1983 est.)

Telephone system: services adequate for government use; key
exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo
domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and
coaxial cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)

Defense
-------

Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 582,103
males fit for military service: 296,602
males reach military age (20) annually: 25,247 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $110 million,
3.8% of GDP (1993)

======================================================================

@Cook Islands
------------

(free association with New Zealand)

Map
---

Location: 21 14 S, 159 46 W -- Oceania, group of islands in the
South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New
Zealand

Flag
----

Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Geography
---------

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total area: 240 sq km
land area: 240 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one times the size of
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 120 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Natural resources: negligible

Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 22%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 74%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea

People
------

Population