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Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by BGN are noted.
Capital city > Geographic coordinates: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Capital city > Name: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Constitution: The dates of adoption, revisions, and major amendments to a nation's constitution
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Executive branch > Cabinet: Cabinet includes the official name for any body of high-ranking advisers roughly comparable to a U.S. Cabinet. Also notes the method for selection of members.
Executive branch > Chief of state: The name and title of any person or role roughly equivalent to a U.S. Chief of State. This means the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government
Executive branch > Head of government: Head of government includes the name and title of the top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government. For example, in the UK, the monarch is the chief of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. In the US, the president is both the chief of state and the head of government.
Government type: A description of the basic form of government (e.g., republic, constitutional monarchy, federal republic, parliamentary democracy, military dictatorship).
International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
Judicial branch: The name(s) of the highest court(s) and a brief description of the selection process for members.
Legal system: A brief description of the legal system's historical roots, role in government, and acceptance of International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.
Legislative branch: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Political parties and leaders: Significant political organizations and their leaders.
Suffrage: The age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted
Country name > Conventional long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Civil law system: Description.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Executive branch > Elections: Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election
National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
Flag description: A written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Country name > Conventional short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Constitutional form: Constitutional form of government.
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute official acceptance or recognition by the US Government.
Total businesses registered > Number: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward.
National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
Legislative branch > Election results: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Legislative branch > Elections: This entry contains information on the structure (unicameral, bicameral, tricameral), formal name, number of seats, and term of office. Elections includes the nature of election process or accession to power, date of the last election, and date of the next election. Election results includes the percent of vote and/or number of seats held by each party in the last election.
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index: Compares countries by their degree of government censorship, according to the Press freedom index. This index, created by the non-governmental organization Reporters without borders (RWS), is ellaborated using data from an extensive annual survey sent to professional reporters throughout the world. The survey contains questions about the type and ownership of media present in the country, freedom of speech, violence exerted against reporters, election campaigns, access of political parties to the media, etc.
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage: Percentage of seats held by women in country's national parliament or legislative houses.
Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status. "
Executive branch > Election results: Election results includes the percent of vote for each candidate in the last election (if any)
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Basis of executive legitimacy: Basis of executive legitimacy.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Country name > Local short form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press: Compares countries by freedom of the press. The lower the score, the more free the press of that country is. The scores are taken from the Freedom of the Press Index, elaborated by Freedom House, self-defined as "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world". The data used in the index come from an annual survey of media independence in 197 countries and territories, assessing the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in each of them.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament: Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber occupied by women.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote: Percentage of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties: Civil and political liberties
Units: Index Ranging from 7 (High Levels of Liberties) to 1 (Low
Units: This is the average of two indicators - civil liberties and political liberties.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.
National holiday: The primary national day of celebration - often independence day.
Capital > Geographic coordinates: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Democracy > First female parliamentarian: Year first woman elected or appointed to parliament.
Time required to start a business > Days: Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Leaders > President: Government > Leaders > President
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office: This entry is derived from Government > Judicial branch, which includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing judges, and a brief description of the process. The selection process can be indicative of the independence of a country's court system from other branches of its government. Also included in this subfield are judges' tenures, which can range from a few years, to a specified retirement age, to lifelong appointments. The subordinate courts subfield lists the courts lower in the hierarchy of a country's court system. A few countries with federal-style governments, such as Brazil, Canada, and the US, in addition to their federal court, have separate state- or province-level court systems, though generally the two systems interact.
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index: DI 2012.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Politics: Country politics.
International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 55 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 114 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
Parliament > Seats held by men: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses.
Country name > Local long form: This entry is derived from Government > Country name, which includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency (years). Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures to register a business (number). Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Parliament > Seats held by women: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses.
Leaders > President > Summary: Government > Leaders > President > Summary
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel: Date on which Israel was officially recognized as a state. Note that some countries had a “de facto” recognition in place long before the legal recognition.
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating: Democratic institutions
Units: Scale ranging from -10 (autocratic) to +10 (democratic)
UN membership date: Date of United Nations Membership
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people: DI 2012. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Capital city: The location of the seat of government.
Capital > Name: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Legal origin: Legal origin identifies the origin of the Company Law or Commercial Code in each country
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Spending > Expense > Current LCU: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout: The proportion of registered voters who actually voted.
Legislature (parliament) > People per member: Number of people each member of the legislature represents on average. The number of members of the legislature is the sum of the members of all chambers of parliament, if applicable.
Capital > Time difference: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
International relations: Country international relations.
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million: Time required to get electricity (days). Time required to get electricity is the number of days to obtain a permanent electricity connection. The measure captures the median duration that the electricity utility and experts indicate is necessary in practice, rather than required by law, to complete a procedure. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state: Head(s) of state.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Democracy > Female ministers: Women in government at ministerial level in 2000 (as % of total). Data were provided by states based on their definition of national executive and may therefore include women serving as ministers and vice ministers and those holding other ministerial positions, including parliamentary secretaries.
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members: Members of the lower house of the legislature or of the only chamber in a unicameral system.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Democracy > Female parliamentarians: Seats in parliament held by women (as % of total). Data are as of 8 March 2002. Where there are lower and upper houses, data refer to the weighted average of women's shares of seats in both houses.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Leaders > President > Profile: Government > Leaders > President > Profile
Role of head of state: Head of state.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote): This list shows the percentage of votes obtained by nationalist parties across Europe at the latest elections held in their respective countries. Note that the percentages show the votes from all the parties combined, and only for general elections (some parties may obtain a quite higher percentage in regional elections). Nationalist parties usually hold right-wing populist views, and among their common demands are a higher control of immigration, extended social/labor rights for country nationals, and a restriction of islamic customs -such as the veil or the construction of mosques-, though their ideologies and goals vary from country to country. Some parties have as their main goal the seggregation of a region from its parent country (with examples in Scotland, Catalonia and Northern Ireland). Most of nationalist parties with elected members in the European Parliament belong to the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production.
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong: Strength of legal rights index measures the degree to which collateral and bankruptcy laws protect the rights of borrowers and lenders and thus facilitate lending. The index ranges from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating that these laws are better designed to expand access to credit."
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million: Burden of customs procedure, WEF (1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient). Burden of Customs Procedure measures business executives' perceptions of their country's efficiency of customs procedures. The rating ranges from 1 to 7, with a higher score indicating greater efficiency. Data are from the World Economic Forum's Executive Opinion Survey, conducted for 30 years in collaboration with 150 partner institutes. The 2009 round included more than 13,000 respondents from 133 countries. Sampling follows a dual stratification based on company size and the sector of activity. Data are collected online or through in-person interviews. Responses are aggregated using sector-weighted averaging. The data for the latest year are combined with the data for the previous year to create a two-year moving average. Respondents evaluated the efficiency of customs procedures in their country. The lowest score (1) rates the customs procedure as extremely inefficient, and the highest score (7) as extremely efficient. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars. Per $ GDP figures expressed per 1 $ gross domestic product.
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people: Number of seats held by women in country's parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Democracy > Female suffrage: Year in which women received the right to vote. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to vote.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million: Time required to start a business (days). Time required to start a business is the number of calendar days needed to complete the procedures to legally operate a business. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million: Time required to register property (days). Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million: Time required to build a warehouse (days). Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Procedures to build a warehouse (number). Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Capital > Daylight saving time: This entry is derived from Government > Capital, which gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita: Total businesses registered. Because of underreporting of firms that have closed or exited, especially in developing countries, the data on total registered firms may be biased upward. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties: Absolute number of votes at the most recent national election that went to parties with a nationalist ideology.
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador: Name of ambassador to the USA.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. Figures expressed per thousand people for the same year.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons: This entry is derived from Government > Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons, which includes those persons residing in a country as refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs). Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a United Nations Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." However, UNHCR also assists some 400,000 Palestinian refugees not covered under the UNRWA definition. The term "internally displaced person" is not specifically covered in the UN Convention; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Per capita figures expressed per 1 population.
Time required to build a warehouse > Days: Time required to build a warehouse is the number of calendar days needed to complete the required procedures for building a warehouse. If a procedure can be speeded up at additional cost, the fastest procedure, independent of cost, is chosen.
Failed States Index: FSI 2013.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age
Democracy > Female candidacy: Year in which women received the right to stand for election. Data refer to the year in which right to vote or stand for election on a universal and equal basis was recognized. Where two years are shown, the first refers to the first partial recognition of the right to stand for election.
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration: The number of registered voters. The figure represents the number of names on the voters' register at the time that the registration process closes, as reported by the electoral management body.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote: The total number of votes cast in the relevant election. Total vote includes valid and invalid votes, as well as blank votes in cases where these are separated from invalid votes. More information on valid, invalid and blank votes can be found at aceproject.org
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days: Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment.
Democracy and rights > Electoral system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of electoral system (First Past the Post electoral system; Single-Member District Plurality, also known as First Past the Post (FPTP): There is one seat per district, the candidate with the most votes wins it; Proportional Representation: There are multiple seats for each voting district, allocation is based on either party lists, multi-member proportional (MMP), single transferable vote (STV) or semi-PR; FrenchTtwo-RoundSsystem; Alternative Vote (AV)).
Procedures to register property > Number: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers.
Key ministers > Defence: Minister of Defence, 2005
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes: January 1, 2005
Democracy and rights > Party system: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of party system (two-party or multi-party).
Democracy and rights > Structure: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of structure (presidential or parliamentary).
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current local currency.
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%). Women in parliaments are the percentage of parliamentary seats in a single or lower chamber held by women.
European Union > Council of the European Union votes: Number of votes each member state of the European Union has in the Council of the European Union.
Trademarks > Residents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars.
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Republic establishment date: The date on which each country (or its precursor) changed its form of government to a republic. In a republic, the power resides in the country’s people, the government and legislature is elected and the country is ruled according to its laws.
Key ministers > Justice: Minister of Justice, 2005
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Procedures to enforce a contract (number). Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million: Procedures to register property (number). Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Key ministers > Interior: Minister of Interior, 2005
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes: January 1, 2007
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes: January 1, 2003
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader: January 1, 2005
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader: January 1, 2007
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant local currency.
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Per capita figures expressed per 1,000 population.
Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader: January 1, 2002
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader: January 1, 2001
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader: January 1, 2002
Time to resolve insolvency > Years: Time to resolve insolvency is the number of years from the filing for insolvency in court until the resolution of distressed assets.
Trademarks > Residents per million: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes: January 1, 2001
Ruling party: In power now.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth: Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2000 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation.
Time required to register property > Days: Time required to register property is the number of calendar days needed for businesses to secure rights to property.
Trademarks > Nonresidents: Trademark applications filed are applications for registration of a trademark with a national or regional trademark office. Trademarks are distinctive signs that identify goods or services as those produced or provided by a specific person or enterprise. Trademarks protect owners of the mark by ensuring exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services or to authorize its use in return for payment.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Democracy and rights > Last election: Last election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Parliamentary republic adoption date: Date each country adopted the parliamentary republic form of government.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million: Start-up procedures are those required to start a business, including interactions to obtain necessary permits and licenses and to complete all inscriptions, verifications, and notifications to start operations. Data are for businesses with specific characteristics of ownership, size, and type of production. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number: Number of procedures to enforce a contract are the number of independent actions, mandated by law or courts, that demand interaction between the parties of a contract or between them and the judge or court officer.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense: Subsidies, grants, and other social benefits include all unrequited, nonrepayable transfers on current account to private and public enterprises; grants to foreign governments, international organisations, and other government units; and social security, social assistance benefits, and employer social benefits in cash and in kind."
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo: Date on which Kosovo was officially recognized as a state.
Spending > Expense > % of GDP: Expense is cash payments for operating activities of the government in providing goods and services. It includes compensation of employees (such as wages and salaries), interest and subsidies, grants, social benefits, and other expenses such as rent and dividends."
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense: Compensation of employees consists of all payments in cash, as well as in kind (such as food and housing), to employees in return for services rendered, and government contributions to social insurance schemes such as social security and pensions that provide benefits to employees."
Democracy and rights > Next election: Next election.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people: Number of seats held by men in country's naitonal parliament or legislative houses. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader: January 1, 2005
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader: January 1, 2007
Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader: January 1, 2004
Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of judicial review, which is the power to declare unconstitutional laws duly passed by parliament and/or signed by the president. (As distinct from the ability to strike down acts of subordinate governments, such as states or provinces. (Strong judicial review or no strong judicial review).
Democracy and rights > Strongly federal?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of federalism (strongly federal or not strongly federal).
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000: International IDEA has chosen to use not only the reported registration rate to calculate turnout percentages, but also the voting age population (VAP) which includes all citizens above the legal voting age. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia: Statements on the status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia issued by countries who do not recognize their sovereignty.
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament: Number of members of the legislature (sum of members of all chambers of parliament where applicable).
Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral?: Political scientist Robert A. Dahl compares the constitutions of countries which have been “steadily democratic since 1950” on the characteristic of bicameralism, determing if there are two houses in the legislature, both with substantial powers. (Strongly bicameral or not strongly bicameral).
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members: Members of the lower (or sole) house.
No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million: Time required to enforce a contract (days). Time required to enforce a contract is the number of calendar days from the filing of the lawsuit in court until the final determination and, in appropriate cases, payment. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours: Time to prepare and pay taxes is the time, in hours per year, it takes to prepare, file, and pay (or withhold) three major types of taxes: the corporate income tax, the value added or sales tax, and labor taxes, including payroll taxes and social security contributions.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Per capita figures expressed per 1 million population.
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes: January 1, 2006
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes: The number of invalid votes, as reported by each country.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
Capital city > Time difference: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense: Goods and services include all government payments in exchange for goods and services used for the production of market and nonmarket goods and services. Own-account capital formation is excluded.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita: General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in constant 2000 U.S. dollars. Figures expressed per capita for the same year.
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense: Interest payments include interest payments on government debt--including long-term bonds, long-term loans, and other debt instruments--to domestic and foreign residents."
Spending > Other expense > % of expense: Other expense is spending on dividends, rent, and other miscellaneous expenses, including provision for consumption of fixed capital."
Procedures to register property > Number per million: Number of procedures to register property is the number of procedures required for a businesses to secure rights to property. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million: Number of procedures to build a warehouse is the number of interactions of a company's employees or managers with external parties, including government agency staff, public inspectors, notaries, land registry and cadastre staff, and technical experts apart from architects and engineers. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.

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STAT	Finland	Germany
Administrative divisions	19 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]	16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia)(Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat)
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	60 10 N, 24 56 E	52 31 N, 13 24 E
Capital city > Name	Helsinki	Berlin
Constitution	1 March 2000	previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10 to 23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949; amended many times, last in 2012
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	APO AE 09723	Unit 5090, Box 1000, DPO AE09265
Executive branch > Cabinet	Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament	Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chancellor
Executive branch > Chief of state	President Sauli NIINISTO (since 1 March 2012)	President Joachim GAUCK (since 23 March 2012)
Executive branch > Head of government	Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 22 June 2011)	Chancellor Angela MERKEL (since 22 November 2005)
Government type	republic	federal republic
International organization participation	ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC	ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch	general courts - deal with criminal and civil cases (include district courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, whose judges are appointed by the president); administrative courts	Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (half the judges are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat); Federal Court of Justice; Federal Administrative Court
Legal system	civil law system based on the Swedish model	civil law system
Legislative branch	unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta	bicameral legislature consists of the Federal Council or Bundesrat
Political parties and leaders	Center Party or Kesk [Juha SIPILA]<br />Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]<br />Green League or Vihr [Ville NIINISTO]<br />Left Alliance or Vas [Paavo ARHINMAKI]<br />National Coalition Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]<br />Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]<br />Swedish People's Party or SFP [Carl HAGLUND]<br />The Finns Party or TF [Timo SOINI]	Alliance '90/Greens [Cem OEZDEMIR]<br />Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Angela MERKEL]<br />Christian Social Union or CSU [Horst SEEHOFER]<br />Free Democratic Party or FDP [Philipp ROESLER]<br />Left Party or Die Linke [Katia KIPPING and Bernd RIEXINGER]<br />Social Democratic Party or SPD [Sigmar GABRIEL]
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal	18 years of age; universal
Country name > Conventional long form	Republic of Finland	Federal Republic of Germany
Civil law system	Civil law system based on Swedish law	The B\u00fcrgerliches Gesetzbuch of 1900 ("BGB"). The BGB is influenced both by Roman and German law traditions.
Executive branch > Elections	president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2018); the parliament elects a prime minister who is then appointed to office by the president	president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Convention, including all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equal number of delegates elected by the state parliaments; election last held on 19 February 2012 (next to be held by June 2017); chancellor elected by an absolute majority of the Federal Parliament for a four-year term; Federal Parliament vote for Chancellor last held after 22 September 2013 (next to be held September 2017)
National symbol(s)	lion	golden eagle
Flag description	white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter	three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days	14 Ranked 108th.	14.5 Ranked 103th. 4% more than Finland
Country name > Conventional short form	Finland	Germany
Constitutional form	Republic	Republic
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands	none
Total businesses registered > Number	250,873 Ranked 33th.	2.92 million Ranked 8th. 12 times more than Finland
National anthem	<strong>name: </strong>"Maamme" (Our Land)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS	<strong>name: </strong>"Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)<br /><strong>lyrics/music:</strong> August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN
FAX	358	49
Legislative branch > Election results	percent of vote by party - Kok 20.4%, SDP 19.1%, TF 19.1%, Kesk 15.8%, Vas 8.1%, Vihr 7.3%, SFP 4.3%, KD 4%, other 1.9%; seats by party - Kok 44, SDP 42, TF 39, Kesk 35, Vas 14, Vihr 10, SFP 9, KD 6, other 1 (the constituency of Aland)	Bundestag - percent of vote by party - CDU/CSU 41.5%, SPD 25.7%, Left 8.6%, Greens 8.4%, FDP 4.8%, other 11%; seats by party - CDU/CSU 311, SPD 192, Left 64, Greens 63
Legislative branch > Elections	last held on 17 April 2011 (next to be held in April 2015)	Bundestag - last held on 22 September 2013 (next to be held no later than autumn 2017); most all postwar German governments have been coalitions
Democracy and rights > Press freedom index	6.38 Ranked 34th.	10.24 Ranked 21st. 61% more than Finland
Parliament > Seats held by women > Percentage	42.5% Ranked 7th. 29% more than Germany	32.9% Ranked 26th.
Independence	6 December 1917 (from Russia)	18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)
Executive branch > Election results	percent of vote - Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 36.96%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 18.76%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (Kesk) 17.53%, Timo SOINI (TF) 9.4%, Paavo LIPPONEN (SDP) 6.7%, Paavo ARHINMÃKI (Vas) 5.48%, Eva BIAUDET (SFP) 2.7%, Sari ESSAYAH (KD) 2.47%; a runoff election between NIINISTO and HAAVISTO was held 5 February 2012 - NIINISTO 62.59%, HAAVISTO 37.41%; Jyrki KATAINEN elected prime minister; election results 118-72	Joachim GAUCK elected president; received 991 votes of the Federal Convention against 126 for Beate KLARSFELD and 3 for Olaf ROSE; Angela MERKEL reelected chancellor; vote by Federal Parliament 323 to 285 with four abstentions
Judicial branch > Subordinate courts	6	Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 German states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts
Basis of executive legitimacy	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence	Ministry is subject to parliamentary confidence
Country name > Local short form	Suomi/Finland	Deutschland
Democracy and rights > Freedom of the press	10 Ranked 193th.	17 Ranked 174th. 70% more than Finland
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament	38% Ranked 4th. 19% more than Germany	31.8% Ranked 17th.
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy	Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki	Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	3 Ranked 177th.	9 Ranked 39th. 3 times more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Nationalist vote	19.1% Ranked 4th. 13 times more than Germany	1.5% Ranked 3rd.
Democracy > Civil and political liberties	6 Ranked 12th. 9% more than Germany	5.5 Ranked 17th.
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$	43.53 billion$ Ranked 22nd.	518.82 billion$ Ranked 1st. 12 times more than Finland
National holiday	Independence Day, 6 December	Unity Day, 3 October
Capital > Geographic coordinates	60 10 N, 24 56 E	52 31 N, 13 24 E
Democracy > First female parliamentarian	1907 (elected)	1919 (elected)
Time required to start a business > Days	14 days Ranked 148th.	24 days Ranked 118th. 71% more than Finland
Leaders > President	Sauli Niinisto	Joachim Gauck
Democracy > Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment	0.993 Ranked 48th.	1 Ranked 25th. 1% more than Finland
Judicial branch > Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges appointed by the president of the republic; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65	Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated States and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president of Germany; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index	9.06 Ranked 9th. 9% more than Germany	8.34 Ranked 14th.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient	6.1 Ranked 3rd. 24% more than Germany	4.9 Ranked 24th.
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days	14 Ranked 153th.	40 Ranked 82nd. 3 times more than Finland
Politics	PM Jyrki Katainen's conservative National Coalition Party is the largest single group in parliament. Conservative President Sauli Niinisto is head of state	Angela Merkel of the conservative Christian Democrats won a third term as chancellor in 2013
International law organization participation	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction	accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Parliament > Seats held by men	115 Ranked 85th.	416 Ranked 13th. 4 times more than Finland
Country name > Local long form	Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland	Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Red tape > Time to resolve insolvency > Years	0.9 Ranked 165th.	1.2 Ranked 153th. 33% more than Finland
Red tape > Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	0.554 Ranked 110th. 5 times more than Germany	0.11 Ranked 163th.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Ritva KOUKKU-RONDE (since 1 September 2011)	Ambassador Niels Peter Georg AMMON (since 9 August 2011)
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery	None	None
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[358] (9) 616250	[49] (30) 48305-0
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission	Ambassador Bruce J. ORECK (since 12 August 2009)	Ambassador John B. EMERSON (since 7 August 2013)
Parliament > Seats held by women	85 Ranked 22nd.	204 Ranked 3rd. 2 times more than Finland
Leaders > President > Summary	President Sauli Niinisto is credited with leading the economy towards growth in the 1990s	President Joachim Gauck
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Israel	None	None
Democracy > Democratic institutions rating	10 Ranked 27th. The same as Germany	10 Ranked 2nd.
UN membership date	14 Dec. 1955	18 Sep. 1973
Democracy and rights > Democracy Index per million people	1.67 Ranked 9th. 16 times more than Germany	0.102 Ranked 30th.
Total businesses registered > Number per 1000	48.12 Ranked 26th. 36% more than Germany	35.32 Ranked 34th.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	16 Ranked 70th. 78% more than Germany	9 Ranked 163th.
Capital city	Helsinki	Berlin
Capital > Name	Helsinki	Berlin
Legal origin	<a href=/encyclopedia/Nordic-countries>Nordic</a>	<a href=/country/gm>German</a>
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per capita	8,297.72$ per capita Ranked 7th. 32% more than Germany	6,291.01$ per capita Ranked 12th.
Spending > Expense > Current LCU	64.68 billion Ranked 57th.	717.25 billion Ranked 25th. 11 times more than Finland
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days	42 Ranked 166th. 2 times more than Germany	17 Ranked 188th.
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Registered voter turnout	65.3% Ranked 95th.	79.1% Ranked 45th. 21% more than Finland
Legislature (parliament) > People per member	26,735 Ranked 84th.	118,671 Ranked 23th. 4 times more than Finland
Capital > Time difference	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
International relations	Finland is one of four EU countries not in Nato. Its military is active in peacekeeping operations	Germany is a major player in Europe and a proponent of European integration. It is the third biggest troop supplier in Afghanistan
Red tape > Time required to get electricity > Days per million	7.76 Ranked 109th. 37 times more than Germany	0.208 Ranked 185th.
Leaders > Head of state > Term limit for head of state	6 Ranked 25th. 20% more than Germany	5 Ranked 35th.
Democracy > Female ministers	9.7% Ranked 80th.	35.9% Ranked 10th. 4 times more than Finland
Legislature (parliament) > Lower house members	200 Ranked 50th.	622 Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Finland
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days	375 Ranked 162nd.	394 Ranked 158th. 5% more than Finland
Democracy > Female parliamentarians	36.5% Ranked 3rd. 18% more than Germany	31% Ranked 8th.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number	3 Ranked 173th.	5 Ranked 103th. 67% more than Finland
Leaders > President > Profile	<p>Sauli Niinisto won the presidential election of February 2012 to become the country's first conservative head of state in five decades.</p> <p>He is the first president from the conservative National Coalition Party since 1956, and the first in 30 years from a party other than the Social Democrats.</p> <p>The victory of the pro-Europe politician suggested to observers that voters wanted to keep the country in the eurozone despite misgivings over European Union bailouts.</p> <p>Mr Niinisto is credited with leading Finland's economy towards growth following the collapse of the Soviet Union, during his tenure as finance minister from 1996 to 2001.</p> <p>Finland's president has a largely ceremonial role with fewer powers now than in previous decades, and is not directly involved in daily politics. However, the head of state is seen as an important shaper of public opinion, takes the lead on non-EU matters of foreign policy and plays a role as a "brand ambassador" of Finland overseas.</p> <p>Mr Niinisto succeeded President Tarja Halonen, who was elected as the country's first female president in 2000 and re-elected in 2006.</p>	<p>Joachim Gauck, a human-rights campaigner and former East German dissident, became president in March 2012. </p> <p>The opposition Social Democrats and Greens nominated him after the resignation of President Christian Wulff in February over a housing loan scandal, and the governing centre-right coaltion parties agreed to support him. </p> <p>Mr Gauck stood for the largely ceremonial presidency in 2010, losing to the government's preferred candidate Mr Wulff. </p> <p>Mr Gauck, like the Christian Democrat chancellor, Angela Merkel, has a background in the Lutheran Church in East Germany - he was a pastor there, as was Mrs Merkel's father. </p> <p>An active anti-Communist from an early age whose father was exiled to a Soviet forced-labour camp for several years, Mr Gauck was a leader of the opposition New Forum in the last days of the East German dictatorship. </p> <p>He served in the first and last democratic East German parliament, which put him in charge of investigating the archives of the Stasi secret police. </p> <p>He continued this task after the reunification of Germany, earning the admiration of all but diehard Communists for his work in exposing the crimes of the Communist era. </p> <p>Mr Gauck describes himself as a "liberal left conservative", and has expressed support for the policies of both Social-Democrat and Christian-Democrat coalition governments on a non-partisan basis. </p> <p>In recent years he has concentrated on campaigning against both left and right extremist threats to Germany's democratic system. </p> <p>Born in Rostock in 1940, Mr Gauck has four children by his wife, from whom he is separated. His partner since 2000 is the journalist Daniela Schadt, who will take on the ceremonial duties of First Lady. </p>
Role of head of state	Ceremonial	Ceremonial
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ per capita	8,297.72$ Ranked 7th. 32% more than Germany	6,291.01$ Ranked 12th.
Democracy and rights > Nationalist party (percent of vote)	19.1% Ranked 4th. 13 times more than Germany	1.5% Ranked 3rd.
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number	3 Ranked 166th.	9 Ranked 82nd. 3 times more than Finland
Strength of legal rights index > 0=weak to 10=strong	7 Ranked 60th. The same as Germany	7 Ranked 41st.
Red tape > Burden of customs procedure, WEF > 1=extremely inefficient to 7=extremely efficient per million	1.13 Ranked 40th. 19 times more than Germany	0.0598 Ranked 124th.
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > Current LCU	46.16 billion Ranked 50th.	581.96 billion Ranked 16th. 13 times more than Finland
Spending > Compensation of employees > Current LCU	6.5 billion Ranked 65th.	39.56 billion Ranked 43th. 6 times more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current US$ > Per $ GDP	0.225$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 24th. 21% more than Germany	0.186$ per $1 of GDP Ranked 43th.
Parliament > Seats held by women per million people	16.14 Ranked 26th. 6 times more than Germany	2.51 Ranked 111th.
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	September 21, 1974	April 4, 1958
Democracy > Female suffrage	1906	1918
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days	66 Ranked 177th.	97 Ranked 149th. 47% more than Finland
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	6.09 Ranked 83th. 17 times more than Germany	0.366 Ranked 176th.
Red tape > Time required to start a business > Days per million	2.59 Ranked 83th. 15 times more than Germany	0.177 Ranked 169th.
Constitution codification > Date	2000	1949
Red tape > Time required to register property > Days per million	2.59 Ranked 105th. 5 times more than Germany	0.488 Ranked 152nd.
Red tape > Time required to build a warehouse > Days per million	12.19 Ranked 107th. 10 times more than Germany	1.18 Ranked 175th.
Red tape > Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	2.96 Ranked 75th. 27 times more than Germany	0.11 Ranked 173th.
Capital > Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Total businesses registered > Number > Per capita	48.12 per 1,000 people Ranked 27th. 36% more than Germany	35.32 per 1,000 people Ranked 34th.
Spending > Interest payments > Current LCU	2.35 billion Ranked 58th.	41.34 billion Ranked 27th. 18 times more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Votes for nationalist parties	560,075 Ranked 13th.	635,525 Ranked 10th. 13% more than Finland
Foreign relations > Diplomatic representation in the US > Ambassador	Koukku-Ronde, Ritva Ritva Koukku-Ronde	Ammon, Peter Peter Ammon
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons per thousand people	0.373 Ranked 29th. 5 times more than Germany	0.0694 Ranked 42nd.
Transnational Issues > Refugees and internally displaced persons > Stateless persons	2,017 Ranked 32nd.	5,683 Ranked 22nd. 3 times more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ > Per capita	5,297.22 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 8th. 20% more than Germany	4,402.8 constant 2000 US$ per c Ranked 13th.
Time required to build a warehouse > Days	56 days Ranked 166th.	133 days Ranked 128th. 2 times more than Finland
Failed States Index	18 Ranked 33th.	29.7 Ranked 20th. 65% more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population	4.16 million Ranked 77th.	66.31 million Ranked 8th. 16 times more than Finland
Democracy > Female candidacy	1,906 Ranked 159th.	1,918 Ranked 145th. 1% more than Finland
Trademarks > Nonresidents per 1000	0.138 Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Germany	0.0405 Ranked 46th.
Trademarks > Nonresidents > Per capita	0.138 per 1,000 people Ranked 27th. 3 times more than Germany	0.041 per 1,000 people Ranked 45th.
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	February 19, 1992	January 15, 1992
National anthem > Name	"Maamme" (Our Land)	"Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Votes	7 Ranked 20th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voter registration	4.15 million Ranked 73th.	61.43 million Ranked 9th. 15 times more than Finland
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Total vote	2.71 million Ranked 68th.	48.58 million Ranked 8th. 18 times more than Finland
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number > Per capita	0.571 per 1 million people Ranked 112th. 5 times more than Germany	0.109 per 1 million people Ranked 154th.
Time required to enforce a contract > Days	228 days Ranked 154th.	394 days Ranked 113th. 73% more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Democracy and rights > Electoral system	PR (list)	PR (MMP)
Procedures to register property > Number	3 Ranked 157th.	4 Ranked 127th. 33% more than Finland
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number	17 Ranked 88th. 55% more than Germany	11 Ranked 149th.
Key ministers > Defence	Seppo Kaariainen (KESK)	Peter Struck (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)
Council of EU > 2005 > Country votes	7 Ranked 19th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Party system	Multi	Multi
Democracy and rights > Structure	Parliamentary	Parliamentary
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Current LCU	35003000000	417180000000
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments > %	42.5% Ranked 7th. 16% more than Germany	36.5% Ranked 20th.
Council of Europe > Date joined	5/5/1989	7/13/1950
Parties in the European Council during 2006 > Leaders > January 1 > 2006 > Votes	7 Ranked 18th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Leader	Matti Vanhanen	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Votes	3 Ranked 13th.	10 Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2001 > Leaders > January 1 > 2001 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > National party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29">CDU</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > National party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Party_%28Finland%29">Centre Party</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Democratic_Union_%28Germany%29">CDU</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2007 > Leaders > January 1 > 2007 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
European Union > Council of the European Union votes	7 Ranked 22nd.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Trademarks > Residents	2,598 Ranked 28th.	62,576 Ranked 5th. 24 times more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$	27.79 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 22nd.	363.1 billion constant 2000 US$ Ranked 1st. 13 times more than Finland
Procedures to register property > Number > Per capita	0.571 per 1 million people Ranked 87th. 12 times more than Germany	0.049 per 1 million people Ranked 155th.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number > Per capita	5.14 per 1 million people Ranked 74th. 14 times more than Germany	0.364 per 1 million people Ranked 154th.
Parties in the European Council during 2009 > Leaders > January 1 > 2009 > Leader	Matti Vanhanen	Angela Merkel
Republic establishment date	December 14, 1918	November 9, 1918
Parties in the European Council during 2008 > Leaders > January 1 > 2008 > Votes	7 Ranked 20th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2000 > Leaders > January 1 > 2000 > Leader	Paavo Lipponen	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der
Parties in the European Council between January and April 2004 > Leaders > January 1 > 2004 > Leader	Matti Vanhanen	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der
Key ministers > Justice	Johannes Koskinen (<a href=/encyclopedia/The-Social-Democratic-Party-(UK)>SDP</a>)	Brigitte Zypries (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)
National anthem > Note	in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland	adopted 1922, restored 1990; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was abolished in 1945 because of the Nazi's use of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland uber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism; since restoration in 1990, only the third verse is sung
Red tape > Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	33 Ranked 148th. 10% more than Germany	30 Ranked 164th.
Red tape > Procedures to register property > Number per million	0.554 Ranked 94th. 9 times more than Germany	0.0611 Ranked 172nd.
Key ministers > Interior	Kaj Rajamaki (<a href=/encyclopedia/The-Social-Democratic-Party-(UK)>SDP</a>)	Otto Schily (<a href=/encyclopedia/Social-Democratic-Party-of-Germany>SPD</a>)
Council of EU > 2007 > Country votes	7 Ranked 21st.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Council of EU > 2003 > Country votes	3 Ranked 14th.	10 Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Finland
Council of EU > 2005 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der
Council of EU > 2007 > Country leader	Matti Vanhanen	Angela Merkel
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 298-6030	[1] (202) 298-4261
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant LCU	30163000000	394104700000
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Trademarks > Residents > Per capita	0.497 per 1,000 people Ranked 26th.	0.758 per 1,000 people Ranked 17th. 53% more than Finland
Council of EU > 2002 > Country leader	Paavo Lipponen	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der
Council of EU > 2001 > Country leader	Paavo Lipponen	Gerhard SchrÃ¶der
Spending > Other expense > Current LCU	5.03 billion Ranked 50th.	26.66 billion Ranked 31st. 5 times more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Leader	Matti Vanhanen	Angela Merkel
Parties in the European Council during 2011 > Leaders > 1 January 2011 > Leader	Mari Kiviniemi	Angela Merkel
Council of EU > 2002 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Time to resolve insolvency > Years	0.9 years Ranked 145th.	1.2 years Ranked 132nd. 33% more than Finland
Trademarks > Residents per million	496.92 Ranked 26th.	758.35 Ranked 17th. 53% more than Finland
Council of EU > 2001 > Country votes	3 Ranked 14th.	10 Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Finland
Ruling party	National Coalition	Christian Democrat
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Annual % growth	1.53% Ranked 78th. 15 times more than Germany	0.1% Ranked 101st.
Time required to register property > Days	14 days Ranked 144th.	40 days Ranked 100th. 3 times more than Finland
Trademarks > Nonresidents	722 Ranked 36th.	3,342 Ranked 16th. 5 times more than Finland
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number per million	5.13 Ranked 72nd. 14 times more than Germany	0.364 Ranked 153th.
Parties in the European Council during 2010 > Leaders > 1 January 2010 > Votes	7 Ranked 20th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Last election	April 2011	September 2013
Stabilisation and Association process > Stabilisation and Association process > Republic of > Macedonia	6.1.2004	20.6.2002
Date of transition to republican system of government > Republic since	November 9, 1918	October 18, 1918
Stabilisation and Association process > Croatia	6.1.2004	18.10.2002
Spending > Interest payments > % of revenue	3.21% Ranked 57th.	5.81% Ranked 39th. 81% more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Leader	Paavo Lipponen	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der
FAX > Consulate(s) general	Los Angeles, New York	Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich
Parliamentary republic adoption date	1919	1949
Start-up procedures to register a business > Number per million	0.57 Ranked 113th. 5 times more than Germany	0.109 Ranked 154th.
Procedures to enforce a contract > Number	27 Ranked 119th.	30 Ranked 98th. 11% more than Finland
Spending > Subsidies and other transfers > % of expense	71.36% Ranked 6th.	81.14% Ranked 1st. 14% more than Finland
Foreign relations > Date of recognition of Kosovo	None	None
Spending > Expense > % of GDP	35.12% Ranked 25th. 22% more than Germany	28.74% Ranked 46th.
Spending > Compensation of employees > % of expense	10.05% Ranked 80th. 82% more than Germany	5.52% Ranked 87th.
Democracy and rights > Next election	April 2015	September 2017
Parliament > Seats held by men per million people	21.84 Ranked 73th. 4 times more than Germany	5.13 Ranked 158th.
Diplomatic representation in the US > Consulate(s) general	Los Angeles, New York	Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Council of EU > 2005 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Council of EU > 2007 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_People%27s_Party">EPP</a>
Council of EU > January–April 2004 > European party of leader	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Liberal_Democrat_and_Reform_Party">ELDR</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > Votes	3 Ranked 13th.	10 Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Finland
Democracy and rights > Strong judicial review?	No	Yes
Democracy and rights > Strongly federal?	No	Yes
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Voting age population per 1000	797.21 Ranked 14th.	803.47 Ranked 11th. 1% more than Finland
Foreign relations > Recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia	Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said that "the recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles. As all OSCE participating States, Russia is committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. Russia should follow OSCE principles by respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia. Russia should immediately withdraw all troops from Georgia and implement the ceasefire agreement, including the modalities defined in the 16 August 2008 letter of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The international community cannot accept unilaterally established buffer zones".	Chancellor Angela Merkel said, "this contradicts the principle of territorial integrity, a principle based on the international law of nations and for this reason it is unacceptable".
Legislature (parliament) > Total members of parliament	200 Ranked 57th.	691 Ranked 10th. 3 times more than Finland
Legislature (parliament) > Strongly bicameral?	No	Yes
Legislature (parliament) > Term of office for lower house members	4 Ranked 164th. The same as Germany	4 Ranked 107th.
Red tape > Time required to enforce a contract > Days per million	69.26 Ranked 91st. 14 times more than Germany	4.81 Ranked 176th.
Time to prepare and pay taxes > Hours	264 hours Ranked 80th. 3 times more than Germany	105 hours Ranked 146th.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number > Per capita	3.23 per 1 million people Ranked 65th. 24 times more than Germany	0.133 per 1 million people Ranked 157th.
Spending > Goods and services expense > Current LCU	6.31 billion Ranked 60th.	36.2 billion Ranked 38th. 6 times more than Finland
Council of EU > 2006 > Country votes	7 Ranked 19th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
Parties in the European Council during 1999 > Leaders > January 1 > 1999 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[358] (9) 6162 5800	[49] (30) 8305-1215
Democracy > Parliamentary elections > Invalid votes	1% Ranked 91st.	1.2% Ranked 82nd. 20% more than Finland
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 298-5800	[1] (202) 298-4000
Capital city > Time difference	UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Spending > Goods and services expense > % of expense	9.76% Ranked 64th. 93% more than Germany	5.05% Ranked 83th.
Parties in the European Council during 2002 > Leaders > January 1 > 2002 > Leader	Paavo Lipponen	Gerhard SchrÃ‡Ã´der
Parties in the European Council during 2003 > Leaders > January 1 > 2003 > European party	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_of_European_Socialists">PES</a>
Parties in the European Council during 2005 > Leaders > January 1 > 2005 > Votes	7 Ranked 18th.	29 Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Finland
General government final > Consumption expenditure > Constant 2000 US$ per capita	5,297.22 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 7th. 20% more than Germany	4,402.8 constant 2000 US$ Ranked 13th.
Spending > Interest payments > % of expense	3.63% Ranked 54th.	5.76% Ranked 39th. 59% more than Finland
Spending > Other expense > % of expense	7.78% Ranked 28th. 2 times more than Germany	3.72% Ranked 60th.
Procedures to register property > Number per million	0.57 Ranked 85th. 12 times more than Germany	0.0486 Ranked 154th.
Procedures to build a warehouse > Number per million	3.23 Ranked 64th. 24 times more than Germany	0.134 Ranked 156th.

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Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; CIA World Factbook, 28 July 2005; International Monetary Fund, Government Finance Statistics Yearbook and data files.; Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2003; Wikipedia: List of legislatures by number of members; Wikipedia: Term of office (Terms of office by country); IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2001. Correspondence on women in government at the ministerial level. March. Geneva; calculated on the basis of data on parliamentary seats from IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union). 2002. Parline Database. March 2002; World Economic Forum, Global Competiveness Report and data files. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. 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