defined in the glossary as will become clear com parative information is not available for some countries and variables a blank entry indicates that data are comparable or otherwise of insuf ficient quality to warrant reporting improve readability facilitate interpretation each record preceded by brief description presented points key findings time periods dependent on availability reported 1993 2003 closest years possible these tables independent states with currently more than 100 000 inhabitants according most recent population estimates short conventional country names used it intention editors take position regard political diplomatic implications geo graphical continental groupings china hong kong macao taiwan tibet became special administrative region sar 1997 after formal transfer from uk 1999 portugal before dates do include thereafter they unless
