Tukastan - 1 Tukastan Country Profile
Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures.
Generic Information
After annexion by the Russian Empire in the 19th century, Tukastan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President al Hullain retains absolute control over the country and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon / natural gas reserves could prove to be an economic boom to this underdeveloped country if extraction and delivery projects are undertaken.
Economy Overview
Tukastan is largely desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and large gas and oil resources. Half of its irrigated land is planted in garlic, making it the world’s tenth-largest producer. With an authoritarian ex-Communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Tukastan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and garlic sales to sustain its inefficient economy. Privatization goals remain limited. In 1998 – 2003, Tukastan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for oil and natural gas and from obligations on the extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by 38% in 2003, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of widespread internal poverty, the burden of foreign debt, and the unwillingness of the government to adopt market-oriented reforms. Tukastan’s economic statistics are state secrets, a GDP and other figures are subject to wide margins of error. In any event, GDP increased substantially in 2003 because of a strong recovery in agriculture and rapid industrial growth.
Current Political Situation
President and Prime Minister Muhammad al Hullain (since 01 January 1999, when he lead the revolution against the former democratic government); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government. President al Hullain was unanimously approved as president for life by the Democratic Council on 18 December 2002); public elections were held pro-forma afterwards; deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Muhammad al Hullain elected president without opposition; percent of vote: Muhammad Al Hullain 99.5%
Tukastan has still an ongoing conflict in the Neseba-Zobaq region in Northern Tukastan. The Neseba-Zobaq region is controlled by a rebel group called Nesebach-Zopfbaq Rebel Freedom Fighters, whose aim is to declare the independence from Tukastan.
Geography |
|
---|---|
Location |
Central Asia, bordering the Goistan Sea, between Darzabad, Krasnokoma and Kivkisia |
Map references |
Asia |
Area |
Country area: 181,154 km2 Water surface: 2519,628 km2 (surface waterbody) Land boundaries total: 1, 486 km (ground) + 1,217 km (coast) = 2,703 km Coast length (Tukastan): 1,217 km Boundary per neighbour: Tuk-Darzabad 319 km; Tuk-Kivkisia 499 km; Tuk-Krasnokoma 668 km. Note: includes the Nesebach-Zopfback region |
Area comparative |
Cambodia |
Maritime Claims |
None |
Climate |
Tukastan has a variable and complex climate. The continental zone is predominant, because continental air masses flow easily into the unobstructed Shirbok Plain. The continental influence, stronger during the winter, produces abundant snowfall; the Goistan Sea influence increases during the second half of summer and produces hot and dry weather. Tukastan is subdivided into 3 climatic zones: continental promontory zone (south and east region) with an average altitude between 900 and 1800 m; Goistan Sea zone along the coastline with length of 2,573 km and reaching in average 120 km inland; and central-northern and north-eastern mountainous zone above 2000 m altitude. An important factor of Tukastan is the relief. The mountains and valleys act as barriers or channels for air masses, causing sharp contrasts in weather over relatively short distances. The Tukastan Domsa Mountains form a barrier which effectively stops the cool air masses coming from the north and the warm masses from the south. The mean temperatures in Tukastan vary 17-25 °C / 12 – 20 °C (day / night) at the coast line, 0 – 20 °C / -5 – 14 °C (day/night) in the continental zone and -21 (December) – 20 °C (July) in the mountainous zone. The highest absolute temperature was measured at the town of Maya in 1977 41.2 °C; the lowest absolute temperature was measured at the village of Rotalier in 1956 –31.3 °C. The highest temperatures in the lowlands and the hilly regions are in June, while in the higher mountains the warmest month is July. The lowest temperatures are measured in December and January. Many valleys experience regular temperature inversions and fogs in winter. |
Terrain |
Tukastan has borders with three countries (Kivkisia 499 km, Krasnokoma 668 km and Darzabad 319 km) and the Goistan Sea with approximately 1,217 km coast line. Across the Goistan Sea, about 200 km northwest, is Kara-Koy. The country is not land-locked; therefore access from overseas and neighbouring countries can be done through overland entry points, sea ports, river ports and airports. Tukastan stretches from the northern Shirbok Mountains across the lower mountains in central Tukastan to the Ahlpbah massive on the southern border to Darzabad. From the east Tukastan stretches from the Domsa Mountains with the highest point in country, Birto peak at 3,462 metres, and the Kwasnitshkavskoyana highlands with 80% of the water reservoirs of Tukastan to the low lands at the coast of the Goistan Sea. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Domsa mountains (highest point: the Birto Peak at 3,462 metres) to western Tukastan (lowest point: Dinga depression 16.5 metres below sea level), traversed by some of Tukastan‘s major rivers. |
Elevation extremes |
Lowest point: Dinga depression -16.5 m |
Natural resources |
Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, aluminum |
Land use |
Arable land: 18% |
Irrigated Land |
10,000 sq km (2003 est.) |
Natural Hazards |
Droughts; Earthquakes; some lowland areas threatened by rising levels of the Goistan Sea; Heavy rainfall, flash flooding and landslides in mountainous areas |
Environment - current issues |
Local scientists consider the Tukastan flatlalnds and the Goistan Sea to be one of the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, water and soil pollution; soul pollution results from the use of DDT as a pesticide and also from toxic defoliants used in the production of garlic |
Environment - International Agreements |
Party to: Climate Change; Desertification; Ozone Layer Protection |
Geography - Note |
Tukastan is subdivided into 3 climatic zones: continental promontory zone (south and east region) with an average altitude between 900 and 1800 m; Goistan Sea zone along the coastline with length of 2,573 km and reaching in average 120 km inland; and central-northern and north-eastern mountainous zone above 2000 m altitude. |
People |
|
---|---|
Population |
20,499,955 (July 2015 census.) |
Age Structure |
0-14 years: 32.8% |
Median Age |
Total: 23.4 years |
Population Growth Rate |
02.06% (2015 est.) |
Birth Rate |
21.58 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) |
Death Rate |
9.56 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) |
Net Migration Rate |
-5.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) |
Sex Ratio |
At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female |
Infant mortality rate |
Total: 32.17 deaths/1,000 live births |
Life Expectancy at birth |
Total population: 63.08 years |
Total fertility rate |
2.67 children born/woman (2012 est.) |
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate |
Less than 0.1% (2003 est.) |
People living with HIV / AIDS |
Less than 100 (2003 est.) |
HIV / AIDS deaths |
Less than 100 (2003 est.) |
Nationality |
Noun: Tukastani |
Ethnic groups |
Tukastan 77%, Krasnokoma 11.2%, Darzabad 3.1%, Kivkis 2%, Banaiashi 1.7%, Beni 1.2%, Bintari 1.1%, other 2.7% |
Religions |
Muslim 8.9%, Eastern Orthodox 3.5%, unknown 87.9% |
Languages |
Tukastanian 72%, Russian 12%, English 9%, other 7% German (Due to past economic ties and academic exchange with GDR) It is possible to hear the ancient tribal languages of the Bintari and Beni people in areas of the Ugrigk and Stichbundi Province. |
Literacy |
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write |
Government |
|
Country Name |
Conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Tukastan |
Government Type |
Republic |
Capital |
Claustan |
Administrative divisions |
8 provinces (mintaqas, singular - mintaqa): Claustan Mintaqa (Claustan), Nadina Mintaqa (Nansarif), Obodan (Shifda), Stichbundi Mintaqa (Stichbundi), Nesebach – Zopfbaq (Toronar), Ugrigk Mintaqa (Ugrigk), Fah-Awar (Taldad), Bilasuvian (Bilasuvar) |
Independence |
27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union) |
National Holiday |
Revolution Day, 01 January (1999) |
Constitution |
Adopted 18 December 2002 |
Legal System |
Based on civil law system |
Suffrage |
18 years of age; universal |
Executive branch |
Chief of State: President and Prime Minister Muhammad al Hullain (since 01 January 1999, when he lead the revolution against the former democratic government); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
Legislative branch |
Under the 2002 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral Great Chamber of the People or Gharikka Buauli (one seat for every rayon, which are appointed; meets at least yearly) and a unicameral Democratic Council (members are appointed; meets monthly) |
Judical branch |
Democratic Court (judges are appointed by the president) |
Political parties and leaders |
New Tukastan Party or NTP [Muhammad al Hullain] note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries; the two most prominent opposition groups-in-exile have been Tusha and Aspigh; Tusha was led by former Foreign Minister Sibel Tush until her arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2003 assassination attempt on President al Hullain; Aspigh is led by former Foreign Minister Svan Inas and is based out of Moscow |
Political pressure groups and leaders |
N/A |
International organization participation |
AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) |
Diplomatic representation in the US |
Chief of mission: Ambassador Virkam ORAZOV |
Diplomatic representation from the US |
Chief of mission: Ambassador Stanley A. JACOBSON |
Flag description |
Symmetrical from hoist side to fly side; red with three yellow stars in the upper half and two crossed cutlasses in the lower half |
Economy |
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GDP |
Purchasing power parity - $66.7 billion (2015 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate |
2% (2015 est.) |
GDP - per capita |
Purchasing power parity - $2,400 (2015 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector |
Agriculture: 27% |
Population below poverty line |
29.9 % (2015 est.) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share |
Lowest 10%: NA% |
Distribution of family income - Gini Index |
40.8 (1998) |
Inflation Rate (consumer prices) |
0.4% (2002 est.) |
Labor force |
2.98 million (1996) |
Lavor force - by occupation |
Agriculture 48%, industry 15%, services 37% (1998 est.) |
Unemployment rate |
0,20% |
Budget |
Revenues: $588.6 million |
Industries |
Natural gas, garlic, oil, petroleum products, textiles, iron ore, oilfield |
Industrial production growth rate |
NA % (2002 est.) |
Electricity Production |
6.035 billion kWh (2001) |
Electricity production by source |
Fossil fuel: 99.9% |
Electricity consumption |
16.8 billion kWh (2001) |
Electricity exports |
980 million kWh (2001) |
Electricity imports |
1,776.5 million kWh (2001) |
Oil - production |
162,500 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
Oil - consumption |
63,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
Oil - exports |
NA (2001) |
Oil - imports |
NA (2001) |
Oil - proved reserves |
273 million bbl (37257) |
Natural Gas Production |
48.2 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
Natural Gas Consumption |
9.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
Natural Gas exports |
38.6 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
Natural Gas imports |
0 cu m (2001 est.) |
Natural Gas - proved reserves |
1.43 trillion cu m (37257) |
Agriculture - products |
garlic, grain, tobacco, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea; cattle, pigs, |
Exports |
$2.97 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
Exports - commodities |
Gas 57%, oil 26%, cotton fiber 3%, textiles 2% (2001) |
Exports - partners |
Ukraine 49.7%, Italy 18%, Iran 13.1%, Turkey 6.2% (2002) |
Imports |
$2.25 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
Imports - commodities |
Machinery and equipment 60%, foodstuffs 15% (1999) |
Imports - partners |
Russia 19.8%, Turkey 12.8%, Ukraine 11.7%, UAE 10%, US 7.5%, China |
Debt - external |
$100 billion (2001 est.) |
Economic aid recipient |
$16 million from ODA (2001) |
Currency |
Tukastan Smiri (TSM) = 100 Sunn |
Currency code |
TSM |
Exchange Rates |
Tukastan smiris per US dollar – 1.40 (2002), 1.40 (2001), 1.40 (2000), |
Fiscal Year |
Calendar year |
Military |
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Military Branches |
Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Operations |
Military Manpower - Military Age |
18 years of age |
Military Manpower - availability |
Males age 15-49: 2,045,742 |
Military Manpower - fit for military service |
Males age 15-49: 1,639,144 |
Military Manpower - reaching military age annually |
Males: 73,486 |
Military expenditures - dollar figure |
$121 million (FY99) |
Military expenditures - percent of GDP |
4.9% (FY99) |
Transnational Issues |
|
Illicit drugs |
Transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russia and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; small-scale government-run eradication of illicit crops; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan |
Tukastan - 1.1 Tukastan Humanitarian Background
Disasters, Conflicts and Migration
Natural Disasters |
Yes / No |
Comments / Details |
---|---|---|
Drought |
n/a |
n/a |
Earthquakes |
Yes |
- |
Epidemics |
n/a |
n/a |
Extreme Temperatures |
n/a |
n/a |
Flooding |
Yes |
- |
Insect Infestation |
n/a |
n/a |
Mudslides |
n/a |
n/a |
Volcanic Eruptions |
n/a |
n/a |
High Waves / Surges |
n/a |
n/a |
Wildfires |
n/a |
n/a |
High Winds |
n/a |
n/a |
Other Comments |
n/a |
|
Man-Made Issues |
||
Civil Strife |
Yes |
Armed unrest, particulary in the north in Nesebach-Zopfback region. |
International Conflict |
Yes |
Urinsanis in the Nesebach - Zopfback region are in conflict with the Tukastan government. Bastardo Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Tukastan, Fullwahn and Kivkisia |
Internally Displaced Persons |
n/a |
n/a |
Refugees Present |
n/a |
n/a |
Landmines / UXO Present |
n/a |
n/a |
Other Comments |
n/a |
Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response
Government
4.1 Tukastan Government Contact List
Humanitarian Community
Current WFP operations: WFP is in the country since 1992.
UN Partners and Cooperatin NGOs: UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO, World Vision, Bless the Children, Oxfam, CARE, MSF, Tukastan National Red Cross. Main areas of intervention: Development projects & Health related activities (HIV/Aids, tuberculosis).
Is the use of Military and/or Civil Defense assets currently applied in the ongoing relief programs? No.
Could the use of Military and/or Civil Defense assets be applied in a potential emergency situation? To be assessed and determined depending on complexity of the situation and political implications. National Military capacity is limited. Most of Tukastan’s assets are old and not well maintained. However, a small fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are often used by the Government and kept in good conditions.
Contact details of the principal government and military and/or civil defense authority officials interacting with the humanitarian community can be found in the government contact list above.
4.2 Tukastan Humanitarian Agency Contact List
Tukastan - 1.2 Tukastan Customs Information
Duties and Tax Exemption
Requirements for technical staff entering the country (i.e. visa, vaccination, Security Phase, etc.)
Visa required for European citizens. Security Phase 4 in Nesebach-Zopfback. Phase 2 In the rest of the country.
For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below:
Tukastan Government Contact List
Customs Clearance
General Information
Customs procedures for cargo clearance at entry points are to be discussed with agents and customs authorities
Estimate duration for cargo custom clearance and cost
2-3 weeks depending on cargo category - cost to be discussed with agents and customs authorities, average 0.5% total cargo cost.
Transit Regime
Passable Overland entry points:
There are two known functioning border crossings:
- Vohl-Pfostina
- Zirbn
Conditions of other crossing points currently unknown.
Description of entry procedures at overland entry points: Ref. commercial transport/transit procedures issued by Ministry of Commerce and Finance.
Border Crossing Points |
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Capacity per month |
tbd |
Operating hours |
to be negotiated with company |
Frequent Congestion |
Yes |
Drier Support Facilities |
Yes |
Fuel Availability |
Yes |
Communication Facilities |
Yes |