English Dictionary: Saarlnder | by the DICT Development Group |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Nuthatch \Nut"hatch`\, n. [OE. nuthake. See 2d {Hack}.] (Zo[94]l.) Any one of several species of birds of the genus {Sitta}, as the European species ({Sitta Europ[91]a}). The white-breasted nuthatch ({S. Carolinensis}), the red-breasted nuthatch ({S. Canadensis}), the pygmy nuthatch ({S. pygm[91]a}), and others, are American. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Scrawl \Scrawl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scrawled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scrawling}.] [Probably corrupted from scrabble.] To draw or mark awkwardly and irregularly; to write hastily and carelessly; to scratch; to scribble; as, to scrawl a letter. His name, scrawled by himself. --Macaulay. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Serial \Se"ri*al\, a. 1. Of or pertaining to a series; consisting of a series; appearing in successive parts or numbers; as, a serial work or publication. [bd]Classification . . . may be more or less serial.[b8] --H. Spencer. 2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to rows. --Gray. {Serial homology}. (Biol.) See under {Homology}. {Serial symmetry}. (Biol.) See under {Symmetry}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Homology \Ho*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. [?] agreement. See {Homologous}.] 1. The quality of being homologous; correspondence; relation; as, the homologyof similar polygons. 2. (Biol.) Correspondence or relation in type of structure in contradistinction to similarity of function; as, the relation in structure between the leg and arm of a man; or that between the arm of a man, the fore leg of a horse, the wing of a bird, and the fin of a fish, all these organs being modifications of one type of structure. Note: Homology indicates genetic relationship, and according to Haeckel special homology should be defined in terms of identity of embryonic origin. See {Homotypy}, and {Homogeny}. 3. (Chem.) The correspondence or resemblance of substances belonging to the same type or series; a similarity of composition varying by a small, regular difference, and usually attended by a regular variation in physical properties; as, there is an homology between methane, {CH4}, ethane, {C2H6}, propane, {C3H8}, etc., all members of the paraffin series. In an extended sense, the term is applied to the relation between chemical elements of the same group; as, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are said to be in homology with each other. Cf. {Heterology}. {General homology} (Biol.), the higher relation which a series of parts, or a single part, bears to the fundamental or general type on which the group is constituted. --Owen. {Serial homology} (Biol.), representative or repetitive relation in the segments of the same organism, -- as in the lobster, where the parts follow each other in a straight line or series. --Owen. See {Homotypy}. {Special homology} (Biol.), the correspondence of a part or organ with those of a different animal, as determined by relative position and connection. --Owen. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Serolin \Ser"o*lin\, n. [Serum + L. oleum oil.] (Physiol. Chem.) (a) A peculiar fatty substance found in the blood, probably a mixture of fats, cholesterin, etc. (b) A body found in fecal matter and thought to be formed in the intestines from the cholesterin of the bile; -- called also {stercorin}, and {stercolin}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Shearling \Shear"ling\, n. A sheep but once sheared. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Shoreling \Shore"ling\, n. See {Shorling}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Shorling \Shor"ling\, n. 1. The skin of a sheen after the fleece is shorn off, as distinct from the morling, or skin taken from the dead sheep; also, a sheep of the first year's shearing. [Prov. Eng.] 2. A person who is shorn; a shaveling; hence, in contempt, a priest. [Obs.] --Halliwell. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Shrill \Shrill\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Shrilled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shrilling}.] [OE. schrillen, akin to G. schrillen; cf. AS. scralletan to resound loudly, Icel. skr[94]lta to jolt, Sw. skr[84]lla to shrill, Norw. skryla, skr[?]la. Cf. {Skirl}.] To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound with a sharp, shrill tone; to become shrill. Break we our pipes, that shrilledloud as lark. --Spenser. No sounds were heard but of the shrilling cock. --Goldsmith. His voice shrilled with passion. --L. Wallace. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Shrillness \Shrill"ness\, n. The quality or state of being shrill. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Peach \Peach\, n. [OE. peche, peshe, OF. pesche, F. p[88]che, fr. LL. persia, L. Persicum (sc. malum) a Persian apple, a peach. Cf. {Persian}, and {Parsee}.] (Bot.) A well-known high-flavored juicy fruit, containing one or two seeds in a hard almond-like endocarp or stone; also, the tree which bears it ({Prunus, [or] Amygdalus Persica}). In the wild stock the fruit is hard and inedible. {Guinea}, [or] {Sierra Leone}, {peach}, the large edible berry of the {Sarcocephalus esculentus}, a rubiaceous climbing shrub of west tropical Africa. {Palm peach}, the fruit of a Venezuelan palm tree ({Bactris speciosa}). {Peach color}, the pale red color of the peach blossom. {Peach-tree borer} (Zo[94]l.), the larva of a clearwing moth ({[92]geria, [or] Sannina, exitiosa}) of the family {[92]geriid[91]}, which is very destructive to peach trees by boring in the wood, usually near the ground; also, the moth itself. See Illust. under {Borer}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Sirloin \Sir"loin`\, n. [A corruption of surloin. Not so called because this cut of beef was once jocosely knighted (dubbed Sir Loin) by an English king, as according to a popular story.] A loin of beef, or a part of a loin. [Written also {surloin}.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Skirling \Skirl"ing\, n. A shrill cry or sound; a crying shrilly; a skirl. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --Sir W. Scott. When the skirling of the pipes cleft the air his cold eyes softened. --Mrs. J. H. Ewing. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Skirling \Skirl"ing\, n. (Zo[94]l.) A small trout or salmon; -- a name used loosely. [Prov. Eng.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
squireling \squire"ling\, n. A petty squire. --Tennyson. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Marmoset \Mar"mo*set`\, n. [F. marmouset a grotesque figure, an ugly little boy, prob. fr. LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor marble. Perhaps confused with marmot. See {Marble}.] (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of small South American monkeys of the genera {Hapale} and {Midas}, family {Hapalid[91]}. They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are often kept as pets. Called also {squirrel monkey}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Squirrel \Squir"rel\ (skw[etil]r"r[etil]l or skw[icr]r"-; 277), n. [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. [82]cureuil, LL. squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr. si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. {Shine}, v. i.] 1. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus {Sciurus} and several allied genera of the family {Sciurid[91]}. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows. Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel ({Scirius Carolinensis}) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel ({S. cinereus}, or {S. niger}) which is a large species, and variable in color, the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see {Chickaree}); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see {Chipmunk}); and the California gray squirrel ({S. fossor}). Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European species ({Sciurus vulgaris}) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. the so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See {Petaurist}, and {Phalanger}. 2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. {Barking squirrel} (Zo[94]l.), the prairie dog. {Federation squirrel} (Zo[94]l.), the striped gopher. See {Gopher}, 2. {Flying squirrel} (Zo[94]l.). See {Flying squirrel}, in the Vocabulary. {Java squirrel} (Zo[94]l.). See {Jelerang}. {Squirrel corn} (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicantra Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers. {Squirrel cup} (Bot.), the blossom of the {Hepatica triloba}, a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring. {Squirrel fish} (Zo[94]l.) (a) A sea bass ({Serranus fascicularis}) of the Southern United States. (b) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus rhomboides}). (c) The redmouth, or grunt. (d) A market fish of Bermuda ({Holocentrum Ascensione}). {Squirrel grass} (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly awned spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death. {Squirrel hake} (Zo[94]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis tenuis}); -- called also {white hake}. {Squirrel hawk} (Zo[94]l.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species {Archibuteo ferrugineus}. {Squirrel monkey}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus {Calithrix}. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See {Teetee}. (b) A marmoset. {Squirrel petaurus} (Zo[94]l.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See {Phalanger}, {Petaurist}, and {Flying phalanger} under {Flying}. {Squirrel shrew} (Zo[94]l.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus {Tupaia}. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel. {Squirrel-tail grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Hordeum jubatum}) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Marmoset \Mar"mo*set`\, n. [F. marmouset a grotesque figure, an ugly little boy, prob. fr. LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor marble. Perhaps confused with marmot. See {Marble}.] (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of small South American monkeys of the genera {Hapale} and {Midas}, family {Hapalid[91]}. They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail. They are often kept as pets. Called also {squirrel monkey}. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Squirrel \Squir"rel\ (skw[etil]r"r[etil]l or skw[icr]r"-; 277), n. [OE. squirel, OF. esquirel, escurel, F. [82]cureuil, LL. squirelus, squirolus, scuriolus, dim. of L. sciurus, Gr. si`oyros; skia` shade + o'yra` tail. Cf. {Shine}, v. i.] 1. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus {Sciurus} and several allied genera of the family {Sciurid[91]}. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows. Note: Among the common North American squirrels are the gray squirrel ({Scirius Carolinensis}) and its black variety; the fox, or cat, sqirrel ({S. cinereus}, or {S. niger}) which is a large species, and variable in color, the southern variety being frequently black, while the northern and western varieties are usually gray or rusty brown; the red squirrel (see {Chickaree}); the striped, or chipping, squirrel (see {Chipmunk}); and the California gray squirrel ({S. fossor}). Several other species inhabit Mexico and Central America. The common European species ({Sciurus vulgaris}) has a long tuft of hair on each ear. the so-called Australian squirrels are marsupials. See {Petaurist}, and {Phalanger}. 2. One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder. {Barking squirrel} (Zo[94]l.), the prairie dog. {Federation squirrel} (Zo[94]l.), the striped gopher. See {Gopher}, 2. {Flying squirrel} (Zo[94]l.). See {Flying squirrel}, in the Vocabulary. {Java squirrel} (Zo[94]l.). See {Jelerang}. {Squirrel corn} (Bot.), a North American herb ({Dicantra Canadensis}) bearing little yellow tubers. {Squirrel cup} (Bot.), the blossom of the {Hepatica triloba}, a low perennial herb with cup-shaped flowers varying from purplish blue to pink or even white. It is one of the earliest flowers of spring. {Squirrel fish} (Zo[94]l.) (a) A sea bass ({Serranus fascicularis}) of the Southern United States. (b) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus rhomboides}). (c) The redmouth, or grunt. (d) A market fish of Bermuda ({Holocentrum Ascensione}). {Squirrel grass} (Bot.), a pestiferous grass ({Hordeum murinum}) related to barley. In California the stiffly awned spiklets work into the wool of sheep, and into the throat, flesh, and eyes of animals, sometimes even producing death. {Squirrel hake} (Zo[94]l.), a common American hake ({Phycis tenuis}); -- called also {white hake}. {Squirrel hawk} (Zo[94]l.), any rough-legged hawk; especially, the California species {Archibuteo ferrugineus}. {Squirrel monkey}. (Zo[94]l.) (a) Any one of several species of small, soft-haired South American monkeys of the genus {Calithrix}. They are noted for their graceful form and agility. See {Teetee}. (b) A marmoset. {Squirrel petaurus} (Zo[94]l.), a flying phalanger of Australia. See {Phalanger}, {Petaurist}, and {Flying phalanger} under {Flying}. {Squirrel shrew} (Zo[94]l.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic insectivores of the genus {Tupaia}. They are allied to the shrews, but have a bushy tail, like that of a squirrel. {Squirrel-tail grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Hordeum jubatum}) found in salt marshes and along the Great Lakes, having a dense spike beset with long awns. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Surliness \Sur"li*ness\, n. The quality or state of being surly. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Surling \Sur"ling\, n. [See {Surly}.] A sour, morose fellow. [Obs.] --Camden. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Sirloin \Sir"loin`\, n. [A corruption of surloin. Not so called because this cut of beef was once jocosely knighted (dubbed Sir Loin) by an English king, as according to a popular story.] A loin of beef, or a part of a loin. [Written also {surloin}.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Surloin \Sur"loin`\, n. [F. surlonge; sur upon + longe loin. See {Sur-}, and {Loin}.] A loin of beef, or the upper part of the loin. See {Sirloin}, the more usual, but not etymologically preferable, orthography. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Sirloin \Sir"loin`\, n. [A corruption of surloin. Not so called because this cut of beef was once jocosely knighted (dubbed Sir Loin) by an English king, as according to a popular story.] A loin of beef, or a part of a loin. [Written also {surloin}.] | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Surloin \Sur"loin`\, n. [F. surlonge; sur upon + longe loin. See {Sur-}, and {Loin}.] A loin of beef, or the upper part of the loin. See {Sirloin}, the more usual, but not etymologically preferable, orthography. | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Swirl \Swirl\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Swirled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Swirling}.] [Akin to Norw. svirla to whirl, freq. of sverra to whirl, Dan. svirre, G. schwirren to whiz, to buzz. [fb]177. See {Swarm}, n.] To whirl, or cause to whirl, as in an eddy. [bd]The river swirled along.[b8] --C. Kingsley. | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Saraland, AL (city, FIPS 68160) Location: 30.82009 N, 88.09893 W Population (1990): 11751 (4494 housing units) Area: 29.5 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 36571 | |
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: | |
Shoreline Park, MS (CDP, FIPS 67435) Location: 30.31941 N, 89.40928 W Population (1990): 2775 (2142 housing units) Area: 20.4 sq km (land), 0.5 sq km (water) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
scrolling text or {macros} in an attempt to annoy the occupants. This can often cause the chat room to be "uninhabitable" due to the "noise" created by the scroller. Compare {spam}. (2001-03-27) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Serial Interface Adaptor (SIA) The {Ethernet} driver chip used on a {Filtabyte} Ethernet card. | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
serial line Wires which connect two {serial port}s carrying serial data consisting of sequential bits represented by one of two voltages. A common electrical specification for the signals on a serial line is {RS-423}. {(ftp://ftp.acorn.co.uk/pub/documents/appnotes/231-245/234.ps)}. (1995-02-02) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Serial Line Internet Protocol {Internet Protocol} (IP), normally used on {Ethernet}, to be used over a {serial line}, e.g. an {EIA-232} {serial port} connected to a {modem}. It is defined in {RFC} 1055. SLIP modifies a standard {Internet} {datagram} by appending a special SLIP END character to it, which allows datagrams to be distinguished as separate. SLIP requires a port configuration of 8 data bits, no {parity}, and {EIA} or {hardware flow control}. SLIP does not provide {error detection}, being reliant on other high-layer protocols for this. Over a particularly error-prone {dial-up} link therefore, SLIP on its own would not be satisfactory. A SLIP connection needs to have its {IP address} configuration set each time before it is established whereas {Point-to-Point Protocol} (PPP) can determine it automatically once it has started. See also {SLiRP}. (1995-04-30) | |
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]: | |
Serial Line IP (SLIP) {Serial Line Internet Protocol}. | |
From The CIA World Factbook (1995) [world95]: | |
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Map references: Africa Area: total area: 71,740 sq km land area: 71,620 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total 958 km, Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 31% forest and woodland: 29% other: 13% Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (November to May); sandstorms, dust storms international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Environmental Modification Sierra Leone:People Population: 4,753,120 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (female 1,054,826; male 1,020,943) 15-64 years: 53% (female 1,310,506; male 1,216,510) 65 years and over: 3% (female 72,982; male 77,353) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 2.63% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 44.65 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 18.38 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) note: thousands of refugees, fleeing the civil strife in Sierra Leone, are taking refuge in Guinea Infant mortality rate: 138.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.94 years male: 44.07 years female: 49.89 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Ethnic divisions: 13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1% Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Languages: English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic (1990 est.) total population: 21% male: 31% female: 11% Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.) note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985) Sierra Leone:Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone Digraph: SL Type: military government Capital: Freetown Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961) Constitution: 1 October 1991; suspended following 19 April 1992 coup Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Supreme Council of State Capt. Valentine E. M. STRASSER (since 29 April 1992) cabinet: Council of Secretaries; responsible to the Supreme Council of State (SCS) Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992); Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in 1995 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Political parties and leaders: status of existing political parties is unknown following 29 April 1992 coup Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas Kahota KARGBO chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERS embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 trough 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue Economy Overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Agriculture generates about 40% of GDP and employs about two-thirds of the working population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an important source of hard currency. Since 1990, the government has been able to meet its IMF- and World Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits, increasing foreign exchange reserves, and retiring much of its domestic debt - but at a steep cost in terms of capital investments and social spending. Moreover, the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leon's fragile economy. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.7% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $68 million expenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1992 est.) Exports: $149 million (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: rutile 48%, bauxite 25%, diamonds 16%, coffee, cocoa, fish partners: US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe Imports: $149 million (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: foodstuffs 48%, machinery and equipment 32%, fuels 9% partners: US, EC countries, Japan, China, Nigeria External debt: $1.15 billion (yearend 1993) Industrial production: growth rate -1.5% (FY91/92); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 130,000 kW production: 220 million kWh consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993) Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery Agriculture: largely subsistence farming; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, palm kernels; harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish catch averages 53,000 metric tons Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 617.67 (January 1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Sierra Leone:Transportation Railroads: total: 84 km mineral line is used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge Highways: total: 7,400 km paved: 1,150 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel 490 km; improved earth 5,760 km Inland waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round Ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 11 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 3 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 4 Sierra Leone:Communications Telephone system: 23,650 telephones; telephone density - 5 telephones/1,000 persons; marginal telephone and telegraph service local: NA intercity: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceable by military activities international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA Sierra Leone:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,030,332; males fit for military service 498,945 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.6% of GDP (FY92/93) | |
From The CIA World Factbook (1995) [world95]: | |
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka:Geography Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India Map references: Asia Area: total area: 65,610 sq km land area: 64,740 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,340 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm 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 monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 37% other: 23% Irrigated land: 5,600 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation Note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes Sri Lanka:People Population: 18,342,660 (July 1995 est.) note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of late 1992, nearly 115,000 were housed in refugee camps in south India, another 95,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought political asylum in the West Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (female 2,597,969; male 2,713,696) 15-64 years: 65% (female 6,042,228; male 5,902,343) 65 years and over: 6% (female 547,715; male 538,709) (July 1995 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 18.13 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 5.78 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 21.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.14 years male: 69.58 years female: 74.82 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1% Religions: Buddhist 69%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8% Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18% note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken by about 10% of the population Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 88% male: 93% female: 84% Labor force: 6.6 million by occupation: agriculture 45.9%, mining and manufacturing 13.3%, trade and transport 12.4%, services and other 28.4% (1985 est.) Sri Lanka:Government Names: conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka former: Ceylon Digraph: CE Type: republic Capital: Colombo Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western Independence: 4 February 1948 (from UK) National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948) Constitution: adopted 16 August 1978 Legal system: a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE is the Prime Minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the chief of state and the head of the government, this is in contrast to the more common practice of dividing the roles between the president and the prime minister when both offices exist; election last held 9 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 2000); results - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (People's Alliance) 62%, Srima DISSANAYAKE (United National Party) 37%, other 1% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held 16 August 1994 (next to be held by August 2000); results - PA 49.0%, UNP 44.0%, SLMC 1.8%, TULF 1.7%, SLPF 1.1%, EPDP 0.3%, UPF 0.3%, PLOTE 0.1%, other 1.7%; seats - (225 total) PA 105, UNP 94, EPDP 9, SLMC 7, TULF 5, PLOTE 3, SLPF 1, UPF 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), C. G. Kumar PONNAMBALAM; Ceylon Workers Congress (CLDC), S. THONDAMAN; Communist Party, K. P. SILVA; Communist Party/Beijing (CP/B), N. SHANMUGATHASAN; Democratic People's Liberation Front (DPLF), leader NA; Democratic United National Front (DUNF), G. M. PREMACHANDRA; Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), Douglas DEVANANDA; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRL), Suresh PREMACHANDRAN; Eelam Revolutionary Organization of Students (EROS), Shankar RAJI; Lanka Socialist Party/Trotskyite (LSSP, or Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Colin R. DE SILVA; Liberal Party (LP), Chanaka AMARATUNGA; New Socialist Party (NSSP, or Nava Sama Samaja Party), Vasudeva NANAYAKKARA; People's Alliance (PA), Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Dharmalingam SIDARTHAN; People's United Front (MEP, or Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Dinesh GUNAWARDENE; Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), M. H. M. ASHRAFF; Sri Lanka People's Party (SLMP, or Sri Lanka Mahajana Party), Ossie ABEYGUNASEKERA; Sri Lanka Progressive Front (SLPF), leader NA; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), leader NA; Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), M. SIVASITHAMBARAM; United National Party (UNP), Ranil WICKREMANSINGHE; Upcountry People's Front (UPF), leader NA; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either parliament or provincial councils note: the United Socialist Alliance (USA), which was formed in 1987 and included the NSSP, LSSP, SLMP, CP/M, and CP/B, was defunct as of 1993, following the formation of the People's Alliance Party (PA) Other political or pressure groups: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other smaller Tamil separatist groups; other radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups; Buddhist clergy; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups; labor unions Member of: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jayantha DHANAPALA chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s): New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Teresita C. SCHAFFER embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (1) 448007 FAX: [94] (1) 437345 Flag: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two panels Economy Overview: Industry - dominated by the fast-growing apparel industry - has surpassed agriculture as the main source of export earnings and accounts for over 16% of GDP. The economy has been plagued by high rates of unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth, which has been depressed by ethnic unrest, accelerated in 1991-94 as domestic conditions began to improve and conditions for foreign investment brightened. Currently, however, the new government's emphasis on populist measures has clouded Sri Lanka's economic prospects. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $57.6 billion (1994 est.) National product real growth rate: 5% (1994 est.) National product per capita: $3,190 (1994 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1994 est.) Unemployment rate: 13.6% (1993 est.) Budget: revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1993) Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: garments and textiles, teas, diamonds, other gems, petroleum products, rubber products, other agricultural products, marine products, graphite partners: US 35.2%, Germany, UK, Belgium-Luxembourg, Japan, Netherlands, France (1993) Imports: $4 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: textiles and textile materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, petroleum, building materials partners: Japan, India, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China (1993) External debt: $7.2 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 9% (1993 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 1,410,000 kW production: 3.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 168 kWh (1993) Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco Agriculture: accounts for one-fourth of GDP; field crops - rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseeds, roots, spices; cash crops - tea, rubber, coconuts; animal products - milk, eggs, hides, meat; not self-sufficient in rice production Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $5.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $169 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $369 million Currency: 1 Sri Lankan rupee (SLRe) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1 - 50.115 (January 1995), 49.415 (1994), 48.322 (1993), 43.830 (1992), 41.372 (1991), 40.063 (1990) Fiscal year: calendar year Sri Lanka:Transportation Railroads: total: 1,948 km broad gauge: 1,948 km 1.868-m gauge (102 km double track) (1990) Highways: total: 75,263 km paved: mostly bituminous treated 27,637 km unpaved: crushed stone, gravel 32,887 km; improved, unimproved earth 14,739 km Inland waterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft Pipelines: crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987) Ports: Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee Merchant marine: total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 289,115 GRT/453,609 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 12, container 1, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 8 Airports: total: 14 with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1 Sri Lanka:Communications Telephone system: 114,000 telephones (1982); very inadequate domestic service, good international service local: NA intercity: NA international: submarine cables extend to Indonesia and Djibouti; 2 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth stations Radio: broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 5, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 5 televisions: NA Sri Lanka:Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,990,661; males fit for military service 3,888,372; males reach military age (18) annually 178,926 (1995 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $412 million, 3.6% of GDP (1994) |