy" @@ -664,7 +665,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, gold" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Oj, svijetla majska zoro\" (O Bright Dawn of May)" }, @@ -673,8 +674,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/mk.json b/europe/mk.json index de886fb4..45eb5703 100644 --- a/europe/mk.json +++ b/europe/mk.json @@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ "text": "24 April and 8 May 2024" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2024: Hristijan MICKOSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 77 for, 22 against

2024: Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote - Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 69%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 31%

2024: Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote - 65 for (opposition boycott)

2022: Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - NA
" + "text": "
2024: Hristijan MICKOSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 77 for, 22 against

2024: Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote - Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 69%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 31%

2024: Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote - 65 for (opposition boycott)

2022: Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - NA" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "2029" @@ -638,7 +638,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Denes nad Makedonija\" (Today Over Macedonia)" }, @@ -647,8 +647,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, when it was part of Yugoslavia" - }, - "note": "note: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, when it was part of Yugoslavia" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/mn.json b/europe/mn.json index 7d99998c..4cddad59 100644 --- a/europe/mn.json +++ b/europe/mn.json @@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"A Marcia de Muneghu\" (The March of Monaco)" }, @@ -562,8 +562,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as \"Hymne Monegasque\" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are usually only sung on official occasions" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as \"Hymne Monegasque\" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are usually only sung on official occasions" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/mt.json b/europe/mt.json index 90b824b8..5bc7f51f 100644 --- a/europe/mt.json +++ b/europe/mt.json @@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"L-Innu Malti\" (The Maltese Anthem)" }, @@ -633,8 +633,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/nl.json b/europe/nl.json index a11272c7..9aeffd23 100644 --- a/europe/nl.json +++ b/europe/nl.json @@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ "text": "an area known as the Randstad, anchored by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Utrecht, is the most densely populated region; the north tends to be less dense, but sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

flooding

volcanism: Mount Scenery (887 m), located on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, last erupted in 1640; Round Hill (601 m), a dormant volcano also known as The Quill, is located on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean; these islands are at the northern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends south to Grenada

" + "text": "flooding

volcanism: Mount Scenery (887 m), located on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, last erupted in 1640; Round Hill (601 m), a dormant volcano also known as \"The Quill,\" is located on the island of St. Eustatius in the Caribbean; these islands are at the northern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends south to Grenada" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine (Rijn), Meuse (Maas), and Scheldt (Schelde)); about a quarter of the country lies below sea level and only about half of the land exceeds one meter above sea level" @@ -678,7 +678,8 @@ "note": "note: the northern provinces of the Low Countries formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration in 1581, but, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day is observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; currently celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday" + "text": "King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967)", + "note": "note: observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of bright red (top), white, and cobalt blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors come from WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange; originally the upper band was orange, but the dye would turn red over time, and red was eventually made the permanent color" @@ -689,7 +690,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "orange" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Het Wilhelmus\" (The William)" }, @@ -698,8 +699,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century; also known as \"Wilhelmus van Nassouwe\" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic -- the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century; also known as \"Wilhelmus van Nassouwe\" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic -- the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/no.json b/europe/no.json index fea39ef2..504bcdfc 100644 --- a/europe/no.json +++ b/europe/no.json @@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ "text": "most people live in the south; population clusters are found along the North Sea coast in the southwest and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

rockslides, avalanches

volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano

" + "text": "rockslides, avalanches

volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world" @@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ "note": "note: in addition to professionally trained judges, elected lay judges sit on the bench with professional judges in the Courts of Appeal and district courts" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Center Party or Sp 
Christian Democratic Party or KrF 
Conservative Party or H 
Green Party or MDG 
Labor Party or Ap 
Liberal Party or V
Patient Focus or PF 
Progress Party or FrP 
Red Party or R 
Socialist Left Party or SV 

" + "text": "Center Party or Sp 
Christian Democratic Party or KrF 
Conservative Party or H 
Green Party or MDG 
Labor Party or Ap 
Liberal Party or V
Patient Focus or PF 
Progress Party or FrP 
Red Party or R 
Socialist Left Party or SV" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kongesangen\" (Song of the King)" }, diff --git a/europe/pl.json b/europe/pl.json index 169b004b..14b0353a 100644 --- a/europe/pl.json +++ b/europe/pl.json @@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ "text": "18 May 2025, with the second round on 1 June 2025" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2025: Karol NAWROCKI elected president in second round; percent of vote - Karol NAWROCKI (PiS) 50.9%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49.1%; NAWROCKI takes office 6 August 2025

2025: First round Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 31.4%, Karol NAWROCKI 29.5% (PiS), Slawomir MENTZEN 14.8%, Grzegorz BRAUN 6.3%, and Szymon HOLOWNIA 5.0%; second round to be held on 1 June 2025; 

2020: Andrzej DUDA reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49%

2015: Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5%

 

" + "text": "
2025: Karol NAWROCKI elected president in second round; percent of vote - Karol NAWROCKI (PiS) 50.9%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49.1%; NAWROCKI takes office 6 August 2025

2025: First round Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 31.4%, Karol NAWROCKI 29.5% (PiS), Slawomir MENTZEN 14.8%, Grzegorz BRAUN 6.3%, and Szymon HOLOWNIA 5.0%; second round to be held on 1 June 2025; 

2020: Andrzej DUDA reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51%, Rafal TRZASKOWSKI (KO) 49%

2015: Andrzej DUDA elected president in second round; percent of vote - Andrzej DUDA (independent) 51.5%, Bronislaw KOMOROWSKI (independent) 48.5%" } }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mazurek Dabrowskiego\" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)" }, @@ -703,8 +703,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as \"Jeszcze Polska nie zginela\" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as \"Jeszcze Polska nie zginela\" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1213,7 +1212,7 @@ "note": "note 1: Poland has obligated about 2,500 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" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "Poland’s geographic location on NATO’s eastern flank and its history of foreign invasion underpin the Polish military’s heavy focus on territorial and border defense and supporting its NATO and EU security commitments; its chief concern is Russian aggression against neighboring Ukraine since 2014, which has led to efforts to boost border defenses and military capabilities and to increase the NATO and US military presence in Poland

since 2014, Poland has been hosting several NATO military formations designed to enhance the defense of Poland and NATO’s eastern flank, including a US-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative, NATO fighter detachments at Malbork Air Base, a NATO-led divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Northeast), which coordinates training and preparation activities of its respective subordinate battlegroups in Poland and Lithuania, and a corps-level NATO field headquarters (Multinational Corps Northeast); since 2022, the US has established a permanent corps headquarters in Poland to command US rotational forces in Europe; Poland also participates in a variety of EU and NATO military deployments in Africa, the Baltic States, Southern Europe, and the Middle East; Poland provided considerable support to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, where more than 30,000 military personnel served over a 20-year period before the mission ended in 2021 (2024)" + "text": "the Polish Armed Forces are responsible for defense of the country's sovereignty and territory, deterring potential threats, and fulfilling Poland's commitments to NATO, EU, and European security; Poland’s geographic location on NATO’s eastern flank and its history of foreign invasion underpin the Polish military’s focus on territorial and border defense; in peacetime, the Armed Forces provide support to the Border Guard; other security concerns include hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus, such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and weaponized migration; since the 2010s, Poland has taken steps to enhance the security of its borders with Russia and Belarus

since 2014, Poland has hosted several NATO military formations designed to enhance the defense of Poland and NATO’s eastern flank, including a US-led multinational NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative, NATO fighter detachments at Malbork Air Base, a NATO-led divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Northeast), which coordinates training and preparation activities of its respective subordinate battlegroups in Poland and Lithuania, and a corps-level NATO field headquarters (Multinational Corps Northeast); Poland also has increased the the US military presence in the country; Poland participates in a variety of EU and NATO military deployments in Africa, the Baltic States, Southern Europe, and the Middle East; Poland also provided support to the NATO mission in Afghanistan (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/europe/po.json b/europe/po.json index 03e23230..a1012fd6 100644 --- a/europe/po.json +++ b/europe/po.json @@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ "text": "concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

Azores subject to severe earthquakes

volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira

" + "text": "Azores subject to severe earthquakes

volcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; they are two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde" @@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ "text": "24 January 2021" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, João FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1%

2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, António SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8%

 

" + "text": "
2021: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 13%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, João FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.3%, other 10.1%

2016: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 52%, António SAMPAIO DA NOVOA (independent) 22.9%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 10.1%, Maria DE BELEM ROSEIRA (PS) 4.2%, other 10.8%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "January 2026" @@ -650,7 +650,8 @@ "text": "1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 1 December 1640 (independence reestablished after 60 years of Spanish rule); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died" + "text": "Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580)", + "note": "note: also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths), with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and national shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation" @@ -661,7 +662,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"A Portugesa\" (The Song of the Portuguese)" }, @@ -670,8 +671,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1910; originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1910; originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1153,7 +1153,7 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "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)" + "text": "approximately 28,000 active-duty Armed Forces (15,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 25,000 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)", @@ -1164,10 +1164,10 @@ "note": "note: as of 2023, women made up about 14% of the military's full-time personnel" }, "Military deployments": { - "text": "the Portuguese Armed Forces have more than 1,100 military personnel deployed around the world engaged in missions supporting the EU, NATO, the UN, and partner nations; key deployments include 225 troops in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), approximately 220 in Lithuania (NATO), and approximately 150 in Romania (NATO); it also participates in NATO air policing and maritime patrolling operations (2024)" + "text": "the Portuguese Armed Forces have more than 1,100 military personnel deployed around the world engaged in missions supporting the EU, NATO, the UN, and partner nations; key deployments include 225 troops in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), approximately 200 in Lithuania (NATO), and approximately 150 in Romania (NATO); it also participates in NATO air policing and maritime patrolling operations (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Portuguese military is an all-volunteer force with the primary responsibilities of external defense, humanitarian operations, and fulfilling Portugal’s commitments to European and international security; maritime security has long been a key component of the military's portfolio, and Portugal has one of the world's oldest navies

Portugal was one of the original signers of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 establishing NATO, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of Portugal’s defense policy; Portugal is also a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, and it regularly participates in a variety of EU, NATO, and UN deployments around the world; the military’s largest commitments include air, ground, and naval forces under NATO-led missions and standing task forces in the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea; the military also participates regularly in exercises with NATO partners (2024)" + "text": "the Portuguese military is responsible for external defense, humanitarian operations, and fulfilling Portugal’s commitments to European and international security; maritime security has long been a key component of the military's portfolio, and Portugal has one of the world's oldest navies

Portugal was one of the original signers of the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 establishing NATO, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of Portugal’s defense policy; Portugal is also a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy, and it regularly participates in a variety of EU and NATO, as well as UN deployments around the world; the military’s largest commitments include air, ground, and naval forces under NATO-led missions and standing task forces in the Baltics, Eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean Sea; the military also participates in exercises with NATO partners (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/europe/ri.json b/europe/ri.json index cf712375..cd839448 100644 --- a/europe/ri.json +++ b/europe/ri.json @@ -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*

", + "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 an asterisk" }, "Legal system": { @@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ }, "International organization participation": { "text": "BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)", - "note": "note: Serbia is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership" + "note": "note: Serbia is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership" }, "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 established, later known as Yugoslavia)" @@ -680,7 +680,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Boze pravde\" (God of Justice)" }, @@ -689,8 +689,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872, and the Serbian people have used it as an anthem in the 20th and 21st centuries" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872, and the Serbian people have used it as an anthem in the 20th and 21st centuries" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1165,7 +1164,7 @@ "text": "180 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Serbian military is responsible for defense and deterrence against external threats, supporting international peacekeeping operations, and providing support to civil authorities for internal security; specific threat concerns of the military include extremism, separatism, and deepening international recognition of Kosovo; Serbia has cooperated with NATO since 2006, when it joined the Partnership for Peace program, and the military trains with NATO countries, particularly other Balkan states; Serbia has participated in EU peacekeeping missions, as well as missions under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN; it also maintains close security ties with Russia and has a growing security relationship with China

the modern Serbian military was established in 2006 but traces its origins back through World War II, World War I, the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, and the Bulgarian-Serb War of 1885 to the First (1804-1813) and Second (1815-1817) Uprisings against the Ottoman Empire (2024)" + "text": "the Serbian military is responsible for defense and deterrence against external threats, supporting international peacekeeping operations, and providing support to civil authorities for internal security; specific areas of concerns for the military include ethnic and religious extremism, separatism, and deepening international recognition of Kosovo; Serbia has cooperated with NATO since 2006, when it joined the Partnership for Peace program, and the military trains with NATO countries, particularly other Balkan states; Serbia has participated in EU peacekeeping missions, as well as missions under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the UN; it traditionally has maintained close security ties with Russia and has a growing security relationship with China

the modern Serbian military was established in 2006 but traces its origins back through World War II, World War I, the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, and the Bulgarian-Serb War of 1885 to the First (1804-1813) and Second (1815-1817) Uprisings against the Ottoman Empire (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/ro.json b/europe/ro.json index 48ae8667..b1ecf367 100644 --- a/europe/ro.json +++ b/europe/ro.json @@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Desteapta-te romane!\" (Wake up, Romanian!)" }, @@ -727,15 +727,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "11 (9 cultural, 2 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Danube Delta (n); Churches of Moldavia (c); Monastery of Horezu (c); Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania (c); Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (c); Historic Center of Sighişoara (c); Wooden Churches of Maramureş (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (c); Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia (c)

" + "text": "Danube Delta (n); Churches of Moldavia (c); Monastery of Horezu (c); Villages with Fortified Churches in Transylvania (c); Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains (c); Historic Center of Sighişoara (c); Wooden Churches of Maramureş (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (c); Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia (c)" } } }, @@ -1235,10 +1234,10 @@ } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { - "text": "approximately 68,000 active Armed Forces (53,000 Land Forces; 7,000 Naval Forces; 8,000 Air Force) (2024)" + "text": "approximately 70,000 active Armed Forces (2025)" }, "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)" + "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 (2025)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; all military inductees contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36; conscription ended in 2006 (2023)" @@ -1247,7 +1246,7 @@ "text": "up to 120 Poland (NATO); Romania also has small numbers of military personnel deployed on other international missions under the EU, NATO, and UN (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Romanian Armed Forces are responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling the country's commitments to European security, and contributing to multinational peacekeeping operations; the military has a variety of concerns, including cyber attacks and terrorism, but its primary focus is Russian aggression against neighboring Ukraine and Russia's activities in the Black Sea and Romania’s other eastern neighbor, Moldova

Romania joined NATO in 2004, and the Alliance forms a key pillar of the country’s defense policy; it hosts a NATO multinational divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Southeast) and a French-led ground force battlegroup as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence initiative in the southeastern part of the Alliance, which came about in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine; NATO allies have also sent detachments of fighters to augment the Romanian Air Force since 2014 because of aggressive Russian activity in the Black Sea region; the Romanian military trains regularly with NATO and its member states and has participated in NATO- and EU-led multinational missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Poland (2024)" + "text": "the Romanian Armed Forces are responsible for territorial defense, fulfilling the country's commitments to European security, and contributing to multinational peacekeeping operations; the military has a variety of concerns, including Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russia's activities in the Black Sea and in Moldova, cyber attacks, hybrid threats, and terrorism; a key focus for the military is equipment modernization

Romania joined NATO in 2004, and its membership forms a key pillar of the country’s defense policy; it hosts a NATO multinational divisional headquarters (Multinational Division Southeast) and a French-led ground force battlegroup as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence initiative in the southeastern part of the Alliance, which came about in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine; NATO allies have also sent detachments of fighters to augment the Romanian Air Force since 2014 because of aggressive Russian activity in the Black Sea region; the Romanian military trains with NATO and its member states and has participated in NATO- and EU-led multinational missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Poland; it also participates in UN peacekeeping missions (2024)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/europe/si.json b/europe/si.json index 19bd2140..e01fd31f 100644 --- a/europe/si.json +++ b/europe/si.json @@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

200 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 12 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)

municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk

urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje

" + "text": "200 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 12 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)

municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk

urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system" @@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "white, blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Zdravljica\" (A Toast)" }, @@ -680,8 +680,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism" - }, - "note": "note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1193,7 +1192,7 @@ "note": "note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovenia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska or SV) are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, deterring external threats, and contributing to European security and other international peacekeeping missions; the SV is also active in civil-military cooperation, such as the maintenance of local infrastructure; Slovenia has been a member of the EU and NATO since 2004, and one of the SV’s key missions is fulfilling the country’s commitments to NATO, including equipment modernization, participating in training exercises, and contributing to NATO operations; the SV provides troops to NATO’s efforts to enhance its presence in the Baltics (Latvia) and Eastern Europe (Slovakia); it has also participated in other international security missions with small numbers of personnel in such places as Africa, southern Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East; because the SV air component has no fighter aircraft, NATO allies Hungary and Italy provide air policing for Slovenia

the SV was formally established in 1993 as a reorganization of the Slovenia Defense Force; the Defense Force, along with the Slovenian police, comprised the majority of the forces that engaged with the Yugoslav People’s Army during the 10-Day War after Slovenia declared its independence in 1991 (2024)" + "text": "the Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska or SV) are responsible for the defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, deterring external threats, and contributing to European security and other international peacekeeping missions; the SV is also active in civil-military cooperation, such as the maintenance of local infrastructure; Slovenia has been a member of the EU and NATO since 2004, and one of the SV’s key missions is fulfilling the country’s commitments to NATO, including equipment modernization, participating in training exercises, and contributing to NATO operations; the SV provides troops to NATO’s efforts to enhance its presence in the Baltics (Latvia) and Eastern Europe (Slovakia); it has also participated in other international security missions with small numbers of personnel in such places as Africa, southern Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East; NATO allies Hungary and Italy provide air policing for Slovenia

the SV was formally established in 1993 as a reorganization of the Slovenia Defense Force; the Defense Force, along with the Slovenian police, comprised the majority of the forces that engaged with the Yugoslav People’s Army during the 10-Day War after Slovenia declared its independence in 1991 (2025)" } }, "Transnational Issues": { diff --git a/europe/sm.json b/europe/sm.json index 7ca3f2e8..13ebf6b4 100644 --- a/europe/sm.json +++ b/europe/sm.json @@ -567,7 +567,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Inno Nazionale della Repubblica\" (National Anthem of the Republic)" }, @@ -576,8 +576,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1894; the music for the anthem, which has no lyrics, is based on a 10th-century chorale piece" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1894; the music for the anthem, which has no lyrics, is based on a 10th-century chorale piece" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/sp.json b/europe/sp.json index 0f7a4869..0f48dc43 100644 --- a/europe/sp.json +++ b/europe/sp.json @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "6,390 sq km" }, - "note": "note: there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera" + "note": "note: includes two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla), 17 autonomous communities (including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands), and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco -- Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "almost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon" @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ "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; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelona" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

periodic droughts, occasional flooding

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (3,715 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; La Palma (2,426 m), which last erupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes; Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano

" + "text": "periodic droughts, occasional flooding

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (3,715 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; La Palma (2,426 m) is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes; Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco, including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas; Spain's Canary Islands are one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), and Cabo Verde" @@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional Espanol\" (National Anthem of Spain)" }, @@ -721,8 +721,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem was the first to be officially adopted; it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle-call book and was replaced by \"Himno de Riego\" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, and the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events" - }, - "note": "note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem was the first to be officially adopted; it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle-call book and was replaced by \"Himno de Riego\" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, and the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/sv.json b/europe/sv.json index cb3590b5..9c2d1e1f 100644 --- a/europe/sv.json +++ b/europe/sv.json @@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "the flag of Norway is used" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Ja, vi elsker dette landet\"" }, @@ -214,8 +214,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a Norwegian territory" - }, - "note": "note: as a territory of Norway, \"Ja, vi elsker dette landet\" is official (see Norway)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/europe/sw.json b/europe/sw.json index 7fc18b87..18f6a83b 100644 --- a/europe/sw.json +++ b/europe/sw.json @@ -372,7 +372,7 @@ }, "Environment": { "Environmental issues": { - "text": "

marine pollution (Baltic Sea and North Sea); acid rain damage to soil and lakes; air pollution; poor timber-harvesting practices

" + "text": "marine pollution (Baltic Sea and North Sea); acid rain damage to soil and lakes; air pollution; poor timber-harvesting practices" }, "International environmental agreements": { "party to": { @@ -637,7 +637,8 @@ "text": "6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king of Sweden, marking the abolishment of the Kalmar Union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day" + "text": "National Day, 6 June (1983)", + "note": "note: celebrated as Swedish Flag Day from 1916 to 1982" }, "Flag description": { "text": "blue with a golden yellow cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors come from the Swedish coat of arms" @@ -648,7 +649,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kungssangen\" (The King's Song)" }, @@ -657,8 +658,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "in use since 1844 as the royal anthem, but also used as the national anthem until 1893; played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies" - }, - "note": "note: in use since 1844; also known as \"Sang till Norden\" (Song of the North); based on a Swedish folk tune; has never been officially adopted; \"Kungssangen\" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/sz.json b/europe/sz.json index 00bcc5cd..08e2398a 100644 --- a/europe/sz.json +++ b/europe/sz.json @@ -677,7 +677,8 @@ "text": "1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day" + "text": "Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291", + "note": "note: celebrated as Swiss National Day since 1 August 1891" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red square with an equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; the origin of the flag is unclear, but a white cross was used to identify Swiss Confederation troops at the Battle of Laupen (1339)", @@ -689,7 +690,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "the Swiss anthem has four names: \"Schweizerpsalm\" [German] \"Cantique Suisse\" [French] \"Salmo svizzero,\" [Italian] \"Psalm svizzer\" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)" }, @@ -698,8 +699,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since it was composed (in German) in 1841; all four of the versions (German, French, Italian, Romansch) are considered official" - }, - "note": "note: unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since it was composed (in German) in 1841; all four of the versions (German, French, Italian, Romansch) are considered official" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/uk.json b/europe/uk.json index 4756e405..7be4cfc6 100644 --- a/europe/uk.json +++ b/europe/uk.json @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "1,680 sq km" }, - "note": "note 1: the percentage area breakdown of the four UK countries is: England 53%, Scotland 32%, Wales 9%, and Northern Ireland 6%

note 2: includes Rockall and the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland" + "note": "note 1: England covers 53% of the area, Scotland 32%, Wales 9%, and Northern Ireland 6%

note 2: includes Rockall and the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon" @@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ } }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

England: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*)

two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Worcestershire

London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster

metropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton

unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; York

Northern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils

borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrim

district councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Down

city councils: Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh

Scotland: 32 council areas

council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Wales: 22 unitary authorities

unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, Wrexham

" + "text": "England: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*)

two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Worcestershire

London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster

metropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton

unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; York

Northern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils

borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrim

district councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Down city councils: Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh

Scotland: 32 council areas

council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Wales: 22 unitary authorities

unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, Wrexham" }, "Dependent areas": { "text": "Anguilla; Bermuda; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands (12)" @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue (all of Britain); red, white (England); blue, white (Scotland); red, white, green (Wales)" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -679,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem; it is known as either \"God Save the Queen\" or \"God Save the King,\" depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem for many Commonwealth nations" - }, - "note": "note: in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem; it is known as either \"God Save the Queen\" or \"God Save the King,\" depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem for many Commonwealth nations" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/up.json b/europe/up.json index 3ff170f2..fc825b08 100644 --- a/europe/up.json +++ b/europe/up.json @@ -601,10 +601,10 @@ "text": "Supreme Court of Ukraine or SCU (consists of 100 judges, organized into civil, criminal, commercial and administrative chambers, and a grand chamber); Constitutional Court (consists of 18 justices); High Anti-Corruption Court (consists of 39 judges, including 12 in the Appeals Chamber)" }, "judge selection and term of office": { - "text": "Supreme Court judges recommended by the High Qualification Commission of Judges (a 16-member state body responsible for judicial candidate testing and assessment and judicial administration), submitted to the High Council of Justice, a 21-member independent body of judicial officials; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; High Anti-Corruption Court judges are selected by the same process, with one addition – a majority of a combined High Qualification Commission of Judges and a 6-member Public Council of International Experts must vote in favor of potential judges in order to recommend their nomination to the High Council of Justice; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 6 each by the president, the Congress of Judges, and the Verkhovna Rada; judges serve 9-year nonrenewable terms

 

" + "text": "Supreme Court judges recommended by the High Qualification Commission of Judges (a 16-member state body responsible for judicial candidate testing and assessment and judicial administration), submitted to the High Council of Justice, a 21-member independent body of judicial officials; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; High Anti-Corruption Court judges are selected by the same process, with one addition – a majority of a combined High Qualification Commission of Judges and a 6-member Public Council of International Experts must vote in favor of potential judges in order to recommend their nomination to the High Council of Justice; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 6 each by the president, the Congress of Judges, and the Verkhovna Rada; judges serve 9-year nonrenewable terms" }, "subordinate courts": { - "text": "

Courts of Appeal; district courts

" + "text": "Courts of Appeal; district courts" } }, "Political parties": { @@ -652,13 +652,14 @@ }, "International organization participation": { "text": "Australia Group, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CICA (observer), CIS (participating member, has not signed the 1993 CIS charter), EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC", - "note": "note: Ukraine is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership" + "note": "note: Ukraine is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership" }, "Independence": { "text": "24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: ca. 982 (VOLODYMYR I consolidates Kyivan Rus); 1199 (Principality (later Kingdom) of Ruthenia formed); 1648 (establishment of the Cossack Hetmanate); 22 January 1918 (from Soviet Russia)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 24 August (1991); note - 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence from Soviet Russia, and the date the short-lived Western and Greater (Eastern) Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day" + "text": "Independence Day, 24 August (1991)", + "note": "note: 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence from Soviet Russia, is now celebrated as Unity Day" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and yellow; the colors date back to medieval heraldry, but they are sometimes said to represent grain fields under a blue sky" @@ -669,7 +670,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Shche ne vmerla Ukraina\" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished)" }, @@ -678,8 +679,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1991, lyrics adopted 2003; song first performed in 1864 at the Ukraine Theatre in Lviv; the lyrics, originally written in 1862, were revised in 2003" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1991, lyrics adopted 2003; song first performed in 1864 at the Ukraine Theatre in Lviv; the lyrics, originally written in 1862, were revised in 2003" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/europe/vt.json b/europe/vt.json index a53b8b84..e0b1bf09 100644 --- a/europe/vt.json +++ b/europe/vt.json @@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ "note": "note: in the Holy See, citizenship is acquired by law, ex iure, or by adminstrative decision; in the first instance, citizenship is a function of holding office within the Holy See as in the case of cardinals resident in Vatican City or diplomats of the Holy See; in the second instance, citizenship may be requested in a limited set of circumstances for those who reside within Vatican City under papal authorization, as a function of their office or service, or as the spouses and children of current citizens; citizenship is lost once an individual no longer permanently resides in Vatican City, normally reverting to the citizenship previously held" }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "election of the pope is limited to cardinals less than 80 years old" + "text": "election of the pope is limited to cardinals under 80 years old" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ "text": "pope elected by the College of Cardinals, usually for life or until voluntary resignation; Secretary of State appointed by the pope" }, "election results": { - "text": "2025: Robert PREVOST elected Pope LEO XIV

" + "text": "
2025: Robert PREVOST elected Pope LEO XIV" } }, "Legislative branch": { @@ -337,9 +337,6 @@ "text": "11 February 1929", "note": "note: the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged the full sovereignty of the Holy See and established its territorial extent, but the origin of the Papal States, which over centuries varied considerably in extent, can be traced back to A.D. 754" }, - "National holiday": { - "text": "Election Day of Pope FRANCIS, 13 March (2013)" - }, "Flag description": { "text": "two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter with the three-tiered papal tiara above, centered in the white band; the yellow color represents the pope's spiritual power, and the white his worldly power" }, @@ -349,7 +346,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Inno e Marcia Pontificale\" (Hymn and Pontifical March), often called \"The Pontifical Hymn\"" }, @@ -358,8 +355,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1950" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1950" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/ae.json b/middle-east/ae.json index 9dd98568..c1ef6f4f 100644 --- a/middle-east/ae.json +++ b/middle-east/ae.json @@ -524,7 +524,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "limited; note - rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens" + "text": "limited", + "note": "note: rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that accounts for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -592,7 +593,7 @@ "note": "note: the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Dubai International Financial Center Courts, the country’s two largest financial free zones, adjudicate civil and commercial disputes" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "none; political parties are banned; all candidates run as independents" + "text": "note: political parties are banned; all candidates run as independents" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -655,7 +656,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, black, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nashid al-watani al-imarati\" (National Anthem of the UAE)" }, @@ -664,8 +665,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for Tunisia's anthem" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for Tunisia's anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/aj.json b/middle-east/aj.json index 67696a69..d5c08410 100644 --- a/middle-east/aj.json +++ b/middle-east/aj.json @@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ "note": "note: at approximately 28 m below sea level, Baku's elevation makes it the lowest capital city in the world" }, "Administrative divisions": { - "text": "

66 districts (rayonlar; singular - rayon), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular);

rayons: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab

cities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax

" + "text": "66 districts (rayonlar; singular - rayon), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular)

districts: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab

cities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax" }, "Legal system": { "text": "civil law system" @@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, red, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Azerbaijan Marsi\" (March of Azerbaijan)" }, @@ -661,8 +661,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1992; originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, but did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1992; originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, but did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/am.json b/middle-east/am.json index ad2d695c..754a0ce4 100644 --- a/middle-east/am.json +++ b/middle-east/am.json @@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ "text": "previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995" }, "amendment process": { - "text": "

proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, by the National Assembly, and by a referendum with at least 25% registered voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable

" + "text": "proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, the National Assembly, and a referendum with at least 25% registered-voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable" } }, "International law organization participation": { @@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, blue, orange" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mer Hayrenik\" (Our Fatherland)" }, @@ -666,8 +666,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922), but with different lyrics" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/ba.json b/middle-east/ba.json index 85ba9a08..fd1e2c60 100644 --- a/middle-east/ba.json +++ b/middle-east/ba.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

In 1783, the Sunni AL-KHALIFA family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2022, the United States designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally.

The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its Shia-majority population. In 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government responded to similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords with Israel. In 2023, Bahrain and the United States signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, from defense and security to emerging technology, trade, and investment.

 

 

" + "text": "In 1783, the Sunni AL-KHALIFA family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2022, the United States designated Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally.

The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its Shia-majority population. In 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government responded to similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords with Israel. In 2023, Bahrain and the United States signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement to enhance cooperation across a wide range of areas, from defense and security to emerging technology, trade, and investment." } }, "Geography": { @@ -640,7 +640,8 @@ "text": "15 August 1971 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection" + "text": "National Day, 16 December (1971)", + "note": "note: 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band of five white points on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam", @@ -652,7 +653,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Bahrainona\" (Our Bahrain)" }, @@ -661,8 +662,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1971; Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, but they were changed in 2002 after Bahrain became a kingdom" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1971; Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, but they were changed in 2002 after Bahrain became a kingdom" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/gg.json b/middle-east/gg.json index f3dc6699..7d3c68bc 100644 --- a/middle-east/gg.json +++ b/middle-east/gg.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The region of present-day Georgia once contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis (known as Egrisi locally) and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Persian, Arab, and Turk domination was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short when the Mongols invaded in 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

In 2003, mounting public discontent over rampant corruption, ineffective government services, and a government attempt to manipulate parliamentary elections touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, who had been president since 1995. In the aftermath of this \"Rose Revolution,\" new elections in 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI and his United National Movement (UNM) party into power. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and governance, but he faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was further complicated when Russian support for the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia led to a five-day conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, which included Russia invading large portions of Georgian territory. Russia initially pledged to pull back from most Georgian territory but then unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces have remained in those regions.

Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and left the country after his presidential term ended in 2013. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the years since, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. In 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse-of-office convictions.

Popular support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals, and Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022, becoming a candidate country in December 2023. Georgia and the EU have a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, and since 2017, Georgian citizens have been able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa.

" + "text": "The region of present-day Georgia once contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis (known as Egrisi locally) and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Persian, Arab, and Turk domination was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short when the Mongols invaded in 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

In 2003, mounting public discontent over rampant corruption, ineffective government services, and a government attempt to manipulate parliamentary elections touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, who had been president since 1995. In the aftermath of this \"Rose Revolution,\" new elections in 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI and his United National Movement (UNM) party into power. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and governance, but he faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was further complicated when Russian support for the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia led to a five-day conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, which included Russia invading large portions of Georgian territory. Russia initially pledged to pull back from most Georgian territory but then unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces have remained in those regions.

Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and left the country after his presidential term ended in 2013. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the years since, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. In 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse-of-office convictions.

Popular support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals, and Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022, becoming a candidate country in December 2023. Georgia and the EU have a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, and since 2017, Georgian citizens have been able to travel to the Schengen area without a visa." } }, "Geography": { @@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ "water": { "text": "0 sq km" }, - "note": "note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which 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" + "note": "note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian-occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti" }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia" @@ -651,7 +651,8 @@ "text": "9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union" + "text": "Independence Day, 26 May (1918)", + "note": "note: 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia; 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union" }, "Flag description": { "text": "white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag, the design is based on a 14th-century banner of the Kingdom of Georgia" @@ -662,7 +663,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Tavisupleba\" (Liberty)" }, @@ -671,8 +672,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2004, after the Rose Revolution; based on music from the operas \"Abesalom da Eteri\" and \"Daisi\"" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2004, after the Rose Revolution; based on music from the operas \"Abesalom da Eteri\" and \"Daisi\"" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/ir.json b/middle-east/ir.json index c5881c17..443a2e23 100644 --- a/middle-east/ir.json +++ b/middle-east/ir.json @@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ "election results": { "text": "
2024: first round results - Masoud PEZESHKIAN (independent) 44.4%, Saeed JALILI (Front of Islamic Revolution Stability) 40.4%, Mohammad Baqer QAKIBAF (Progress and Justice Population of Islamic Iran) 14.3%, other 0.9%; second round results - Masoud PEZESHKIAN elected; Masoud PEZESHKIAN 54.8%, Saeed JALILI 45.2%

2021: Ebrahim RAISI elected president; percent of vote - Ebrahim RAISI (independent) 72.4%, Mohsen REZAI (RFII) 13.8%, Abbdolnaser HEMATI (ECP) 9.8%, Amir-Hosein Qazizadeh-HASHEMI (Islamic Law Party) 4%" }, - "note": "Note: presidential election held early due to the death of President Ebrahim RAISI in a helicopter accident in May 2024" + "note": "note: presidential election held early due to the death of President Ebrahim RAISI in a helicopter accident in May 2024" }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { @@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran\" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)" }, @@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ "text": "28 (26cultural, 2 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Persepolis (c); Tchogha Zanbil (c); Bam and its Cultural Landscape (c); Golestan Palace (c); Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System (c); Pasargadae (c); Hyrcanian Forests (n); Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (c); Meidan Emam, Esfahan (c); Bisotun (c); Takht-e Soleyman (c); Soltaniyeh(c); Bisotun (c); Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran(c); Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil (c); The Persian Garden (c); Gonbad-e Qābus (c); Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan (c); Shahr-i Sokhta (c); Cultural Landscape of Maymand (c); Susa (c); Lut Desert (n);The Persian Qanat (c); Historic City of Yazd (c); Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region (c); Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat (c); Trans-Iranian Railway (c); The Persian Caravanserai (c); Hegmataneh (c)

" + "text": "Persepolis (c); Tchogha Zanbil (c); Bam and its Cultural Landscape (c); Golestan Palace (c); Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System (c); Pasargadae (c); Hyrcanian Forests (n); Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (c); Meidan Emam, Esfahan (c); Bisotun (c); Takht-e Soleyman (c); Soltaniyeh(c); Bisotun (c); Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran(c); Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil (c); The Persian Garden (c); Gonbad-e Qābus (c); Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan (c); Shahr-i Sokhta (c); Cultural Landscape of Maymand (c); Susa (c); Lut Desert (n);The Persian Qanat (c); Historic City of Yazd (c); Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region (c); Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat (c); Trans-Iranian Railway (c); The Persian Caravanserai (c); Hegmataneh (c)" } } }, diff --git a/middle-east/is.json b/middle-east/is.json index 9ab6839b..4f3b27fd 100644 --- a/middle-east/is.json +++ b/middle-east/is.json @@ -538,7 +538,7 @@ "text": "2 June 2021" }, "election results": { - "text": "
2021: Isaac HERZOG elected president; Knesset vote in first round - Isaac HERZOG (independent) 87, Miriam PERETZ (independent) 26, invalid/blank 7

2014: Reuven RIVLIN elected president in second round; Knesset vote - Reuven RIVLIN (Likud) 63, Meir SHEETRIT (The Movement) 53, other/invalid 4

 

" + "text": "
2021: Isaac HERZOG elected president; Knesset vote in first round - Isaac HERZOG (independent) 87, Miriam PERETZ (independent) 26, invalid/blank 7

2014: Reuven RIVLIN elected president in second round; Knesset vote - Reuven RIVLIN (Likud) 63, Meir SHEETRIT (The Movement) 53, other/invalid 4" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "June 2028" @@ -642,7 +642,8 @@ "text": "14 May 1948 (following League of Nations mandate under British administration)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May" + "text": "Independence Day, 14 May (1948)", + "note": "note: Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar, so the holiday can occur in April or May" }, "Flag description": { "text": "white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times", @@ -654,7 +655,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Hatikvah\" (The Hope)" }, @@ -663,8 +664,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song \"Carul cu boi\" (The Ox-Driven Cart)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song \"Carul cu boi\" (The Ox-Driven Cart)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/iz.json b/middle-east/iz.json index 91815e9d..87d948bb 100644 --- a/middle-east/iz.json +++ b/middle-east/iz.json @@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Mawtini\" (My Homeland)" }, @@ -658,8 +658,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2004, after the ouster of SADDAM Husayn; popular Arab folk song that also serves as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian people" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2004, after the ouster of SADDAM Husayn; popular Arab folk song that also serves as an unofficial anthem for the Palestinian people" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/jo.json b/middle-east/jo.json index 27440ec5..c422d143 100644 --- a/middle-east/jo.json +++ b/middle-east/jo.json @@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "'Azem
Blessed Land Party
Building and Labor Coalition
Eradah Party
Growth Party
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Jordanian al-Ansar Party
Jordanian al-Ghad Party
Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party or JASBP
Jordanian Civil Democratic Party
Jordanian Communist Party or JCP
Jordanian Equality Party
Jordanian Democratic People's Party or HASD
Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party or JDPUP/Wihda
Jordanian Democratic Unionist Party
Jordanian Flame Party
Jordanian Future and Life Party
Jordanian Model Party
Jordanian National Integration Party
Jordanian National Loyalty Party
Jordanian Reform and Renewal Party or Hassad
Jordanian Shura Party 
Jordanian Social Democratic Party or JSDP
Justice and Reform Party or JRP 
Labor Party
National Charter Party
National Coalition Party
National Constitutional Party
National Current Party or NCP
National Islamic Party
National Union
Nationalist Movement Party or Hsq
New Path Party
Progress Party



" + "text": "'Azem
Blessed Land Party
Building and Labor Coalition
Eradah Party
Growth Party
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Jordanian al-Ansar Party
Jordanian al-Ghad Party
Jordanian Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party or JASBP
Jordanian Civil Democratic Party
Jordanian Communist Party or JCP
Jordanian Equality Party
Jordanian Democratic People's Party or HASD
Jordanian Democratic Popular Unity Party or JDPUP/Wihda
Jordanian Democratic Unionist Party
Jordanian Flame Party
Jordanian Future and Life Party
Jordanian Model Party
Jordanian National Integration Party
Jordanian National Loyalty Party
Jordanian Reform and Renewal Party or Hassad
Jordanian Shura Party 
Jordanian Social Democratic Party or JSDP
Justice and Reform Party or JRP 
Labor Party
National Charter Party
National Coalition Party
National Constitutional Party
National Current Party or NCP
National Islamic Party
National Union
Nationalist Movement Party or Hsq
New Path Party
Progress Party" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "black, white, green, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni\" (Long Live the King of Jordan)" }, @@ -695,15 +695,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is most commonly used; the full version is reserved for special occasions" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is most commonly used; the full version is reserved for special occasions" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "7 (6 cultural, 1 mixed)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Petra (c); Quseir Amra (c); Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (c); Wadi Rum Protected Area (m); Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) (c); As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality (c); Umm Al-Jimāl (c)

" + "text": "Petra (c); Quseir Amra (c); Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (c); Wadi Rum Protected Area (m); Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) (c); As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality (c); Umm Al-Jimāl (c)" } } }, diff --git a/middle-east/ku.json b/middle-east/ku.json index 8ee990c6..6c9e9e2d 100644 --- a/middle-east/ku.json +++ b/middle-east/ku.json @@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ "amendment process": { "text": "proposed by the amir or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds consent of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the amir; constitutional articles on the initiation, approval, and promulgation of general legislation cannot be amended" }, - "note": "Note: on 10 May 2024, Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several articles of the constitution for up to four years" + "note": "note: in May 2024, Amir Sheikh MISHAL al-Ahmad al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and suspended several articles of the constitution for up to four years" }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt" @@ -609,7 +609,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani\" (National Anthem)" }, @@ -618,8 +618,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/middle-east/le.json b/middle-east/le.json index 32877a1c..e8040bc8 100644 --- a/middle-east/le.json +++ b/middle-east/le.json @@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP
Amal Movement (\"Hope Movement\")
Azm Movement
Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon
Free Patriotic Movement or FPM
Future Movement Bloc or FM
Hizballah
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Kata'ib Party
Lebanese Democratic Party
Lebanese Forces or LF
Marada Movement
Progressive Socialist Party or PSP
Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party
Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP
Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation

" + "text": "Al-Ahbash (Association of Islamic Charitable Projects) or AICP
Amal Movement (\"Hope Movement\")
Azm Movement
Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon
Free Patriotic Movement or FPM
Future Movement Bloc or FM
Hizballah
Islamic Action Front or IAF
Kata'ib Party
Lebanese Democratic Party
Lebanese Forces or LF
Marada Movement
Progressive Socialist Party or PSP
Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party
Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP
Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -659,7 +659,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Kulluna lil-watan\" (All of Us, For Our Country!)" }, @@ -668,8 +668,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1927; chosen through a nationwide competition" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1927; chosen through a nationwide competition" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/mu.json b/middle-east/mu.json index 733c6524..d67d5735 100644 --- a/middle-east/mu.json +++ b/middle-east/mu.json @@ -520,7 +520,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote" + "text": "21 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -603,7 +604,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "none; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations" + "text": "note: organized political parties are banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -649,7 +650,8 @@ "text": "1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, 18 November; note - celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020" + "text": "National Day, 18 November", + "note": "note: celebrates Oman's independence from Portugal in 1650 and the birthday of Sultan QABOOS bin Said al Said, who reigned from 1970 to 2020" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of white (top), red, and green, with a vertical red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath on top of crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white stands for peace and prosperity, red for battles against foreign invaders, and green for the Jebel al Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility" @@ -660,7 +662,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani\" (The Sultan's Anthem)" }, @@ -669,8 +671,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said came to power in 1970; first performed by the band of the HMS Hawkins as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the ship's bandmaster did the arrangement" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said came to power in 1970; first performed by the band of the HMS Hawkins as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the ship's bandmaster did the arrangement" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/qa.json b/middle-east/qa.json index b4e973fa..42b1bef8 100644 --- a/middle-east/qa.json +++ b/middle-east/qa.json @@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "maroon, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Al-Salam Al-Amiri\" (The Amiri Salute)" }, @@ -636,8 +636,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1099,7 +1098,7 @@ "note": "note: the military incorporates about 2,000 conscripts annually and recruits foreign contract soldiers to overcome manpower limitations" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "Qatar's military is a small and well-equipped force that is responsible for defense against external threats; following the downturn in ties with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in the mid-2010s, the Qatari Government embarked on an arms acquisition and modernization program to increase the military's capabilities and regional standing; the Air Force's inventory of combat aircraft, for example, grew from 12 older models in 2017 to more than 60 modern multirole fighter aircraft from Europe and the US by the 2020s; it is slated to further increase to about 100 such aircraft; other aircraft acquisitions have included US attack helicopters; the Land Force has re-equipped its armored, mechanized, and artillery units with modern tanks, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery, mostly with purchases from Germany and Turkey; meanwhile, the Navy over the same period has received several corvettes and offshore patrol vessels from Italy and Turkey

Qatar hosts the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) and several thousand US military forces at various military facilities, including the Al Udeid Air Base; it 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; Qatar also has close security ties with Turkey and hosts Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019; the Qatari military is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region (2024)" + "text": "Qatar's military is responsible for territorial defense and maritime security; the military is in the midst of a large equipment acquisition program designed to enhance its capabilities and Qatar's regional standing; Qatar has military ties with a variety of countries, including France, the UK, the US, Turkey, and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); it hosts the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) and several thousand US military forces at various military facilities, including the Al Udeid Air Base; Qatar 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; Qatar also hosts Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019; the Qatari military is part of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region (2025)" } }, "Terrorism": { diff --git a/middle-east/sa.json b/middle-east/sa.json index 5d68f3f3..a71658b7 100644 --- a/middle-east/sa.json +++ b/middle-east/sa.json @@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ "text": "historically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since oil was discovered in the 1930s; most of the country's population is now concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east through Riyadh in the interior to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

frequent sand and dust storms

volcanism: despite many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar

" + "text": "frequent sand and dust storms

volcanism: little activity in the past few centuries, despite many volcanic formations; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal" @@ -521,8 +521,7 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal for municipal elections", - "note": "https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/saudi-women-go-to-the-polls-finally" + "text": "18 years of age; universal for municipal elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -640,7 +639,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Aash Al Maleek\" (Long Live Our Beloved King)" }, @@ -649,15 +648,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "7 (7 cultural, 1 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) (c); At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah (c); Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah (c); Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia (c); Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (c); Ḥimā Cultural Area (c); ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid (n);The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area (c)

" + "text": "Hegra Archaeological Site (al-Hijr / Madā ͐ in Ṣāliḥ) (c); At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah (c); Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah (c); Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia (c); Al-Ahsa Oasis, an Evolving Cultural Landscape (c); Ḥimā Cultural Area (c); ‘Uruq Bani Ma’arid (n);The Cultural Landscape of Al-Faw Archaeological Area (c)" } } }, @@ -1088,8 +1086,8 @@ }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { - "text": "the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF) are divided into two ministries:

Ministry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard: Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Other security forces include: 

Ministry of Interior: Facilities Security Forces, Public Security Forces (police)

State Security Presidency (SSP): General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2025)", - "note": "note 1: the SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force comprised off tribal elements loyal to the House of Saud; it is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, and external defense

note 2: the SAAF includes the Saudi Royal Guard Command, a unit which provides security and protection to the ruling family and other dignitaries" + "text": "the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF) are divided into two ministries:

Ministry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard: Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Other security forces include: 

Ministry of Interior: Facilities Security Forces, Public Security Forces (police), General Directorate of Border Guard

State Security Presidency (SSP): General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2025)", + "note": "note 1: the regular armed forces under the Ministry of Defense are responsible for external defense, although they can be called for domestic security duties if needed

note 2: the SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force comprised off tribal elements loyal to the House of Saud; it is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, guarding against military coups, defending strategic facilities and resources, and providing security for the cities of Mecca and Medina; it may also assist the regular armed forces in combat operations

note 3: the SAAF includes the Saudi Royal Guard Command, a unit which provides security and protection to the ruling family and other dignitaries" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2024": { @@ -1123,7 +1121,7 @@ "text": "continues to maintain a military presence in Yemen; has also established and supports several local militias, including the National Shield Forces in Aden and the Amajid Brigade in Abyan (2023)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces (SAAF) are divided into the regular forces under the Ministry of Defense and the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG); the regular forces are responsible for territorial defense, although they can be called for domestic security duties if needed; they include land, naval, air, air defense, and strategic missile forces

the SANG is responsible for both internal security and external defense; its duties include protecting the royal family, guarding against military coups, defending strategic facilities and resources, and providing security for the cities of Mecca and Medina; the SANG is primarily comprised of tribal elements loyal to the Saud family and is comprised of brigades of light infantry, mechanized or motorized infantry, and security forces; it is supplemented by combat helicopter units and tribal levies/militias known as Fowj

Saudi Arabia has close security ties with the US; the SAAF conducts bilateral exercises with the US military and hosts US forces; the US has participated in a cooperative program to equip and train the SANG since 1973; much of the equipment for both the regular forces and the SANG has been acquired from the US; Saudi Arabia also has defense relationships with China, France, India, the UK, and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members; it is a member of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region; the force was established in 1982, and its leadership is based in Saudi Arabia

in 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention into Yemen by a coalition of Arab states in support of the Republic of Yemen Government against the separatist Houthis; Saudi forces from both the Ministry of Defense and the SANG participated in combat operations in Yemen; Saudi Arabia also raised and equipped paramilitary/militia security forces in Yemen--based largely on tribal or regional affiliation--to deploy along the Saudi-Yemen border (2025)" + "text": "Saudi Arabia's security concerns include border security, cyberattacks, instability and Houthi (Ansarallah) rebels in Yemen, international terrorism, maritime security, and regional rivals such as Iran and Turkey

Saudi Arabia has close security ties with the US; the SAAF conducts bilateral exercises with the US military and hosts US forces; the US has participated in a cooperative program to equip and train the SANG since 1973, and much of the equipment for both the regular forces and the SANG has been acquired from the US; Saudi Arabia also has defense relationships with China, France, India, the UK, and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members; it is a member of the Peninsula Shield Forces, a joint military force established by the GCC countries with the aim of maintaining security and stability in the region; the force was established in 1982, and its leadership is based in Saudi Arabia

in 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military intervention into Yemen by a coalition of Arab states in support of the Republic of Yemen Government against the separatist Houthis (Ansarallah); Saudi forces from both the Ministry of Defense and the SANG participated in combat operations in Yemen; Saudi Arabia also raised and equipped paramilitary/militia security forces in Yemen--based largely on tribal or regional affiliation--to deploy along the Saudi-Yemen border (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/middle-east/sy.json b/middle-east/sy.json index 0c146741..b978fb27 100644 --- a/middle-east/sy.json +++ b/middle-east/sy.json @@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ "note": "note: the recent civil war has altered the population distribution" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

dust storms, sandstorms

volcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries

" + "text": "dust storms, sandstorms

volcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border, have not erupted in centuries" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "the capital of Damascus is located at an oasis fed by the Barada River and is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are Israeli settlements and civilian land-use sites in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights (2017)" @@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "legal parties/alliances:
 Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party
Arab Socialist (Ba'ath) Party – Syrian Regional
Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syrian Regional Branch, Socialist Unionist Democratic Party
Arab Socialist Union of Syria or ASU
Democratic Arab Socialist Union
National Progressive Front or NPF
Socialist Unionist Democratic Party
Socialist Unionist Party
Syrian Communist Party (two branches)
Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP
Unionist Socialist Party

major political organizations:
Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD
Kurdish National Council or KNC
Syriac Union Party
Syrian Democratic Council or SDC
Syrian Democratic Party
Syrian Opposition Coalition

de facto governance entities:
Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria or DAANES
Syrian Interim Government or SIG
Syrian Salvation Government or SSG

" + "text": "legal parties/alliances:
 Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party
Arab Socialist (Ba'ath) Party – Syrian Regional
Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syrian Regional Branch, Socialist Unionist Democratic Party
Arab Socialist Union of Syria or ASU
Democratic Arab Socialist Union
National Progressive Front or NPF
Socialist Unionist Democratic Party
Socialist Unionist Party
Syrian Communist Party (two branches)
Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP
Unionist Socialist Party

major political organizations:
Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD
Kurdish National Council or KNC
Syriac Union Party
Syrian Democratic Council or SDC
Syrian Democratic Party
Syrian Opposition Coalition

de facto governance entities:
Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria or DAANES
Syrian Interim Government or SIG
Syrian Salvation Government or SSG" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "text": "none

note: operations at the embassy were suspended on 18 March 2014" @@ -588,7 +588,8 @@ "text": "17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day (Evacuation Day), 17 April (1946); note - celebrates the leaving of the last French troops and the proclamation of full independence" + "text": "Independence Day (Evacuation Day), 17 April (1946)", + "note": "note: celebrates the last French troops departing and the proclamation of full independence" }, "Flag description": { "text": "three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors come from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black) overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961), where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980", @@ -600,7 +601,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, black, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Humat ad-Diyar\" (Guardians of the Homeland)" }, @@ -609,8 +610,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1936, restored 1961; the country had a different anthem between 1958 and 1961, when Syria was part of the United Arab Republic" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; the country had a different anthem between 1958 and 1961, when Syria was part of the United Arab Republic" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/middle-east/tu.json b/middle-east/tu.json index 3cf72f4a..1da7504d 100644 --- a/middle-east/tu.json +++ b/middle-east/tu.json @@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ "text": "the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest, where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; flooding

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

" + "text": "severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; flooding

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; the three historically active volcanoes (Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi) have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; the 3% of Turkish territory north of the Straits lies in Europe and goes by the names of European Turkey, Eastern Thrace, or Turkish Thrace; the 97% of the country in Asia is referred to as Anatolia; Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus, is the only metropolis in the world located on two continents; Mount Ararat, reputed to be the landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far-eastern part of the country" @@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CPLP (associate observer), D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (candidate country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SCO (dialogue member), SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC", - "note": "note: Turkey is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership" + "note": "note: Turkey is an EU candidate country and must complete accession criteria before being granted full membership" }, "Independence": { "text": "29 October 1923 (republic proclaimed, succeeding the Ottoman Empire)" @@ -681,7 +681,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Istiklal Marsi\" (Independence March)" }, @@ -690,15 +690,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924" - }, - "note": "note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "21 (19 cultural, 2 mixed)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Archaeological Site of Troy (c); Ephesus (c); Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (c); Hierapolis-Pamukkale (m); Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (m); Göbekli Tepe (c); Historic Areas of Istanbul (c); Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (c); Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük (c); Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire (c); Gordion (c); Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği (c); Hattusha: the Hittite Capital (c); Nemrut Dağ (c);  Xanthos-Letoon (c); City of Safranbolu (c); Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape (c); Archaeological Site of Ani (c); Aphrodisias (c); Arslantepe Mound (c); Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia (c); Turkmenistan (c)

" + "text": "Archaeological Site of Troy (c); Ephesus (c); Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (c); Hierapolis-Pamukkale (m); Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (m); Göbekli Tepe (c); Historic Areas of Istanbul (c); Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (c); Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük (c); Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire (c); Gordion (c); Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği (c); Hattusha: the Hittite Capital (c); Nemrut Dağ (c);  Xanthos-Letoon (c); City of Safranbolu (c); Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape (c); Archaeological Site of Ani (c); Aphrodisias (c); Arslantepe Mound (c); Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia (c); Turkmenistan (c)" } } }, diff --git a/middle-east/ym.json b/middle-east/ym.json index e8f67f96..e7792df6 100644 --- a/middle-east/ym.json +++ b/middle-east/ym.json @@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ "text": "the vast majority of the population is found in the Asir Mountains (part of the larger Sarawat Mountain system), located in the far western region of the country" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

sandstorms and dust storms in summer

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Jebel at Tair (Jabal al-Tair, Jebel Teir, Jabal al-Tayr, Jazirat at-Tair) (244 m), which forms an island in the Red Sea, erupted in 2007 after awakening from dormancy; other historically active volcanoes include Harra of Arhab, Harras of Dhamar, Harra es-Sawad, and Jebel Zubair, although many of these have not erupted in over a century

" + "text": "sandstorms and dust storms in summer

volcanism: limited volcanic activity; Jebel at Tair (Jabal al-Tair, Jebel Teir, Jabal al-Tayr, Jazirat at-Tair) (244 m), which forms an island in the Red Sea, became active in 2007; other historically active volcanoes include Harra of Arhab, Harras of Dhamar, Harra es-Sawad, and Jebel Zubair, although many of these have not erupted in over a century" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and one of world's most active shipping lanes" @@ -651,17 +651,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida\" (United Republic)" + "text": "\"Al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida\" (United Republic)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/north-america/bd.json b/north-america/bd.json index 3f27d71e..c9b52c7c 100644 --- a/north-america/bd.json +++ b/north-america/bd.json @@ -535,7 +535,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas territory of the UK)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Bermuda Day, 24 May; note - formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day" + "text": "Bermuda Day, 24 May", + "note": "note: formerly known as Victoria Day, Empire Day, and Commonwealth Day" }, "Flag description": { "text": "red, with the UK flag in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is a white shield with a red lion on a green field, holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609; it was the shipwreck that led to the settling of Bermuda", @@ -547,7 +548,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Bermuda's coat of arms was formally granted by Royal Warrant on 4 October 1910 but has been in use since at least 1624; the red lion is a symbol of Great Britain; the Latin motto under the coat of arms, Quo Fata Ferunt, means \"Whither the Fates Carry [Us];\" the ship is the Sea Venture, an English ship that was wrecked on then-uninhabited Bermuda in 1609" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -556,8 +557,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: serves as a local anthem; \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for Bermuda, as a territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/north-america/ca.json b/north-america/ca.json index 43b22212..5615b44d 100644 --- a/north-america/ca.json +++ b/north-america/ca.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.

" + "text": "A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment." } }, "Geography": { @@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ "text": "vast majority of the population lives in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km (186 mi) of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains

volcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant

" + "text": "continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains

volcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border

note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country, and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes, more than all other countries combined

" @@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -692,8 +692,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, it served as an unofficial anthem for many years; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; in addition to the national anthem, \"God Save the King\" serves as the royal anthem for the Commonwealth country (see United Kingdom)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/north-america/gl.json b/north-america/gl.json index af09f14a..21e33641 100644 --- a/north-america/gl.json +++ b/north-america/gl.json @@ -500,7 +500,8 @@ "text": "none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "National Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere" + "text": "National Day, June 21", + "note": "note: marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere" }, "Flag description": { "text": "two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red, with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the top half of the disk is red, and the bottom is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark" @@ -511,7 +512,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Nuna asiilasooq\" (The Land of Great Length)" }, @@ -520,8 +521,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1979, when home rule was granted; the Greenlandic government recognizes this local Kalaallit song as a secondary anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes the local Kalaallit song \"Nuna asiilasooq\" (The Land of Great Length) as a secondary anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/north-america/ip.json b/north-america/ip.json index 122753d7..8deb6c97 100644 --- a/north-america/ip.json +++ b/north-america/ip.json @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ } }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, D.C." + "text": "about 12 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { diff --git a/north-america/mx.json b/north-america/mx.json index a843948d..1fac66b8 100644 --- a/north-america/mx.json +++ b/north-america/mx.json @@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ "text": "most of the population is found in the middle of the country between the states of Jalisco and Veracruz; approximately a quarter of the population lives in and around Mexico City" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of America, and Caribbean coasts

volcanism: volcanic activity in the central-southern part of the country; the volcanoes in Baja California are mostly dormant; Colima (3,850 m), which erupted in 2010, is Mexico's most active volcano and is responsible for causing periodic evacuations of nearby villagers; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Popocatepetl (5,426 m) poses a threat to Mexico City; other historically active volcanoes include Barcena, Ceboruco, El Chichon, Michoacan-Guanajuato, Pico de Orizaba, San Martin, Socorro, and Tacana; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "tsunamis along the Pacific coast; volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south; hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of America, and Caribbean coasts

volcanism: volcanic activity in the central-southern part of the country; the volcanoes in Baja California are mostly dormant; Colima (3,850 m) is Mexico's most active volcano and is responsible for periodic evacuations of nearby villagers; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Popocatepetl (5,426 m) poses a threat to Mexico City; other historically active volcanoes include Barcena, Ceboruco, El Chichon, Michoacan-Guanajuato, Pico de Orizaba, San Martin, Socorro, and Tacana; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: strategic location on southern border of the US; Mexico is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 2: the Sac Actun cave system at 348 km (216 mi) is the longest underwater cave in the world and the second longest cave worldwide, after Mammoth Cave in the United States (see \"Geography - note\" under United States)

note 3: the prominent Yucatán Peninsula that divides the Gulf of America from the Caribbean Sea is shared by Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; on the northern coast of Yucatan near the town of Chicxulub lie the remnants of a massive asteroid or comet crater about 150 km (93 mi) in diameter and extending into the Gulf of America; the impact is believed to have initiated a worldwide climate disruption that caused a mass extinction of 75% of the earth's plant and animal species, including the non-avian dinosaurs

" @@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ "note": "note: in April 2021, the Mexican congress passed a judicial reform which changed 7 articles of the constitution and preceded a new Organic Law on the Judicial Branch of the Federation" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Citizen's Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) or MC
Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) or PRI
Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo) or PT
Mexican Green Ecological Party (Partido Verde Ecologista de México) or PVEM
Movement for National Regeneration (Movimiento Regeneración Nacional) or MORENA
National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional) or PAN
Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolución Democrática) or PRD
This Is For Mexico (Va Por México) (alliance that includes PAN, PRI, and PRD)
Together We Make History (Juntos Hacemos Historia) (alliance that included MORENA, PT, PVEM) (dissolved 23 December 2020)

" + "text": "Citizen's Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) or MC
Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) or PRI
Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo) or PT
Mexican Green Ecological Party (Partido Verde Ecologista de México) or PVEM
Movement for National Regeneration (Movimiento Regeneración Nacional) or MORENA
National Action Party (Partido Acción Nacional) or PAN
Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolución Democrática) or PRD" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional Mexicano\" (National Anthem of Mexico)" }, @@ -752,8 +752,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1943, in use since 1854; also known as \"Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra\" (Mexicans, to the War Cry); according to tradition, BOCANEGRA, an accomplished poet, did not want to submit lyrics to a national anthem contest, but his fiancée locked him in a room and refused to release him until the lyrics were completed" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1943, in use since 1854; also known as \"Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra\" (Mexicans, to the War Cry); according to tradition, BOCANEGRA, an accomplished poet, did not want to submit lyrics to a national anthem contest, but his fiancée locked him in a room and refused to release him until the lyrics were completed" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/north-america/sb.json b/north-america/sb.json index 4a673abc..a913ae04 100644 --- a/north-america/sb.json +++ b/north-america/sb.json @@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ "note": "note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "one and half times the size of Washington, D.C." + "text": "1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C." }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { @@ -456,7 +456,8 @@ "text": "none (overseas collectivity collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)" + "text": "Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790)", + "note": "note: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July)" }, "Flag description": { "text": "a yellow three-masted sailing ship facing the hoist side rides on a blue background with wavy white lines; a black-over-white wavy line divides the ship from the white wavy lines; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three heraldic arms: the top (called ikkurina) is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners and overlaid with a white cross, the middle is white with an ermine pattern, and the bottom is red with two yellow lions outlined in black; the arms represent settlers from the Basque Country (top), Brittany, and Normandy in France; blue symbolizes the Atlantic Ocean, and the ship represents explorer Jacques Cartier's ship when he visited the islands in 1536", @@ -465,17 +466,16 @@ "National symbol(s)": { "text": "16th-century sailing ship" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"La Marseillaise\"" + "text": "\"La Marseillaise\" (The Song of Marseille)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle" }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a French collectivity" - }, - "note": "note: as a collectivity of France, \"La Marseillaise\" is official (see France)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/north-america/us.json b/north-america/us.json index d37e1747..3d289f39 100644 --- a/north-america/us.json +++ b/north-america/us.json @@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ "text": "large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western-tier states; mountainous areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prairie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast, particularly around Anchorage, and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of America coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in Hawaii: Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of America coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska is a major impediment to development

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to intercontinental air travel; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; other historically active volcanoes are mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii, including (in Alaska) Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof, (in Hawaii) Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi, (in the Northern Mariana Islands) Anatahan, (in the Pacific Northwest) Mount Baker, and Mount Hood; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is the highest point (6,190 m; 20,308 ft) in North America, and Death Valley is the lowest point (-86 m; -282 ft)

note 2: the western US coast and the southern coast of Alaska lie along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: the Aleutian Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that divide the Bering Sea (north) from the main Pacific Ocean (south); they extend about 1,800 km (1,118 mi) westward from the Alaskan Peninsula; the archipelago consists of 14 larger islands, 55 smaller islands, and hundreds of islets; there are 41 active volcanoes on the islands, which together form a large northern section of the Ring of Fire

note 4: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 miles) of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, the Sac Actun underwater cave in Mexico (see \"Geography - note\" under Mexico)

note 5: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava-tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep

note 6: Bracken Cave outside San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave and the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October, making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals

" @@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"The Star-Spangled Banner\"" }, @@ -677,15 +677,14 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, Francis Scott KEY witnessed the successful American defense of Baltimore's Fort McHenry against a British naval bombardment, later writing a poem about it that would become the US national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of \"The Anacreontic Song;\" usually only the first verse is sung" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, Francis Scott KEY witnessed the successful American defense of Baltimore's Fort McHenry against a British naval bombardment, later writing a poem about it that would become the US national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of \"The Anacreontic Song;\" usually only the first verse is sung" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "26 (13 cultural, 12 natural, 1 mixed); note - includes one site in Puerto Rico" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { - "text": "

Yellowstone National Park (n); Grand Canyon National Park (n); Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (c); Independence Hall (c); Statue of Liberty (c); Yosemite National Park (n); Papahānaumokuākea (m); Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point (c); The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright (c); Mesa Verde National Park (c); Mammoth Cave National Park (n); Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (c); Olympic National Park (n); Everglades National Park (n); Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (n); Redwood National and State Parks (n); Great Smoky Mountains National Park (n); La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico (c); Chaco Culture (c); Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (n); Taos Pueblo (c); Carlsbad Caverns National Park (n); Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (n); Moravian Church Settlements (c); San Antonio Missions (c); Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (c)

" + "text": "Yellowstone National Park (n); Grand Canyon National Park (n); Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (c); Independence Hall (c); Statue of Liberty (c); Yosemite National Park (n); Papahānaumokuākea (m); Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point (c); The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright (c); Mesa Verde National Park (c); Mammoth Cave National Park (n); Monticello and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (c); Olympic National Park (n); Everglades National Park (n); Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek (n); Redwood National and State Parks (n); Great Smoky Mountains National Park (n); La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico (c); Chaco Culture (c); Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (n); Taos Pueblo (c); Carlsbad Caverns National Park (n); Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (n); Moravian Church Settlements (c); San Antonio Missions (c); Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (c)" } } }, diff --git a/oceans/xo.json b/oceans/xo.json index e7101152..fc7fa151 100644 --- a/oceans/xo.json +++ b/oceans/xo.json @@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "20 00 S, 80 00 E" }, - "Map references": { - "text": "Map of the world oceans" - }, "Area": { "total ": { "text": "70.56 million sq km" @@ -21,7 +18,7 @@ "note": "note: includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "almost 7 times the size of the US" + "text": "almost seven times the size of the US" }, "Coastline": { "text": "66,526 km" diff --git a/oceans/xq.json b/oceans/xq.json index 6139fd7d..de5d8f5a 100644 --- a/oceans/xq.json +++ b/oceans/xq.json @@ -115,8 +115,5 @@ } }, "Transnational Issues": { - "Disputes - international": { - "note": "note: record levels of summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has renewed interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration" - } } } \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/oceans/zn.json b/oceans/zn.json index 263c60f9..1b218cb3 100644 --- a/oceans/zn.json +++ b/oceans/zn.json @@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "0 00 N, 160 00 W" }, - "Map references": { - "text": "Map of the world oceans" - }, "Area": { "total ": { "text": "168.723 million sq km" diff --git a/south-america/ar.json b/south-america/ar.json index 4a91bcfd..bfba53a5 100644 --- a/south-america/ar.json +++ b/south-america/ar.json @@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ "text": "one third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

San Miguel de Tucumán and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchón-Peteroa, San José, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma

" + "text": "San Miguel de Tucumán and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchón-Peteroa, San José, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbón is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguazú Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil" @@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age - optional for national elections" + "text": "18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age: optional for national elections" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Avanza Libertad or AL
Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI
Consenso Federal (Federal Consensus) or CF
Frente Cívico por Santiago (Civic Front for Santiago)
Frente de Izquierda y de los Trabajadores – Unidad (Workers' Left Front) or FIT-U (coalition of leftist parties in lower house; includes PTS, PO, and MST)
Frente de la Concordia Misionero (Front for the Renewal of Social Concord) or FRCS
Frente Renovador (Renewal Front) or FR
Generación por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN
Hacemos por Córdoba (We do for Cordoba) or HC
Hacemos por Nuestro Pais (We Do For Our Country) or NHP
Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change) or JxC (includes CC-ARI, PRO, and UCR); note - primary opposition coalition since 2019
Juntos Somos Río Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN 
Partido Justicialista (Justicialist Party) or PJ
La Cámpora
La Libertad Avanza (The Liberty Advances) or LLA
Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuquén People's Movement) or MPN
Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (Workers' Socialist Movement) or MST
Partido de los Trabajadores Socialistas (Socialist Workers' Party) or PTS
Partido Demócrata (Democratic Party) or PDN
Partido Libertario (Libertarian Party) or PL; note - party is also a founding member of the coalition La Libertad Avanza
Partido Obrero (Workers' Party) or PO
Partido Socialista or PS
Propuesta Republicana (Republican Proposal) or PRO
Unidad Federal (coalition of provencial parties in the lower house; includes FRCS and JSRN)
Unión Cívica Radical (Radical Civic Union) or UCR
Unión por la Patria (Union for the Homeland) or UP (formerly Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT) (includes FR, La Cámpora, and PJ); note - ruling coalition since 2019; includes several national and provincial Peronist political parties
Vamos con Vos (Let's Go with You) or VcV

" + "text": "Avanza Libertad or AL
Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI
Consenso Federal (Federal Consensus) or CF
Frente Cívico por Santiago (Civic Front for Santiago)
Frente de Izquierda y de los Trabajadores – Unidad (Workers' Left Front) or FIT-U (coalition of leftist parties in lower house; includes PTS, PO, and MST)
Frente de la Concordia Misionero (Front for the Renewal of Social Concord) or FRCS
Frente Renovador (Renewal Front) or FR
Generación por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN
Hacemos por Córdoba (We do for Cordoba) or HC
Hacemos por Nuestro Pais (We Do For Our Country) or NHP
Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change) or JxC (includes CC-ARI, PRO, and UCR); note - primary opposition coalition since 2019
Juntos Somos Río Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN 
Partido Justicialista (Justicialist Party) or PJ
La Cámpora
La Libertad Avanza (The Liberty Advances) or LLA
Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuquén People's Movement) or MPN
Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (Workers' Socialist Movement) or MST
Partido de los Trabajadores Socialistas (Socialist Workers' Party) or PTS
Partido Demócrata (Democratic Party) or PDN
Partido Libertario (Libertarian Party) or PL; note - party is also a founding member of the coalition La Libertad Avanza
Partido Obrero (Workers' Party) or PO
Partido Socialista or PS
Propuesta Republicana (Republican Proposal) or PRO
Unidad Federal (coalition of provencial parties in the lower house; includes FRCS and JSRN)
Unión Cívica Radical (Radical Civic Union) or UCR
Unión por la Patria (Union for the Homeland) or UP (formerly Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT) (includes FR, La Cámpora, and PJ); note - ruling coalition since 2019; includes several national and provincial Peronist political parties
Vamos con Vos (Let's Go with You) or VcV" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "sky blue, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional Argentino\" (Argentine National Anthem)" }, @@ -698,8 +698,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/bl.json b/south-america/bl.json index a1356794..cd80f24c 100644 --- a/south-america/bl.json +++ b/south-america/bl.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simón BOLÍVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1980. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.

In 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES as president -- by the widest margin of any leader since 1982 -- after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the poor and indigenous majority. In 2009 and 2014, MORALES easily won reelection, and his party maintained control of the legislative branch. In 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to run despite the referendum, but rising violence, pressure from the military, and widespread allegations of electoral fraud ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine AÑEZ Chávez, held new elections in 2020, and Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora was elected president.

" + "text": "Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simón BOLÍVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1980. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.

In 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES as president -- by the widest margin of any leader since 1982 -- after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the poor and indigenous majority. In 2009 and 2014, MORALES easily won reelection, and his party maintained control of the legislative branch. In 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to run despite the referendum, but rising violence, pressure from the military, and widespread allegations of electoral fraud ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine AÑEZ Chávez, held new elections in 2020, and Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora was elected president." } }, "Geography": { @@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ "text": "a high-altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

flooding in the northeast (March to April)

volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)

" + "text": "flooding in the northeast (March to April)

volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru" @@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, yellow, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Cancion Patriotica\" (Patriotic Song)" }, @@ -710,8 +710,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1852" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1852" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/br.json b/south-america/br.json index e880d7d5..c656beb8 100644 --- a/south-america/br.json +++ b/south-america/br.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getúlio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed through various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned in 1945 -- including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954 -- and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President João GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988. 

By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, Brazil was soon seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth under President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (2003-2010). The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- the first ever to be held in South America -- to Brazil was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Congress removed then-President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) from office in 2016 for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in 2021. LULA's revival became complete in 2022 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Jair BOLSONARO (2019-2022) in the presidential election. Positioning Brazil as an independent global leader on climate change and promoting sustainable development, LULA took on the 2024 G20 presidency, balancing the fight against deforestation with sustainable energy and other projects designed to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth, such as expanding fossil fuel exploration. 

" + "text": "After more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getúlio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed through various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned in 1945 -- including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1954 -- and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President João GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1988. 

By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, Brazil was soon seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth under President Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva (2003-2010). The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games -- the first ever to be held in South America -- to Brazil was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Congress removed then-President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) from office in 2016 for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in 2021. LULA's revival became complete in 2022 when he narrowly defeated incumbent Jair BOLSONARO (2019-2022) in the presidential election. Positioning Brazil as an independent global leader on climate change and promoting sustainable development, LULA took on the 2024 G20 presidency, balancing the fight against deforestation with sustainable energy and other projects designed to alleviate poverty and promote economic growth, such as expanding fossil fuel exploration." } }, "Geography": { @@ -552,7 +552,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "voluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and if illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts by law cannot vote" + "text": "voluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and if illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age", + "note": "note: military conscripts by law cannot vote" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -656,7 +657,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Act (Agir) (formerly Christian Labor Party or PTC)
Avante (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)
Brazil Union (União Brasil); note - founded from a merger between the Democrats (DEM) and the Social Liberal Party (PSL) 
Brazilian Communist Party or PCB
Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB
Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB
Christian Democracy or DC (formerly Christian Social Democratic Party)
Cidadania (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS)
Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB
Democratic Labor Party or PDT
Democratic Party or PSDC
Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); note - dissolved in February 2022
Green Party or PV
Liberal Party or PL [Valdemar Costa Neto] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR)
National Mobilization Party or PMN
New Party or NOVO
Patriota (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN)
Podemos (formerly National Labor Party or PTN)
Progressive Party (Progressistas) or PP
Republican Social Order Party or PROS
Republicans (Republicanos) (formerly Brazilian Republican Party or PRB)
Social Christian Party or PSC
Social Democratic Party or PSD
Social Liberal Party or PSL
Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL
Solidarity or SD
Sustainability Network or REDE
United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU
Workers' Cause Party or PCO
Workers' Party or PT

" + "text": "Act (Agir) (formerly Christian Labor Party or PTC)
Avante (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)
Brazil Union (União Brasil); note - founded from a merger between the Democrats (DEM) and the Social Liberal Party (PSL) 
Brazilian Communist Party or PCB
Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB
Brazilian Labor Party or PTB
Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB
Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB
Christian Democracy or DC (formerly Christian Social Democratic Party)
Cidadania (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS)
Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB
Democratic Labor Party or PDT
Democratic Party or PSDC
Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); note - dissolved in February 2022
Green Party or PV
Liberal Party or PL [Valdemar Costa Neto] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR)
National Mobilization Party or PMN
New Party or NOVO
Patriota (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN)
Podemos (formerly National Labor Party or PTN)
Progressive Party (Progressistas) or PP
Republican Social Order Party or PROS
Republicans (Republicanos) (formerly Brazilian Republican Party or PRB)
Social Christian Party or PSC
Social Democratic Party or PSD
Social Liberal Party or PSL
Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL
Solidarity or SD
Sustainability Network or REDE
United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU
Workers' Cause Party or PCO
Workers' Party or PT" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -723,7 +724,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, yellow, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Hino Nacional Brasileiro\" (Brazilian National Anthem)" }, @@ -732,8 +733,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years " + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/ci.json b/south-america/ci.json index 0e8e789a..c88ed37b 100644 --- a/south-america/ci.json +++ b/south-america/ci.json @@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ "text": "90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north, including the Atacama Desert, and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Calbuco, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Calbuco, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: the longest country north-to-south in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)

note 2: Chile is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: the Atacama Desert in the north is the driest desert in the world; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere; the volcano's small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake

" @@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de Chile\" (National Anthem of Chile)" }, @@ -715,8 +715,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; some citizens refused to sing this verse as a protest, and it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990" - }, - "note": "note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; some citizens refused to sing this verse as a protest, and it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/co.json b/south-america/co.json index e20a68bb..ef4bc0cb 100644 --- a/south-america/co.json +++ b/south-america/co.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Colombia was one of three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 -- the others are Ecuador and Venezuela. A decades-long conflict among government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade -- principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- escalated during the 1990s. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization in the 2000s, new criminal groups arose that included some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final accord with the FARC in 2016 that called for its members to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' including a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-trade-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

" + "text": "Colombia was one of three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 -- the others are Ecuador and Venezuela. A decades-long conflict among government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade -- principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- escalated during the 1990s. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization in the 2000s, new criminal groups arose that included some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final accord with the FARC in 2016 that called for its members to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' including a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-trade-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties." } }, "Geography": { @@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ "text": "the majority of people live in the north and west, where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

" + "text": "highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985, producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea" @@ -705,7 +705,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia\" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)" }, @@ -714,8 +714,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1920; the anthem comes from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1920; the anthem comes from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/ec.json b/south-america/ec.json index ad98033d..14df12f8 100644 --- a/south-america/ec.json +++ b/south-america/ec.json @@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ "text": "nearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts

volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (5,230 m), which erupted in 2010, is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina (1,476 m), a shield volcano that last erupted in 2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago

" + "text": "frequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts

volcanism: volcanic activity concentrated along the Andes Mountains; Sangay (5,230 m) is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi, Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina (1,476 m), a shield volcano, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; other historically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "Cotopaxi in the Andes is highest active volcano in world" @@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, voluntary" + "text": "18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; voluntary for 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -681,17 +681,16 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { - "text": "\"Salve, Oh Patria!\" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)" + "text": "\"Salve, O Patria!\" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE" }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1948; MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1948; MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/fk.json b/south-america/fk.json index a960518e..f7b1ab5f 100644 --- a/south-america/fk.json +++ b/south-america/fk.json @@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the Falkland Islands adopted its coat of arms in 1948; the shield highlights the national symbol, the ram, which represents the country’s agricultural industry and stands on native tussock grass; English navigator John Davis’s sailing vessel, the Desire, is shown, referencing his sighting of the islands in 1592; below the shield is the national motto, “Desire the Right”" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -407,8 +407,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK territory" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; \"God Save the King\" is official for the Falklands, as a territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/south-america/gy.json b/south-america/gy.json index 7dda393c..43f67d31 100644 --- a/south-america/gy.json +++ b/south-america/gy.json @@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "Guyana’s coat of arms was adopted in 1966, the year of the country’s independence from the United Kingdom; the jaguars signify strength and resilience, with one holding a pickaxe that stands for labor and the other holding stalks of rice and sugarcane for agriculture; two national symbols, the Canje pheasant and the Victorian lily, are on the shield, with the national motto underneath; three wavy blue lines stand for the Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice rivers, the headdress for the country’s ethnic groups, and the diamonds for the mining industry; the helmet is a symbol of past UK rule in Guyana" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains\"" }, @@ -674,8 +674,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1966" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1966" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/south-america/ns.json b/south-america/ns.json index c75db6b4..2282f114 100644 --- a/south-america/ns.json +++ b/south-america/ns.json @@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white, red, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God zij met ons Suriname!\" (God Be With Our Suriname)" }, @@ -634,8 +634,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday-school song written in 1893; contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday-school song written in 1893; contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/pa.json b/south-america/pa.json index 4aea05c7..4c622548 100644 --- a/south-america/pa.json +++ b/south-america/pa.json @@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white, blue" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!\" (Paraguayans, the Republic or Death!)" }, @@ -691,8 +691,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1934, in use since 1846" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1162,7 +1161,7 @@ "note": "note: as of 2021, women made up about 6% of the active military" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Paraguayan military is responsible for external defense but also has some domestic security duties; while the National Police are responsible for maintaining internal security, the military cooperates with the police in combatting the Paraguayan People’s Army (Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo or EPP) and transnational criminal organizations; the military has an Internal Defense Operations Command (Comando de Defensa Interna or CODI), which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to coordinate internal security support to the police and other security organizations, such as the National Anti-Drug Secretariat or SENAD

the EPP is a domestic criminal/guerrilla group initially dedicated to a Marxist-Leninist revolution in Paraguay that operates in the rural northern part of the country along the border with Brazil; the activities of the EPP and its offshoots—Marsical López’s Army (EML) and the Armed Peasant Association (ACA)—have consisted largely of isolated attacks on remote police and army posts, or against ranchers and peasants accused of aiding Paraguayan security forces

the Paraguayan military has deployed small numbers of troops on UN missions and cooperates with neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, on security issues, particularly organized crime and narco-trafficking in what is known as the Tri-Border Area; Paraguay has not fought a war against a neighboring country since the Chaco War with Bolivia in the 1930s (2024)" + "text": " the Paraguayan military is responsible for external defense and has a role in domestic security duties; it provides support for natural disasters and cooperates with the National Police and other internal security organizations in combating the Paraguayan People’s Army (Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo or EPP) and transnational criminal organizations, largely narcotics traffickers; the EPP is a small, domestic criminal/guerrilla group operating in the rural northern part of the country along the border with Brazil; the activities of the EPP and its offshoots—Marsical López’s Army (EML) and the Armed Peasant Association (ACA)—have consisted largely of isolated attacks on remote police and army posts, or against ranchers and peasants accused of aiding Paraguayan security forces

the Paraguayan military has deployed small numbers of troops on UN peacekeeping missions and cooperates with neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Brazil, on security issues, particularly organized crime and narco-trafficking in what is known as the Tri-Border Area; Paraguay has not fought a war against a neighboring country since the Chaco War with Bolivia in the 1930s (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/south-america/pe.json b/south-america/pe.json index 045900d1..e7bb38ac 100644 --- a/south-america/pe.json +++ b/south-america/pe.json @@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ "text": "approximately one third of the population resides along the desert coastal belt in the  west, with a strong focus on the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, contain roughly half of the population; the eastern slopes of the Andes and adjoining rainforest are sparsely populated" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (5,672 m), which last erupted in 2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"

" + "text": "earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (5,672 m) is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane; see note 2 under \"Geography - note\"" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "

note 1: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316-m (17,441-ft) peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River

note 2: Peru is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes erupted in the largest volcanic explosion in South America in historical times; intermittent eruptions lasted until 5 March 1600 and pumped an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and affecting weather worldwide; over the next two-and-a-half years, millions died around the globe in famines from bitterly cold winters, cool summers, and the loss of crops and animals

" @@ -623,7 +623,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Advance the Nation (Avanza País) or AvP
Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or FA
Free Peru (Perú Libre) or PL
Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza)
Magisterial Block of National Concentration (Bloque Magisterial de Concertación Nacional) or BMCN
National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN
Peru Bicentennial (Perú Bicentenario) or PB
Popular Action (Acción Popular) or AP
Popular Force (Fuerza Popular) or FP
Popular Renewal (Renovación Popular) or RP
Purple Party (Partido Morado)
Social Integration Party (Avanza País - Partido de Integración Social)
Together For Perú (Juntos por el Peru) or JP
We Are Peru (Somos Perú) of SP
We Can Peru (Podemos Perú) or PP

" + "text": "Advance the Nation (Avanza País) or AvP
Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or FA
Free Peru (Perú Libre) or PL
Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza)
Magisterial Block of National Concentration (Bloque Magisterial de Concertación Nacional) or BMCN
National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN
Peru Bicentennial (Perú Bicentenario) or PB
Popular Action (Acción Popular) or AP
Popular Force (Fuerza Popular) or FP
Popular Renewal (Renovación Popular) or RP
Purple Party (Partido Morado)
Social Integration Party (Avanza País - Partido de Integración Social)
Together For Perú (Juntos por el Peru) or JP
We Are Peru (Somos Perú) of SP
We Can Peru (Podemos Perú) or PP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -683,7 +683,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional del Peru\" (National Anthem of Peru)" }, @@ -692,8 +692,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1822; the song won a national anthem contest" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1822; the song won a national anthem contest" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1211,7 +1210,7 @@ "text": "225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Peruvian Armed Forces (FAP) are responsible for external defense in addition to some domestic security responsibilities in designated emergency areas and in exceptional circumstances; key areas of focus include counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, disaster relief, and maritime security operations; the FAP has contributed to UN missions since 1958 and has ties to regional militaries, particularly Colombia, as well as those of numerous other countries such as China, Russia, Spain, and the US; the FAP’s last external conflict was a brief border war with Ecuador in 1995; the FAP supported the police during anti-government protests in early 2023 and was accused of human rights violations 

the Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru (Comando Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas del Perú or CCFFAA) has responsibility for the planning, preparation, coordination, and direction of the military’s operations; the CCFFAA has oversight over commands for air, air defense, cyber, maritime, and special operations, as well as five regional commands (Amazonas, central, north, south, and Ucayali) and a Special Command of the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro rivers (CE-VRAEM); CE-VRAEM is responsible for combating the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group (aka Sendero Luminoso) and includes several thousand air, ground, naval, police, and special forces personnel; the FAP also provides aircraft, vehicles, and logistical support to the command (2024)" + "text": "the Peruvian Armed Forces (FAP) are responsible for external defense in addition to some domestic security responsibilities in designated emergency areas and in exceptional circumstances; key areas of focus include counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, cyber defense, disaster relief, and maritime security operations; the FAP supported the police during anti-government protests in early 2023; it has contributed to UN missions since 1958 and has ties to regional militaries, particularly Colombia, as well as those of numerous other countries such as China, Russia, Spain, and the US; the FAP’s last external conflict was a brief border war with Ecuador in 1995

the Special Command of the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro rivers (CE-VRAEM) is responsible for combating the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group (aka Sendero Luminoso) and includes several thousand air, ground, naval, police, and special forces personnel; the FAP also provides aircraft, vehicles, and logistical support to the command (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/south-america/uy.json b/south-america/uy.json index e7167475..d849b839 100644 --- a/south-america/uy.json +++ b/south-america/uy.json @@ -711,7 +711,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "blue, white, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Himno Nacional\" (National Anthem of Uruguay)" }, @@ -720,8 +720,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as \"Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!\" (\"Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!\"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); usually only the first verse and chorus are sung" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as \"Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!\" (\"Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!\"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); usually only the first verse and chorus are sung" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-america/ve.json b/south-america/ve.json index f8be6a6e..8ed782a1 100644 --- a/south-america/ve.json +++ b/south-america/ve.json @@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

A New Era (Un Nuevo Tiempo) or UNT
Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC
Christian Democrats or COPEI (also known as the Social Christian Party)
Citizens Encounter or EC
Clear Accounts or CC
Coalition of parties loyal to Nicolas MADURO - Great Patriotic Pole or GPP
Coalition of opposition parties - Democratic Alliance (Alianza Democratica) (includes AD, EL CAMBIO, COPEI, CMC, and AP)
Come Venezuela (Vente Venezuela) or VV
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV
Consenso en la Zona or Conenzo
Convergencia
Democratic Action or AD
Fatherland for All (Patria para Todos) or PPT
Fearless People's Alliance or ABP
Fuerza Vecinal or FV
Hope for Change (Esperanza por el Cambio) or EL CAMBIO
Justice First (Primero Justicia) or PJ
LAPIZ
Movement to Socialism (Movimiento al Socialismo) or MAS
Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) or VP
Progressive Advance (Avanzada Progresista) or AP
The Radical Cause or La Causa R
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV
Venezuela First (Primero Venezuela) or PV
Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV
Venezuela Project or PV

" + "text": "A New Era (Un Nuevo Tiempo) or UNT
Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC
Christian Democrats or COPEI (also known as the Social Christian Party)
Citizens Encounter or EC
Clear Accounts or CC
Coalition of parties loyal to Nicolas MADURO - Great Patriotic Pole or GPP
Coalition of opposition parties - Democratic Alliance (Alianza Democratica) (includes AD, EL CAMBIO, COPEI, CMC, and AP)
Come Venezuela (Vente Venezuela) or VV
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV
Consenso en la Zona or Conenzo
Convergencia
Democratic Action or AD
Fatherland for All (Patria para Todos) or PPT
Fearless People's Alliance or ABP
Fuerza Vecinal or FV
Hope for Change (Esperanza por el Cambio) or EL CAMBIO
Justice First (Primero Justicia) or PJ
LAPIZ
Movement to Socialism (Movimiento al Socialismo) or MAS
Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) or VP
Progressive Advance (Avanzada Progresista) or AP
The Radical Cause or La Causa R
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV
Venezuela First (Primero Venezuela) or PV
Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV
Venezuela Project or PV" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "text": "none

note: the embassy, which had been run by the Venezuelan political opposition, announced on 5 January 2023, that it had ended all embassy functions" @@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "yellow, blue, red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Gloria al bravo pueblo\" (Glory to the Brave People)" }, @@ -623,8 +623,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1881; lyrics were written in 1810; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's fight for independence" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1881; lyrics were written in 1810; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's fight for independence" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/af.json b/south-asia/af.json index b18f88cf..509c9932 100644 --- a/south-asia/af.json +++ b/south-asia/af.json @@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ "text": "34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul" }, "Legal system": { - "text": "

the Taliban is implementing its own interpretation of Islamic law, which is partially based on the Hanifi school of Islamic jurisprudence and have enforced strict punishments; before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan had a mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law

(2021)" + "text": "the Taliban is implementing its own interpretation of Islamic law, which is partially based on the Hanifi school of Islamic jurisprudence and have enforced strict punishments; before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan had a mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law (2021)" }, "Constitution": { "history": { @@ -595,7 +595,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green, black" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Milli Surood\" (National Anthem)" }, @@ -604,8 +604,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2006" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2006" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/bg.json b/south-asia/bg.json index 3a2c3afa..c24ad794 100644 --- a/south-asia/bg.json +++ b/south-asia/bg.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

The huge delta region at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems -- now referred to as Bangladesh -- was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, which is primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. After the partition of India in 1947, the Muslim-majority area became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western areas of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.

The military overthrew the post-independence AL government in 1975, the first of a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and the subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that took power in 1979. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections were held in 1991. The BNP and AL alternated in power from 1991 to 2008, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime in 2007. The country returned to fully democratic rule in 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh is on track to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries (LDC) list in 2026.

The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6.25% for the last two decades. Poverty declined from 11.8 percent in 2010 to 5.0 percent in 2022, based on the international poverty line of $2.15 a day (using 2017 Purchasing Power Parity exchange rate). Moreover, human development outcomes improved along many dimensions.  The country made a rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but faces several economic challenges.

 

" + "text": "The huge delta region at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems -- now referred to as Bangladesh -- was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, which is primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. After the partition of India in 1947, the Muslim-majority area became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western areas of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.

The military overthrew the post-independence AL government in 1975, the first of a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and the subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that took power in 1979. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections were held in 1991. The BNP and AL alternated in power from 1991 to 2008, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime in 2007. The country returned to fully democratic rule in 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh is on track to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries (LDC) list in 2026.

The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6.25% for the last two decades. Poverty declined from 11.8 percent in 2010 to 5.0 percent in 2022, based on the international poverty line of $2.15 a day (using 2017 Purchasing Power Parity exchange rate). The country made a rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but still faces economic challenges." } }, "Geography": { @@ -578,7 +578,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Awami League or AL
Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami or JIB
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP
Islami Andolan Bangladesh
Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction)
Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction)
National Socialist Party (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) or JSD
Workers Party or WP

 

" + "text": "Awami League or AL
Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami or JIB
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP
Islami Andolan Bangladesh
Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction)
Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction)
National Socialist Party (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) or JSD
Workers Party or WP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -627,7 +627,8 @@ "text": "16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh" + "text": "Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971)", + "note": "note: 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh" }, "Flag description": { "text": "green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh" @@ -641,7 +642,7 @@ "National coat of arms": { "text": "the water lily is the national flower and symbolizes promise, aesthetics, and elegance; the water under the lily, the rice sheaves on the sides, and the jute leaves at the top represent the Bangladeshi landscape and economy; the four stars represent the aims and ambition of the nation" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Amar Shonar Bangla\" (My Golden Bengal)" }, @@ -650,8 +651,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/bt.json b/south-asia/bt.json index c97714c1..0b33ab77 100644 --- a/south-asia/bt.json +++ b/south-asia/bt.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

After Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK -- who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century -- was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.

In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution -- which introduced major democratic reforms -- and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be \"guided by\" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. In 2024, of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali -- predominantly Lhotshampa -- refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal.

" + "text": "After Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK -- who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century -- was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.

In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution -- which introduced major democratic reforms -- and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be \"guided by\" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. In 2024, of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali -- predominantly Lhotshampa -- refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal." } }, "Geography": { @@ -589,7 +589,7 @@ "note": "note: the Supreme Court has sole jurisdiction in constitutional matters" }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
Bhutan Tendrel Party or BTP
Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa or DTT
People's Democratic Party or PDP
United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT

" + "text": "Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT
Bhutan Tendrel Party or BTP
Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa or DTT
People's Democratic Party or PDP
United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "orange, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Druk tsendhen\" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)" }, @@ -641,8 +641,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1953" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1953" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/south-asia/ce.json b/south-asia/ce.json index b9787140..58f758e6 100644 --- a/south-asia/ce.json +++ b/south-asia/ce.json @@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "maroon, yellow" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Sri Lanka Matha\" (Mother Sri Lanka)" }, @@ -671,8 +671,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1951" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1951" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/in.json b/south-asia/in.json index 182742ca..5330447e 100644 --- a/south-asia/in.json +++ b/south-asia/in.json @@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ "text": "a very high population density exists throughout most of the country, with the notable exception of the deserts in the northwest and the mountain fringe in the north; the core of the population is in the north along the banks of the Ganges, with other river valleys and southern coastal areas also having large population concentrations" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "

droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

volcanism: Barren Island (354 m) in the Andaman Sea has been active in recent years

" + "text": "droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes

volcanism: Barren Island (354 m) in the Andaman Sea has been active in recent years" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal" @@ -715,7 +715,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "saffron, white, green" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Jana-Gana-Mana\" (Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People)" }, @@ -724,8 +724,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1950; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote Bangladesh's national anthem" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1950; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote Bangladesh's national anthem" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/io.json b/south-asia/io.json index cb6ad18f..c01af447 100644 --- a/south-asia/io.json +++ b/south-asia/io.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "Introduction": { "Background": { - "text": "

Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands in the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it gained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted of the six main island groups that make up the Chagos Archipelago. Only Diego Garcia, the largest and most southerly of the islands, is inhabited. It contains a joint UK-US naval support facility and hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system -- the others are on Kwajalein (Marshall Islands); at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US); and on Ascension Island (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha). The US Air Force also operates a telescope array on Diego Garcia as part of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.

Between 1967 and 1973, the former agricultural workers who lived on the islands were relocated, primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations with the UK between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund to compensate the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government, seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. British court rulings in 2006 and 2007 invalidated immigration policies that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but in 2008, the House of Lords -- the final court of appeal in the UK -- ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians. In 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area that the UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in 2010 violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain’s decolonization of Mauritius was not lawful because of continued Chagossian claims. A non-binding 2019 UN General Assembly vote demanded that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and that it be returned to Mauritius. On 22 May 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement that will lead to the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. Under the agreement, the United Kingdom will lease Diego Garcia from Mauritius for 99 years and maintain full operational control of the joint UK-US military base.

" + "text": "Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands in the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it gained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted of the six main island groups that make up the Chagos Archipelago. Only Diego Garcia, the largest and most southerly of the islands, is inhabited. It contains a joint UK-US naval support facility and hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system -- the others are on Kwajalein (Marshall Islands); at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US); and on Ascension Island (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha). The US Air Force also operates a telescope array on Diego Garcia as part of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.

Between 1967 and 1973, the former agricultural workers who lived on the islands were relocated, primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations with the UK between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund to compensate the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government, seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. British court rulings in 2006 and 2007 invalidated immigration policies that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but in 2008, the House of Lords -- the final court of appeal in the UK -- ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians. In 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area that the UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in 2010 violated the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain’s decolonization of Mauritius was not lawful because of continued Chagossian claims. A non-binding 2019 UN General Assembly vote demanded that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and that it be returned to Mauritius. On 22 May 2025, the United Kingdom and Mauritius signed an agreement that will lead to the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. Under the agreement, the United Kingdom will lease Diego Garcia from Mauritius for 99 years and maintain full operational control of the joint UK-US military base." } }, "Geography": { @@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ "text": "archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia" }, "Geographic coordinates": { - "text": "6 00 S, 71 30 E;note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E" + "text": "6 00 S, 71 30 E", + "note": "note: Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Political Map of the World" @@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ "Flag description": { "text": "white with six blue, wavy, horizontal stripes; the UK flag is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section has a palm tree and yellow crown (the symbols of the territory) centered on the outer half of the flag; the wavy stripes represent the Indian Ocean; although not officially described, the six blue stripes may stand for the six main atolls of the archipelago" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"God Save the King\"" }, @@ -199,8 +200,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "official anthem, as a UK overseas territory" - }, - "note": "note: \"God Save the King\" is the official anthem for BIOT, as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom (see United Kingdom)" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/south-asia/mv.json b/south-asia/mv.json index 59db085f..eb5d2595 100644 --- a/south-asia/mv.json +++ b/south-asia/mv.json @@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP
Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP
Maldives Development Alliance or MDA
Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP
Maldives Third Way Democrats or MTD
People's National Congress or PNC
People's National Front
Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP

" + "text": "Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP
Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP
Maldives Development Alliance or MDA
Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP
Maldives Third Way Democrats or MTD
People's National Congress or PNC
People's National Front
Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red, green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Gaumee Salaam\" (National Salute)" }, @@ -650,8 +650,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of \"Auld Lang Syne\"" - }, - "note": "note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of \"Auld Lang Syne\"" + } } }, "Economy": { diff --git a/south-asia/np.json b/south-asia/np.json index 99ad88fa..8c6e5c07 100644 --- a/south-asia/np.json +++ b/south-asia/np.json @@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ } }, "Political parties": { - "text": "

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US
Janamat Party
Janata Samajbaadi Party or JSP
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party or LSP
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal
Nepali Congress or NC
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP
Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front)
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP
Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP

" + "text": "Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) or CPN-MC
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML
Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Socialist) or CPN-US
Janamat Party
Janata Samajbaadi Party or JSP
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party or LSP
Naya Shakti Party, Nepal
Nepali Congress or NC
Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party (Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party) or NWPP
Rastriya Janamorcha (National People's Front)
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (National Democratic Party) or RPP
Rastriya Swatantra Party or RSP" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { @@ -674,7 +674,8 @@ "text": "1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan SHAH)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Constitution Day, 20 September (2015); note - marks the promulgation of Nepal’s constitution in 2015 and replaces the previous 28 May Republic Day as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian day fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar" + "text": "Constitution Day, 20 September (2015)", + "note": "note: replaces the previous Republic Day on 28 May as the official national day in Nepal; the Gregorian date fluctuates based on Nepal’s Hindu calendar" }, "Flag description": { "text": "crimson red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller upper triangle has a white stylized moon, and the larger, lower triangle displays a white 12-pointed sun; the color red represents the rhododendron (the national flower) and victory and bravery, and the blue border signifies peace and harmony; the two triangles are a combination of two pennants that originally symbolized the Himalaya Mountains, but today they refer to Hinduism and Buddhism, the country's two main religions; the moon stands for the serenity of the people and the Himalayan shade and cool weather, and the sun for the heat and higher temperatures of the rest of the country", @@ -686,7 +687,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "red" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka\" (Hundreds of Flowers)" }, @@ -695,8 +696,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 2007, replacing a previous anthem that praised the king; the monarchy was abolished in 2006" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 2007, replacing a previous anthem that praised the king; the monarchy was abolished in 2006" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { diff --git a/south-asia/pk.json b/south-asia/pk.json index 67beb1f4..f0787b91 100644 --- a/south-asia/pk.json +++ b/south-asia/pk.json @@ -550,7 +550,8 @@ } }, "Suffrage": { - "text": "18 years of age; universal; note - there are joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims" + "text": "18 years of age; universal", + "note": "note: women and non-Muslims have joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { @@ -701,7 +702,8 @@ "text": "14 August 1947 (from British India)" }, "National holiday": { - "text": "Pakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940); note - commemorates both the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the All-India Muslim League during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan" + "text": "Pakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940, 1956)", + "note": "note: commemorates the All-India Muslim League adopting the Lahore Resolution during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and also the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution on 23 March 1956, during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan" }, "Flag description": { "text": "green with a vertical white band on the hoist side, symbolizing the role of religious minorities; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field, all of which are traditional Islamic symbols" @@ -712,7 +714,7 @@ "National color(s)": { "text": "green, white" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "\"Qaumi Tarana\" (National Anthem)" }, @@ -721,8 +723,7 @@ }, "history": { "text": "adopted 1954; also known as \"Pak sarzamin shad bad\" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)" - }, - "note": "note: adopted 1954; also known as \"Pak sarzamin shad bad\" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)" + } }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { @@ -1258,7 +1259,7 @@ "text": "1,300 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 290 South Sudan (UNMISS); 590 Sudan (UNISFA) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { - "text": "the Pakistan military is responsible for external defense but also has a domestic security role; its chief external focus is India; the military is the lead security agency in many areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and has conducted counterinsurgency operations for decades against various internal militant groups; it is also one of the longest serving and largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions; China is its closest security partner

the military operates largely independently and without effective civilian oversight; it has ruled the country for more than 30 years since independence in 1947 and continues to play a significant role in Pakistan's political arena; it also has a large stake in the country’s economic sector and is involved in a diverse array of commercial activities, including banking, construction of public projects, employment services, energy and power generation, fertilizer, food, housing, real estate, and security services

Pakistan has fought four wars and several skirmishes with India; three of the wars have been over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the status of which has been unsettled since the UK's 1947 withdrawal and the partition and independence of India and Pakistan; a fragile cease-fire was reached in 2003, revised in 2018, and reaffirmed in 2021, although the militarized Line of Control which serves as the border remains contested, and India has accused Pakistan of backing armed separatists and terrorist organizations in the territory New Delhi controls; in the Spring of 2025, Indian held Pakistan responsible for a terrorist attack in India-controlled Kashmir and retaliated, sparking a brief cross-border conflict involving aircraft, artillery, drone, and missile strikes

the Kashmir dispute also includes the Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram Mountain Range, which was seized by India in 1984 with Pakistan attempting to retake the area several times between 1985 and 1995; despite the 2003 cease-fire, both sides continue to maintain a permanent military presence there with outposts at altitudes above 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters) where most casualties are due to extreme weather and the hazards of operating in the high mountain terrain of the world’s highest conflict, including avalanches, exposure, and altitude sickness (2025)" + "text": "the Pakistan military is responsible for external defense but also has a domestic security role; its chief external focus is India; the military is the lead security agency in many areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and has for decades conducted operations against various internal militant groups; it is also one of the longest serving and largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions; China is its closest security partner

the military operates largely independently and without effective civilian oversight; it has ruled the country for more than 30 years since independence in 1947 and continues to play a significant role in Pakistan's political arena; it also has a large stake in the country’s economic sector and is involved in a diverse array of commercial activities, including banking, construction of public projects, employment services, energy and power generation, fertilizer, food, housing, real estate, and security services

Pakistan has fought four wars and several skirmishes with India; three of the wars have been over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the status of which has been unsettled since the UK's 1947 withdrawal and the partition and independence of India and Pakistan; a fragile cease-fire was reached in 2003, revised in 2018, and reaffirmed in 2021, although the militarized Line of Control which serves as the border remains contested, and India has accused Pakistan of backing armed separatists and terrorist organizations in the territory New Delhi controls; in the Spring of 2025, Indian held Pakistan responsible for a terrorist attack in India-controlled Kashmir and retaliated, sparking a brief cross-border conflict involving aircraft, artillery, drone, and missile strikes

the Kashmir dispute also includes the Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram Mountain Range, which was seized by India in 1984 with Pakistan attempting to retake the area several times between 1985 and 1995; despite the 2003 cease-fire, both sides continue to maintain a permanent military presence there with outposts at altitudes above 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters) where most casualties are due to extreme weather and the hazards of operating in the high mountain terrain of the world’s highest conflict, including avalanches, exposure, and altitude sickness (2025)" } }, "Space": { diff --git a/world/xx.json b/world/xx.json index b36fcf95..18c979a5 100644 --- a/world/xx.json +++ b/world/xx.json @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ "note": "note: 70.9% of the world's surface is water, 29.1% is land" }, "Area - comparative": { - "text": "

land area about 16 times the size of the US

" + "text": "land area about 16 times the size of the US" }, "Area - rankings": { "text": "

top fifteen World Factbook entities ranked by size: Pacific Ocean 155,557,000 sq km; Atlantic Ocean 76,762,000 sq km; Indian Ocean 68,556,000 sq km; Southern Ocean 20,327,000 sq km; Russia 17,098,242 sq km; Antarctica 14,200,000 sq km; Arctic Ocean 14,056,000 sq km; Canada 9,984,670 sq km; United States 9,826,675 sq km; China 9,596,960 sq km; Brazil 8,515,770 sq km; Australia 7,741,220 sq km; European Union 4,324,782 sq km; India 3,287,263 sq km; Argentina 2,780,400 sq km

top ten largest water bodies: Pacific Ocean 155,557,000 sq km; Atlantic Ocean 76,762,000 sq km; Indian Ocean 68,556,000 sq km; Southern Ocean 20,327,000 sq km; Arctic Ocean 14,056,000 sq km; Coral Sea 4,184,100 sq km; South China Sea 3,595,900 sq km; Caribbean Sea 2,834,000 sq km; Bering Sea 2,520,000 sq km; Mediterranean Sea 2,469,000 sq km

top ten largest landmasses: Asia 44,568,500 sq km; Africa 30,065,000 sq km; North America 24,473,000 sq km; South America 17,819,000 sq km; Antarctica 14,200,000 sq km; Europe 9,948,000 sq km; Australia 7,741,220 sq km; Greenland 2,166,086 sq km; New Guinea 785,753 sq km; Borneo 751,929 sq km

top ten largest islands: Greenland 2,166,086 sq km; New Guinea (Indonesia, Papua New Guinea) 785,753 sq km; Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia) 751,929 sq km; Madagascar 587,713 sq km; Baffin Island (Canada) 507,451 sq km; Sumatra (Indonesia) 472,784 sq km; Honshu (Japan) 227,963 sq km; Victoria Island (Canada) 217,291 sq km; Great Britain (United Kingdom) 209,331 sq km; Ellesmere Island (Canada) 196,236 sq km

top ten longest* mountain ranges (land-based): Andes (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina) 7,000 km; Rocky Mountains (Canada, US) 4,830 km; Great Dividing Range (Australia) 3,700 km; Transantarctic Mountains (Antarctica) 3,500 km; Kunlun Mountains (China) 3,000 km; Ural Mountains (Russia, Kazakhstan) 2,640 km; Atlas Mountains (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) 2,500 km; Appalachian Mountains (Canada, US) 2,400 km; Himalayas (Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, China, Nepal, Bhutan) 2,300 km; Altai Mountains (Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia) 2,000 km

*lengths are approximate; if oceans are included, the Mid-Ocean Ridge is by far the longest mountain range at 40,389 km

top ten largest forested countries (sq km and percent of land): Russia 8,149,310 (49.8%); Brazil 4,935,380 (58.9%); Canada 3,470,690 (38.2%); United States 3,103,700 (33.9%); China 2,098,640 (22.3%); Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,522,670 (67.2%); Australia 1,250,590 (16.3%); Indonesia 903,250 (49.9%); Peru 738,054 (57.7%); India 708,600 (23.8%) (2016 est.)

top ten most densely forested countries (percent of land): Suriname (98.3%), Federated States of Micronesia (91.9%), Gabon (90%), Seychelles (88.4%), Palau (87.6%), Guyana (83.9%), Laos (82.1%), Solomon Islands (77.9%), Papua New Guinea (74.1%), Finland (73.1%) (2016 est.)

top ten largest (non-polar*) deserts: Sahara (Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan, Tunisia) 9,200,000 sq km; Arabian (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen) 2,330,000 sq km; Gobi (China, Mongolia) 1,295,000 sq km; Kalahari (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa) 900,000 sq km; Patagonian (Argentina) 673,000 sq km; Syrian (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia) 500,000 sq km; Chihuahuan (Mexico) 362,000 sq km; Kara-Kum (Turkmenistan) 350,000 sq km; Great Victoria (Australia) 348,750 sq km; Great Basin (United States) 343,169 sq km

*if the two polar deserts were included, they would rank first and second: Antarctic Desert 14,200,000 sq km and Arctic Desert 13,900,000 sq km

ten smallest independent countries: Holy See (Vatican City) 0.44 sq km; Monaco 2 sq km; Nauru 21 sq km; Tuvalu 26 sq km; San Marino 61 sq km; Liechtenstein 160 sq km; Marshall Islands 181 sq km; Cook Islands 236 sq km; Niue 260 sq km; Saint Kitts and Nevis 261 sq km

" @@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ "text": "six of the world's seven continents are widely and permanently inhabited; Asia is the most populous continent, with about 60% of the world's population (China and India together account for over 35%); Africa comes in second with over 15%, Europe has about 10%, North America 8%, South America almost 6%, and Oceania less than 1%; the harsh conditions on Antarctica prevent any permanent habitation" }, "Natural hazards": { - "text": "large areas of the world are subject to severe weather and natural disasters (cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, etc.)

volcanism: this is a driver and consequence of plate tectonics, the physical process reshaping the Earth's lithosphere; the world is home to more than 1,500 potentially active volcanoes, with over 500 of these having erupted in historical times; an estimated 500 million people live near volcanoes; associated dangers include lava flows, mud flows, pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, ash fall, ballistic projectiles, gas emissions, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis; in the 1990s, the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior created a list of 16 \"Decade Volcanoes\" with great potential for destruction: Avachinsky-Koryaksky (Russia), Colima (Mexico), Etna (Italy), Galeras (Colombia), Mauna Loa (United States), Merapi (Indonesia), Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rainier (United States), Sakurajima (Japan), Santa Maria (Guatemala), Santorini (Greece), Taal (Philippines), Teide (Spain), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea), Unzen (Japan), Vesuvius (Italy)

volcano statistics: 

countries with the most volcanoes: (Holocene Epoch, the past 12,000 years*): United States (162), Japan (122), Indonesia (120), Russia (117), Chile (91);

*roughly 1,350 volcanoes have erupted over this time period; about 40-50 eruptions are ongoing at any one time; the frequency of volcanoes has not increased

longest erupting volcano: Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala has been constantly erupting since 22 June 1922; the Yasur volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu has been in constant activity since Captain Cook observed it in 1774, but it is not cited due to lack of a clear start date; tephra stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating show that the Yasur activity may have begun ca. A.D. 1270

highest volcano (above sea level): Nevado Ojos del Salado (6,893 m; 22,615 ft) on the Chile-Argentina border is the world's highest volcano above sea level and the highest peak in Chile

highest volcano (from base): Mauna Kea (United States) is the world's tallest mountain as measured from base to summit; the peak lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m; total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m


earthquakes: the vast majority of earthquakes occur in three large zones; the Circum-Pacific Belt (known as the Ring of Fire) borders the Pacific and is the largest zone of volcanic and seismic activity, with about 90% of earthquakes (81% of the largest) and about 75% of active volcanoes; the belt extends northward from Chile along the South American coast, then through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand; the Alpide Belt extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, eastward through the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic Ocean, accounting for about 17% of the largest earthquakes; the third belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge" + "text": "large areas of the world are subject to severe weather and natural disasters (cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, etc.)

volcanism: this is a driver and consequence of plate tectonics, the physical process reshaping the Earth's lithosphere; the world is home to more than 1,500 potentially active volcanoes, with over 500 of these erupting in recorded history; an estimated 500 million people live near volcanoes; associated dangers include lava flows, mud flows, pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, ash fall, ballistic projectiles, gas emissions, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis; in the 1990s, the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior created a list of 16 \"Decade Volcanoes\" with great potential for destruction: Avachinsky-Koryaksky (Russia), Colima (Mexico), Etna (Italy), Galeras (Colombia), Mauna Loa (US), Merapi (Indonesia), Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rainier (US), Sakurajima (Japan), Santa Maria (Guatemala), Santorini (Greece), Taal (Philippines), Teide (Spain), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea), Unzen (Japan), Vesuvius (Italy)

volcano statistics: 

countries with the most volcanoes: (Holocene Epoch, the past 12,000 years*): United States (162), Japan (122), Indonesia (120), Russia (117), Chile (91);

*roughly 1,350 volcanoes have erupted over this time period; about 40-50 eruptions are ongoing at any one time; the frequency of volcanoes has not increased

longest erupting volcano: Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala has been constantly erupting since 22 June 1922; the Yasur volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu has been in constant activity since Captain Cook observed it in 1774, but it is not cited due to lack of a clear start date; tephra stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating show that the Yasur activity may have begun ca. A.D. 1270

highest volcano (above sea level): Nevado Ojos del Salado (6,893 m; 22,615 ft) on the Chile-Argentina border is the world's highest volcano above sea level and the highest peak in Chile

highest volcano (from base): Mauna Kea (US) is the world's tallest mountain, measured from base to summit; the peak lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km (43 mi) offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m; total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m

earthquakes: the vast majority of earthquakes occur in three large zones; the Circum-Pacific Belt (known as the Ring of Fire) borders the Pacific and is the largest zone of volcanic and seismic activity, with about 90% of earthquakes (81% of the largest) and about 75% of active volcanoes; the belt extends northward from Chile along the South American coast, then through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand; the Alpide Belt extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, eastward through the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic Ocean, accounting for about 17% of the largest earthquakes; the third belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge" }, "Wonders of the World": { "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World": { @@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ } }, "Geography - note": { - "text": "

note: the Earth is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, about one-third of the 13.8-billion-year age estimated for the universe; the earliest widely accepted date for life appearing on Earth is 3.48 billion years ago

" + "text": "note: the Earth is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, about one-third of the 13.8-billion-year age estimated for the universe; the earliest widely accepted date for life appearing on Earth is 3.48 billion years ago" } }, "People and Society": { @@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ "text": "a \"World\" flag does not exist, but the United Nations (UN) flag -- adopted on 7 December 1946 -- has sometimes been used to represent the entire planet; the flag displays the official emblem of the UN in white on a blue background; the emblem design shows a world map in an azimuthal equidistant projection centered on the North Pole, with the image flanked by two olive branches; blue was chosen to represent peace, in contrast to the red usually associated with war; the map projection includes all the continents except Antarctica", "note": "note 1: the flags of 12 nations -- Austria, Botswana, Georgia, Jamaica, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Micronesia, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Switzerland, and Thailand -- have no top or bottom and may be flown with either long edge on top 

note 2: the most common colors found on national flags are as follows: red (including deep red; ~75%), white (~70%), and blue (including light blue; ~50%); these three colors are so prevalent that there are only two countries, Jamaica and Sri Lanka, that do not include one of them; the next three most popular colors are yellow/gold and green (both ~45%) and black (~30%)

note 3: flags composed of three colors are by far the most common type and, of those, the red-white-blue combination is the most widespread" }, - "National anthem": { + "National anthem(s)": { "title": { "text": "almost every country has a national anthem (and Denmark and New Zealand have two); most anthems have lyrics, which are usually in the official language or the most common language of the country; countries with more than one official language sometimes offer several versions" }, @@ -762,7 +762,7 @@ "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { - "text": "860.6 million (2023 est.)" + "text": "839.8 million (2024 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "11 (2023 est.)" @@ -770,10 +770,10 @@ }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { - "text": "8,891,100,000 (2023 est.)" + "text": "9,144,200,000 (2024 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { - "text": "111 (2023 est.)" + "text": "112 (2024 est.)" } }, "Internet users": {