Michaela OBrien CHINA- (official name- The Peoples Republic of China) Population- 1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.

AP World Summer Assignment

Major ethnic groups- Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census). Major religions- Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) Population Density- 365 people per square mile Location- Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Capitol- Beijing. Type of Government- Communist. Head of state- President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March
2008) Arable land- 14.86% Monetary Unit- Renminbi yuan (RMB) Per Capita GDP- $6,000 (2008 est.), $5,500 (2007 est.), $4,900 (2006 est.)note: data are in 2008

US dollars Official Language- Standard Chinese or Mandarin Education (literacy rate)- 90.9% Membership in major organizations- ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, EAS, FAO, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Health- Life expectancy Male: 71.61 years. Female: 75.52 years

HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 0.1% Important geographic features- Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak INDIA- (official name- Republic of India) Population- 1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.)
Major ethnic groups- Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% (2000) Major religions- Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census) Population density- 954 people per square mile Location- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Capitol- New Delhi. Type of Government- federal republic. Head of State- President Pratibha PATIL (since 25 July 2007); Vice President Hamid ANSARI (since 11 August 2007) Arable land- 48.83% Monetary unit- Indian rupees (INR) Per Capita GDP- $2,800 (2008 est.) Official Language- Hindi 41%, Bengali 8.1%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9%, Urdu 5%, Gujarati 4.5%, Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.2%, other 5.9% Education (literacy rate)- 61% Membership in major organizations- ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue

partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, C, CERN (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Health: Life expectancy- male: 67.46 years. female: 72.61 years. HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 0.3% Important geographic features- dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian

Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal. SAUDI ARABIA- (official name- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) Population- 28,686,633 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Major Religions- Muslim 100%. Population Density- 33 people per square mile Location- Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen. Capitol- Riyadh. Type of Government- Monarchy Head of State- King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud.
Arable Land- 1.67% Monetary Unit- Saudi riyals (SAR) Per Capita GDP- $20,700 (2008 est.) Official Language- Arabic Education (literacy rate)- 78.8% Membership in major organizations- ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO,

G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Health- Life Expectancy: male-74.23 years :female- 78.48 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 0.01% Important geographic features- extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great

leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal. VENEZUELA- (official name- Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) Population- 26,814,843 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

Major Religions- nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Population Density- 76 people per square mile Location- Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,

between Colombia and Guyana Capitol- Caracas Type of Government- federal republic Head of State- President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Executive Vice President Ramon
Alonzo CARRIZALEZ Rengifo (since 4 January 2008); Arable land- 2.85%

Monetary Unit- bolivars (VEB) Per Capita GDP- $13,500 (2008 est.), $13,100 (2007 est.), $12,300 (2006 est.). note: data are in 2008
US dollars

Official Language- Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Membership in Major Organizations- Caricom (observer), CDB, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Education (literacy rate)- 93% Health- life expectancy: male- 70.54 years : female- 76.83 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate: 0.7% Important Geographic Features- on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall. NIGERIA- (official name- Federal Republic of Nigeria) Population- 149,229,090 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250

ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%. Major Religions- Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Population Density- 375 people per square mile Location- Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Capitol- Abuja Type of Government- federal republic Head of State- President Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA (since 29 May 2007)
Arable Land- 33.02% Monetary Unit- nairas (NGN) Per Capita GDP- $2,300 (2008 est.), $2,200 (2007 est.), $2,100 (2006 est.) Language- English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani

Education (literacy rate)- 68% Membership in Major Organizations- ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer),

OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Health- life expectancy: male- 46.16 years : female- 47.76 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 3.1% (2007 est.) Important Geographic Features- the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. RUSSIA- (official name- Russian Federation) Population- 140,041,247 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%,

other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census) Major Religions- Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) Population Density- 22 people per square mile Location- Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean Capital- Moscow Type of Government- federation Head of State- President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV (since 7 May 2008) Arable Land- 7.17% Monetary Unit- Russian rubles (RUB) Per Capita GDP- $15,800 (2008 est.), $15,200 (2007 est.), $14,000 (2006 est.) Language- Russian, many minority languages Membership in Major Organizations- APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, G-20, G-8, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest),

NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC

Health- life expectancy: male- 59.33 years : female- 73.14 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 1.1% Important Geographic Features- largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak INDONESIA- (official name- Republic of Indonesia) Population- 240,271,522 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9% (2000 census) Major Religions- Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4% (2000 census) Population Density- 351 people per square mile Location- Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Capital- Jakarta Type of Government- republic Head of State- President Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO (since 20 October 2004); Vice President
Muhammad Yusuf KALLA (since 20 October 2004); Arable Land- 11.03% Monetary Unit- Rupiah Per Capita GDP- $3,900 (2008 est).$3,700 (2007 est.).$3,500 (2006 est.) Language- Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (the

most widely spoken of which is Javanese)

Education (literacy rate)- 90.4% Membership in Major Organizations- ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-15, G20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Health- life expectancy: male- 68.26 years

: female- 73.38 years (2009 est.) Important Geographic Features- archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles

equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean CUBA- (official name- Republic of Cuba) Population- 11,451,652 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- white 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census)

Major Religions- 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's
Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented

Population Density- 266 people per square mile Location- Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida Capital- Havana Type of Government- Communist State Head of State- President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul
CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008);

Arable Land- 27.63% Monetary Unit- Cuban pesos (CUP) Per Capita GDP-$9,500 (2008 est.), $9,100 (2007 est.),$8,500 (2006 est.) Language- Spanish

Education (literacy rate)- 99.8% Membership in Major Organizations- ACP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Health- life expectancy: male-75.19 years : female- 79.85 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
Important Geographic Features- largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the

Greater Antilles FRANCE- (official name- French Republic) Population- 64,057,792 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities Major Religions- Roman Catholic 83%-88%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 5%-10%, unaffiliated 4% Population Density- 289 people per square mile Location- 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 Capital- Paris Type of Government- Republic Head of State- President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007)
Arable land- 33.46% Monetary Unit- euros (EUR)

Per Capita GDP- $32,700 (2008 est.), $33,300 (2007 est.), $32,800 (2006 est.), note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Language- French 100%, rapidly declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish) Education (literacy rate)- 99% Membership in Major Organizations- ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FZ, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), SPC, UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Health- life expectancy: male- 77.79 years : female- 84.33 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 0.4% (2007 est.)
Important Geographic Features- largest West European nation

EGYPT- (official name- Arab Republic of Egypt) Population- 83,082,869 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- Egyptian 99.6%, other 0.4% (2006 census) Major Religions- Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1% Population Density- 205 people per square mile Location- Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Capital- Cairo Type of Government- republic Head of State- President Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK (since 14 October 1981) Arable Land- 2.92%

Monetary Unit- Egyptian pounds Per Capita GDP- $5,400 (2008 est.),$5,200 (2007 est.), $4,900 (2006 est.) Language- Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes Education (literacy rate)- 71.4% Membership in Major Organizations- ABEDA, ACCT, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, COMESA, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Health- life expectancy: male- 69.56 years : female- 74.81 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Important Geographic Features- controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees JAPAN- (official name- Japan) Population- 127,078,679 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6% Major Religions- Shintoism 83.9%, Buddhism 71.4%, Christianity 2%, other 7.8% Population Density- 836 people per square mile Location- Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula Capital- Tokyo Type of Government- a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy Head of State- Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)

Arable Land- 11.64% Monetary Unit- yen (JPY) Per Capita GDP- $34,200 (2008 est.),$34,300 (2007 est.), $33,400 (2006 est.) Language- Japanese Education (literacy rate)- 99% Membership in Major Organizations- ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, G20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA, MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Health- life expectancy: male- 78.8 years : female- 85.62 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- less than 0.1% (2003 est.) Important Geographic Features- strategic location in northeast Asia IRAN- (official name- Islamic Republic of Iran) Population- 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.)
Major Ethnic Groups- Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur

2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Major Religions- Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Population Density- 109 people per square mile Location- Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Capital- Tehran Type of Government- Theocratic Republic

Head of State- Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) Arable Land- 9.78% Monetary Unit- Iranian rials (IRR) Per Capita GDP- $12,800 (2008 est.), $12,100 (2007 est.), $11,300 (2006 est.) Language- Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Education (literacy rate)- 77% Membership in Major Organizations- CP, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Health- life expectancy: male- 69.65 years : female- 72.72 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 0.2% Important Geographic Features- strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport NORTH KOREA- (official name- Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea) Population- 22,665,345 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Major Religions-traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) Population Density- 497 people per square mile Location- Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Capital- Pyongyang

Type of Government- Communist state one-man dictatorship Head of State- KIM Jong Il (since July 1994); Arable Land- 22.4% Monetary Unit- North Korean won (KPW) Per Capita GDP- $1,700 (2008 est.) Language- Korean Education (literacy rate)- 99% Membership in Major Organizations- ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Health- life expectancy: male- 61.23 years : female- 66.53 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- N/A Important Geographical Features- strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated. MEXICO- (official name- United Mexican States) Population- 111,211,789 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- mestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%, white 9%, other 1% Major Religions- Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% (2000 census) Population Density- 145 people per square mile Location- Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the United States Capital- Mexico (Distrito Federal) Type of Government- federal republic

Head of State- President Felipe de Jesus CALDERON Hinojosa Arable Land- 12.66% Monetary Unit- Mexican pesos Per Capita GDP- $14,200 (2008 est.),$14,100 (2007 est.), $13,900 (2006 est.) Language- Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2005) Education (literacy rate)- 91% Membership in Major Organizations- APEC, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), Caricom (observer), CDB, CE (observer), CSN (observer), EBRD, FAO, G-20, G-3, G-15, G-24, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAFTA, NAM (observer), NEA, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Health- life expectancy: male-73.25 years : female- 79 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 0.3% (2007 est.) Important Geographic Features- strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico AFGHANISTAN- (official name- Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) Population- 33,609,937 (July 2009 est.) Major Ethnic Groups- Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4% Major Religions- Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1% Population Density-124 people per square mile. Location- Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran Capital- Kabul

Type of Government- Islamic Republic Head of State- President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI Arable land- 12.13% Monetary Unit- afghanis (AFA) Per Capita GDP- $800 (2008 est.),$700 (2007 est.),$600 (2006 est.) Language- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism Education (literacy rate)- 28.1% Membership in Major Organizations-ADB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Health- life expectancy: male-44.47 years
: Female-44.81 years HIV/AIDS prevalence rate- 0.01% (2001 est.)

Important Geographic Features- landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)