the model is using "t" as years after 2003, if we want to know the population in that country using that model at year 2003, then "t" must be 0, when t = 0, that's the initial population for that model.
[tex]A=920.2e^{0.005t}\implies A=920.2e^{0.005(0)}\implies A=920.2(1)\implies A=920.2[/tex]
