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Gulf Co-operation Council
(GCC).
Arabia:
Arabia, the area made up of the Arabian Peninsula, is located
in the southwestern region of the Asian continent. Covering about
3 million square kilometres, the southeastern area of the peninsula
is the Rub'al-Khali, the Empty Quarter, which is the world's largest
expanse of continuous sand. Politically, the Arabian Peninsula
consists of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab
Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Republic of Yemen. Together,
these countries (excluding the Republic of Yemen) constitute the
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Founded on 26 May 1981, the aim
of this collective is to promote coordination between member states
in all fields in order to achieve unity.
Bahrain:
An
archipelago of thirty-three islands, the largest island, Bahrain
(from the Arabic word for "two seas"), is believed to
have separated from the Arabian Peninsula around 6000 BC. The
capital, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of the island
of Bahrain. The main port, Mina Salman, and the major petroleum
refining facilities and commercial centers are also located on
the island.Bahrain is an independent state with a traditional
monarchy. On 14 February 2002, a new constitution was published
and Bahrain declared itself a kingdom.Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al
Khalifa is the King, and has ruled Bahrain since 6 March 1999.Sheikh
Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa is the prime minister. Kuwait:
conventional
long form: State of Kuwait - conventional short form: Kuwait -
local short form: Al Kuwayt - local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt.
5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al
Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli. adult males who have
been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait
since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21 note: only
10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized
citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been
naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time.
Oman:
Occupying the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the
Sultanate of Oman covers an area of about 12,457 square kilometres
(82,030 square miles); however, estimates do vary considerably.
Muscat, the capital of Oman since 1741, is located on the Gulf
of Oman coast. The country was known as Muscat and Oman until
1970. Oman is a monarchy. The ruling family, the Al Said, first
came to rule in 1744 after the expulsion of the Iranians from
Muscat. The sultan also holds the posts of prime minister, minister
of defence, minister of foreign affairs, and minister of finance.
Oman's principal natural resources are petroleum and natural gas.
Major products include textiles, cement blocks, furniture, fertilizers,
and fibreglass products.
Qatar:
Qatar occupies a peninsula, which extends northward for about
180 kilometres (100 miles) into the Arabian Gulf from the Arabian
Peninsula. The total area of Qatar is 11,437 square kilometres
or 4,260 square miles. Doha, the capital city, is located on the
east coast. A traditional monarchy, the State of Qatar is ruled
by the Al Thani family. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has
been emir since early 1995. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifah AlThani
is the prime minister. In 1999 the country's first elections were
held, to elect a 29-member municipal council.The State of Qatar
produces less than 1% of the world's oil output. Crude oil and
liquefied natural gas account for about 80% of the country's exports.
The banking sector also plays an important role in Qatar’s
economy.
Saudi
Arabia:
Saudi
Arabia is the largest country. 2,240,000 square kilometres or
864,900 square miles (estimates vary) of which more than half
is desert.The richest oil fields in the world are found in the
eastern region. Riyadh, the capital and largest city, is located
in the east central region of the country.Jeddah is the 2nd largest
city & main port through which pilgrims enter to perform Umrah,
Haj, or to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia
is a monarchy ruled by the Al Saud family.Oil is the most important
industry in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates: (UAE- 7 Emirates)
The
United Arab Emirates is comprised of seven emirates, which occupy
the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula . Each emirate,
unique and rich in tradition, is an essential component necessary
for making up the whole. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm
Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Jordan :
Jordan is situated in the Middle East with a population of 5 million.
Amman is the capital of Jordan . Arabic is the official language.
English is widely understood by the upper and middle classes of
the society. Jordan exports clothing, phosphates, fertilizers,
potash, vegetables and pharmaceuticals.
Lebanon
:
Lebanon is situated in the Middle East with a population of 4
million. Beirut is the capital of Lebanon . Arabic is the official
language. French and English are also spoken widely among the
educated classes. Lebanon exports authentic jewellery, inorganic
chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruits and tobacco.
Syria :
Syria is situated in the Middle East with a population of 18 million.
Damascus is the capital of Syria . Arabic is the official language.
French and English are widely understood by educated classes.
Syria exports crude oil, petroleum products, fruits & vegetables,
wheat and clothing.
South
Asia
Bangladesh :
Bangladesh lies in southern Asia with a 141 million population.
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh . Bangla is the official language
and English is also widely spoken. Agriculture contributes 25%
of GDP, which employs 65% of the workforce. The main crop is Rice.
Bangladesh exports Garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen
fish and seafood mainly to US and European markets.
India
:
India
lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the
north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where
foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states.
Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts
are bordered by palm fringed beaches . Side by side with the country's
staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity,
the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well
as local tradition. Thus, the towering temples of south India,
easily identifiable by their ornately sculptured surface, are
associated with a great many crafts and performing arts of the
region.
Pakistan
:
Pakistan
lies in southern Asia with a 160 million population. Islamabad
is the capital of Pakistan . Urdu is the official language but
English is also widely spoken. Agriculture contributes to 25%
of GDP. The main cash crop is rice. Pakistan exports Textiles,
leather goods, sports goods, carpets & rugs mainly to US,
UK and UAE markets.
Srilanka
:
Srilanka lies in southern Asia , island in the Indian Ocean ,
south of India with a 20 million population. Colombo is the capital
of Srilanka. Sinhala is the official language but English is widely
spoken. Srilanka is one of the largest producers of Tea. Srilanka
exports Tea, Textile and apparels, coconut products and diamonds
primarily to US and UK markets.
Africa
Egypt
:
Egypt lies in the northern Africa with a population of 76 million.
Cairo is the capital of Egypt . Arabic is the official language.
English and French are widely understood by educated classes.
Egypt exports crude oil, petroleum products, cotton, textiles,
metal products and chemicals. Egypt has one of the world's greatest
civilizations.
Ethiopia :
Ethiopia lies in the eastern part of Africa and is also referred
as the Horn of Africa. It has a population of 65 million, which
makes it the third largest population in Africa . Addis Ababa
is the capital of Ethiopia . English, French and Italian are widely
spoken. There are 8 national parks, 10 game reserves and 2 sanctuaries.
Agriculture contributes 45% of GDP. The main crops are Coffee,
cereals, oil seeds and sugarcane.
Kenya:
Kenya
Lies across the equator in the east of the African continent with
a population of 30 million. Nairobi is the capital of Kenya .
English is a widely spoken language. Tourism is Kenya 's leading
foreign exchange earner. There are 45 national parks & game
reserves in Kenya . Amboseli game reserve, Masai Mara and Tsavo
national parks are situated here. Agriculture is the mainstay
of Kenya 's economy, contributing over one third of GDP. The major
cash crops are Tea, Coffee, Wheat & Corn.
Nigeria
:
Nigeria is situated in the West African region with a 120 million
population. Nigeria is the most populated country in the continent.
Abuja is the official capital and Lagos is the commercial capital
of Nigeria . English is the official language. 60% of the population
is involved in production of food crops such as Cassava, maize,
rice etc…The main cash crops are Cocoa , cotton, ground
nuts, oil palm & rubber. Nigeria is the largest oil producers
in the continent.
South Africa :
South Africa is located in the southern tip of the African continent
with 43 million population. Johannesburg is the capital of South
Africa . English is one of the official languages and is widely
spoken. South Africa is one of the most diverse and enchanting
countries in the world. South Africa is the world's largest producer
of Gold, Platinum and Chromium
Sudan :
Sudan lies in North Africa , bordering the red sea, between Egypt
and Eritrea with a population of 39 million. Geographically it
is the largest country in Africa , dominated by the Nile and its
tributaries. Khartoum is the capital of Sudan . Khartoum is built
at the convergence of the Blue and White Nile . Arabic is the
official language. Agriculture contributes one third of GDP. The
main crops are Cotton, groundnuts, sorghum, millet and wheat.
Tanzania:
Tanzania is situated in East Africa with a population of 37 million.
Dar-es-Salam is the capital of Tanzania . English is a widely
spoken language. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest point
in Africa , bordered by 3 of the largest lakes in the continent.
Lake Victoria (world's second largest fresh water lake) in the
north, Lake Tanganyika (world's second deepest) in the west, and
Lake Nyasa in the southwest. Agriculture contributes 50% of GDP
and employs 80% of the work force of the country.
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