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Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 68% other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,400 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment-current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
@Malaysia:People
Population: 20,932,901 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 3,832,040; female 3,635,136) 15-64 years: 60% (male 6,314,693; female 6,324,389) 65 years and over: 4% (male 359,006; female 467,637) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.11% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 26.5 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.36 years male: 67.35 years female: 73.56 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.37 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 26%, Indian 7%, others 9%
Religions: Peninsular Malaysia-Muslim (Malays), Buddhist (Chinese), Hindu (Indians); Sabah-Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45%; Sarawak-tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%, Christian 16%, other 5%
Languages: Peninsular Malaysia-Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Tamil; Sabah-English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Chinese (Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate); Sarawak-English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 89.1% female: 78.1% (1995 est.)
@Malaysia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Government type: constitutional monarchy note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states-hereditary rulers in all but Melaka and Penang, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; Sabah-self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak-self-governing state, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government
National capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular-negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular-wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is located within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler elections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 4 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister election results: TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman elected paramount ruler; Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected deputy paramount ruler
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 elected by the state legislatures; elected members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (192 seats; members elected by popular vote directly weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate-last held NA April 1995 (next to be held by 2000); House of Representatives-last held 24-25 April 1995 (next to be held by 2000) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA; House of Representatives-percent of vote by party-National Front 63%, other 37%; seats by party-National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Spirit of '46 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount ruler
Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU; major opposition parties are Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), Ustaz Fadzil Mohamed NOOR and the Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang Sabah: National Front, dominated by the UMNO; Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Datuk YONG Teck Lee; Parti Democratic Sabah (PDS), Bernard DOMPOK; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Datuk Joseph KURUP Sarawak: National Front, composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar Stephen YONG Kuat Tze; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition party is Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siang note: subsequent to the election, the following parties were dissolved-Spirit of '46 (Semangat '46), Tengku Tan Sri RAZALEIGH, president, and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS), Datuk Seri Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador DALI Mahmud Hashim chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 483-7661 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John R. MALOTT embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur or American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 248-9011 FAX: [60] (3) 242-2207
Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
@Malaysia:Economy
Economy-overview: After decades of high GDP growth, Malaysia's economy-shaken by the ongoing regional financial crisis in 1997/98-is forecast by the government to grow only 4%-5% in 1998; private forecasts project the growth rate could be as low as 2%. The sharp decline in local currency and stock markets forced Kuala Lumpur to announce tough cost-cutting measures-on top of a contractionary budget-to further reduce the current account deficit to 3% of GDP in 1998 from 5.5% in 1997. To achieve this goal, Kuala Lumpur will cut government spending by 20% and continue to slash big-ticket imports and defer large-scale infrastructure projects. Government austerity and slower growth mean increased unemployment and higher interest rates that will bite into corporate earnings.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$227 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 7.4% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$11,100 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 45% services: 41% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 36% (1996)
Labor force: total: 8.398 million (1996 est.) by occupation: manufacturing 25%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 21%, local trade and tourism 17%, services 12%, government 11%, construction 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $22.6 billion expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.3 billion (1996 est.)
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia-rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah-logging, petroleum production; Sarawak-agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate: 14.4% (1995)
Electricity-capacity: 7.83 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 42 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,132 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: Peninsular Malaysia-natural rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah-subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconut, rice; Sarawak-rubber, pepper; timber
Exports: total value: $78.2 billion (1996) commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles partners: US 21%, Singapore 20%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 4%, Thailand 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Imports: total value: $78.4 billion (1996) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food partners: Japan 27%, US 16%, Singapore 12%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%, South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt-external: $27.5 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $45 million (1993)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1-4.3985 (January 1998), 2.8133 (1997), 2.5159 (1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994), 2.5741 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
@Malaysia:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,648 km narrow gauge: 1,648 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified)
Highways: total: 94,500 km paved: 70,970 km (including 580 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,530 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km, Sarawak 2,518 km)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports and harbors: Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine: total: 359 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,586,576 GRT/6,747,771 DWT ships by type: bulk 57, cargo 132, chemical tanker 23, container 48, liquefied gas tanker 17, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 63, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 8 (1997 est.)
Airports: 114 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 33 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 7 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 81 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 72 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Malaysia:Military
Military branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border Scouts
Military manpower-military age: 21 years of age
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 5,402,322 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 3,274,265 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 184,232 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $2.5 billion (1997)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.6% (1997)
@Malaysia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Sabah State claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to Western markets despite severe penalties for drug trafficking
MALDIVES
@Maldives:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 3% other: 84% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Environment-current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
@Maldives:People
Population: 290,211 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 70,244; female 66,758) 15-64 years: 50% (male 73,784; female 70,539) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,735; female 4,151) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.42% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 40.12 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 41.12 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.57 years male: 65.87 years female: 69.35 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 93.3% female: 93% (1995 est.)
@Maldives:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
National capital: Male (Maale)
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note-need not be members of Majilis elections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of Majlis vote-Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48 seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: percent of vote-NA; seats-independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
@Maldives:Economy
Economy-overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. About 350,000 tourists visited the islands in 1997. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 15% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is three feet or less above sea level.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$500 million (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 6.2% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 15% services: 63% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.3% (1996)
Labor force: total: 56,435 (1990 est.) by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%, services 21%, manufacturing and construction 21%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 16%, transportation and communication 10%, other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 14,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 50 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 191 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fishing
Exports: total value: $59 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: fish, clothing partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: total value: $302 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
Debt-external: $179 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1-11.770 (1995-January 1998), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: inter-atoll communication primarily through HF transceivers and VHF/UHF telephones international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
@Maldives:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km; note-Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,703 GRT/108,485 DWT ships by type: cargo 17, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Maldives:Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 63,879 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 35,610 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: NA%
@Maldives:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
MALI
@Mali:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.24 million sq km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 6% other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts
Environment-current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Geography-note: landlocked
@Mali:People
Population: 10,108,569 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 2,405,624; female 2,383,728) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,367,538; female 2,628,399) 65 years and over: 4% (male 152,999; female 170,281) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.24% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 49.88 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 19.04 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.03 years male: 45.67 years female: 48.43 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.02 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31% male: 39.4% female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
@Mali:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Government type: republic
National capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular-region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of vote-Alpha Oumar KONARE 85.15%, Mamadou DIABY 4.09%, other 10.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held in two rounds in 2002); note-much of the opposition boycotted the election election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-ADEMA 130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Ibrahim N'DIAYE, secretary-general]; Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME, secretary-general]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [Mamadou Bakary SANGARE, chairman]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY, leader]; Party for Democracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE, leader]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou TOURE, secretary-general]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA, chairman]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [Ali GNANGADO, leader]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress or UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary-general]; Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO, leaders]
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye or MPGK
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] 22 54 70 FAX: [223] 22 37 12
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Mali:Economy
Economy-overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996 and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 6% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$600 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 17% services: 34% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.)
Labor force: total: NA by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $730 million expenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $320 million (1997 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1995 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 87,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 290 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 31 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: total value: $473 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: cotton, livestock, gold partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports: total value: $797 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Debt-external: $2.8 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1-608.36 (January 1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
@Mali:Transportation
Railways: total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes) narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 28 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 10 (1997 est.)
@Mali:Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 2,051,976 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 1,174,078 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $66 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.2% (1994)
@Mali:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
MALTA
@Malta:Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 320 sq km land: 320 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 59% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment-international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
@Malta:People
Population: 379,563 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 40,655; female 38,425) 15-64 years: 68% (male 128,958; female 127,391) 65 years and over: 11% (male 18,629; female 25,505) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.58% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 11.73 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.57 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.6 years male: 75.3 years female: 80.05 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 88% male: 88% female: 88% (1985)
@Malta:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Alfred SANT (since 28 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign and Environment Minister Dr. George VELLA (since 29 October 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1994 (next to be held by NA April 1999); following House of Representatives elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term election results: Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note-additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total: 69 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 26 October 1996 (next to be held by October 2001) election results: percent of vote by party-MLP 50.7%, NP 46.5%; seats by party-NP 34, MLP 31 (MLP 35, NP 34 after adjustment)
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party or NP [Edward FENECH ADAMI]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mark Anthony MICALLEF chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Haycock PROFFITT embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta telephone: [356] 235960 FAX: [356] 223322
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
@Malta:Economy
Economy-overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1996, approximately 1 million tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $12,900 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.9 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2.8% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$12,900 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 34% services: 61% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2.3% (1996)
Labor force: total: 148,085 (September 1996) by occupation: public services 34%, other services 32%, manufacturing and construction 22%, agriculture 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (September 1996)
Budget: revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $219 million (1997 est.)
Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 250,000 kW (1994)
Electricity-production: 1.45 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 3,923 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Exports: total value: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed matter partners: Italy 32%, Germany 16%, UK 8%
Imports: total value: $2.8 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 27%, Germany 14%, UK 13%, US 9%
Debt-external: $134 million (1996)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1-0.3960 (January 1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996), 0.3529 (1995), 0.3776 (1994), 0.3821 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 191,876 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 189,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1996 est.)
Televisions: 300,000 (1996 est.)
@Malta:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,582 km paved: 1,471 km unpaved: 111 km (1993 est.)
Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine: total: 1,287 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,396,164 GRT/37,390,720 DWT ships by type: bulk 350, cargo 404, chemical tanker 38, combination bulk 20, combination ore/oil 15, container 55, liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 2, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 269, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 43, roll-on/roll-off cargo 42, short-sea passenger 17, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 16 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 51 countries among which includes Greece 477, Russia 61, Switzerland 51, Italy 50, Norway 49, Croatia 39, Turkey 38, Germany 30, Georgia 23, and Monaco 23 (1997 est.)
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Malta:Military
Military branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 99,066 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 78,805 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $65.5 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY96/97)
@Malta:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
MAN, ISLE OF
(British crown dependency)
@Man, Isle of:Geography
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 588 sq km land: 588 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 620 m
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
@Man, Isle of:People
Population: 75,121 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 6,790; female 6,510) 15-64 years: 65% (male 24,466; female 24,366) 65 years and over: 17% (male 5,168; female 7,821) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.79% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 12.49 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 11.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 2.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.57 years male: 74.04 years female: 81.28 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: NA
@Man, Isle of:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man
Data code: IM
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: NA
National capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system: English law and local statute
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir Timothy DAUNT (since NA 1995) head of government: President of the Tynwald and the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; lieutenant governor appointed by the queen for a five-year term; president of the Legislative Council elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term; election last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: Sir Charles KERRUISH elected president of the Legislative Council; percent of legislative vote-NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys-last held 21 November 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: House of Keys-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-independents 24
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice, justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system; members sit as independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency)
Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
@Man, Isle of:Economy
Economy-overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking and other services now contribute more than half to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$780 million (1994 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,800 (1994 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 2% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 33,577 (1996) by occupation: manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, retail distribution 9%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%
Unemployment rate: 2% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $333.7 million expenditures: $333.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports: $NA commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb partners: UK
Imports: $NA commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish partners: UK
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1-0.6115 (January 1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 46,000 (1996)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 24,450 licenses (1996)
@Man, Isle of:Transportation
Railways: total: 52 km (27 km electrified)
Highways: total: 640 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 320 km
Ports and harbors: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine: total: 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,481,925 GRT/7,663,593 DWT ships by type: bulk 28, cargo 8, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 14, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 46, passenger 2, railroad carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 11 ships, Switzerland 2, South Africa 1, Denmark 1, Sweden 1, Belgium 1, and Netherlands 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Man, Isle of:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Man, Isle of:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
MARSHALL ISLANDS
@Marshall Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein
Area-comparative: about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: 60% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Environment-current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography-note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
@Marshall Islands:People
Population: 63,031 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 16,073; female 15,432) 15-64 years: 48% (male 15,408; female 14,695) 65 years and over: 2% (male 669; female 754) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.85% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 45.39 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.48 years male: 62.89 years female: 66.14 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups: Micronesian
Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 100% female: 88% (1980 est.)
@Marshall Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Data code: RM
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
National capital: Majuro
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution: 1 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 14 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2000); note-Imata KABUA elected to succeed and complete the term of the late President Amata KABUA election results: Imata KABUA elected president; percent of Parliament vote-63%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1995 (next to be held NA 2000; note-new elections will be held upon the completion of the term of the late President Amata KABUA) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years-Our Islands Party, leader NA, and Ralik/Ratak Democratic Party (RRDP), Ramsey REIMERS
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general: Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner-orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
@Marshall Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: US Government assistance is the mainstay of the economy, constituting an important supplement to GDP. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. The government is drafting economic reforms designed to increase revenue and compensate for reductions in US Government grants-in FY95/96, the US Government provided grants of $68 million, equal to roughly 70% of the country's GDP. More than 25% of the government's FY95/96 budget was devoted to debt repayment. In 1996, efforts to stabilize the economy included a 27% reduction in the government's work force and a 10% cut in the budget.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$98 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,680 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 13% services: 72% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (FY95/96)
Labor force: total: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.)
Budget: revenues: $80.1 million expenditures: $77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 16,000 kW (1994)
Electricity-production: 57 million kWh (1994)
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Exports: total value: $17.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: fish, coconut oil, fish, trochus shells partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports: total value: $71.8 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco partners: US, Japan, Australia, NZ
Debt-external: $128 million (FY95/96)
Economic aid: recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $68 million in aid annually
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system: telex services domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Marshall Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports and harbors: Majuro
Merchant marine: total: 128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,274,057 GRT/10,641,686 DWT ships by type: bulk 57, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 25, oil tanker 36, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes the ships of Canada 1, China 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, and US 7 (1997 est.)
Airports: 16 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.)
@Marshall Islands:Military
Military branches: no regular military forces (a coast guard may be established); Police Force
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Marshall Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims US territory of Wake Island
MARTINIQUE
(overseas department of France)
@Martinique:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 1,100 sq km land: 1,060 sq km water: 40 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 8% permanent pastures: 17% forests and woodland: 44% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
@Martinique:People
Population: 407,284 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 47,431; female 46,457) 15-64 years: 67% (male 134,738; female 137,818) 65 years and over: 10% (male 17,216; female 23,624) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.05% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.13 years male: 76.34 years female: 81.98 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic groups: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages: French, Creole patois
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 92% female: 93% (1982 est.)
@Martinique:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique local short form: Martinique
Data code: MB
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
National capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA) head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998) cabinet: NA elections: prefect appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council-last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA 2000); Regional Assembly-last held on NA March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004) election results: General Council-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA; note-the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-NA note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be held September 1998); results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PS 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPR 2, PS 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre LESUEUR]; Martinique Forces [Maurice LAOUCHEZ]; Martinique Socialist Party or PPM [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Socialist Federation of Martinique or FSM [Jean CRUSOL]; Martinique Communist Party or PCM [George ERICHOT]; Martinique Patriots or PM; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Miguel LAVENTURE]; Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [Alfred MARIE-JEANNE]; Republican Party or PR [Jean BAILLY]; National Council of Popular Committees [Robert SAE]; Rally for Democratic Martinique [Felix HILAIRE-FORTUNE]; Movement for a Liberated Martinique [Philippe PETIT]; Union for the Renewal of Ste. Marie [Guy LORDINOT]; Combat Worker [Gerard BEAUJOUR]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Proletarian Action Group or GAP; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Association for the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist) [Garcin MALSA]
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department of France)
Flag description: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions
@Martinique:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.95 billion (1995 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,000 (1995 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.9% (1990)
Labor force: total: 160,000 by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 23.5% (1994)
Budget: revenues: $658 million expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $164 million (1994)
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 115,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 900 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,280 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum
Exports: total value: $220 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)
Imports: total value: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)
Debt-external: $180 million (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: substantial annual French aid
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 209,672 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities are adequate domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 74,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
@Martinique:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,724 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1994)
Ports and harbors: Fort-de-France, La Trinite
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Martinique:Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Martinique:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
MAURITANIA
@Mauritania:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,400 sq km water: 300 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 38% forests and woodland: 4% other: 58% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
@Mauritania:People
Population: 2,511,473 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 584,303; female 583,526) 15-64 years: 51% (male 624,144; female 660,478) 65 years and over: 3% (male 24,813; female 34,209) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.52% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 44.46 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 14.59 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 78.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.99 years male: 46.95 years female: 53.11 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.41 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.7% male: 49.6% female: 26.3% (1995 est.)
@Mauritania:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah
Data code: MR
Government type: republic
National capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular-region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza note: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, and state security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Lamine Ould GUIG (since 7 December 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90% of the vote
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate-last held 12 April 1996 (next to be held NA 1998); National Assembly-last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1; National Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI; Action for Change (AC), Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR
Political pressure groups and leaders: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM), Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers (CGTM), Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed OULD SID'AHMED chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Timberlake FOSTER embassy: Rue Abdallahi Ould Oubeid, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63 FAX: [222] (2) 515-92
Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Mauritania:Economy
Economy-overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are poor because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,750 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 31% services: 43% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4.7% (1996)
Labor force: total: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%
Unemployment rate: 23% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $329 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Industrial production growth rate: 7.2% (1994)
Electricity-capacity: 105,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 143 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 63 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep; fish products
Exports: total value: $494 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: fish and fish products, iron ore, gold partners: Japan 22%, Italy 16%, France 14%
Imports: total value: $457 million (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners: France 30%, Algeria 10%, Spain 7%, China 6%, US 3%
Debt-external: $2.5 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1-169.880 (January 1998), 148.916 (1997), 137.222 (1996), 129.768 (1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 17,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 50,000 (1992 est.)
@Mauritania:Transportation
Railways: total: 704 km (single track); note-owned and operated by government mining company standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 7,660 km paved: 866 km unpaved: 6,794 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 26 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Mauritania:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 555,492 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 269,884 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $33 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (1995)
@Mauritania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
MAURITIUS
@Mauritius:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references: World
Area: total: 1,860 sq km land: 1,850 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues |
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