The CIA World Factbook Edition 1992 Government

Government type In 36 editions of 36.

Government type was published in 36 editions of the CIA World Factbook, from 1990 to 2025. The 1992 edition carries it in 255 entries, in its Government section, under the heading “Type”. Every entry is shown as that edition published it.

entries in the 1992 edition
255
the first edition with it
1990
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Government type” (1997 to 2025), “Type” (1990 to 1995) and “Type of government” (1996).

the entry has the field in that editionnot in that editionthe open editionEach entry below ends in its editions with Government type, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down; choose one in a row to read that edition’s text there.

Entries with Government type in each edition

19902000201020202025

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Africa

61 entries

Algeria

republic

Angola

in transition from a one-party Marxist state to a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Bassas da India

French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since July 1991), resident in Reunion

Benin

  • republic under multiparty democratic rule;
  • dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989;
  • democratic reforms adopted February 1990;
  • transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991

Botswana

parliamentary republic

Burkina now Burkina Faso

military; established by coup on 4 August 1983

Burundi

republic

Cape Verde now Cabo Verde

republic

Cameroon

unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)

Central African Republic

republic, one-party presidential regime since 1986

Chad

republic

Comoros

independent republic

Zaire now Democratic Republic of the Congo

republic with a strong presidential system

Congo now Republic of the Congo

republic

Ivory Coast now Cote d'Ivoire

republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960

Djibouti

republic

Egypt

republic

Equatorial Guinea

republic in transition to multiparty democracy

Swaziland now Eswatini

monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth

Ethiopia

  • on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa;
  • the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE), announced as a two-year transitional period;
  • on 29 May 1991, Issayas AFEWORKE, secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for an eventual referendum on independence for the province

Europa Island

French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (as of July 1991); resident in Reunion

Gabon

republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)

The Gambia

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Ghana

military

Glorioso Islands

French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE, resident in Reunion

Guinea

republic

Guinea-Bissau

  • republic;
  • highly centralized multiparty since mid-1991;
  • the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) held an extraordinary party congress in December 1990 and established a two-year transition program during which the constitution will be revised, allowing for multiple political parties and a presidential election in 1993

Juan de Nova Island

French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE, resident in Reunion

Kenya

republic

Lesotho

constitutional monarchy

Liberia

republic

Libya

  • Jamahiriya (a state of the masses);
  • in theory, governed by the populace through local councils;
  • in fact, a military dictatorship

Madagascar

republic

Malawi

one-party state

Mali

republic; an interim government appointed by the national reform conference has organized a series of democratic elections and is scheduled to hand over power to an elected government on 26 March 1992

Mauritania

  • republic;
  • military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978;
  • a palace coup that took place on 12 December 1984 brought President Taya to power;
  • he was elected in 1992

Mauritius

parliamentary democracy

Mayotte

territorial collectivity of France

Morocco

constitutional monarchy

Mozambique

republic

Namibia

republic

Niger

  • as of November 1991, transition government appointed by national reform conference;
  • scheduled to turn over power to democratically elected government in January 1993

Nigeria

military government since 31 December 1983

Reunion

overseas department of France

Rwanda

  • republic;
  • presidential system in which military leaders hold key offices;
  • on 31 December 1990, the government announced a National Political Charter to serve as a basis for transition to a presidential/parliamentary political system;
  • the 1978 constitution was replaced in June 1991 via popular referendum by a new constitution creating a multiparty system with a president and prime minister

Saint Helena now Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha

dependent territory of the UK

Sao Tome and Principe

republic

Senegal

republic under multiparty democratic rule

Seychelles

republic

Sierra Leone

military government

Somalia

none

South Africa

republic

Sudan

military; civilian government suspended and martial law imposed after 30 June 1989 coup

Tanzania

republic

Togo

republic; under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Tromelin Island

French possession administered by Commissioner of the Republic Jacques DEWATRE (since NA July 1991), resident in Reunion

Tunisia

republic

Uganda

republic

Western Sahara

  • legal status of territory and question of sovereignty unresolved;
  • territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government in exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR);
  • territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds;
  • Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979;
  • Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control;
  • the Polisario's government in exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984;
  • guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991

Zambia

multiparty system; on 17 December 1990, President Kenneth KAUNDA signed into law the constitutional amendment that officially reintroduced the multiparty system in Zambia ending 17 years of one-party rule

Zimbabwe

parliamentary democracy

Antarctic Region

5 entries

Antarctica

Antarctic Treaty Summary:
  • Article 1: area to be used for peaceful purposes only;
  • military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purposes
Article 2:
freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue
Article 3:
free exchange of information and personnel in cooperation with the UN and other international agencies
Article 4:
does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force
Article 5:
prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
Article 6:
includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60. 00' south
Article 7:
  • treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment;
  • advance notice of all activities and of the introduction of military personnel must be given
Article 8:
allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states
Article 9:
frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations
Article 10:
treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty
Article 11:
  • disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or,
  • ultimately,
  • by the ICJ
Article 12, 13, 14:
deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations
Other agreements:
  • more than 170 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include - Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora (1964);
  • Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972);
  • Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980);
  • a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but was subsequently rejected;
  • in 1991 the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed and awaits ratification;
  • this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through five specific annexes on marine pollution, fauna, and flora, environmental impact assessments, waste management, and protected areas;
  • it also prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research

Bouvet Island

territory of Norway

French Southern and Antarctic Lands

overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

territory of Australia administered by the Antarctic Division of the Department of Science in Canberra (Australia)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

dependent territory of the UK

Arctic Region

4 entries

Greenland

part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division

Iceland

republic

Jan Mayen

territory of Norway

Svalbard

  • territory of Norway administered by the Ministry of Industry, Oslo, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen;
  • by treaty (9 February 1920) sovereignty was given to Norway

Asia

23 entries

Afghanistan

transitional

Armenia

republic

Azerbaijan

republic

Bangladesh

republic

Bhutan

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

British Indian Ocean Territory

dependent territory of the UK

China

Communist Party - led state

Georgia

republic

India

federal republic

Japan

constitutional monarchy

Kazakhstan

republic

Korea, North now North Korea

Communist state; Stalinist dictatorship

Korea, South now South Korea

republic

Kyrgyzstan

republic

Maldives

republic

Mongolia

in transition from Communist state to republic

Nepal

parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991

Pakistan

parliamentary with strong executive, federal republic

Russia

federation

Sri Lanka

republic

Tajikistan

republic

Turkmenistan

republic

Uzbekistan

republic

Central America and the Caribbean

32 entries

Anguilla

dependent territory of the UK

Antigua and Barbuda

parliamentary democracy

Aruba

part of the Dutch realm - full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles

The Bahamas

commonwealth

Barbados

parliamentary democracy

Belize

parliamentary democracy

British Virgin Islands

dependent territory of the UK

Cayman Islands

dependent territory of the UK

Costa Rica

democratic republic

Cuba

Communist state

Dominica

parliamentary democracy

Dominican Republic

republic

El Salvador

republic

Grenada

parliamentary democracy

Guadeloupe

overseas department of France

Guatemala

republic

Haiti

republic

Honduras

republic

Jamaica

parliamentary democracy

Martinique

overseas department of France

Montserrat

dependent territory of the UK

Navassa Island

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard

Netherlands Antilles

part of the Dutch realm - full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954

Nicaragua

republic

Panama

centralized republic

Puerto Rico

commonwealth associated with the US

Saint Kitts and Nevis

constitutional monarchy

Saint Lucia

parliamentary democracy

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

constitutional monarchy

Trinidad and Tobago

parliamentary democracy

Turks and Caicos Islands

dependent territory of the UK

Virgin Islands

organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Europe

45 entries

Albania

nascent democracy

Andorra

unique coprincipality under formal sovereignty of president of France and Spanish bishop of Seo de Urgel, who are represented locally by officials called veguers

Austria

federal republic

Belarus

republic

Belgium

constitutional monarchy

Bosnia and Herzegovina

emerging democracy

Bulgaria

emerging democracy, diminishing Communist Party influence

Croatia

parliamentary democracy

Czechoslovakia

federal republic in transition

Denmark

constitutional monarchy

Estonia

republic

Faroe Islands

part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark

Finland

republic

France

republic

Germany

federal republic

Gibraltar

dependent territory of the UK

Greece

presidential parliamentary government; monarchy rejected by referendum 8 December 1974

Guernsey

British crown dependency

Holy See (Vatican City)

monarchical-sacerdotal state

Hungary

republic

Ireland

republic

Man, Isle of now Isle of Man

British crown dependency

Italy

republic

Jersey

British crown dependency

Latvia

republic

Liechtenstein

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Lithuania

republic

Luxembourg

constitutional monarchy

Malta

parliamentary democracy

Moldova

republic

Monaco

constitutional monarchy

Netherlands

constitutional monarchy

Macedonia now North Macedonia

emerging democracy

Norway

constitutional monarchy

Poland

democratic state

Portugal

republic

Romania

republic

San Marino

republic

Serbia and Montenegro

republic

Slovenia

emerging democracy

Spain

parliamentary monarchy

Sweden

constitutional monarchy

Switzerland

federal republic

Ukraine

republic

United Kingdom

constitutional monarchy

Middle East

15 entries

Bahrain

traditional monarchy

Cyprus

  • republic;
  • a disaggregation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began after the outbreak of communal strife in 1963;
  • this separation was further solidified following the Turkish invasion of the island in July 1974, which gave the Turkish Cypriots de facto control in the north;
  • Greek Cypriots control the only internationally recognized government;
  • on 15 November 1983 Turkish Cypriot President Rauf DENKTASH declared independence and the formation of a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which has been recognized only by Turkey;
  • both sides publicly call for the resolution of intercommunal differences and creation of a new federal system of government

Iran

theocratic republic

Iraq

republic

Israel

republic

Jordan

constitutional monarchy

Kuwait

nominal constitutional monarchy

Lebanon

republic

Oman

absolute monarchy; independent, with residual UK influence

Qatar

traditional monarchy

Saudi Arabia

monarchy

Syria

republic; under leftwing military regime since March 1963

Turkey now Turkiye

republican parliamentary democracy

United Arab Emirates

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Yemen

republic

North America

6 entries

Bermuda

dependent territory of the UK

Canada

confederation with parliamentary democracy

Clipperton Island

French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT

Mexico

federal republic operating under a centralized government

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

territorial collectivity of France

United States

federal republic; strong democratic tradition

Oceania

34 entries

American Samoa

  • unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US;
  • administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs;
  • indigenous inhabitants are US nationals, not citizens of the US

Australia

federal parliamentary state

Baker Island

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Cook Islands

  • self-governing in free association with New Zealand;
  • Cook Islands fully responsible for internal affairs;
  • New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands

Coral Sea Islands

territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Roslyn KELLY

Fiji

military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987

French Polynesia

overseas territory of France since 1946

Guam

  • organized, unincorporated territory of the US;
  • policy relations between Guam and the US are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Howland Island

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Jarvis Island

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System

Johnston Atoll

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

Kingman Reef

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy

Kiribati

republic

Marshall Islands

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986

Micronesia, Federated States of now Federated States of Micronesia

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986

Midway Islands

  • unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under command of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managed cooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System;
  • legislation before Congress in 1990 proposed inclusion of territory within the State of Hawaii

Nauru

republic

New Caledonia

overseas territory of France since 1956

New Zealand

parliamentary democracy

Niue

  • self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand;
  • Niue fully responsible for internal affairs;
  • New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs

Norfolk Island

territory of Australia

Northern Mariana Islands

commonwealth in political union with the US and administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the now Palau

  • UN trusteeship administered by the US;
  • constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, which was never approved in a series of UN-observed plebiscites;
  • until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Palmyra Atoll

  • unincorporated territory of the US;
  • privately owned,
  • but administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs,
  • US Department of the Interior

Papua New Guinea

parliamentary democracy

Pitcairn Islands

dependent territory of the UK

Western Samoa now Samoa

constitutional monarchy under native chief

Solomon Islands

parliamentary democracy

Tokelau

territory of New Zealand

Tonga

hereditary constitutional monarchy

Tuvalu

democracy

Vanuatu

republic

Wake Island

unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Air Force (under an agreement with the US Department of Interior) since 24 June 1972

Wallis and Futuna

overseas territory of France

South America

14 entries

Argentina

republic

Bolivia

republic

Brazil

federal republic

Chile

republic

Colombia

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Ecuador

republic

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

dependent territory of the UK

French Guiana

overseas department of France

Guyana

republic

Paraguay

republic

Peru

in transition, President FUJIMORI on 5 April 1992 suspended the constitution and dissolved the legislative and judicial branches

Suriname

republic

Uruguay

republic

Venezuela

republic

Southeast Asia

16 entries

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

territory of Australia administered by the Australian Minister for Arts, Sports, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories - Roslyn KELLY

Brunei

constitutional sultanate

Burma now Burma (Myanmar)

military regime

Cambodia

currently administered by the Supreme National Council (SNC), a body set up under United Nations' auspices, in preparation for an internationally supervised election in 1993 and including representatives from each of the country's four political factions

Christmas Island

territory of Australia

Cocos Islands now Cocos (Keeling) Islands

territory of Australia

Hong Kong

dependent territory of the UK; scheduled to revert to China in 1997

Indonesia

republic

Laos

Communist state

Macau

overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in 1999

Malaysia

  • Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963;
  • constitutional monarchy nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament;
  • Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Pulau Pinang Government;
  • powers of state governments are limited by federal Constitution;
  • Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government;
  • Sarawak - self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government

Philippines

republic

Singapore

republic within Commonwealth

Taiwan

multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March, 1989

Thailand

constitutional monarchy

Vietnam

Communist state

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook 1992, “Government type”, all entries. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/fields/government-type/1992.

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