Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey

@Syria, Defense Forces

Branches:
Syrian Arab Army, Syrian Arab Navy, Syrian Arab Air Force, Syrian Arab
Air Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,300,397; fit for military service 1,850,545; reach
military age (19) annually 155,569 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion, 6% of GDP (1992)

@Taiwan, Geography

Location:
Eastern Asia, off the southeastern coast of China, between Japan and
the Philippines
Map references:
Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia
Area:
total area:
35,980 sq km
land area:
32,260 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland and Delaware combined
note:
includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,448 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China,
Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands
occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai)
claimed by China and Taiwan
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
Natural resources:
small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos
Land use:
arable land:
24%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
55%
other:
15%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution from industrial emissions, untreated sewage; air
pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies
natural hazards:
subject to earthquakes and typhoons
international agreements:
signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation

@Taiwan, People

Population:
21,298,930 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.96% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
15.6 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.25 years
male:
72.01 years
female:
78.66 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate