Part 919

Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,717,032 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,687,536 (1997 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $236 million (FY95/96)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (FY95/96)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: quadripoint with Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia is in disagreement

Illicit drugs: significant transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets ______________________________________________________________________

TAIWAN

@Taiwan:Geography

Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area: total: 35,980 sq km land : 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,448 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Elevation extremes: lowest point : South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,997 m

Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use: arable land : 24% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 55% other : 15%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons

Environment - current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements: party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

@Taiwan:People

Population: 21,699,776 (July 1997 est.)