United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: United Arab Emirates.

Location: The United Arab Emirates is in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Country Climate: Desert; cooler in eastern mountains.

Country Terrain: Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east.

Major Languages: Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 4.8 million (2008 est.) 4.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is that of a developing country. The UAE currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED).

Country Inflation: 12.3% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2009 est.).

City: Abu Dhabi is the capital of, and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

City Economy: Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the United Arab Emirates Government and the home for the Emirati Royal Family. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.

Cost of Living: Abu Dhabi has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Abu Dhabi is currently ranked 74 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: United Arab Emirates.

Location: The United Arab Emirates is in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Country Climate: Desert; cooler in eastern mountains.

Country Terrain: Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east.

Major Languages: Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 4.8 million (2008 est.) 4.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is that of a developing country. The UAE currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED).

Country Inflation: 12.3% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2009 est.).

City: Abu Dhabi is the capital of, and the second largest city in the United Arab Emirates.

City Economy: Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the United Arab Emirates Government and the home for the Emirati Royal Family. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.

Cost of Living: Abu Dhabi has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Abu Dhabi is currently ranked 74 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Ukraine, Kiev Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Ukraine.

Location: Ukraine is in Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east.

Country Climate: Temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; summers are warm across the greater part of the country, hot in the south.

Country Terrain: Most of Ukraine consists of fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains being found only in the west (the Carpathians), and in the Crimean Peninsula in the extreme south.

Major Languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 45.9 million (2008 est.) 45.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Ukraine showed strong export-based growth of 5 to 10 percent, with industrial production growing more than 10 percent per year in the early 2000s before the impact of the financial crisis. Ukraine produces nearly all types of transportation vehicles and spacecraft. Antonov airplanes and KrAZ trucks are exported to many countries. The majority of Ukrainian exports are marketed to the European Union and CIS.

Currency: Ukraine Hryvnia (UAH).

Country Inflation: 25.2% (2008 est.) 16.3% (2009 est.).

City: Kiev is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine.

City Economy: Kiev is a major administrative, cultural and scientific centre of the Ukraine. It is the largest city in Ukraine in terms of both population and area and enjoys the highest levels of business activity.

Cost of Living: Kiev has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Kiev is currently ranked 157 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Uganda, Kampala Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Republic of Uganda.

Location: Uganda is in Eastern Africa, west of Kenya.

Country Climate: Tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast.

Country Terrain: Mostly plateau with rim of mountains.

Major Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), Luganda, various Bantu and Nilotic languages.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 32.0 million (2008 est.) 33.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Uganda’s economy suffered from devastating economic policies and instability, leaving Uganda as one of the world’s poorest countries. The country has commenced economic reforms and growth has been robust. Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, and sizable mineral deposits of copper and cobalt. The country has largely untapped reserves of both crude oil and natural gas.

Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX).

Country Inflation: 7.3% (2008 est.) 14.2% (2009 est.).

City: Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda.

City Economy: Kampala is the economic hub of Uganda and is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning.

Cost of Living: Kampala has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Kampala is currently ranked 244 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Tuvalu, Funafuti Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Tuvalu.

Location: Tuvalu is an island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia.

Country Climate: Tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March).

Country Terrain: Low-lying and narrow coral atolls.

Major Languages: Tuvaluan, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.012 million (2008 est.) 0.012 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Tuvalu suffers from its remoteness and lack of economies of scale. Virtually the only jobs in the islands that pay a steady wage or salary are with the government. Subsistence farming and fishing remain the primary economic activities, particularly off the capital island of Funafuti. There is no apparent large income disparity among the residents.

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD) .

Country Inflation: N/A.

City: Funafuti is an atoll that forms the capital of the island nation of Tuvalu.

City Economy: Funafuti has an airstrip, hotel (Vaiaku Langi Hotel), and administrative buildings, as well as homes, constructed both in the traditional manner, out of palm fronds, and more recently out of cement blocks.

Cost of Living: Funafuti has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Funafuti is currently ranked 67 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Turkey, Ankara Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Republic of Turkey.

Location: Turkey is in South Eastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria.

Country Climate: Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior.

Country Terrain: High central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges.

Major Languages: Turkish.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 69.7 million (2008 est.) 70.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Turkey is largely dominated by modern industries and the services sector. The country is among the world’s leading producers of agricultural products; textiles; motor vehicles, ships and other transportation equipment; construction materials; consumer electronics and home appliances.

Currency: New Turkish Lira (TRY).

Country Inflation: 10.4% (2008 est.) 6.2% (2009 est.).

City: Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city after Istanbul.

City Economy: Ankara is a very old city with various Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman archaeological sites.

Cost of Living: Ankara has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Ankara is currently ranked 61 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Tunisia, Tunis Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Tunisian Republic.

Location: Tunisia is in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya.

Country Climate: Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south.

Country Terrain: Mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara.

Major Languages: Arabic (official); French.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 10.3 million (2008 est.) 10.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Tunisia is in the process of economic reform and liberalization after decades of heavy state direction and participation in the economy. Economic and fiscal planning have resulted in moderate but sustained growth for over a decade. Tunisia’s economic growth historically has depended on oil, phosphates, agri-food products, car parts manufacturing, and tourism.

Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND).

Country Inflation: 5.0% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.).

City: Tunis is the capital and largets city of Tunisia.

City Economy: Tunis is the heartland of the Tunisian economy and is the industrial and economic hub of the country. Products include textiles, carpets, and olive oil. Tourism also provides a significant portion of the city’s income.

Cost of Living: ndex is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Tunis is currently ranked 255 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Location: Trinidad and Tobago are islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela.

Country Climate: Tropical; rainy season (June to December).

Country Terrain: Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains.

Major Languages: English.

Major Religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam.

Country Population: 1.3 million (2008 est.) 1.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Trinidad is based on natural gas and oil. Recent growth has been fueled by investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. Tourism and manufacturing are also important to the local economy.Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. Agricultural products include citrus, cocoa, and other products.

Currency: Trinidad/Tobago Dollar (TTD).

Country Inflation: 12.0% (2008 est.) 7.2% (2009 est.).

City: Port of Spain is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

City Economy: Port of Spain is Trinidad and Tobago’s most developed city. The city serves primarily as a retail and administrative center.

Cost of Living: Port-of-Spain has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Port-of-Spain is currently ranked 108 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Tonga, NukuAlofa Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Tonga.

Location: Tonga is in Oceania, and consists of an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.

Country Climate: Tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December).

Country Terrain: Most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base.

Major Languages: Tongan, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.103 million (2008 est.) 0.103 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Tonga is characterized by a large non monetary sector and a heavy dependence on remittances from the half of the country’s population that lives abroad, chiefly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Currency: Tonga Pa’anga (TOP).

Country Inflation: 14.5% (2008 est.) 12.3% (2009 est.).

City: Nuku’Alofa is the capital and commercial, transport and social center of Tonga.

City Economy: Nuku’Alofa is the economic hub of the country.

Cost of Living: Nuku’Alofa has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Nuku’Alofa is currently ranked 265 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Togo, Lome Cost of Living April 2010

Country Full Name: Togolese Republic.

Location: Togo is in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north.

Country Terrain: Gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes.

Major Languages: French (official), local languages.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 6.6 million (2008 est.) 6.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Subsistence agriculture is the main economic activity in Togo; the majority of the population depends on subsistence agriculture. Phosphates are Togo’s most important commodity, and the country has an estimated 60 million metric tons of phosphate reserves.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 8.4% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2009 est.).

City: Lome is the capital and largest city of Togo.

City Economy: Lome is the country’s administrative and industrial center and its chief port. The city exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm kernels. It also has an oil refinery.

Cost of Living: Lome has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Lome is currently ranked 59 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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