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Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Statehood Day, 16 February (1918)
Constitution: adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 26 February 1998) head of government: Premier Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since 28 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the premier elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 December 1997 and 5 January 1998 (next to be held NA 2003); premier appointed by the president on the approval of the Parliament election results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote—Valdas ADAMKUS 50.37%, Arturas PAULAUSKAS 49.7%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directly elected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportional representation; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 October and 10 November 1996 (next to be held NA October 2000) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—TS 69, LKDP 15, LCS 15, LDDP 12, LSDP 10, DP 2, independents 12, others 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Parliament; Court of Appeal, judges appointed by the Parliament
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or LKDP
Political pressure groups and leaders: Lithuanian Future Forum
International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stasys SAKALAUSKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Keith C. SMITH embassy: Akmenu 6, 2600 Vilnius mailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE 09723
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy
Economy—overview: Lithuania has benefited from its disciplined approach to market reform and its adherence to strict fiscal and monetary policies imposed by the IMF, measures that have helped constrain the growth of the money supply, reduce inflation to 5.1%, and support GDP growth of 6% in 1997 and 4.5% in 1998. Foreign direct investment and the privatization program maintained their momentum in 1998. However, the current account deficit has hovered around 8% to 10% of GDP annually since 1995—the result of greater demand for consumer goods and falling growth in exports. Reducing this deficit is the immediate economic challenge for 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$17.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,900 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 32% services: 55% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.8 million
Labor force—by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 6.7% (January 1998)
Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets, refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components, computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 14.51 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 9.65% hydro: 3.03% nuclear: 87.32% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 9.58 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 5.23 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 300 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Exports: $4.2 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: machinery and equipment 19%, mineral products 16%, textiles 15%, chemicals 8%, foodstuffs 8% (1997)
Exports—partners: Russia 24%, Germany 11%, Belarus 10%, Latvia 9%, Ukraine 9% (1997)
Imports: $5.9 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment 30%, mineral products 18%, chemicals 9%, textiles 8%, foodstuffs (1997)
Imports—partners: Russia 24%, Germany 19%, Poland, Denmark, Finland (1997)
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $228.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Lithuanian litas = 100 centas
Exchange rates: litai per US$1—4.000 (fixed rate since 1 May 1994), 3.978 (1994), 4.344 (1993), 1.773 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 1.08 million (1998)
Telephone system: the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Internal Affairs oversee Lithuania's telecommunications; the national operator is Lietuvos Telomas; Internet is available domestic: local—three cellular service providers; NMT-450 and GSM standards provide services nationwide; 80% of customers are on the two GSM networks; 157,000 cellular customers; intercity—Lithuania is close to completing its fiber-optic backbone consisting of two small rings inside a larger ring international: Lithuania has international fiber-optic connectivity to Latvia, Poland, and an undersea fiber-optic cable to Sweden
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1
Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: NA; note—93% of the population have TV, 30% have cable or satellite dish, and 16% own VCRs (1996)
Transportation
Railways: total: 2,002 km broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways: total: 68,161 km paved: 60,527 km (including 410 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,634 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine: total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 316,616 GRT/353,683 DWT ships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 3 (1998 est.)
Airports: 96 (1994 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (1994 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 71 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, Security Forces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 906,687 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 713,436 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 26,168 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $181 million (1999)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.5% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: ongoing talks over maritime boundary dispute with Latvia (primary concern is oil exploration rights); 1997 border agreement with Russia not yet ratified
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europe and Scandinavia
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@Luxembourg —————
Geography
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 2,586 sq km land: 2,586 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
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
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Burgplatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 21% other: 34%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (including Belgium (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: air and water pollution in urban areas
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 429,080 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 39,701; female 37,998) 15-64 years: 67% (male 146,336; female 140,717) 65 years and over: 15% (male 26,201; female 38,127) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.88% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 10.35 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.32 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.65 years male: 74.58 years female: 80.83 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic groups: Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%
Languages: Luxembourgian, German, French, English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg conventional short form: Luxembourg local long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourg local short form: Luxembourg
Data code: LU
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Independence: 1839 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday)
Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of the monarch, born 16 April 1955) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch, responsible to the Chamber of Deputies elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and vice prime minister appointed by the monarch but are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 12 June 1994 (next to be held by 13 June 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—CSV 21, LSAP 17, DP 12, Action Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights 5, Greens 5 note: the Council of State or Conseil d'Etat, which has 21 members who are appointed for life, is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies
Judicial branch: Superior Court of Justice or Cour Superieure de Justice, judges are appointed for life by the monarch; Administrative Court or Tribunale Administratin, judges are appointed for life by the monarch
Political parties and leaders: Christian Social People's Party or
Political pressure groups and leaders: 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
International organization participation: ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MTCR, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marie MURRAY embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)
Flag description: 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
Economy
Economy—overview: The stable, prosperous economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, until recently dominated by steel, has become increasingly more diversified. During the past decades, 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. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. Luxembourg has especially close trade and financial ties to Belgium and the Netherlands, and as a member of the EU, enjoys the advantages of the open European market. It joined with 10 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$13.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2.9% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$32,700 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 22% services: 77% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1998)
Labor force: 226,500 (one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany) (1998 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: services 83.2%, industry 14.3%, agriculture 2.5% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $5.46 billion expenditures: $5.44 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum
Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)
Electricity—production: 1.158 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 90.12% hydro: 9.88% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 5.381 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 5.8 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products
Exports: $7.1 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, other industrial products
Exports—partners: Germany 28%, France 18%, Belgium 15%, UK 7%, Netherlands 5%
Imports: $9.4 billion (c.i.f., 1996)
Imports—commodities: minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods
Imports—partners: Belgium 38%, Germany 25%, France 11%, Netherlands 4%
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—donor: ODA, $65 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimes; note—centimes no longer in use
Exchange rates: Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1—34.77 (January 1999), 36.299 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994); note—the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg note: on 1 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed rate of 40.3399 francs per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 279,736 (1997)
Telephone system: highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable international: 3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 230,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997)
Televisions: 100,500 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 275 km standard gauge: 275 km 1.435-m gauge (262 km electrified; 178 km double track) (1995)
Highways: total: 5,137 km paved: 5,086 km (including 123 km of expressways) unpaved: 51 km (1996 est.) note: one source lists roads 2,863 km; expressways 115 km
Waterways: 37 km; Moselle
Pipelines: petroleum products 48 km
Ports and harbors: Mertert
Merchant marine: total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,033,045 GRT/1,480,023 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, chemical tanker 6, liquefied gas tanker 13, oil tanker 6, passenger 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, vehicle carrier 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower—military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 108,285 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 88,813 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 2,452 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $124 million (FY97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.8% (1995)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Macau ——-
Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km border countries: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 98% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: Ozone Layer Protection (extended from Portugal) signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland
People
Population: 437,312 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 54,456; female 50,912) 15-64 years: 69% (male 142,575; female 158,132) 65 years and over: 7% (male 12,547; female 18,690) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.86% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 12.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 3.48 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 9.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.88 years male: 78.79 years female: 85.13 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.)
Languages: Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90% male: 93% female: 86% (1981 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Macau local long form: none local short form: Ilha de Macau
Data code: MC
Dependency status: Chinese territory under Portuguese administration; note—scheduled to revert to China on 20 December 1999
Government type: NA
Capital: Macau
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular—concelho); Ilhas, Macau
Independence: none (Chinese territory under Portuguese administration; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to Chinese administration on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; Macau's future constitution, the "Basic Law", promulgated by China's National People's Congress on 31 March 1993, will go into effect 20 December 1999
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO of Portugal (since 9 March 1996) head of government: Governor General Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991) cabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members—five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five elected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies, one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and two represent economic interests), and three statutory members elections: Portuguese president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; governor general appointed by the Portuguese president after consultation with the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (23 seats; 8 elected by popular vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the governor; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—APPEM 2, CODEM 1, UDM 1, UNIPRO 2, UPD 1, ANMD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistrates including the president; lower court judges appointed for three-year terms by the governor
Political parties and leaders: Uniao Promotora para o Progresso note: there are no formal political parties, but civic associations are used instead
Political pressure groups and leaders: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy procommunist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
International organization participation: CCC, ESCAP (associate), IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (Chinese territory under Portuguese administration)
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag description: the flag of Portugal is used
Economy
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 probably represents over 40% of GDP. 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. Macau is scheduled to revert to Chinese administration on 20 December 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$6.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -0.1% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$16,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 40% services: 59% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1997)
Labor force: 277,676 (1997)
Labor force—by occupation: industry 28%, restaurants and hotels 28%, other services 44%
Unemployment rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $1.07 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, electronics, footwear, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 1.125 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1.522 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 3 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 400 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: rice, vegetables
Exports: $2.14 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: textiles, clothing, toys, electronics, cement, footwear, machinery
Exports—partners: US 45%, EU 24%, Hong Kong 8%, China 6% (1997)
Imports: $2.075 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods, fuels, lubricants
Imports—partners: China 29%, Hong Kong 25%, EU 12.4%, Japan 9% (1997)
Debt—external: $0 (1996)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1—7.74 (1998), 7.99 (1997), 7.962 (1996), 8.034 (1993-95), 7.973 (1992); note—linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 200,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: NA international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 135,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (receives Hong Kong broadcasts) (1997)
Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: no regular military forces, Police Force
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 121,355 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 66,744 (1999 est.)
Military—note: defense is currently the responsibility of Portugal, but will become the responsibility of China on 20 December 1999
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of —————————————————————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 25,333 sq km land: 24,856 sq km water: 477 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries: total: 748 km border countries: 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)
Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Majae Korabit) 2,753 m
Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber
Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 39% other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 830 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: high seismic risks
Environment—current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People
Population: 2,022,604 (July 1999 est.) note: the Macedonian Government census of July 1994 put the population at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely undercounted
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 243,190; female 228,491) 15-64 years: 67% (male 680,692; female 673,923) 65 years and over: 10% (male 88,116; female 108,192) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.64% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 15.21 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 8.03 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.05 years male: 70.93 years female: 75.34 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups: Macedonian 66%, Albanian 23%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, Gypsies 3%, other 2%
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%
Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name: conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija abbreviation: FYROM
Data code: MK
Government type: emerging democracy
Capital: Skopje
Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular—opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Murgasevo, 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 note: in September 1996, the Macedonian Assembly passed legislation changing the territorial division of the country; names of the 123 new municipalities are not yet available
Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: 8 September
Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI (since 30 November 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note—cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, DA, and DPA elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1999) election results: Kiro GLIGOROV elected president; percent of vote—Kiro GLIGOROV 78.4%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats—85 members are elected by popular vote; 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that parties gain from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) elections: last held 18 October and 1 November 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—VMRO 49, SDSM 27, PDP 14, DA 13, DPA 11, LDP 4, Socialists 1, Roma Party 1
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected by the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization—Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or
International organization participation: BIS (pending member), CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica Z. ACEVSKA chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher Robert HILL embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 91000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
Flag description: a rising yellow sun with eight rays extending to the edges of the red field
Economy
Economy—overview: The breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 deprived Macedonia, its poorest republic, of key protected markets and large transfer payments from the center. Worker remittances and foreign aid have softened the subsequent volatile recovery period. Continued recovery depends on Macedonia's ability to attract investment, to redevelop trade ties with Greece and Serbia and Montenegro, and to maintain its commitment to economic liberalization. The economy can meet its basic food needs but depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and most of its modern machinery and parts.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$2.1 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,050 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 20.4% industry: 38.6% services: 41% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994)
Labor force—by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 30% (1998 est.); note—many employed workers are, in fact, furloughees
Budget: revenues: $1.06 billion expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $107 million (1996 est.)
Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 6.06 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 80.2% hydro: 19.8% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 6.06 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: food, beverages, tobacco 17.0%, machinery and transport equipment 13.3%, other manufactured goods 58%
Exports—partners: Bulgaria, other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Italy
Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment 19%, chemicals 14%, fuels 12%
Imports—partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, Austria
Debt—external: $1.06 billion (June 1997)
Economic aid—recipient: ODA, $100 million (1996 est.)
Currency: 1 Macedonian denar (MKD) = 100 deni
Exchange rates: denars per US$1—52.156 (January 1999), 54.462 (1998), 50.004 (1997), 39.981 (1996), 37.882 (1995), 43.263 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 125,000
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 350,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 136 (of which 22 are main stations and 114 are low-power stations) (1997)
Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 922 km standard gauge: 922 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1997)
Highways: total: 10,591 km paved: 5,500 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,091 km (1997 est.)
Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: 0 km
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 16 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force
Military manpower—military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 539,329 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 434,468 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 17,291 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $71 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.2% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: dispute with Greece over name; in September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions; Athens also lifted its economic embargo on The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the border commission formed by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro in April 1996 to resolve differences in delineation of their mutual border has made no progress so far; Albanians in Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs and representation in government; Party for Democratic Action (DPA), which is now a member party of the government, calls for a rewrite of the constitution to declare ethnic Albanians a national group and allow for regional autonomy
Illicit drugs: increasing transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe
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@Madagascar —————
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 41% forests and woodland: 40% other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment—current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
People
Population: 14,873,387 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 3,356,104; female 3,279,056) 15-64 years: 52% (male 3,841,248; female 3,908,209) 65 years and over: 3% (male 234,549; female 254,221) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.8% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 41.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 13.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 89.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.24 years male: 52.01 years female: 54.51 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.7 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 88% female: 73% (1990 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic
Data code: MA
Government type: republic
Capital: Antananarivo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Didier RATSIRAKA (since 10 February 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Tantely Rene Gabriot ANDRIANARIVO (since NA 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: Didier RATSIRAKA elected president; percent of vote—Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (AFFA) 49.3%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note—the legislature is scheduled to become a bicameral Paliament with the establishment of a Senate; two-thirds of the seats of this Senate will be filled by regional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote; the remaining one-third of the seats will be appointed by the president; the total number of seats will be determined by the National Assembly; all members will serve four-year terms elections: National Assembly—last held 17 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: National Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—AREMA 62, LEADER/Fanilo 15, AVI 14, RPSD 11, AFFA 6, MFM 3, AKFM/Fanavaozana 3, GRAD/Iloafo 1, Fihaonana 1, independents 34
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders: Association for the Rebirth of RAKOTONIRINA]; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence or and Action for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo RAZANAMASY]
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Council of Christian Churches or FFKM; Federalist Movement
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Biclair Henri ANDRIANANTOANDRO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Howard T. PERLOW embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: Madagascar suffers from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 32% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee demand, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. Formidable obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential; the extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$10.3 billion (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$730 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 13% services: 55% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 34.9% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1997)
Labor force: 7 million (1995)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $477 million expenditures: $706 million, including capital expenditures of $264 million (1996 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity—production: 595 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 41.18% hydro: 58.82% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 595 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Exports: $170 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products (1995 est.)
Exports—partners: France 31.7%, Japan 15.8%, Germany 6.4%, Reunion 5.7% (1996)
Imports: $477 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% (1995 est.)
Imports—partners: France 31.0%, Iran 9.1%, South Africa 8.2%, Japan 5.8%, US 5.0% (1996)
Debt—external: $4.4 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $298.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1—5,468.5 (January 1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996), 4,265.6 (1995), 3,067.3 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 34,000 (1994)
Telephone system: system is above average for Africa domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations—1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.74 million (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are 36 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 280,000 (1994 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 49,837 km paved: 5,781 km unpaved: 44,056 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Lakandranon' Ampangalana (Canal des Pangalanes)
Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Merchant marine: total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 23,311 GRT/31,533 DWT ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1998 est.)
Airports: 133 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 104 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 59 under 914 m: 42 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces, Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces—includes Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 3,415,726 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,027,757 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 144,779 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $29 million (1994)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
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@Malawi ———
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 118,480 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,400 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 39% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 10,000,416 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,265,526; female 2,246,135) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,580,125; female 2,637,464) 65 years and over: 3% (male 112,813; female 158,353) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.54 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 23.84 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 132.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.3 years male: 36.49 years female: 36.11 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.48 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, traditional indigenous beliefs
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.4% male: 71.9% female: 41.8% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland
Data code: MI
Government type: multiparty democracy
Capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6 July (1966)
Constitution: 18 May 1995
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held by May 1999) election results: Bakili MULUZI elected president; percent of vote—NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (177 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held by May 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5; note—because of defections and byelections, the distribution of seats in the National Assembly had changed at the end of the 1996 as follows: UDF 84, MCP 47, AFORD 34, independents 8, and vacant 4 note: the constitution of 18 May 1995, in addition to reducing the age at which universal suffrage is conferred from 21 to 18 years, provided for a bicameral legislature; by 1999, in addition to the existing National Assembly, a Senate of 80 seats is to be elected
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission); magistrate's courts
Political parties and leaders:
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amelia Ellen SHIPPY embassy: address NA, in new development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy
Economy—overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 45% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.2% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$940 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 30% services: 25% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: 54% (1990-91 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.4% (1995)
Labor force: 3.5 million
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 86%, wage earners 14% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $530 million expenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129 million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995)
Electricity—production: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 2.5% hydro: 97.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: $405 million (f.o.b., 1995)
Exports—commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products
Exports—partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports: $475 million (f.o.b., 1995)
Imports—commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports—partners: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Japan, US, UK, Germany
Debt—external: $2.3 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $416.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MK) per US$1—43.5426 (January 1999), 31.0727 (1998), 16.4442 (1997), 15.3085 (1996), 15.2837 (1995), 8.7364 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.011 million (1995)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997 est.)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: total: 789 km narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 28,400 km paved: 5,254 km unpaved: 23,146 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km
Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota
Airports: 45 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 23 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment), Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 2,314,509 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,186,341 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $17 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
======================================================================
@Malaysia ————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 329,750 sq km land: 328,550 sq km water: 1,200 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
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: Gunung 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: 2,941 sq km (1998 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, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
People
Population: 21,376,066 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 3,879,012; female 3,680,895) 15-64 years: 61% (male 6,478,910; female 6,482,909) 65 years and over: 4% (male 369,639; female 484,701) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.08% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.05 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.) note: does not include illegal immigrants—large numbers from Indonesia and smaller numbers from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Burma, China, and India
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: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.67 years male: 67.62 years female: 73.9 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 26%, Indian 7%, others 9%
Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism; note—in addition, Shamanism is practiced on East Malaysia
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malalalam, Panjabi, Thai; note—in addition, in East Malaysia several indigenous languages are spoken, the largest of which are Iban and Kadazan
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 89.1% female: 78.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Government type: constitutional monarchy note: Malaya (what is now Peninsular Malaysia) formed 31 August 1957; Federation of Malaysia (Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore) formed 9 July 1963 (Singapore left the federation on 9 August 1965); nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; Peninsular Malaysian states—hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak, where governors are appointed by the Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., the right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah—holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak—holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government
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 ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 8 January 1999) 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 nonelected Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) 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: House of Representatives—last held 24-25 April 1995 (next to be held by April 2000) election results: 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; note—subsequent to the election there was a change in the distribution of seats, the current distribution is—National Front 168, DAP 8, PAS 8, PBS 5, independents 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia: National Front (a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization or UMNO Sarawak: National Front, composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra note: subsequent to the election, the following parties were president] and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS
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, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dato' GHAZZALI Sheikh Abdul Khalid chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152
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
Economy
Economy—overview: After a decade of 8% average GDP growth, the Malaysian economy—severely hit by the regional financial crisis—declined 7% in 1998. Malaysia will likely remain in recession for the first half of 1999; official statistics continue to show anemic exports, and some private financial analysts forecast a further drop in GDP of 1% in 1999. Prime Minister MAHATHIR has imposed capital controls to protect the local currency while cutting interest rates to stimulate the economy. Kuala Lumpur also announced an expansionary budget for 1999 to combat rising unemployment. Malaysia continues to seek funding from domestic and international sources to help finance its budget deficit and recapitalize its weakened banking sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$215.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -7% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 46% services: 41% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 15.5% (1989 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 37.9% (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (1998)
Labor force: 8.398 million (1996 est.)
Labor force—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—production: 48 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 83.33% hydro: 16.67% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 47.977 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 174 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 151 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: Peninsular Malaysia?rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah—subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak—rubber, pepper; timber
Exports: $74.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles
Exports—partners: US 21%, Singapore 20%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 4%, Thailand 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Imports: $59.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food
Imports—partners: Japan 27%, US 16%, Singapore 12%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%, South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt—external: $39.8 billion (1998)
Economic aid—recipient: $125 million (1995)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1—3.8000 (January 1999), 3.9244 (1998), 2.8133 (1997), 2.5159 (1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994)
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: 27 (of which 26 are government-owned and one is independent and has 15 high-power repeater stations to relay its programs) (1997)
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1,798 km narrow gauge: 1,798 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified) (1998 est.)
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, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine: total: 378 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,059,272 GRT/7,428,623 DWT ships by type: bulk 62, cargo 128, chemical tanker 30, container 58, liquefied gas tanker 19, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 61, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 7 (1998 est.)
Airports: 115 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 32 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: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 83 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 74 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
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: 5,526,555 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,349,066 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 183,928 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.1 billion (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for some illicit drugs going to Western markets; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties
======================================================================
@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: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm 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 island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: 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
People
Population: 300,220 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 72,414; female 68,764) 15-64 years: 50% (male 76,446; female 73,275) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,944; female 4,377) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.3 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.29 years male: 66.53 years female: 70.15 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.73 children born/woman (1999 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.)
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
Capital: Male
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 Majlis 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, OPCW, 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
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 one meter or less above sea level.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$500 million (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,840 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 15% services: 63% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (1996)
Labor force: 56,435 (1990 est.)
Labor force—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—production: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: fish, clothing
Exports—partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $302 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports—commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products
Imports—partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
Debt—external: $179 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1—11.770 (1995-January 1999), 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 (1997)
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
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: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 75,585 GRT/115,590 DWT ships by type: cargo 18, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 66,554 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 37,086 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 10,429,124 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 2,482,301; female 2,460,894) 15-64 years: 49% (male 2,447,712; female 2,708,978) 65 years and over: 4% (male 155,178; female 174,061) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.01% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 49.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 119.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.5 years male: 46.09 years female: 48.96 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.96 children born/woman (1999 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.)
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
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 Ibrahim 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 TRAORE]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID Movement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye 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, MINURCA, MIPONUH, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMSIL, 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
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
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
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 1996-98, and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less. |
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