Australia

Geography

Australia is the continent located between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It has a land area of about 7.7 million square kilometers, about the size of the lower 48 United States. Australia is home to approximately 19 million people. Of these, 9.2 million people make up the country’s work force. Service businesses comprise the largest portion of the work force with 69% involved in this industry. The predominant language of the people is English.

The climate varies widely from temperate in the south, to tropical in the north. The areas near its 25,760 kilometers of coastline are prone to cyclones, and the interior lands are prone to severe droughts year after year. Land use in Australia consists of 6% arable land, 54% pastureland, 19% forest and woodland, and 21% used for other purposes, or not used at all. Most of the terrain is varied, but generally it is low-lying. Its highest and lowest elevations range from 15 meters to 2,229 meters above sea level.

Principal natural resources include: bauxite, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, natural gas, and petroleum. Major agricultural products produced in Australia are wheat, meat, and wool.

Economy

The economy of Australia is dominated by the services, agricultural, and mining sectors. Service industries comprise 65% of Australia’s GDP. While the Agricultural and mining sectors only make up approximately 7% of Australia’s GDP combined, they produce 58% of Australia’s exports. Manufacturing is declining with 12% of Australia’s GDP. Australia has 19 million people on a country-continent the size of the lower 48 United States. The Australian currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD__) or (A__). As of February 15, 2001, 1 Australian Dollar is worth $0.53 U.S. Dollars. With an annual GDP of 394 billion dollars, the GDP per capita is approximately $21,400. The labor force of Australia is 9.2 million with 73% involved in service industries, 22% in industry, and 5 % agriculture (1997 estimates). Australia experiences approximately 8.4% unemployment and 1.0% inflation annually.

About 16 years ago, Australia transformed from an inward-looking, import-substitution country to an internationally competitive, export-oriented one. The goal here was to make Australia a competitive producer and exporter of a diversified mix of value-added manufactured products, services and technologies. Some progress has been made toward this goal, but much remains to be done.

Australia recorded economic growth over 1999 of 4.3%, founded for the third year running on strong domestic demand--thanks to a combination of low interest rates, low inflation, and rising asset prices. The economy is expected to experience a boost over 2000-2001, as the composition of growth in gross domestic product moves away from domestic demand to demand of major importers of Australian goods. The economic boost also is due in part to the Australian Government's reform of the taxation system which took effect in July 2000 granting substantial cuts in personal income tax in exchange for the introduction of a broad-based consumption tax.

Australia experienced a trade deficit in 1999 of 7 billion dollars. Exports were approximately $58 billion while imports were approximately $65 billion. Major exported products are coal, gold, wool, meat, iron ore, wheat, aluminum, and machinery. Major markets for the exports are The U.S., Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Australia continues to work to increase export demand to even out their trade deficit. Suppliers of goods to Australia are China, Japan, The U.S. Germany, The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Singapore. Major imports include machinery, computers, crude oil and petroleum products, and telecommunications equipment.

Government

The government of Australia is a democratic, federal-state system, which recognizes the British monarch as sovereign. The Head of State is the governor general who is appointed by the British monarch. The legislative body is made up of two houses; a 76-member senate and a 148-member House of Representatives. The House of Representatives selects as head of government the Prime Minister, who then appoints his cabinet. The current Prime Minister of Australia is John W. Howard. The judicial system of Australia is an independent judiciary similar to the judicial system of the United States.

Six states and two territories make up the administrative subdivisions of Australia. The annual central government budget is approximately A85 billion or $44.4 billion United States dollars. Annual defense spending is A8.2 million or $4.3 million United States dollars. This represents 1.9% of the GDP of Australia and employs approximately 4.8 million people.

The commonwealth government was created with a constitution patterned partly on the U. S. Constitution. The powers of the commonwealth are specifically defined in the constitution, and the residual powers remain with the states. The federal Parliament is bicameral, consisting of a 76-member Senate and a 148-member House of Representatives. Twelve senators from each state and two from each territory are elected for 6-year terms, with half elected every 3 years. The members of the House of Representatives are allocated among the states and territories roughly in proportion to population.

Three political parties dominate the center of the Australian political spectrum: the Liberal Party (LP), nominally representing urban business-related groups; the National Party (NP), nominally representing rural interests; and the Australian Labor Party (ALP), nominally representing the trade unions and liberal groups. Although embracing some leftists, the ALP traditionally has been moderately socialist in its policies and approaches to social issues. All political groups are tied by tradition to domestic welfare policies, mostly enacted in the 1980s, which have kept Australia in the forefront of societies offering extensive social welfare programs. Australia's social welfare safety net has been reduced in recent years, however, in response to budgetary pressures and a changing political outlook. There is strong bipartisan sentiment on many international issues, including Australia's commitment to its alliance with the United States.

The Liberal Party/National Party coalition came to power in the March 1996 election, ending 13 years of ALP government and electing John Howard as Prime Minister. Howard's conservative coalition has moved quickly to reduce Australia's government deficit and the influence of organized labor, placing more emphasis on workplace-based collective bargaining for wages. The Howard government also has accelerated the pace of privatization, beginning with the government-owned telecommunications corporation. The Howard government has continued the foreign policy of its predecessors, based on relations with four key countries: the United States, Japan, China, and Indonesia. The Howard government strongly supports U.S. engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

People

Australia is home to nearly 19 million people living on 7.7 million square kilometers of land. Although Australia has scarcely more than two persons per square kilometer, it is one of the world's most urbanized countries. Less than 15% of the population live in rural areas.

Australia's aboriginal inhabitants, a hunting-gathering people generally referred to as Aborigines, arrived about 40,000 years ago. Although their technical culture remained static--depending on wood, bone, and stone tools and weapons--their spiritual and social life was highly complex.

Food procurement was usually a matter for the nuclear family and was very demanding, since there was little large game, and they had no agriculture. Today, tribal aborigines lead a settled traditional life in remote areas of northern, central, and western Australia. In the south, where most aborigines are of mixed descent, movement to the cities is increasing. The aboriginal population currently numbers more than 300,000, representing about 1.7% of the population.

Immigration has been essential to Australia's development since the beginning of European settlement in 1788. For generations, most settlers came from the British Isles, and the people of Australia are still predominantly of British or Irish origin, with a culture and outlook similar to those of Americans. From 1945 through 1996, nearly 5.5 million immigrants settled in Australia, and about 80% have remained; nearly one of every four Australians is foreign-born. Britain and Ireland have been the largest sources of post-war immigrants, followed by Italy, Greece, New Zealand, and the former Yugoslavia.

The demographics of Australia are very similar to those of the United States. 66% of the people are between the ages of 15 and 64 with 21% under age 15 and 13% over age 65.The population growth rate is .9% and the net migration ratio is 2.7/1,000 population. Australia is a slightly male dominated society with1.02 males/1 female. The infant mortality rate is 5.3 deaths/ 1000 live births, and the life expectancy at birth is 79.9 years. Average fertility rate is 1.8 children born/woman.

Ethnic groups of Australia are few.91.3% of the population is Caucasian, 7% is Asian, and 1.7% aboriginal. English is the primary and official language although many dialects of aboriginal languages are still spoken in the Australian "outback" or "the bush." The total literacy rate in Australia is 100% and the major religions are Anglican, Roman Catholic, and various other Christian religions. 11% of Australia is classified as non-Christian.

Diet

Awareness is spreading of Australia’s abundance of fresh, pure, and prime quality fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, dairy products, specialty cheeses and fine wines. Australia’s cultural diversity provides a broad choice of cuisine, and modern Australian chefs are reaching new heights of creativity. The coastal cities are renowned for fresh seafood, and the traditional Australian barbecue is a way of life. Australia is winning international wine awards and its wine industry export earnings are growing exponentially.

The people of Australia have very similar tastes as do people in the United States. Australians are some of the largest consumers of meat in the world and the quality is extremely high.

Cooking methods have changed significantly over the past decade, due partly to the European and Asian migrants who have introduced culinary traditions, and partly to a new health consciousness.

The meals are lighter with less heavy sauces and gravy. More use is made of marinades and lighter sauces such as soy sauce and teriyaki sauce. Classic European dishes are still popular but the current food fad is Asian in origin - with Japanese and Thai joining Chinese which has long been a favorite. Meat is increasingly being used in stir-fry, kebabs, rolled roasts and noisettes.

Australians, however, still relish a traditional roast of beef, lamb or pork and visitors will find these on many restaurant menus. Barbecues are very popular with Australians who like a casual lifestyle and eating outdoors. Most homes would have outdoor barbecue facilities or portable barbecues.

Milk-fed lamb and veal is served in top restaurants. It usually costs a little more but is valued for its fine, delicate flavor. Cattle are predominantly pasture-fed, compared to the US where they are generally grain-fed in feedlots. This produces lean beef by world standards. Australians are not big pork eaters but there has been an active campaign by breeders to produce a leaner meat and new cuts.

Chicken is the most commonly used bird for eating. Duck, goose, turkey, quail, guinea fowl are also bred and Australian pigeon is rated as among the best in the world.

Kangaroo and water buffalo are also slaughtered for consumption in some states. The taste is similar to venison. The cuts are not large, so kangaroo is usually served in small medallions. Sausages are eaten by 70 percent of Australian households at least once a week. Australians have always regarded the sausage, or snag, as a cheap form of meat to fry, grill or barbecue.

There is a seemingly endless supply of ethnic restaurants catering to the many nationalities that now live there. The combination of the high quality local foods with ethnic cooking methods has produced some of the best meals in the world. Over the past 10 years migrants have had a significant influence on the introduction of many varieties of small goods and a growing awareness of their uses. Most of the varieties available originated overseas but they are increasingly being made here by experts from those countries. Salamis include Danish, Polish, Italian, Milano, Pepperone and Hungarian. And speck, coppa, bratwurst, coteghini, smoke beef, bastourma, berliner, pate, bloodwurst, cabanossi, strassburg and csabai can be bought at most good delicatessens. Ham and bacon are popular, bacon being an integral part of the traditional Australian breakfast.

Today, cabernet-merlot blends and other multiple variety "Bordeaux blends" are all the rage. Pinot noir is yet to receive wide consumer acceptance but some excellent wines are being made. Chardonnay is ubiquitous and ranges in style from light, simple, unwooded, everyday quaffers right through to highly sophisticated, complex and Burgundy-like. The range of prices is just as wide, from $5 to $35 for current release Chardonnays.

Generic styles such as claret, burgundy and white burgundy have been popular in the past but as Australia matures as a nation of wine drinkers and the industry becomes aware that it is part of a world market, generic names are used less and varietal names and proprietary brands are gathering popularity. Today, generic Chablis is still very popular as is fume blanc (which may or may not contain sauvignon blanc grapes) while the use of "champagne" is also in decline and increasingly confined to the cheaper, mass-produced sparkling wines. Port and sherry are two generic names that seem certain to endure.

New Zealand

Geography

New Zealand is in the South Pacific Ocean, 1600 km South-East of Australia. Locating it from a world globe or map it is located at 41° South Latitude and 172° East Longitude, approximately. It stretches 1600 km from north to south and consists of two large islands and a smattering of smaller islands, some hugging its shores, others hundreds of Kilometers away. The North Island (115,000 sq km) and the South Island (151,000 sq km) are the two major land bodies. The next largest is Stewart Island (1700 sq km), which lies directly beneath the South Island. The North Island has a number of large volcanoes (including the currently active Mount Ruapehu) and highly active thermal areas, while the South Island boasts the Southern Alps, a spine of magnificent mountains running almost its entire length.

New Zealand has a terrain of highly varied lands from snow-capped mountains to lowland plains. This terrain is of rare seismic beauty: glacial mountains, fast-flowing rivers, deep clear lakes, hissing geysers and boiling mud. There are also abundant forest reserves, long, deserted beaches and a variety of faunas, such as the kiwi, endemic to its shores.

The climate in New Zealand is a temperate to subtropical climate. Lying between 34° south and 47° South, New Zealand sits squarely in the 'roaring forties' latitude, which means a prevailing and continual wind blows over the country from west to east. This can range from a gentle breeze in summer to a buffeting, roof-stripping gale in winter. The North Island and South Island, because of their different geological features, have two distinct patterns of rainfall. The South Island, the Southern Alps act as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds from the Tasman Sea, creating a wet climate to the west of the mountains and a dry climate to the east. While the North Island's rainfall is more evenly distributed without a comparable geological feature such as the Alps. Temperatures are a few degrees cooler in the South Island, and both islands receive snow in winter. Winter falls in the months of June through August and summer from December through February. It is important to remember that New Zealand's climate is maritime, rather than continental, which means the weather, can change with amazing rapidity and consequence. The population here is 3.8 million people on 269,000 square kilometers of land, which is about the size of Colorado.

Economy

New Zealand's economy has traditionally been based on a foundation of exports from its very efficient agricultural system. The leading agricultural exports include meat, dairy products, forest products, fruit, vegetables, fish, and wool. Even though traditionally the economy has been based the agricultural system it only accounts for 9.7% of the GDP. The total GDP reported in 1999 was $53.4 billion. Industry in New Zealand accounts for 46.1% of the total GDP. These types of industry include food processing, textiles, machinery, transport equipment, fish, and forestry products. The most composition in GDP comes from the services that New Zealand provides.

In 1997 and 1998 economic growth slowed, due in large part to the negative effects of the Asian financial crisis and two successive years of drought. Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth picked up in 1999, with the economy growing by 4.4% in the year ending March 2000. This compared to flat growth in the preceding 12-month period. The return of substantial economic growth led the unemployment rate to drop from 7.8% in 1999 to 6.6% in early 2000. Currently economy in New Zealand, 2001, is on its way up doing to the slowing in economies in the US and Europe.

Strong economic relations with Australia have helped New Zealand’s economy. Australia and New Zealand are partners in "Closer Economic Relations" (CER), which allows for free trade in goods and most services. New Zealand also trades with the US, Japan, and the UK. These are the primary import and export partners. New Zealand imports from these countries machinery, equipment, vehicles, aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, and plastics. Exports back to these countries include dairy products, meat, fish, wool, and forestry products.

The budget in New Zealand is $24.9 billion in revenues while $23.7 billion in expenditures. The external debt for New Zealand was reported around $53 billion. The inflation rate is 1.3% on consumer prices. The labor force employs 1.86 million people. These people are divided up by occupation; 65% in services, 25% in industry, and 10% in agriculture. The unemployment rate in New Zealand is 7%. The currency in New Zealand is the New Zealand dollar. As of 6 February 2001 it is currently trading at 1.00 New Zealand dollar = 0.44 US dollars or 1 US dollar = 2.26 New Zealand dollars.

Government

New Zealand has a parliamentary system of government closely patterned on that of the United Kingdom and is a fully independent member of the Commonwealth. New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy. The Queen of New Zealand, Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State. The Queen's representative in this country is the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Michael Hardie Boys, who has all the powers of the Queen in relation to New Zealand. Although an integral part of the process of government, the Queen and the Governor-General remain politically neutral and do not get involved in the political contest.

The Parliament consists of a single house (the house of representatives) whose members are elected every three years by universal suffrage. The Unicameral Parliament has 120 seats, six of which currently are reserved for Maori elected on a separate Maori roll. However, Maori also may run for, and have been elected to, non-reserved seats.

Executive authority is vested in a cabinet led by the current prime minister, Rt. Hon Helen Clark, who is the leader of the political party or coalition of parties holding the majority of seats in parliament. All Ministers are members of the Executive Council which is the highest formal instrument of government and is the institution through which the government as a whole advises the Governor-General, normally by recommendations to make Orders in Council. Apart from Acts of Parliament, Orders in Council are the main method of implementing government decisions requiring legal force.

The judiciary consists of the Court of Appeals, the High Court, and the District Courts. New Zealand law has three principal sources--English common law, certain statutes of the UK Parliament enacted before 1947, and statutes of the New Zealand Parliament. There are 71 courts in New Zealand. They include the Court of Appeals, High Courts, and District Courts. The High Court hears and decides the most serious criminal charges, as well as large or important civil cases, some matrimonial property cases and some appeals from the District Court. The High Court also oversees the power of the tribunals. High Court Judges are called 'Justice', followed by their surname. The District Court includes Disputes Tribunals, Family Courts and the Youth Court.

Currently two cabinet ministers Broadcasting and Environment Minister Marian Hobbs and Customs and Consumer Affairs Minister Phillida Bunkle were asked to step down this past week by prime minister Helen Clark. There is an investigating whether Hobbs and Bunkle could claim out-of-town parliamentary allowances while being enrolled in the Wellington Central electorate. Even with this new political scandal it hasn’t seem to hurt the political standing of New Zealand. The economy is staying strong in New Zealand and looks not to be hurt from this scandal.

People

New Zealand’s Population according to the U.S. Department of State in October year 2000 was 3,829,600. Most of the 3.8 million New Zealanders are of British origin. About 15% claim descent from the indigenous Maori population, which is of Polynesian origin. The Maori, the original settlers, ventured to New Zealand by canoe from the South Pacific, while the Europeans and colonists, mostly from England and Scotland, arrived later. The resulting blend has evolved into a friendly, sincere society, who takes pride in their culture and country. Nearly 75% of the people, including a large majority of Maori, live on the North Island. In addition, 167,000 Pacific Islanders also live in New Zealand.

The ethnic break up of the people living in New Zealand is as follows: European 75%, Maori 14.5%, and Polynesian 5.6%. With little difference in ethnicity there are still two main languages spoken in New Zealand English and Maori. As the population grows across the world the annual growth rate of New Zealand as of the year 2000 is only 0.5%. There are also variations in religion in New Zealand, their break up is: Anglican 18%, Presbyterian 13%, and Roman Catholic 14%.

Education in New Zealand has a great attendance rate of 100%, where most children attending school are of ages of six to sixteen. With this high attendance rate, the literacy rate of the country stands at a great 99%. The life expectancy of most males is 73 years while females are around 79 years of age. Nearly 85% of New Zealand's population lives in urban areas, where the service and manufacturing industries are growing rapidly.

Diet

New Zealand meals are typically hearty and appetizing with restaurant prices being comparable to those in North America and Western Europe.

Tipping is not essential in our country. In New Zealand lamb is the most commonly found meat served on our dinner table and is usually prepared as a roast dish with herbs. It often appears on restaurant menus as hogget, which is derived from a one-year-old beast and is extremely tender and flavorsome. New Zealand beef is not too expensive, chicken and duck are abundant sources of protein, while domestic venison, is often served as a stew, and is a tender specialty well worth tantalizing your taste buds with. Muttonbird is a Maori delicacy that can often be purchased ready cooked in fish shops during the winter season. It is relatively salty tasting meat. Seafood is plentiful year round and all New Zealand shellfish varieties are fresh and delicious. Crayfish flourish in spring and summer, while succulent Bluff oysters (abound in autumn and winter) and green mussels are considered top specialties. Premium ocean fish eateries include blue cod, snapper, John Dory, groper, terakihi, orange roughy (a type of perch) and salmon. Whitebait, a tiny transparent fish, is a much-prized delicacy and is normally cooked in batter to resemble fritters.

Restaurants are not permitted to serve trout, however some will cook and serve your own catch. Vegetables and fruit are in abundant supply throughout the year and can be purchased from supermarkets, green grocers and roadside stalls. The kiwifruit is a delicious fleshy fruit exported to numerous overseas markets, while the feijoa and tamarillo provide a different taste sensation. The national desert is pavlova, a meringue treat boasting lashings of whipped cream and sliced fruit. New Zealand’s dairy products are of superior quality and ice-cream companies are regarded as some of the best in the world. English, French and Swiss domestic cheeses can be purchased anywhere throughout the country and roadside tea rooms provide tasty fare, including the traditional ‘pie’ - tender meat, chicken or vegetarian filling encased in flaky pastry. The traditional Maori feast provides a delightful mouth watering sensation. The unique and tantalizing Hangi combines a great tasting mixture of kumera (sweet potato), lamb, chicken, wild game, pork, beef and potato. The preparation process involves the digging of a large hole, lined with hot stones and covered in vegetation. The food is placed on top and sprinkled with water before the underground furnace is sealed with remaining vegetation and fresh earth. The hot stones aid in the generation of heat and steam to complete the cooking process.

Philippines

Geography

The Philippines is formed of 7,100 islands that stretch 1149 miles. The islands are located off the coast of Southeast Asia and East of Vietnam. They spread from the fifth to the twentieth parallel north latitude. Eleven islands combine to form 94% of the total Philippine land area. Total land area is 115,830 square miles, which is slightly larger than the state of Arizona. Area included in the islands consists of mountains (woodlands), coastal plains, and interior plains.

The majority of the island region is woodlands, comprising of 46% of the area, with other land features supporting agriculture (19% arable and 12% permanent crops). From May to October there is a southwest wet monsoon and from December to February there is a cooler, dry northeast monsoon season. Rain in the Philippines varies from 196.8 inches in the mountain East region to 39.37 inches in certain sheltered valleys per year.

The country's most extensive river systems are the Pulangi (Rio Grande), which flows into the Mindanao River, the Agusan, the Cagayan in northern Luzon, and the Pampanga, which flows into Manila Bay. Problems with Mother Nature include typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and earthquakes.

Economy

Gross domestic product (GDP) is $77 billion and the GDP per capita is $1,100. The labor force is 30 million: 12 million (40%) are in agriculture, 12.6 million (42%) service sector, and the remaining 18% are employed in construction, public service, and other miscellaneous jobs. Unemployment is 11% up from 9% in 1999. The current population is estimated at 75 million people. Population growth is at 2% per year.

The currency used by the Philippine nation is the peso. One United States dollar is equivalent to 47 pesos. Exports consist of $38 billion to the nation's income. Manufacturing produces 91% of exports. Production includes electronic equipment, machinery, garments, textiles and transport equipment. Agriculture produces 4% of exports. Such products as coconuts, fruits/vegetables, and shrimp/pawns are the Philippines main agricultural exports. Imports are $32 billion of the nation's expenses. Goods such as telecom equipment, specialized and electric machinery consist of 38% of imports. Raw materials and intermediate goods such as textiles, chemicals, and material inputs consist of 38% of imports. Consumer goods: food and live animals, vehicles, rice, and other goods cost the nation $2.3 billion (8%). The Philippine’s trading partners include the United States, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and European nations.

During the year 2000 several key economic reforms passed in government. New laws on electronic commerce, vital in the new global "e-conomy." A new banking law further opens the sector to foreign participation and strengthens regulatory protection for depositors. A new securities law, once fully implemented, will help restore confidence in the equity market and potentially revive this as a source of investment capital. A new law opening the retail trade sector to foreign investment can increase competition and provide Philippine consumers with better services and lower costs. Economic reforms proposed for 2001 include looking into government financial institutions such as Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System.

Government

The head of the Philippine government is the president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She was the former vice-president but took control on 22 January 2001 during a political crisis. Her father was a former president of the Philippines from 1961-1965. President Macapagal-Arroyo is the 14^th president since 1898 when the United States started influencing democracy in the Philippines.

The Philippines is a republic headed by the executive branch, which consists of the president and a vice-president, which have 6-year terms. The last election for president was in 1998 and the next is scheduled for 2004. The legislative branch of the Philippines is a bicameral Congress or Kongreso consisting of the Senate or Senado (24 seats, one-half elected every three years; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms). The House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (221 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms with an additional 50 members that may be appointed by the president). Senate and House of Representatives elections were last held 11 May 1998 (next to be held 11 May 2001).

Predominate political parties in the Philippines are the Laban Ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP), Lakas Ng Bayan (Lakas/NUCD), and other minor parties. The nation received its independence in 4 July 1946 from the United States but was later changed to 12 June in remembrance to the day the United States took control of the Philippines from the Spanish in 1898 during the American-Philippine War.

Since September 2000 the government and economy have been unstable since corruption charges were placed upon the former President Joseph Estrada. Estrada is accused of stealing approximately $66 million from the government for his own use. The instability of the economy can be associated with government since allegations of corruption arose. The value of the peso in the Philippines has plundered during the last 5 months. Former president Estrada stepped down from office on 20 January 2001 during protest from the public and urging from high ranking political and military leaders. Estrada implied that he would return to power when proven innocent. Estrada is charged with economic plunder charges, which may be punishable by death.

Since former vice-president Macapagal-Arroyo took control of the presidency on 22 January the government and economy have stabilized. Trouble did arise with former Estrada supporters still in the ranks of government but current president Macapagal-Arroyo either removed these individuals or took care of problems. Conflicts with Muslim guerrilla groups located in parts of the nation have been a problem for years but as an act of good faith the president began peace talks again hoping conflicts can be resolved.

The Muslim guerrilla groups have had an impact on society these groups only average $200 GNP per capita and are extremely limited in population, so they are not a large impact on the economy. The current outlook for the Philippines is positive but there is a budget deficit of $76 billion that the president must be able to take care of in the future. The peso has regained value with added stability in the government but there is still a lot or rebuilding that needs to be done before high economic prosperity will be reached by the nation.

People

The majority of Philippine people are of Malay stock, descendants of Indonesians and Malays who migrated to the islands long before the Christian era. The most significant ethnic minority group is the Chinese, who have played an important role in commerce since the ninth century, when they first came to the islands to trade. As a result of intermarriage, many Filipinos have some Chinese and Spanish ancestry. Americans and Spaniards constitute the next largest alien minorities in the country.

About 90% of the people are Christian; most were converted and Westernized to varying degrees during nearly 400 years of Spanish and American rule. The major non-Hispanicized groups are the Muslim population, concentrated in the Sulu Archipelago and in central and western Mindanao, and the mountain groups of northern Luzon. Small forest tribes live in the more remote areas of Mindanao.

About 87 native languages and dialects are spoken, all belonging to the Malay-Polynesian linguistic family. The three principal indigenous languages are Cebuano, Tagalog, and Ilocano. Since 1939, in an effort to develop national unity, the government has promoted the use of the national language, Pilipino, which is based on Tagalog. Pilipino is taught in all schools and is gaining acceptance, particularly as a second language. English, the most important nonnative language, is used as a second language by many, including nearly all professionals, academics, and government workers. A few Filipino families retain Spanish usage. Despite this multiplicity of languages, the Philippines has one of the highest literacy rates in the East Asian and Pacific area. About 90% of the population 10 years of age and older are literate.

Diet

The arrival of Indonesians and Malays brought some changes. Subsequently, Malaysians came bringing with them their own cooking practices and utensils. Moreover, trade also brought in Chinese, Arabs, and Indians to the Philippine shores, which resulted to further modifications and adaptations on the Filipino cuisine. For instance, Lumpia, Pancit (noodle dishes) Chopsuey, Siopao and Siomai are of Chinese origin.

Fondness to spices could probably be traced to Indian influences. Whereas, Arabian influence is more concentrated to the Moslem region of Mindanao.

However, the two most dominant influences to Filipino cuisine came from the Spaniards and Americans. It is said that 80% of Filipino dishes are of Spanish derivation. The method of sautéing ingredients in oil (Guisa) is of Spanish origin, which is very similar to the Chinese way of stir-frying their ingredients.

The Americans' imprint on cuisine is seen everywhere. Almost every Filipino is a junkie. Fast food eating is very much a common scenario. Hamburgers, fries, donuts, pizzas, and steaks among others are well loved by the Filipinos.

The mango is considered the queen of Philippine fruits. Such is the versatility of this fruit that it is enjoyed green (not ripe) with either plain salt or bagoong (fishpaste), made into jams and jelly, ice creams, dried and packed, and of course thoroughly relished in its fresh, unprocessed, ripened state.

The Philippines are endowed with one of nature’s true gifts – the coconut tree, and its fruit. Pinayukan, which means cooked or stewed in coconut milk, can be accomplished with any one of a number of main ingredients of meat, poultry, seafood or vegetables. Of course it is also eaten unprocessed, in various stages of young to completely matured, and made into an alcoholic beverage called tuba, as only a few among the seemingly endless uses of this remarkable gift of nature.

Other Philippine fruits deserving of recognition are: pineapple, guavas, durian, atis, papaya, and bananas. All of theses fruits are a steady staple in Philippine diets.

The Philippine people eat meats consisting of seafood (prawns, shrimp, crabs, lobster, and anchovies). Pork and Beef are eaten but must be imported to the nation since the nation does not contain adequate land for large production of cattle and swine.

American Samoa

Geography

American Samoa is in the region of Oceania just about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The area of American Samoa is slightly larger than the area of Washington D.C. There is only about 65,446 (July 2000 est.) people living in the country. The nationality of the group of people is Samoan.

There are five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains. The bonus of this terrain is that Pago Pago has one of the best natural deep-water harbors in the South Pacific Ocean. The land use is primarily forests and woodlands which makes up about 70 percent. There are another 10 percent of the land use going to permanent crops and 5 percent being used for arable land. The remaining 15 percent of the land goes to other uses.

The climate of the country is tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds. The average annual rainfall is about 3 meters. There is a rainy season that that runs from November to April followed by a dry season from May to October. There is also very little seasonal temperature variation. Typhoons are common in the area from December to March.

Economy

The United States territory of American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy. It’s economy however is very closely linked with that of the United States where they do a majority of their foreign trade. The currency used here on these islands is the United States dollar ($). The GDP per capita is at $2,600.

American Samoa is a small developing country. It is dependent on two primary sources of income: the American Samoa Government which receives income and capital subsidies from the U.S. and the two fish canneries. The tuna canneries and the government are also the largest employers in American Samoa. Canned tuna is the primary export.

Some of the agricultural products produced here include bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, pineapples, papayas, dairy products, and livestock. The services sector of the economy is mostly made up of wholesale and retail trade.

The capital of American Samoa is Pago Pago. In Pago Pago is one of the best deep water harbors in the pacific ocean. American Samoa is a duty free port however some items including alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, motor vehicles and parts, firearms and ammunition, petroleum products, substandard construction materials, and soft drinks are subject to excise taxes. American Samoa has regular shipping services all around the U.S. and the Pacific island countries.

Government

The territory of American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States. The country is run and administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. In the territory there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. government. Even though there are first-order there are three districts and two islands that classify as second order.

As far as the executive branch of government the chief of state is President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. The head of government is Governor Tauese P. Sunia who has been governor since 3 January 1997. The Lieutenant Governor Togiola Tulafono has been in office since Governor Sunia. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected on the same ticket to a four-year term, which is based on the popular vote.

The legislative branch is a bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 21 seats, 20 of the seats are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed nonvoting delegate from Swains Island. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. The Senate has 18 seats and are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms.

The Judicial branch consists of a High Court, where the chief justice and associated justices are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The two major political parties are the same as the U.S. the democratic party and the republican party.

American Samoa also gets to elect one delegate to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. The current delegate is Eni Faleomavaega who is a democrat. He was also just reelected as delegate for a sixth term. American Samoa also holds the same election days as the United States.

People

American Samoa has a population of 65,446 people. Of the people living here 89% of them are Samoan. Their population is also relatively young with 39% of the people being under the age of 15. The major language spoken here is Samoan, however English is also spoken and most people are bilingual. The people here are relatively well educated with the literacy rate at 97%. Of the religions on the island 50% are Christian Congregationalist, 20% Roman Catholic, and Protestant and other religions make up 30%.

Samoan culture is steeped in a complex set of social hierachies, courtesies and customs that regulate all aspects of public and private life. Samoan culture is based on the fa'amatai system of government, with a chief, ormatai, responsible for an entire aiga or extended family. The family works on extended socialist principles with wealth and food being distributed according to need, and honor and social standing being shared or shouldered by all members of the aiga.

The matai is responsible for remembering ancient folklore, family genealogies, and the old stories, which he passes on to his successor. He also hands out justice when required and makes sure that all customs and rules are properly observed. Respect, therefore, is something earned. As long as visitors behave themselves (in locals' eyes, anyway), respect will be forthcoming. A sign of that respect is a desire not to upset you; locals will often give you the answer they think you want to hear, rather than the truth about something. This can be frustrating, but it springs from a well-meaning source.

Dancing, singing and music play a big part in Samoan culture. The fiafia was originally a village play or a musical presentation performed by a number of villagers. These days it simply refers to a bit of a Samoan knees-up at the larger hotels where both the siva (a dance performed by women acting out impromptu stories with their hands) and the sa sa (a dance performed to the beating of a wooden mallet) are performed. For young males, tattooing is a significant rite of passage. When a boy is born, his grandmother will begin collecting dye for his tattoo, and when a male is 'fully grown' (12 to 14 years old) he's taken to the tufuga who spends up to a month covering the youth in tattoos from waist to knee using shark's teeth. The process is incredibly painful and represents the strength of a man's heart and his spirituality. When a girl is born, on the other hand, the grandmother is charged with weaving a fine mat for her dowry. This might be more work for the grandmother, but for the young girl it's an absolute breeze compared to what the boys endure.

Diet

Food is a very important part of Samoan life. Wherever and whenever Samoans travel they take food with them. If you spend any time travelling in and around the Pacific you will undoubtedly come across the sight of Samoans at airports carrying special boxes with the words 'Umu' printed on the side. They are the equivalent of a take-away, but more of these later. If they are travelling farther afield to visit friends and relations in America or Europe then you can be pretty certain that somewhere in their luggage is a tin or two of Hellaby's corned beef.

Samoan food tends not to be highly spiced or seasoned and consists of a number of cooked ingredients that are relatively unfamiliar or prepared in unusual ways to most Westerners such as cooked breadfruit, taro, taro leaves, cooked green bananas and raw fish.

Wherever you go and whatever you are presented with you should eat what you are presented with, with perhaps one exception; the easiest way to make friends in Samoa, and it is not difficult to do, is not to behave like a foreigner.

An umu is the traditional method used by Samoan's for cooking food. A fire is built and stones placed on it. When the fire is down to the embers green bananas, breadfruit, taro, fish, and lu'au are placed on the stones. When everything to be cooked has been placed on the umu, it is covered with banana fronds and left to cook.

Some of the traditional dishes are; Oka is the way Samoans prepare and serve raw fish. It consists of small bits of fish that have been left to marinate in a mixture of lemon juice, coconut cream, salt and onions. Another dish is Lu'au and is probably the dish that Samoa is most famous for and once eaten will never be forgotten. It is made from the leaves of the taro plant and coconut cream, however onions now tend to be added to it. The coconut cream, onions and some taro are wrapped up in whole taro leaves and, ideally, cooked in an umu. When cooked the parcel of taro leaves is opened and the contents eaten. The taste is impossible to describe, but suffice it to say that this is truly a food fit for the Gods. Then there is Pe'epe'e a general purpose sauce made from coconut cream and onions and eaten with taro, breadfruit or anything you like.

The people of American Samoa eat a variety of foods. Since the country is a colony of the United States you are able to find many of the fast food restaurant that you can find here in the states, such as McDonalds, Subway, and Burger King etc. Samoans do eat a variety of ethnic foods as well. Some of the native foods they eat are masi which is a biscuit type breakfast food that is eaten with butter. Some foods that are grown there that they eat are breadfruit, taro, coconuts, papaya, and bananas. They also eat a variety of fish, chicken, and lamb, however it is very rare to find beef on the island. Like many other South Pacific nations they also have cookouts where they roast foods in an oven dug out of the ground.

The Samoan feast, fia fia, consists of suckling pig, chicken, fish, palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and cooked in the umu, or pit oven), breadfruit, coconut, bananas, lime and mango. For beverages the national drink is kava, which is drunk in sacred ceremonies. If you become intimate with Samoans, you may be invited to a genuine kava ceremony.

Fiji

Geography

Fiji is an island group in the region of Oceania. It is about the size of Massachusetts, which is equal to 7,056 square miles. Fiji is located about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The population is about 832,494 (July 2000 est.) and the nationality of these people is Fijian. The official language of the country is English.

The terrain of the country is a primarily mountain of volcanic origin. Of the land uses about 10 percent is arable land, 4 percent for permanent crops, 10 percent permanent pastures, 65 percent forests and woodlands, and 11 percent goes to other uses.

The climate of the islands is tropical marine. There is only a slight seasonal variation in the temperature. There are chances of cyclonic storms form November to January. There is heavy rainfall on the southeastern side where there is about 120 inches annually versus the western side that is sheltered and has a well-marked dry season.

Economy

In general the economic policy of Fiji is supported by, the government promoting private enterprise. The private enterprise sector is promoted with a strong emphasis on export-oriented industries. The government controls or owns many of the major trading and servicing industries. They control things such as the National Bank of Fiji, Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji, Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and the Ika Corporation (fishing).

Agriculture is the livelihood of Fiji’s economy. Of the active labor force around 67 percent is employed in subsistence agriculture. The biggest area of agriculture would be the sugar industry, which usually takes a one-third of the annual exports. Some of the agricultural products besides sugar cane are; coconuts, cassava, bananas, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, cattle, pigs, horses, goats, and fish.

Another factor that makes a major impact on Fiji’s economy is the increase in tourism since the mid-1960’s. Roughly around 300,000 people vacation to Fiji a year with the largest majority being Australians. In 1993 tourism had replaced sugar as Fiji’s major foreign money earner.

In 1987 Fiji had experienced an economic recession. To get their economy rolling again the government had introduced measures to help the private sector in the form of tax free zones and tax free factories to encourage foreign investment. Many new projects in recent years have been a growing garment industry, a distillery and several food processing factories.

All in all Fiji is a well-endowed country, with a well educated labor force and relatively good productivity. The GDP per capita is $7,300. The location of the country and their trade agreements are generally regarded as assets and the business policy of the government is regarded as good also. The currency used here is the Fijian dollar (FJD). As of 6 February 2001, one U.S. dollar is equal to 2.198 FJD.

Government

The government of Fiji would be classified as a republic. Fiji received its independence from the United Kingdom on 10 October 1970. A constitution was enacted on 10 October 1970 and then suspended on 1 October 1987. A new constitution was then proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990. The constitution was then amended 25 July 1997 to allow non-ethnic Fijians a greater say in government and to make multiparty government mandatory. The May 1999 election was the first test of the amended constitution and introduced open voting not racially prescribed for the first time at the national level. Then in May 2000 the ethnic Fijian’s established coup to take over the government. The military then took control of the government after the coup and scrapped the 1997 constitution and installed a new government loaded with nationalists.

The executive branch of the government is headed by the President, he acts at the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief of the military. The president is appointed by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (The Great Council of Chiefs), after consultation of the Prime Minister. The term of office for the President is 5 years with one possible term after that. The current President is Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu Uluivuda. The President also appoints the Prime Minister, as the Fijian member of the House of Representatives, who he thinks, is best able to command majority support in the House. Ministers other than the Prime Minister are also appointed by the President with advice of the Prime Minister.

The function of the Cabinet is to advise the President and is responsible to Parliament for all of the government policies. The Cabinet is a multiparty group established by the Prime Minister, and is also collectively responsible to the House of Representatives for the governance of the state.

There is a bicameral Parliament that takes up the legislative duties. There is an elected House of Representatives and a nominated Senate. In the House there are 70 members elected from 52 constituencies to serve a five-year term. 37 of the members are Fijians, 27 are Indians, 1 Routman, and 5 members who are neither Fijian, Indian, or Routman make up the members. The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker for the House are elected from outside the House. The Senate has 34 members who are appointed the president. 24 members are appointed on advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, 1 from Rotuma on advice of the Rotuma council and 9 members appointed by the president from other communities based on his judgement. The Parliament is a member of the Asian Pacific Parliamentary Union (APPU) and the International Parliamentarians’ Union (IPU).

The Judiciary branch is completely independent of the executive and the legislative branches. The judicial power of the state is vested in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. The judges are appointed by the President, based on the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission.

People

Fiji is considered one of the most cosmopolitan South Pacific nations. There is around 830,000 people living there. Of the people living there 51% are native Fijians and 44% are Indians. The rest of the population is made up of a mix of people from nations throughout the world. The official language of the nation is English, however Fijian is also spoken. The largest majority of the people (63%) are of the ages 15-64 years.

The major religion in Fiji is Christian (52%), followed by Hindu (38%). Fiji is a transitional zone between Polynesia and Melanesia. Fijians bear a physical resemblance to the Melanesians, but like the Polynesians, they have hereditary chiefs, patrilineal descent, a love of elaborate ceremonies, and a fairly homogeneous language and culture. Fijians have interbred with Polynesians to the extent that they have lighter skin and larger stature than other Melanesians. Yet Fijians still have Melanesian frizzy hair, while most—but not all—Polynesians have straight hair.

The Fijians live in villages along the rivers or coast, with anywhere from 50 to 400 people led by a hereditary chief. To see a Fijian family living in an isolated house in a rural area is uncommon. The traditional thatched bure is fast disappearing from Fiji as villagers rebuild in tin and panel (often following destructive cyclones).

Fijians work communal land individually, not as a group. Each Fijian is assigned a piece of native land. They grow most of their own food in village gardens, and only a few staples such as tea, sugar, flour, etc., are imported from Suva and sold in local coop stores. A visit to one of these stores will demonstrate just how little they import and how self-sufficient they are. Fishing, village maintenance work, and ceremonial presentations are done together. While village life provides a form of collective security, individuals are discouraged from rising above the group. Fijians who attempt to set up a business are often stifled by the demands of relatives and friends. The Fijian custom of claiming favors from members of one's own group is known as kerekere. This pattern makes it difficult for Fijians to compete with Indians, for whom life has always been a struggle. A Fijian will stand and wait his turn while an Indian will crowd and fight to be first.

Most of the Indians now in Fiji are descended from indentured laborers recruited in Bengal and Bihar a century ago. In the first year of the system (1879) some 450 Indians arrived in Fiji to work in the cane fields. By 1883 the total had risen to 2,300 and in 1916, when the last indentured laborers arrived, 63,000 Indians were present in the colony. In 1920 the indenture system was finally terminated, the cane fields were divided into four-hectare plots, and the Indian workers became tenant farmers on land owned by Fijians. Indians continued to arrive until 1931, though many of these later arrivals were Gujerati or Sikh businesspeople.

Unlike the village-based Fijians, a majority of Indians are concentrated in the cane-growing areas and live in isolated farmhouses, small settlements, or towns. Many Indians also live in Suva, as do an increasing number of Fijians. Within the Fiji Indian community there are divisions of Hindu (80%) versus Muslim (20%), north Indian versus south Indian, and Gujerati versus the rest. The Sikhs and Gujeratis have always been somewhat of an elite as they immigrated freely to Fiji outside the indenture system.

The different groups have kept alive their ancient religious beliefs and rituals. Hindus tend to marry within their caste, although the restrictions on behavior, which characterize the caste system in India, have disappeared. Indian marriages are often arranged by the parents, while Fijians generally choose their own partners. Rural Indians still associate most closely with other members of their extended patrilineal family group, and Hindu and Muslim religious beliefs still restrict Indian women to a position subservient to men.

It's often said that Indians concentrate on accumulation while Fijians emphasize distribution. Yet Fiji's laws themselves encourage Indians to invest their savings in business by preventing them or anyone else from purchasing native communal land. High-profile Indian dominance of the retail sector has distorted the picture and the reality is that the per capita incomes of ordinary indigenous Fijians and Fiji Indians are not that different. The Fijians are not "poor" because they are exploited by Indians; the two groups simply amass their wealth in different ways. In large measure, Fiji's excellent service and retail industries exist thanks to the thrift and efficiency of the Indians.

Diet

There are four basic types of cuisine in Fiji that you'll find served in homes or restaurants: `local' or Fijian, European, Chinese, and Indian. Fijian fare is more or less the same as in the rest of the South Pacific--fish, shellfish, breadfruit, dalo (taro), tavioka (cassava), pork, beef, chicken, yams, rice, lolo (coconut milk), tropical fruits such as bananas, and various greens such as taro leaves or ferns. Seasoning is mostly limited to salt, lemon juice, or hot chilies, typically applied by you after the dish is served. The best place to sample local food is in someone's home but you can also find local-style eateries near the public markets.

Fiji is best known for their outdoor cooking knowledge-the lovo. The lovo is an underground oven of heated rocks cooking a variety of foods wrapped in banana leaves. In the lovo food is cooked for several hours, they produce a smoky flavored succulent meal. Some of the foods put in are meats, chicken, seafood, and even a whole pig.

Unlike some other South Pacific nations, Fiji has many good, inexpensive eateries. The ubiquitous Chinese restaurants are probably your best bet for dinner and you can almost always get alcohol with the meal. Another good choice is to look for an Indian place. Indian dishes are spicy, often curries with rice and dhal (lentil soup), but orthodox Hindus don't consume beef and Muslims forgo pork. Instead of bread Indians eat roti, a flat, tortilla-like pita.

Some of the other cultural foods are; duruka (young sugar cane) or vakalolo (fish and prawns), both baked in lolo. Kokoda is an appetizing dish made of diced raw fish marinated in coconut cream and lime juice, while smoked octopus is kuita. Taro leaves are used to make a spinach called palusami (often stuffed with corned beef) which is known as rourou when soaked in coconut cream. Taro stems are cut into a marinated salad called baba. Seasoned "bird meat" (chicken) is wrapped and steamed in banana leaves to produce kovu. Miti is a sauce made of coconut cream, oranges, and chilies.

French Polynesia

Geography

French Polynesia is located in the region of Oceania. It is located about one-half of the way from South America to Australia. The area of the country is just less than one-third the size of Connecticut. The population of the country is around 249,110 (July 2000 est.). The nationality of the people being French Polynesian.

The terrain of the country is a mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with coral reefs. The land use distribution is about 1 percent arable land, 6 percent permanent crops, 5 percent pastures, 31 percent forest and woodland, and 57 percent are other uses. The climate of French Polynesia is tropical but moderate. There is also occasional cyclonic storms that occur is January.

Economy

The economy of French Polynesia is based mostly on the tourism and military industries. Revenue has been greatly increased by the French Military to support the nuclear testing facilities on the islands. The tourism industry has also increased the revenues for the country.

Many of the resources found here are used for local subsistence, including fruits, products from fishing and planting, and materials for the construction of traditional types of canoes and houses. Pigs, cattle and chickens are raised fro food. The traditional exports: vanilla and copra have declined greatly. The decline in exports of vanilla and copra has been partially compensated for by the development of fishing, especially with an extension of the territorial waters to 200 miles offshore in 1978. Shrimp and oysters are farmed; and the cultured-pearl industry is important on a couple of islands.

Manufactured products include coconut oil, printed textiles, beer and soft drinks, processed foods, construction materials, copper wares, and sandals. Traditional boats and handicrafts are made on some of the outer islands. On Tahiti hydroelectric power plant began service in the early 1980’s.

There have been considerable developments in the transportation industry since the early 1960’s. These developments have included the construction of a modern port, an international airport, and development of air services with some of the outlying islands. There has been scheduled shipping to other regions in the Pacific, however inter-island shipping remains largely dependent on local unscheduled schooner sailings. The network of roads has also increased to several hundred miles of paved or stone-surfaced roadways.

The GDP per capita is $10,800. The currency used here is the Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (CFPF). One U.S. dollar is equal to about 117.67 (CFPF)

Government

The territory of French Polynesia has no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the U.S. government. French Polynesia has been an overseas territory of France since 1946. The territory has 5 archipelagic divisions, which are named; Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent. There is also around a dozen or so political parties so there is quite a bit of diversification throughout the elected offices.

In their executive branch the chief of state is Jacques Chirac of France who has been in power since 17 May 1995. The territory is represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Paul Ronciere. The head of government is the President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston Flosse who has been in power since 4 April 1991. There is also the President of the Territorial Assembly Justin Arapari who has been in power since 13 May 1996. The cabinet is made up of a Council of Ministers, where the president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers.

The French president is elected by a popular vote for a term that lasts seven years. The high commissioner is then appointed by the French President on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior. The President of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly.

The legislative branch consists of a unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale. The assembly has 41 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. French Polynesia also holds one seat on the French Senate and two seats on the French National Assembly.

The judicial branch consists of three different courts. The first is the Court of Appeal or Cour d’Appel, which is similar to the U.S. court of appeals. The second is the Court of the Firs Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance. The third is the Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Adninistratif, which would be similar to a Federal Court in the U.S.

People

The population of French Polynesia is roughly 249,000 people. Of these people 78% of them are Polynesian. Of the other people living there about 12% is Chinese , local French 6%, and metropolitan French 4%. Around three-fifths of the people live in urban areas with largest population in the capital Papeete. The official languages here are French and Tahitian, however French is the language used in government and commerce. English is understood on the land, due to islander accustomed to dealing with foreign tourists. The religion on the island is mostly Protestant, with other religions being Roman Catholic and other religions.

All of the people are French citizens. About 70% of the total population lives on Tahiti. The indigenous people of Tahiti-Polynesia are the maohi or Eastern Polynesians (as opposed to the Western Polynesians in Samoa).

Inter-racial marriages are common and many Tahitians can claim French, Chinese, American and Polynesian ancestry. This accounts for the physical beauty of the inhabitants and the total absence of racial prejudice, either from the Europeans or the Tahitians.

Formal education is mandatory in Tahiti for every child to the age of 14. Primary education begins at age five, and continues to the age of 12, when children begin secondary education. French Polynesia also has a literacy rate of 98% showing the high level of education.

Music is a big part of the French Polynesian lifestyle. It has gone beyond the traditional styles, while singers and musicians continue to compose music for the people on subjects they have always written about - love and the sea - while enriching their songs with reggae and Latin sounds.

Diet

The cuisine of French Polynesia is internationally renowned for its fresh fish, exotic fruits and vegetables which are prepared with a Polynesian influence and a touch of French flair. Who better to serve these delectable dishes than the irresistible Tahitian natives themselves. Restaurants offer French, Tahitian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian dishes for the discerning palate. The native Tahitians are also known for their sauces which contain homegrown vanilla beans.

The people here eat a variety of foods and any tourist can find dishes from their native land however there is also some local cuisine that is worth a try. One ethnic food is the Fava Bean, this bean comes in large pod, it can be cooked many different ways and is usually used in soups. Another food is the San Dab which is a small flatfish found in the island waters. The San Dab has sweet , delicately moist flesh that’s quite low in fat. Cod is another popular entrée in this nation with the cheeks and tongue considered to be a delicacy. The people here also eat a variety of fruits that are common among the islands in this region.

One popular dish, Poisson cru (ia ota), which consists of raw fish marinated with lime juice and soaked in coconut milk, is so delicious and light that it melts in one's mouth. Chevreffes, another popular Tahitian entree, are tasty freshwater shrimp which can also be found on the beautiful native islands. To complete any amura'a (meal), the Tahitians serve Poe, a sweet pudding made of taro root flavored with banana, vanilla, papaya or pumpkin and topped with coconut-milk sauce - the ultimate dessert.

Les Rouleffes are a great way to sample Tahiti's cuisine at a moderate price. The roulettes, or rolling restaurants, are colorful, electrically lit vans that serve the best inexpensive cuisines in Papeete. Even if visitors aren't planning to eat, they can appreciate the Tahitian culture by walking around these ornately painted vans. Both locals and visitors can dine on Tahitian specialties from grilled chicken to roast pork and pizzas to chow mein and flaming crepes.

Another way to sample authentic Tahitian cuisine is to attend a Tahitian feast called a tamaaraa. At the feast, visitors will be greeted by traditional Polynesian singing, dancing and celebrating. Native Tahitian dishes of fish, roasted pork and chicken are cooked in an underground oven called ahimaa and are served to the hungry visitors as a sample of classic Tahitian cuisine. Visitors to Tahiti will receive a final taste of Tahitian tradition as the tamaaraa concludes with a full Polynesian show complete with exotic costumes and dancing.

Australia

The first product that will be shipped from Australia is premium beef. The supplier of this premium beef is Pacific One Produce. The products for sale from Pacific One Produce are as follows. Meat is to be exported from 403 Somerville Rd., Hornsby Heights, New South Wales. All dollar figures are in Australian Dollars

Beef Product List:
 

Scotch Fillet Steak $22.98/kg  Sirloin Steak $23.00/kg  Eye Fillet Steak $28.00/kg  Rump Steak $16.69/kg  T-Bone Steak $14.99/kg  Beef Stir Fry $14.00/kg

All Steer Beef. Product packed 4 steaks per bag and 10 bags per carton. All Cartons each weigh approximately 10 kilograms.

Lamb Product List:
 

Lamb Leg Chump On $8.98/kg  Lamb Racks/Cutlets $18.29/kg  Lamb Shortloin $13.69/kg  Lamb Mincemeat $8.98/kg

Racks and Shortloins packed 2 per bag, 7 bags per carton. Legs packed 1 per bag, 5 bags per carton. All Cartons each weigh approximately 15 kilograms.

Family Pack Product List:
 

Family Lamb Pack $116.36	Family lamb pack includes 3 kilos of lamb leg and lamb chump chops, 2 kilos of lamb rack, 3 kilos of forequarter chops, and 2 kilos of loin chops.
Family Beef Pack $169.29	Family beef pack includes 2 kilos of T-Bone steak, 2 kilos of rump steak, 2 kilos of sirloin steak, 2 kilos of roast beef, 1 kilo of sliced cutlet, and 1 kilo of diced topside.
Mixed Family Pack (Beef and Lamb) $119.27	Mixed family pack includes 3 kilos of lamb leg and lamb chump chops, 1 kilo of lamb rack, 1 kilos of lamb forequarter chops, 1 kilo of T-Bone steak, 1 kilo of rump steak, 1 kilo of sirloin steak, 1 kilo of sliced cutlet, and 1 kilo of diced topside.

The second product that will be exported from Australia is fine Australian wines. The Supplier of these wines is the Treeton Estate located at Lot 1 North Treeton Road, Cowaramup, Western Australia 6284. Each bottle is 16 Australian Dollars or a case of 16 bottles can be purchased for 192 Australian Dollars. Wines for sale include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Shiraz
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Chenin Blanc

The 1999 Shiraz has a bouquet of oak, mulberries and spice. On the palate this wine is smooth, young, fresh and spicy with a lovely balance of tannin to acid, finishing with a delicate complexity. A wine that is uniquely easy to remember. The wine was fermented cool and barrelled in renovated American oak barriques and has cellar potential of 7 or more years. An excellent accompaniment to any pasta, red meat, and other hearty dishes.

The 1999 Petit Rouge is a wine manufactured from 100% Shiraz. The wine displays a bouquet of spice and exotic fruit. The palate is full bodied and soft with a clean crisp finish leaving a light berry aftertaste. Petit Rouge is a refreshing versatile wine to enhance luncheon or dinner or to enjoy on it's own.

The 1999 Sauvignon Blanc is a fully dry white wine with a herbaceous bouquet of tropical fruit and asparagus. The palate is very full and round, finishing smoothly with a perfect balance of acid to alcohol. The wine would be a perfect accompaniment to all white meats, mornays or highly spiced dishes.

The 1999 Chenin Blanc is slightly sweet with a floral bouquet. The palate is clean and soft fruit flavored with a tight lime acid finish. The Chenin Blanc is an ideal accompaniment to white meats, crustaceans and fresh green salads.

The third product for sale from Australia is Kangaroo Jerky. The supplier is Billabong Jerky Company located at PO Box 622, Cootamundra, New South Wales, 2590. All $ figures are in Australian Dollars.

$2.20
Kangaroo 20 Grams Hard and Hot
Kangaroo Traditional - Hard & Hot Flavored

$5.00
Kangaroo 50 Grams Hard and Hot
Kangaroo Traditional - Hard & Hot Flavored

$16.00
Kangaroo 200 Grams Hard and Hot
Kangaroo Traditional - Hard & Hot Flavored

$2.20
Kangaroo 20 Grams Mild Spice
Kangaroo Thin Sliced - Mild Spice

5.00
Kangaroo 50 Grams Mild Spice
Kangaroo Thin Sliced - Mild Spice

$16.00
Kangaroo 200 Grams Mild Spice
Kangaroo Thin Sliced - Mild Spice

$2.20
Kangaroo 20 Grams Terriaki
Kangaroo Soft Jerky - Terrikai

$5.00
Kangaroo 50 Grams Terriaki
Kangaroo Soft Jerky - Terrikai

$16.00
Kangaroo 200 Grams Terriaki
Kangaroo Soft Jerky - Terrikai

New Zealand

First Product shipped from New Zealand is deer velvet. New Zealand’s Golden Stag will be doing the supplying. Golden Stag is located on the South Island of New Zealand. I will be selling it in two forms. The pure form strait from the animal and in an assortment of capsules. NZ velvet season good A/B grade velvet can be purchased for around the price of 160/kg New Zealand dollar mark. A list of the capsules for sale, a description of each, and the price follow: Velvet Capsules
 

Name	Short Description	Price $US
Immune Response/ Tonic Capsule	Specially selected pure velvet powder in jars of 60 x 300mg capsules.	$16.50
Mobility Capsule	250mg of highest quality velvet powder with 50mg of deer sinew powder in jars of 60 x 300mg capsules.	$16.50
Athlete Capsule	250mg of highest quality velvet powder with 150mg specially selected dried stag blood in jars of 60 x 400mg capsules.	$16.50
Traditional Capsule	Pure velvet powder from top quality whole antler in jars of 60 x 300mg capsules.	$13.75
Children’s Capsule	150mg of highest quality velvet powder with 150mg specially selected dried stags blood in jars of 60 x 300mg capsules.	$11.00
Super Capsule One	140mg of freeze dried highest quality aqueous velvet extract with 160mg specially selected dried stags blood in blister packs of 10 x 300mg capsules.	$20.00

The second export to ship around the world is venison. With the size of deer ranches in New Zealand and since I am shipping deer velvet I thought I could make a package deal. The venison how ever, is produced by a different company as well as distributed. It is supplied and sent by Venmark, No.10 Victoria Road, Devonport and Auckland, New Zealand. The cuts and prices of the cuts are as followed:
 

Eye fillet	850g per package	$43.80 per kg
Back Steak	900gm per package	$37.50 per kg
Denver leg	900gm per package	$32.50 per kg
Casserole		$19.50 per kg
Osso Bucco		$15.00 per kg
Mince		$11.50 per kg
Patties		$8.80 for 10

My third product that I plane on exporting that will have high value added is one of the dairy fields, but it is not butter, cheese, or milk. Country Goodness, a company of the New Zealand dairy group, offers Cottage Cheese, in a variety of flavors, Sour Cream and Cream Cheese all in the innovative recyclable Kombi Cup. Country Goodness also is proud to introduce the Baby and Toddler range for infants. Baby and Toddler is New Zealand's only fresh chilled product developed especially for infants from nine months and available in a six-pack for convenience. The price for this special taste of New Zealand is around the $15.00 dollar mark per cup for each the cottage cheese and baby food.

My fourth export is the Green shelled muscles of New Zealand. Distributed by Pilot Brand the muscles sell for $15.00 a two-pound box. Pilot Brand is located at Sumner and Christchurch, New Zealand.

Philippines

Exporting Marine products from the Philippines emphasizes their one of their strongest value added industries. Being able to allow the world to experience some of the best seafood in the world will truly draw fans and food enthusiasts to enjoy this taste of the Philippines.

Brunswick Baby Clams: 73.50 Phillipine Pesos (PHP), 283 gms/package
Bruswick Smoked Mussels: 75.00 PHP, 85 gms/package
Hakone Squid Tall: 26.00 PHP, 425 gms/package

All seafood supplied by Rustan’s Market
(http://www.rustans.com) Malate, Manila Tel. (632)-521-8330 Fax: (632)-521-8295
Cost of input products from the Philippines per basket is 174.5 PHP/basket, $3.55/basket

Fiji

Yellowfin Tuna; supplied by Tebra Halal Meat LTD, P.O. Box 12092 Suva, ph: (679) 311996, prices run $7.50 for Skin-on Lions.

American Samoa

Albacore Tuna; supplied by Samoa Packing, P,O. Box 368 Pago Pago Amer Samoa 96799 ph: 011-684-644-5772, prices run $400 per ton.
 
 

Australia

Australia’s culture is similar to that of the USA and Australia exports many products to Asia. It is only natural then that Australians demand a taste from near Asia. Now our firm will be able to give Australians a taste of the Philippine Islands.

First Product our firm will be importing to Australia is 100 – 15 oz. Hakone Squid Tall (42.52 kg), and 100 – 85 gram Brunswick Smoked Mussels (8.5 kg) from Rustan’s Supermarket www.rustans.com/ in the Philippines at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines Tel. (632) 911-2530 TeleFax: (632) 911-0871.

The seafood will be picked up at the Zamboanga port by Intramar Pty. Limited freight co. www.intramar.com.au/ Shipping cost is approximately 5AUS/kg. The seafood will then be transported from the Zamboanga Port, to the Port of Brisbane, Australia www.port-of-brisbane.qld.gov.au/. From there, it will be sold to eccobistro restaurant http://www.eccobistro.com/. in Brisbane, Queensland Australia.

Estimated Cost:
100 Hakone Squid Tall, 26 Philippine Pesos (PHP) (1.01 Australia Dollars) (AUS)}
100 Brunswick Smoked Mussels, 75 PHP (2.92AUS)
Shipping/Squid: .43AUS
Shipping/Mussel 2.13AUS

Prices at eccobistro restaurant:
Hakone Squid Tall: 5AUS
Brunswick Smoked Mussel: 10AUS

The Northern Territory of Australia has resorts where vacationers spend their summers. These vacationers demand high quality, rare candies.

The product our firm will be importing to Australia is 10-2kg boxes of Glace Fruit Orange Rings, 10-2kg boxes of Chocolate covered cherries, 10-3.87 kg cases (6-645 gram jars/case) of Whole Peaches in Sherry, and 10-3.87 kg cases (6-645 gram jars/case) of Whole Apricots in Brandy from South Africa from Sugarbird Fine Fruit Preserves & Specialty Foods. www.sugarbird.co.za/

Product will be shipped by Deltamax Freight system http://www.deltamax.com/from East London, South Africa port http://www.east-london.com/to the port of Darwin http://www.nt.gov.au/dpa/in the northern territory of Australia. Shipping cost is approximately 10AUS/kg. From there it will be sold to Mirambeena Resort, www.mirambeena.com.au. Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Estimated Cost/unit
Glace Fruit Orange Rings 125 South Africa Rand ZAR (29.94 Australian Dollars AUS)
Chocolate Covered Cherries 125 ZAR (29.94 AUS)
Whole Peaches in Sherry 245 ZAR (58.69 AUS)
Whole Apricots in Brandy 245 ZAR (58.69 AUS)

Shipping cost/unit
Glace Fruit Orange Rings 20AUS
Chocolate Covered Cherries 20 AUS
Whole Peaches in Sherry 38.70AUS
Whole Apricots in Brandy 38.70 AUS

Prices at Mirambeena Resort;
Glace Fruit Orange Rings 55 AUS/2kg box
Chocolate Covered Cherries 55 AUS/2kg box
Whole Peaches in Sherry 18AUS/645 gram jar
Whole Apricots in Brandy 18 AUS/645 gram jar

Melbourne Australia is in a climate which is very hot and humid. It is very comparable to the states of the southern United States. The people of Melbourne, Australia are health conscious and desiring a cool drink from Asia

Our firm will import to Australia a thirst-quenching, health improving collection of rare teas from China. The 200-0.68kg baskets of teas will be purchased from Coe & Dru Basket Co. http://www.coedru.com/. in Shekou, Shenzhen, China. They will be picked up at the Yantian Port www.yantian.com. by BDP International Freight Co. www.bdpinternational.com. Shipping Cost is approximately 7.50AUS/kg. From there they will be shipped to Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, Australia. They will be then be sold to Great Earth Healthfood Store, 272 Sawnson Street, Melbourne, Australia.

Estimated Cost/basket
Rare Tea Assortment Gift Basket 1,240 China Yuan Renminbi CNY (298 Australian Dollars AUS)

Shipping Cost/unit
Tea Gift Baskets from China 5.10AUS

Price at Great Earth Healthfood Store:
Rare teas from China Gift Basket: 310AUS/basket.

Philippines

The Philippines plans on importing "Chocoholic Delight" from Warsaw Poland. This is a basket that is formed of Goldenbarr Chocolate Vodka (http://www.goldenbarr.com/), produced in the Ukraine, and is accompanied by Rothschild chocolates (http://www.rothschild-chocolates.com/) produced in Germany, in a basket.

The price of purchasing the basket will be 269, 286, or 342 Ukraine Hryvnria (UAH), or 2,494, 2,650, or 3,171 Philippine Pesos (PHP). This depends on whether a 750ml, 1L, or 1.75L bottle of vodka is requested with the basket.

The product will be available at Warsaw, assembled with the chocolates from Rothschild Chocolates of Europe. From Warsaw, it will be flown to Manila International airport via United Postal Service (UPS), (http://www.ups.com/). It will be then trucked to two resorts via UPS, located approximately 3 hours from Manila. Shipping will be paid F.O.B and is not included in the price stated here.

The final price charged to the purchaser will be 3,741 PHP to 4,756 PHP depending on the size of basket. This will include all mark ups on the product.

The "Chocoholic Delight" will be sold to the following resort:

Eagle Point Resort
Tel: (63-2) 635-5099
Fax: (63-2) 635-6699
(http://www.asiatravel.com/eaglepoint/)

This resort is capable of offering retreats for corporate meetings and business functions. Availability of going scuba diving, island hopping, and speedboat rentals can add in impressing certain clientele. All the basic amenities of a high-class resort are also available. This excellent resort offers seaside balconies and the "Chocoholic Delight" will be a perfect welcoming package to anyone staying at the Eagle Point Resort.

Other possible resorts that I could import the "Chocoholic Delight" to can be found at (http://asiatravel.com/resort.html/)