*Lebanon, Geography

Location: Middle East, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 10,400 km2 land area: 10,230 km2 comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: total 454 km, Israel 79 km, Syria 375 km Coastline: 225 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: separated from Israel by the 1949 Armistice Line; Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since June 1982; Syrian troops in northern, central, and eastern Lebanon since October 1976 Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountians experience heavy winter snows Terrain: narrow coastal plain; Al Biqa' (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Natural resources: limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 9% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 8% other: 61% Irrigated land: 860 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, ethnicity; deforestation; soil erosion; air and water pollution; desertification Note: Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary

*Lebanon, People

Population: 3,552,369 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.81% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 27.86 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -3.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.01 years male: 66.63 years female: 71.52 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.47 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lebanese (singular and plural) adjective: Lebanese Ethnic divisions: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% Religions: Islam 70% (5 legally recognized Islamic groups - Alawite or Nusayri, Druze, Isma'ilite, Shi'a, Sunni), Christian 30% (11 legally recognized Christian groups - 4 Orthodox Christian, 6 Catholic, 1 Protestant), Judaism NEGL% Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Armenian, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% Labor force: 650,000 by occupation: industry, commerce, and services 79%, agriculture 11%, government 10% (1985)

*Lebanon, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Lebanon conventional short form: Lebanon local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Lubnaniyah local short form: none Digraph: LE Type: republic Capital: Beirut Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Biqa, 'Al Janub, Ash Shamal, Bayrut, Jabal Lubnan Independence: 22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) Constitution: 26 May 1926 (amended) Legal system: mixture of Ottoman law, canon law, Napoleonic code, and civil law; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 22 November (1943) Political parties and leaders: political party activity is organized along largely sectarian lines; numerous political groupings exist, consisting of individual political figures and followers motivated by religious, clan, and economic considerations Suffrage: 21 years of age; compulsory for all males; authorized for women at age 21 with elementary education Elections: National Assembly: Lebanon's first legislative election in 20 years was held in the summer of 1992; the National Assembly is composed of 128 deputies, one-half Christian and one-half Muslim; its mandate expires in 1996 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet; note - by custom, the president is a Maronite Christian, the prime minister is a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of the legislature is a Shi'a Muslim Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Arabic - Majlis Alnuwab, French - Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: four Courts of Cassation (three courts for civil and commercial cases and one court for criminal cases) Leaders: Chief of State: President Ilyas HARAWI (since 24 November 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI (since 22 October 1992)

*Lebanon, Government

Member of: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Simon KARAM chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 939-6300 consulates general: Detroit, New York, and Los Angeles US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER mailing embassy: Antelias, Beirut address: P. O. Box 70-840, Beirut, or Box B, FPO AE 09836 telephone: [961] 417774 or 415802, 415803, 402200, 403300 Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (double width), and red with a green and brown cedar tree centered in the white band

*Lebanon, Economy

Overview: Since 1975 civil war has seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and all but ended Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. Following October 1990, however, a tentative peace has enabled the central government to begin restoring control in Beirut, collect taxes, and regain access to key port and government facilities. The battered economy has also been propped up by a financially sound banking system and resilient small- and medium-scale manufacturers. Family remittances, banking transactions, manufactured and farm exports, the narcotics trade, and international emergency aid are main sources of foreign exchange. In the relatively settled year of 1991, industrial production, agricultural output, and exports showed substantial gains. The further rebuilding of the war-ravaged country was delayed in 1992 because of an upturn in political wrangling. Hope for restoring economic momentum in 1993 rests with the new, business-oriented Prime Minister HARIRI. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.8 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $1,400 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 100% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 35% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $533 million; expenditures $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.) Exports: $490 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, precious and semiprecious metals and jewelry, metals and metal products partners: Saudi Arabia 21%, Switzerland 9.5%, Jordan 6%, Kuwait 12%, US 5% Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: Consumer goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products partners: Italy 14%, France 12%, US 6%, Turkey 5%, Saudi Arabia 3% External debt: $400 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,300,000 kW capacity; 3,413 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: banking, food processing, textiles, cement, oil refining, chemicals, jewelry, some metal fabricating Agriculture: accounts for about one-third of GDP; principal products - citrus fruits, vegetables, potatoes, olives, tobacco, hemp (hashish), sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in grain

*Lebanon, Economy

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium, hashish, and heroin for the international drug trade; opium poppy production in Al Biqa almost completely eradicated this year; hashish production is shipped to Western Europe, Israel, US, the Middle East, and South America Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $356 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $664 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $962 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $9 million Currency: 1 Lebanese pound (L) = 100 piasters Exchange rates: Lebanese pounds (L) per US$1 - 1,742.00 (April 1993), 1,712.80 (1992), 928.23 (1991), 695.09 (1990), 496.69 (1989), 409.23 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Lebanon, Communications

Railroads: system in disrepair, considered inoperable Highways: 7,300 km total; 6,200 km paved, 450 km gravel and crushed stone, 650 km improved earth Pipelines: crude oil 72 km (none in operation) Ports: Beirut, Tripoli, Ra'Sil'ata, Juniyah, Sidon, Az Zahrani, Tyre, Jubayl, Shikka Jadidah Merchant marine: 63 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 270,505 GRT/403,328 DWT; includes 39 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 3 roll-on/roll-off, 1 container, 9 livestock carrier, 2 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 4 bulk, 1 combination bulk Airports: total: 9 usable: 8 with permanent-surface runways: 6 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: telecommunications system severely damaged by civil war; rebuilding still underway; 325,000 telephones (95 telephones per 1,000 persons); domestic traffic carried primarily by microwave radio relay and a small amount of cable; international traffic by satellite - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station (erratic operations), coaxial cable to Syria; microwave radio relay to Syria but inoperable beyond Syria to Jordan, 3 submarine coaxial cables; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 13 TV (numerous AM and FM stations are operated sporadically by various factions)

*Lebanon, Defense Forces

Branches: Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF; including Army, Navy, and Air Force) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 798,299; fit for military service 495,763 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $271 million, 8.2% of GDP (1992 budget)

*Lesotho, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 30,350 km2 land area: 30,350 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 909 km, South Africa 909 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Terrain: mostly highland with some plateaus, hills, and mountains Natural resources: some diamonds and other minerals, water, agricultural and grazing land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 66% forest and woodland: 0% other: 24% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, soil exhaustion; desertification Note: landlocked; surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and redirect water to South Africa

*Lesotho, People

Population: 1,896,484 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.52% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 34.64 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 71.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.73 years male: 59.91 years female: 63.6 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.6 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho Ethnic divisions: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans 1,600, Asians 800 Religions: Christian 80%, rest indigenous beliefs Languages: Sesotho (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1966) total population: 59% male: 44% female: 68% Labor force: 689,000 economically active by occupation: 86.2% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 60% of active male labor force works in South Africa

*Lesotho, Government

Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland Digraph: LT Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Maseru Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka Independence: 4 October 1966 (from UK) Constitution: 4 October 1966, suspended January 1970 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966) Political parties and leaders: Basotho National Party (BNP), Evaristus SEKHONYANA; Basutoland Congress Party (BCP), Ntsu MOKHEHLE; National Independent Party (NIP), A. C. MANYELI; Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Vincent MALEBO; United Democratic Party, Charles MOFELI; Communist Party of Lesotho (CPL), JCOB M. KENA Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: National Assembly: dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; military has pledged elections will take place in March 1993 Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Military Council, Military Council, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: none - the bicameral Parliament was dissolved following the military coup in January 1986; note - a National Constituent Assembly convened in June 1990 to rewrite the constitution and debate issues of national importance, but it has no legislative authority Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State: King LETSIE III (since 12 November 1990 following dismissal of his father, exiled King MOSHOESHOE II, by Maj. Gen. LEKHANYA) Head of Government: Chairman of the Military Council Gen. Elias Phisoana RAMAEMA (since 30 April 1991) Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

*Lesotho, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Designate Teboho KITLEI chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 797-5534 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard H.O. SPEARMAN, Sr. embassy: address NA, Maseru mailing address: P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100 Lesotho telephone: [266] 312-666 FAX: (266) 310-116 Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper half is white bearing the brown silhouette of a large shield with crossed spear and club; the lower half is a diagonal blue band with a green triangle in the corner

*Lesotho, Economy

Overview: Small, landlocked, and mountainous, Lesotho has no important natural resources other than water. Its economy is based on agriculture, light manufacturing, and remittances from laborers employed in South Africa ($439 million in 1991). The great majority of households gain their livelihoods from subsistence farming and migrant labor. Manufacturing depends largely on farm products to support the milling, canning, leather, and jute industries; other industries include textile, clothing, and construction (in particular, a major water improvement project which will permit the sale of water to South Africa). Industry's share of GDP rose from 6% in 1982 to 15% in 1989. Political and economic instability in South Africa raises uncertainty for Lesotho's economy, especially with respect to migrant worker remittances - recently the equivalent of nearly three-fourths of domestic output. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $620 million (1991 est.) note: GNP of $1.0 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 5.3% (1991 est.); GNP 2.2% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $340 (1991 est.); GNP $570 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.9% (1991) Unemployment rate: at least 55% among adult males (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $388 million; expenditures $399 million, including capital expenditures of $132 million (FY93) Exports: $57 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: wool, mohair, wheat, cattle, peas, beans, corn, hides, skins, baskets partners: South Africa 53%, EC 30%, North and South America 13% (1989) Imports: $805 million (c.i.f., 1991) commodities: mainly corn, building materials, clothing, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum partners: South Africa 95%, EC 2% (1989) External debt: $358 million (for public sector) (December 1990/91 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.0% (1991 est.); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: power supplied by South Africa Industries: food, beverages, textiles, handicrafts, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 19% of GDP (1990 est.) and employs 60-70% of all households; exceedingly primitive, mostly subsistence farming and livestock; principal crops corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $268 million; US, $10.3 million (1992), $10.1 million (1993 est.); Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $819 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $14 million

*Lesotho, Economy

Currency: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente Exchange rates: maloti (M) per US$1 - 3.1576 (May 1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7563 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988); note - the Basotho loti is at par with the South African rand Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

*Lesotho, Communications

Railroads: 2.6 km; owned, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa Highways: 7,215 km total; 572 km paved; 2,337 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 1,806 km improved earth, 2,500 km unimproved earth Airports: total: 28 usable: 28 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: rudimentary system consisting of a few landlines, a small microwave system, and minor radio communications stations; 5,920 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Lesotho, Defense Forces

Branches: Royal Lesotho Defense Force (RLDF; including Army, Air Wing), Royal Lesotho Mounted Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 422,802; fit for military service 228,102 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 13% of GDP (1990 est.)

*Liberia, Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Pacific Ocean between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 111,370 km2 land area: 96,320 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee Land boundaries: total 1,585 km, Guinea 563 km, Cote d'Ivoire 716 km, Sierra Leone 306 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 200 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 3% meadows and pastures: 2% forest and woodland: 39% other: 55% Irrigated land: 20 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: West Africa's largest tropical rain forest, subject to deforestation

*Liberia, People

Population: 2,874,881 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.37% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 43.9 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 12.38 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 115.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.28 years male: 54.88 years female: 59.76 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.42 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic divisions: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, and Bella), Americo-Liberians 5% (descendants of repatriated slaves) Religions: traditional 70%, Muslim 20%, Christian 10% Languages: English 20% (official), Niger-Congo language group about 20 local languages come from this group Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 40% male: 50% female: 29% Labor force: 510,000 including 220,000 in the monetary economy by occupation: agriculture 70.5%, services 10.8%, industry and commerce 4.5%, other 14.2% note: non-African foreigners hold about 95% of the top-level management and engineering jobs; 52% of population of working age

*Liberia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia Digraph: LI Type: republic Capital: Monrovia Administrative divisions: 13 counties; Bomi, Bong, Grand Bassa, Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 Constitution: 6 January 1986 Legal system: dual system of statutory law based on Anglo-American common law for the modern sector and customary law based on unwritten tribal practices for indigenous sector National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), Augustus CAINE, chairman; Liberian Action Party (LAP), Emmanuel KOROMAH, chairman; Unity Party (UP), Carlos SMITH, chairman; United People's Party (UPP), Gabriel Baccus MATTHEWS, chairman Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE (NDPL) 50.9%, Jackson DOE (LAP) 26.4%, other 22.7%; note - President Doe was killed by rebel forces on 9 September 1990 Senate: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (26 total) NDPL 21, LAP 3, UP 1, UPP 1 House of Representatives: last held on 15 October 1985 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (64 total) NDPL 51, LAP 8, UP 3, UPP 2 Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: interim President Dr. Amos SAWYER (since 15 November 1990) note: this is an interim government appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that will be replaced after elections are held under a West African-brokered peace plan; a rebel faction led by Charles TAYLOR is challenging the SAWYER government's legitimacy; former president, Gen. Dr. Samuel Kanyon DOE, was killed on 9 September 1990 by Prince Y. JOHNSON

*Liberia, Government

Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador James TARPEH chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: (202) 723-0437 through 0440 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. TWADDELL embassy: 111 United Nations Drive, Monrovia mailing address: P. O. Box 98, Monrovia, or APO AE 09813 telephone: [231] 222991 through 222994 FAX: (231) 223710 Flag: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a white five-pointed star on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the design was based on the US flag

*Liberia, Economy

Overview: Civil war since 1990 has destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Many will not return. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products, while local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. Political instability threatens prospects for economic reconstruction and repatriation of some 750,000 Liberian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries. The political impasse between the interim government and rebel leader Charles Taylor has prevented restoration of normal economic life, including the re-establishment of a strong central government with effective economic development programs. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $988 million (1988) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1988) National product per capita: $400 (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1989) Unemployment rate: 43% urban (1988) Budget: revenues $242.1 million; expenditures $435.4 million, including capital expenditures of $29.5 million (1989) Exports: $505 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.) commodities: iron ore 61%, rubber 20%, timber 11%, coffee partners: US, EC, Netherlands Imports: $394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.) commodities: rice, mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, other foodstuffs partners: US, EC, Japan, China, Netherlands, ECOWAS External debt: $1.6 billion (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1.5% in manufacturing (1987); accounts for 22% of GDP Electricity: 410,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 275 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: rubber processing, food processing, construction materials, furniture, palm oil processing, mining (iron ore, diamonds) Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); principal products - rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava, palm oil, sugarcane, bananas, sheep, goats; not self-sufficient in food, imports 25% of rice consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $665 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $870 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $25 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $77 million

*Liberia, Economy

Currency: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (L$) per US$1 - 1.00 (fixed rate since 1940); unofficial parallel exchange rate of L$7 = US$1, January 1992 Fiscal year: calendar year

*Liberia, Communications

Railroads: 480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge; all lines single track; rail systems owned and operated by foreign steel and financial interests in conjunction with Liberian Government Highways: 10,087 km total; 603 km bituminous treated, 2,848 km all weather, 4,313 km dry weather; there are also 2,323 km of private, laterite-surfaced roads open to public use, owned by rubber and timber companies Ports: Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas) Merchant marine: 1,618 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 57,769,476 DWT/ 101,391,576 DWT; includes 20 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 132 cargo, 56 refrigerated cargo, 21 roll-on/roll-off, 58 vehicle carrier, 97 container, 3 barge carrier, 499 oil tanker, 108 chemical, 68 combination ore/oil, 62 liquefied gas, 6 specialized tanker, 456 bulk, 31 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; all ships are foreign owned; the top 4 owning flags are US 16%, Japan 14%, Norway 11%, and Hong Kong 9% Airports: total: 59 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 4 Telecommunications: telephone and telegraph service via radio relay network; main center is Monrovia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station; most telecommunications services inoperable due to insurgency movement

*Liberia, Defense Forces

Branches: the ultimate structure of the Liberian military force will depend on who is the victor in the ongoing civil war Manpower availability: males age 15-49 684,681; fit for military service 365,518 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP

*Libya, Geography

Location: Northern Africa, on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Tunisia Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,759,540 km2 land area: 1,759,540 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: total 4,383 km, Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan 383 km, Tunisia 459 km Coastline: 1,770 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Gulf of Sidra closing line: 32 degrees 30 minutes north International disputes: claims and occupies the Aozou Strip in northern Chad; maritime boundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claims part of northern Niger and part of southeastern Algeria Climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 2,420 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; desertification; sparse natural surface-water resources Note: the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

*Libya, People

Population: 4,872,598 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.73% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.37 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.47 years male: 61.35 years female: 65.7 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.44 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Libyan(s) adjective: Libyan Ethnic divisions: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians Religions: Sunni Muslim 97% Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 64% male: 75% female: 50% Labor force: 1 million includes about 280,000 resident foreigners by occupation: industry 31%, services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18%

*Libya, Government

Names: conventional long form: Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya conventional short form: Libya local long form: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishirakiyah local short form: none Digraph: LY Type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship Capital: Tripoli Administrative divisions: 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat); Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, Zlitan Independence: 24 December 1951 (from Italy) Constitution: 11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977 Legal system: based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religious courts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: various Arab nationalist movements and the Arab Socialist Resurrection (Ba'th) party with almost negligible memberships may be functioning clandestinely, as well as some Islamic elements Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of peoples' committees Executive branch: revolutionary leader, chairman of the General People's Committee (premier), General People's Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral General People's Congress Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu'ammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September 1969) Head of Government: Chairman of the General People's Committee (Premier) Abu Zayd 'umar DURDA (since 7 October 1990)

*Libya, Government

Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: none US diplomatic representation: none Flag: plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)

*Libya, Economy

Overview: The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oil sector, which contributes practically all export earnings and about one-third of GDP. In 1990 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, but GDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuate sharply in response to changes in the world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resource allocations have led to shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, although the reopening of the Libyan-Tunisian border in April 1988 and the Libyan-Egyptian border in December 1989 have eased shortages. Austerity budgets and a lack of trained technicians have undermined the government's ability to implement a number of planned infrastructure development projects. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices in late 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a current account surplus for the first time in five years. The nonoil manufacturing and construction sectors, which account for about 20% of GDP, have expanded from processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals, iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for only 5% of GDP, it employs about 20% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poor soils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its food requirements. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $26.1 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.2% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $5,800 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $8.1 billion; expenditures $9.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.1 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $9.71 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas partners: Italy, former USSR, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium/Luxembourg, Turkey Imports: $8.66 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goods partners: Italy, former USSR, Germany, UK, Japan, Korea External debt: $3.5 billion excluding military debt (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 10.5%; accounts for 7.6% of GDP (not including oil) (1990) Electricity: 4,935,000 kW capacity; 14,385 million kWh produced, 2,952 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement Agriculture: 5% of GNP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus fruits, peanuts; 75% of food is imported

*Libya, Economy

Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $242 million; no longer a recipient Currency: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams Exchange rates: Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.2998 (January 1993), 0.3013 (1992), 0.2684 (1991), 0.2699 (1990), 0.2922 (1989), 0.2853 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Libya, Communications

Railroads: Libya has had no railroad in operation since 1965, all previous systems having been dismantled; current plans are to construct a standard gauge (1.435 m) line from the Tunisian frontier to Tripoli and Misratah, then inland to Sabha, center of a mineral rich area, but there has been no progress; other plans made jointly with Egypt would establish a rail line from As Sallum, Egypt to Tobruk with completion set for mid-1994, progress unknown Highways: 19,300 km total; 10,800 km bituminous/bituminous treated, 8,500 km crushed stone or earth Inland waterways: none Pipelines: crude oil 4,383 km; natural gas 1,947 km; petroleum products 443 km (includes liquified petroleum gas 256 km) Ports: Tobruk, Tripoli, Banghazi, Misratah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's Lanuf, Ra's al Unif Merchant marine: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 694,883 GRT/1,215,494 DWT; includes 4 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off, 10 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas Airports: total: 138 usable: 124 with permanent-surface runways: 56 with runways over 3,659 m: 9 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 47 Telecommunications: modern telecommunications system using radio relay, coaxial cable, tropospheric scatter, and domestic satellite stations; 370,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 14 domestic; submarine cables to France and Italy; radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; tropospheric scatter to Greece; planned ARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite stations

*Libya, Defense Forces

Branches: Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (including Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Command) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,058,134; fit for military service 628,285; reach military age (17) annually 50,997 (1993 est.); conscription now being implemented Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion, 15% of GDP (1989 est.)

*Liechtenstein, Geography

Location: Western Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 160 km2 land area: 160 km2 comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 78 km, Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: claims 620 square miles of Czech territory confiscated from its royal family in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before February 1948, when the Communists seized power Climate: continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Natural resources: hydroelectric potential Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 38% forest and woodland: 19% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Note: landlocked

*Liechtenstein, People

Population: 29,894 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.32% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 13.15 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.62 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 6.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.29 years male: 73.65 years female: 80.9 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.45 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein Ethnic divisions: Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988) Languages: German (official), Alemannic dialect Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 19,905 of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day by occupation: industry, trade, and building 53.2%, services 45%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.8% (1990)

*Liechtenstein, Government

Names: conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Furstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein Digraph: LS Type: hereditary constitutional monarchy Capital: Vaduz Administrative divisions: 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz Independence: 23 January 1719 (Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established) Constitution: 5 October 1921 Legal system: local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Assumption Day, 15 August Political parties and leaders: Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Otto HASLER; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), Emanuel VOGT; Free Electoral List (FL) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Diet: last held on 7 February 1993 (next to be held by March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) FBP 12, VU 11, FL 2 Executive branch: reigning prince, hereditary prince, head of government, deputy head of government Legislative branch: unicameral Diet (Landtag) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal cases, Superior Court (Obergericht) for civil cases Leaders: Chief of State: Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989; assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11 June 1968) Head of Government: Markus BUECHEL (since 7 February 1993); Deputy Head of Government Dr. Herbert WILLE (since 2 February 1986) Member of: CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO Diplomatic representation in US: in routine diplomatic matters, Liechtenstein is represented in the US by the Swiss Embassy

*Liechtenstein, Government

US diplomatic representation: the US has no diplomatic or consular mission in Liechtenstein, but the US Consul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditation at Vaduz Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band

*Liechtenstein, Economy

Overview: The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scale light industry and tourism. Industry accounts for 53% of total employment, the service sector 45% (mostly based on tourism), and agriculture and forestry 2%. The sale of postage stamps to collectors is estimated at $10 million annually. Low business taxes (the maximum tax rate is 20%) and easy incorporation rules have induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein. Such companies, incorporated solely for tax purposes, provide 30% of state revenues. The economy is tied closely to Switzerland's economy in a customs union, and incomes and living standards parallel those of the more prosperous Swiss groups. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $630 million (1990 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $22,300 (1990 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1990) Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1990) Budget: revenues $259 million; expenditures $292 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990) Exports: $1.6 billion commodities: small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, pottery partners: EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland 15.4%), EC countries 42.7%, other 36.4% (1990) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles partners: NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 23,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 5,230 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism Agriculture: livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.4781 (January 1993), 1.4062 (1992), 1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Liechtenstein, Communications

Railroads: 18.5 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, electrified; owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways Highways: 130.66 km main roads, 192.27 km byroads Airports: none Telecommunications: limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system; 25,400 telephones; linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay for international telephone, radio, and TV services

*Liechtenstein, Defense Forces

Note: defense is responsibility of Switzerland

*Lithuania, Geography

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Russia Map references: Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 65,200 km2 land area: 65,200 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total 1,273 km, Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad) 227 km Coastline: 108 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the Neman River border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver as by international standards Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters Terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Natural resources: peat Land use: arable land: 49.1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 22.2% forest and woodland: 16.3% other: 12.4% Irrigated land: 430 km2 (1990) Environment: risk of accidents from the two Chernobyl-type reactors at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant; contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products and chemicals at military bases

*Lithuania, People

Population: 3,819,638 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.76% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 14.95 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 10.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.12 years male: 66.39 years female: 76.08 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Lithuanian(s) adjective: Lithuanian Ethnic divisions: Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Polish 7.7%, Belarusian 1.5%, other 2.1% Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, other Languages: Lithuanian (official), Polish, Russian Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 1.836 million by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%, other 40% (1990)

*Lithuania, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Lithuania conventional short form: Lithuania local long form: Lietuvos Respublika local short form: Lietuva former: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: LH Type: republic Capital: Vilnius Administrative divisions: NA districts Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992 Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 16 February Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party, Egidijus KLUMBYS, chairman; Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Democratic Party, Sauluis PECELIUNAS, chairman; Lithuanian Green Party, Irena IGNATAVICIENE, chairwoman; Lithuanian Humanism Party, Vytautas KAZLAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian Independence Party, Virgilijus CEPAITIS, chairman; Lithuanian Liberty League, Antanas TERLECKAS; Lithuanian Liberal Union, Vytautus RADZVILAS, chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union, Rimantas SMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Aloizas SAKALAS, chairman; Union of the Motherland, Vytavtas LANDSBERGIS, chairman Other political or pressure groups: Sajudis; Lithuanian Future Forum; Farmers Union Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 14 February 1993 (next to be held NA); results - Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS was elected Seimas (parliament): last held 26 October and 25 November 1992 (next to be held NA); results - Democratic Labor Party 51%; seats - (141 total) Democratic Labor Party 73 Executive branch: president, prime minister, cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Seimas (parliament) Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Court of Appeals Leaders: Chief of State: Seimas Chairman and Acting President Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 15 November 1992); Deputy Seimas Chairmen Aloyzas SAKALAS (since NA December 1992) and Egidius BICKAUSKAS (since NA December 1992)

*Lithuania, Government

Head of Government: Premier Adolfas SLEZEVICIUS (since NA) Member of: CBSS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys LOZORAITIS, Jr. chancery: 2622 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 234-5860, 2639 FAX: (202) 328-0466 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Darryl N. JOHNSON embassy: Akmenu 6, Vilnius 232600 mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: 011 [7] (012-2) 222-031 FAX: 011 [7] (012-2) 222-779 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red

*Lithuania, Economy

Overview: Lithuania is striving to become an independent privatized economy. Although it was substantially above average in living standards and technology in the old USSR, Lithuania historically lagged behind Latvia and Estonia in economic development. The country has no important natural resources aside from its arable land and strategic location. Industry depends entirely on imported materials that have come from the republics of the former USSR. Lithuania benefits from its ice-free port at Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea and its rail and highway hub at Vilnius, which provides land communication between Eastern Europe and Russia, Latvia, Estonia, and Belarus. Industry produces a small assortment of high-quality products, ranging from complex machine tools to sophisticated consumer electronics. Because of nuclear power, Lithuania is presently self-sufficient in electricity, exporting its surplus to Latvia and Belarus; the nuclear facilities inherited from the USSR, however, have come under world scrutiny as seriously deficient in safety standards. Agriculture is efficient compared with most of the former Soviet Union. Lithuania held first place in per capita consumption of meat, second place for eggs and potatoes, and fourth place for milk and dairy products. Grain must be imported to support the meat and dairy industries. Lithuania is pressing ahead with plans to privatize at least 60% of state-owned property (industry, agriculture, and housing), having already sold almost all housing and many small enterprises using a voucher system. Other government priorities include encouraging foreign investment by protecting the property rights of foreign firms and redirecting foreign trade away from Eastern markets to the more competitive Western markets. For the moment, Lithuania will remain highly dependent on Russia for energy, raw materials, grains, and markets for its products. In 1992, output plummeted by 30% because of cumulative problems with inputs and with markets, problems that were accentuated by the phasing out of the Russian ruble as the medium of exchange. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -30% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10%-20% per month (first quarter 1993) Unemployment rate: 1% (February 1993); but large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $258.5 million; expenditures $270.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $NA commodities: electronics 18%, petroleum products 5%, food 10%, chemicals 6% (1989) partners: Russia 40%, Ukraine 16%, other former Soviet republics 32%, West 12% Imports: $NA commodities: oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA% (1989) partners: Russia 62%, Belarus 18%, former Soviet republics 10%, West 10% External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -50% (1992 est.)

*Lithuania, Economy

Electricity: 5,925,000 kW capacity; 25,000 million kWh produced, 6,600 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: employs 25% of the labor force; shares in the total production of the former USSR are: metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%; electric motors 4.6%; television sets 6.2%; refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other branches: petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, and amber Agriculture: employs around 20% of labor force; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugarbeets, vegetables, meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, fish; most developed are the livestock and dairy branches, which depend on imported grain; net exporter of meat, milk, and eggs Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe; limited producer of illicit opium; mostly for domestic consumption Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million; Communist countries (1971-86), $NA million Currency: using talonas as temporary currency (March 1993), but planning introduction of convertible litas (late 1993) Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year

*Lithuania, Communications

Railroads: 2,100 km; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 44,200 km total 35,500 km hard surfaced, 8,700 km earth (1990) Inland waterways: 600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 105 km, natural gas 760 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Klaipeda; inland - Kaunas Merchant marine: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 282,633 GRT/332,447 DWT; includes 31 cargo, 3 railcar carrier, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 11 combination bulk Airports: total: 96 useable: 19 with permanent-surface runways: 12 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 11 Telecommunications: better developed than in most other former USSR republics; operational NMT-450 analog cellular network in Vilnius; fiber optic cable installed beween Vilnius and Kaunas; 224 telephones per 1000 persons; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 26 FM, 1 SW, 1 LW, 3 TV; landlines or microwave to former USSR republics; leased connection to the Moscow international switch for traffic with other countries; satellite earth stations - (8 channels to Norway); new international digital telephone exchange in Kaunas for direct access to 13 countries via satellite link out of Copenhagen, Denmark

*Lithuania, Defense Forces

Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 933,245; fit for military service 739,400; reach military age (18) annually 27,056 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, 5.5% of GDP (1993 est.)

*Luxembourg, Geography

Location: Western Europe, between Belgium and Germany Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 2,586 km2 land area: 2,586 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total 359 km, Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited) Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked

*Luxembourg, People

Population: 398,220 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.96 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.56 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 6.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.43 years male: 72.71 years female: 80.3 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents) Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3% Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 177,300 one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany by occupation: services 65%, industry 31.6%, agriculture 3.4% (1988)

*Luxembourg, Government

Names: conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg Digraph: LU Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Luxembourg Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg Independence: 1839 Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday) Political parties and leaders: Christian Social Party (CSV), Jacques SANTER; Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Jacques POOS; Liberal (DP), Colette FLESCH; Communist (KPL), Andre HOFFMANN; Green Alternative (GAP), Jean HUSS Other political or pressure groups: group of steel companies representing iron and steel industry; Centrale Paysanne representing agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions; Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: Chamber of Deputies: last held on 18 June 1989 (next to be held by June 1994); results - CSV 31.7%, LSAP 27.2%, DP 16.2%, Greens 8.4%, PAC 7.3%, KPL 5.1%, other 4.1%; seats - (60 total) CSV 22, LSAP 18, DP 11, Greens 4, PAC 4, KPL 1 Executive branch: grand duke, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes); note - the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Justice) Leaders: Chief of State: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke Jean, born 16 April 1955) Head of Government: Prime Minister Jacques SANTER (since 21 July 1984); Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984)

*Luxembourg, Government

Member of: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse BERNS chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-4171 FAX: (202) 328-8270 consulates general: New York and San Francisco US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. ROWELL embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: PSC 11, APO AE 09132-5380 telephone: [352] 460123 FAX: [352] 461401 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France

*Luxembourg, Economy

Overview: The stable economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and negligible unemployment. Agriculture is based on small but highly productive family-owned farms. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified, particularly toward high-technology firms. During the past decade, growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy. Luxembourg participates in an economic union with Belgium on trade and most financial matters and is also closely connected economically to the Netherlands. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.5 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 2.5% (1992) National product per capita: $21,700 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 1.4% (1991) Budget: revenues $3.5 billion; expenditures $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, other industrial products partners: EC 76%, US 5% Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods partners: Belgium 37%, FRG 31%, France 12%, US 2% External debt: $131.6 million (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 1,238,750 kW capacity; 1,375 million kWh produced, 3,450 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum Agriculture: accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry); principal products - barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; cattle raising widespread Illicit drugs: money-laundering hub Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes

*Luxembourg, Economy

Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 33.256 (January 1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg Fiscal year: calendar year

*Luxembourg, Communications

Railroads: Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 272 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 178 km double track; 178 km electrified Highways: 5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth; about 80 km limited access divided highway Inland waterways: 37 km; Moselle River Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km Ports: Mertert (river port) Merchant marine: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,570,466 GRT/2,614,154 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 5 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 6 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 8 liquefied gas, 2 passenger, 8 bulk, 6 combination bulk, 4 refrigerated cargo Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables; 230,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable; 1 direct-broadcast satellite earth station; nationwide mobile phone system

*Luxembourg, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 103,607; fit for military service 86,003; reach military age (19) annually 2,227 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.2% of GDP (1992)

*Macau, Header

Affiliation: (overseas territory of Portugal)

*Macau, Geography

Location: East Asia, 27 km west-southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea Map references: Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 16 km2 land area: 16 km2 comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 0.34 km, China 0.34 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: not specified International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland

*Macau, People

Population: 477,850 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.44% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 14.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.05 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.64 years male: 77.24 years female: 82.17 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.44 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2% Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, other 1.2% (1981) Languages: Portuguese (official), Cantonese is the language of commerce Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 90% male: 93% female: 86% Labor force: 180,000 (1986) by occupation: NA

*Macau, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Macau local long form: none local short form: Ilha de Macau Digraph: MC Type: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to revert to China in 1999 Capital: Macau Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, Macau Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 year after transition) Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing awaiting final approval Legal system: Portuguese civil law system National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Legislative Assembly: last held on 10 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total; 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA Executive branch: president of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986) Head of Government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991) Member of: ESCAP (associate), GATT, IMO (associate), WTO (associate)

*Macau, Government

Diplomatic representation in US: as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Flag: the flag of Portugal is used

*Macau, Economy

Overview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry represented well over 40% of GDP in 1992. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion (1991) National product real growth rate: 3.1% (1991) National product per capita: $6,700 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.2% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 2% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.8 billion (1992 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys partners: US 36%, Hong Kong 13%, Germany 12%, France 8% (1991) Imports: $2.0 billion (1992 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 35%, China 22%, Japan 17% (1991) External debt: $91 million (1985) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 258,000 kW capacity; 855 million kWh produced, 1,806 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements Economic aid: none Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989), 8.044 (1988), 7.993 (1987); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar Fiscal year: calendar year

*Macau, Communications

Highways: 42 km paved Ports: Macau Airports: none useable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane station Telecommunications: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services; 52,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV (TV programs received from Hong Kong); 115,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radio communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Macau, Defense Forces

Manpower availability: males age 15-49 137,738; fit for military service 77,159 (1993 est.) Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal

*Macedonia, Header

Macedonia has proclaimed independent statehood but has not been formally recognized as a state by the United States.

*Macedonia, Geography

Location: Southern Europe, between Serbia and Montenegro and Greece Map references: Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 25,333 km2 land area: 24,856 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Vermont Land boundaries: total 748 km, Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia) Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: Greece claims republic's name implies territorial claims against Aegean Macedonia Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulphur, timber Land use: arable land: 5% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 30% other: 40% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: Macedonia suffers from high seismic hazard; air pollution from metallurgical plants Note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

*Macedonia, People

Population: 2,193,951 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.91% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.91 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.79 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.19 years male: 71.15 years female: 75.41 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 67%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, other 6% Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59%, Muslim 26%, Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, other 10% Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3% Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 507,324 by occupation: agriculture 8%, manufacturing and mining 40% (1990)

*Macedonia, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija Digraph: MK Type: emerging democracy Capital: Skopje Administrative divisions: 34 districts (opcine, singular - opcina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-Kisela Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica Independence: 20 November 1991 (from Yugoslavia) Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts National holiday: NA Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic League of Macedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity in Macedonia (PDPM), Nevzat HALILI, president; National Democratic Party (PDP), Ilijas HALINI, president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia (SRSM), Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia (SPM), Kiro POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs in Macedonia (SJM), Milan DURCINOV, president Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All Macedonian Action (MAAK); League for Democracy; Albanian Democratic Union-Liberal Party Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Kiro GLIGOROV was elected by the Assembly Assembly: last held 11 and 25 November and 9 December 1990 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) VMRO-DPMNE 37, SDSM 31, PDPM 25, SRSM 17, SJM 1, SPM 5, others 4 Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly (Sobranje) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the Republic

*Macedonia, Government

Leaders: Chief of State: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since NA September 1992), Deputy Prime Ministers Jovan ANDONOV (since NA March 1991), Stevo CRVENKOVSKI (since NA September 1992), and Becir ZUTA (since NA March 1991) Member of: EBRD, ICAO, IMF, UN, UNCTAD, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none; US does not recognize Macedonia US diplomatic representation: none; US does not recognize Macedonia Flag: 16-point gold sun (Vergino, Sun) centered on a red field

*Macedonia, Economy

Overview: Macedonia, although the poorest among the six republics of a dissolved Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. It will, however, move down toward a bare subsistence level of life unless economic ties are reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and its modern machinery and parts. Continued political turmoil, both internally and in the region as a whole, prevents any swift readjustments of trade patterns and economic programs. Inflation in early 1992 was out of control, the result of fracturing trade links, the decline in economic activity, and general uncertainties about the future status of the country; prices rose 38% in March 1992 alone. In August 1992, Greece, angry at the use of "Macedonia" as the republic's name, imposed a partial blockade for several months. This blockade, combined with the effects of the UN sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro, cost the economy approximately $1 billion in 1992 according to official figures. Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological backwardness, and potential political instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. Resolution of the dispute with Greece and an internal commitment to economic reform would help to encourage foreign investment over the long run. In the immediate future, the worst scenario for the economy would be the spread of fighting across its borders. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.1 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -18% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $3,110 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 114.9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $578 million (1990) commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport equipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, raw materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages and tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania Imports: $1,112 million (1990) commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%, machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%, chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany, Bulgaria External debt: $845.8 million Industrial production: growth rate -18% (1991 est.) Electricity: 1,600,000 kw capacity; 6,300 million kWh produced, 2,900 kWh per capita (1992)

*Macedonia, Economy

Industries: low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil refining by distillation only; produces basic liquid fuels, coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, and ferronickel; light industry produces basic textiles, wood products, and tobacco Agriculture: provides 12% of GDP and meets the basic need for food; principal crops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; Macedonia is one of the seven legal cultivators of the opium poppy for the world pharmaceutical industry, including some exports to the US; agricultural production is highly labor intensive Illicit drugs: NA Economic aid: $10 million from the US for humanitarian and technical assistance; EC promised a 100 ECU million economic aid package Currency: 1 denar (abbreviation NA) = 100 NA Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 240 (January 1991) Fiscal year: calendar year

*Macedonia, Communications

Railroads: NA Highways: 10,591 km total (1991); 5,091 km paved, 1,404 km gravel, 4,096 km earth Inland waterways: NA km Pipelines: none Ports: none; landlocked Airports: total: 17 useable: 17 with permanent-surface runways: 9 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: 125,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV; 370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations - none

*Macedonia, Defense Forces

Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 597,024; fit for military service 484,701; reach military age (19) annually 18,979 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GNP (1993 est.); note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

*Madagascar, Geography

Location: in the western Indian Ocean, 430 km east of Mozambique in Southern Africa Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 587,040 km2 land area: 581,540 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 58% forest and woodland: 26% other: 11% Irrigated land: 9,000 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

*Madagascar, People

Population: 13,005,989 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.2% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 13.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 91 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.52 years male: 51.65 years female: 55.45 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.75 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7% Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% Labor force: 4.9 million 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%, industry 15%, commerce 14%, construction 11%, services 9%, transportation 6%, other 2% note: 51% of population of working age (1985)

*Madagascar, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic Digraph: MA Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces - Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) Constitution: 12 September 1992 Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Political parties and leaders: some 30 political parties now exist in Madagascar, the most important of which are Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier RATSIRAKA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM), RAKOTOVAO-ANDRIATIANA; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama RAZANABAHINY; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert ANDRIAMORASATA; Militants for the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; National Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja JAONA; National Union for the Defense of Democracy (UNDD), Albert ZAFY Other political or pressure groups: National Council of Christian Churches (FFKM), leader NA; Federalist Movement, leader NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: President: last held on 10 February 1993 (next to be held 1998); results - Albert ZAFY (UNDD), 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA), 33% Popular National Assembly: last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held May 1993); results - AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, other 0.8%; seats - (137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1 Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers