ecipient: $28.1 million (1997)

Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1 - 485.44 (January 2000),
461.77 (1999), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36
(1995)
note: prior to January 1999, the official rate was pegged to the
French franc at 75 CFs per French franc; since 1 January 1999, the CF
is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro

Fiscal year: calendar year

@Comoros:Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995)

Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and
Reunion

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios: 90,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1998)

Televisions: 1,000 (1997)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)

@Comoros:Transportation

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 880 km
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou

Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)

Airports: 4 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)

@Comoros:Military

Military branches: Comoran Security Force

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 136,914 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 81,477 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%

@Comoros:Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the
islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede
from Comoros

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CONGO

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CONGO

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COOK ISLANDS

@Cook Islands:Introduction

Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the
islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative
control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose
self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration
of skilled workers to New Zealand and government de