q km (1993)

Natural hazards: periodic cyclones

Environment - current issues: NA

Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary

@Juan de Nova Island:People

Population: no indigenous population
note: there is a small military garrison (July 2000 est.)

@Juan de Nova Island:Government

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Juan de Nova Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Juan de Nova

Data code: JU

Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high
commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion

Legal system: NA

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (possession of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (possession of France)

Flag description: the flag of France is used

@Juan de Nova Island:Economy

Economy - overview: 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.

@Juan de Nova Island:Communications

Communications - note: 1 meteorological station

@Juan de Nova Island:Transportation

Railways:
total: NA km; short line going to a jetty

Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only

Airports: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)

@Juan de Nova Island:Military

Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

@Juan de Nova Island:Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar

______________________________________________________________________

KAZAKHSTAN

@Kazakhstan:Introduction

Background: During the 1950s and 1960s Soviet citizens were urged to
help settle the "New Lands" of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.
The influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but including some deported
minority nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enabled
non-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many of
these newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: resolving ethnic
differences; speeding up market reforms; establishing stable relations
with Russia, China, and other foreign powers; and developing and
expanding the country's abundant energy resources.

@Kazakhstan:Geography

Location: Central Asia, northwest of China

Geographic coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area:
total: 2,717,300 sq km
land: 2,669,800 sq km
water: 47,500 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly less than four times the size of Texas

Land boundaries:
total: 12,012 km
border co