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Macau (overseas territory of Portugal) Geography Total area: 16 km2; land area: 16 km2 Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundary: 0.34 km with China Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; Territorial sea: 6 nm Disputes: scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China in 1999 Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Terrain: generally flat Natural resources: negligible Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland Note: 27 km west southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of China People Population: 441,691 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 79 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Macanese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Macau Ethnic divisions: 95% Chinese, 3% Portuguese, 2% other Religion: mainly Buddhist; 17,000 Roman Catholics, of whom about half are Chinese Language: Portuguese (official); Cantonese is the language of commerce Literacy: almost 100% among Portuguese and Macanese; no data on Chinese population Labor force: 180,000 (1986) Organized labor: none Government Long-form name: none Type: overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in 1999 Capital: Macau Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular--concelho); Ilhas, Macau Independence: none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau Legal system: Portuguese civil law system National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June Executive branch: president of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council, (cabinet) Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986); Head of Government--Governor Carlos MELANCIA (since 3 July 1987) Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent Group Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held on 9 November 1988 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(17 total; 6 elected by universal suffrage, 6 by indirect suffrage) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration Member of: Multifiber Agreement Diplomatic representation: as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal; US--the US has no offices in Macau and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong Flag: the flag of Portugal is used 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. 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. GDP: $2.7 billion, per capita $6,300; real growth rate 5% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 2% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $1.7 billion (1989 est.); commodities--textiles, clothing, toys; partners--US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987) Imports: $1.6 billion (1989 est.); commodities--raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods; partners--Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan 10% (1987) External debt: $91 million (1985) Industrial production: NA Electricity: 179,000 kW capacity; 485 million kWh produced, 1,110 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages--rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly on imports for food requirements Aid: none Currency: pataca (plural--patacas); 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1--8.03 (1989), 8.044 (1988), 7.993 (1987), 8.029 (1986), 8.045 (1985); note--linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 42 km paved Ports: Macau Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: none; 1 seaplane station Telecommunications: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services; 52,000 telephones; stations--4 AM, 3 FM, no TV; 75,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radio communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Military manpower: males 15-49, 166,956; 93,221 fit for military service Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal .pa Madagascar Geography Total area: 587,040 km2; land area: 581,540 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: none Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France) Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish Land use: 4% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 58% meadows and pastures; 26% forest and woodland; 11% other; includes 2% irrigated Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel People Population: 11,800,524 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 97 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 54 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Malagasy (sing. and pl.); adjective--Malagasy Ethnic divisions: basic split between highlanders of predominantly Malayo-Indonesian origin (Merina 1,643,000 and related Betsileo 760,000) on the one hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry (Betsimisaraka 941,000, Tsimihety 442,000, Antaisaka 415,000, Sakalava 375,000), on the other; there are also 11,000 European French, 5,000 Indians of French nationality, and 5,000 Creoles Religion: 52% indigenous beliefs; about 41% Christian, 7% Muslim Language: French and Malagasy (official) Literacy: 67.5% Labor force: 4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners--26% agriculture, 17% domestic service, 15% industry, 14% commerce, 11% construction, 9% services, 6% transportation, 2% other; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 4% of labor force Government Long-form name: Democratic Republic of Madagascar Type: republic Capital: Antananarivo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (plural--NA, singular--faritanin); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic) Constitution: 21 December 1975 Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Executive branch: president, Supreme Council of the Revolution, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle) Leaders: Chief of State--President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975); Head of Government--Prime Minister Lt. Col. Victor RAMAHATRA (since 12 February 1988) Political parties and leaders: seven parties are now allowed limited political activity under the national front and are represented on the Supreme Revolutionary Council: Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier Ratsiraka; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM); Congress Party for Malagasy Independence-Revival (AKFM-R), Pastor Richard Andriamanjato; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama Razanabahiny; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert Andriamorasata; Militants for the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy Rakotonirina; National Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja Jaona; Socialist Organization Monima (VSM, an offshoot of MONIMA), Tsihozony Maharanga Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held March 1996); results--Didier Ratsiraka (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy Rakotonirina (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr. Jerome Marojama Razanabahiny (VONJY) 15%, Monja Jaona (MONIMA) 3%; People's National Assembly--last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held May 1994); results--AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, others 0.8%; seats--(137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1, independent 1 Communists: Communist party of virtually no importance; small and vocal group of Communists has gained strong position in leadership of AKFM, the rank and file of which is non-Communist Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, EAMA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO; Chancery at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525 or 5526; there is a Malagasy Consulate General in New York; US--Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo); telephone 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side Economy Overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. During the period 1980-85 it had a population growth of 3% a year and a - 0.4% GDP growth rate. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% of GDP, employing about 85% of the labor force, and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry is confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; in 1988 it contributed only 16% to GDP and employed 3% of the labor force. Industrial development has been hampered by government policies that have restricted imports of equipment and spare parts and put strict controls on foreign-owned enterprises. In 1986 the government introduced a five-year development plan that stresses self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $155; real growth rate 2.2% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $337 million; expenditures $245 million, including capital expenditures of $163 million (1988) Exports: $284 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee 45%, vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum products; partners--France, Japan, Italy, FRG, US Imports: $319 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%; partners--France, FRG, UK, other EC, US External debt: $3.6 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate - 3.9 % (1988) Electricity: 119,000 kW capacity; 430 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, brewery, tanneries, sugar refining), light consumer goods industries (textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops--coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops--rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raising widespread; not self-sufficient in rice and wheat flour Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $118 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.6 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $491 million Currency: Malagasy franc (plural--francs); 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1--1,531.0 (January 1990), 1603.4 (1989), 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987), 676.3 (1986), 662.5 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: 40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.) Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes Ports: Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara Merchant marine: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,126 GRT/79,420 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 147 total, 115 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT; over 38,200 telephones; stations--14 AM, 1 FM, 7 (30 repeaters) TV Defense Forces Branches: Popular Army, Aeronaval Forces (includes Navy and Air Force), paramilitary Gendarmerie Military manpower: males 15-49, 2,550,775; 1,519,084 fit for military service; 116,438 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 2.2% of GDP, or $37 million (1989 est.) .pa Malawi Geography Total area: 118,480 km2; land area: 94,080 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: 2,881 km total; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km Coastline: none--landlocked Maritime claims: none--landlocked Disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Natural resources: limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: 25% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 20% meadows and pastures; 50% forest and woodland; 5% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: deforestation Note: landlocked People Population: 9,157,528 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990) Birth rate: 52 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 16 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 130 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 50 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.7 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Malawian(s); adjective--Malawian Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European Religion: 55% Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim; traditional indigenous beliefs are also practiced Language: English and Chichewa (official); other languages important regionally Literacy: 41.2% Labor force: 428,000 wage earners; 43% agriculture, 16% manufacturing, 15% personal services, 9% commerce, 7% construction, 4% miscellaneous services, 6% other permanently employed (1986) Organized labor: small minority of wage earners are unionized Note: there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.) Government Long-form name: Republic of Malawi Type: one-party state Capital: Lilongwe Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Kasupe, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ncheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhota Kota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland) Constitution: 6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974 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 National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971) Political parties and leaders: only party--Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Maxwell Pashane, administrative secretary; John Tembo, treasurer general; top party position of secretary general vacant since 1983 Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--President Banda sworn in as President for Life on 6 July 1971; National Assembly--last held 27-28 May 1987 (next to be held by May 1992); results--MCP is the only party; seats--(133 total, 112 elected) MCP 133 Communists: no Communist party Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, EC (associated member), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA; Chancery at 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-1007; US--Ambassador George A. TRAIL, III; Embassy in new capital city development area, address NA (mailing address is P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe); telephone 730-166 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of Afghanistan which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on the hoist side of the black and red bands Economy Overview: A landlocked country, Malawi ranks among the world's least developed with a per capita GDP of $180. The economy is predominately agricultural and operates under a relatively free enterprise environment, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After two years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly in 1988 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic adjustment effort by the government. The closure of traditional trade routes through Mozambique continues to be a constraint on the economy. GDP: $1.4 billion, per capita $180; growth rate 3.6% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 31.5% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $246 million; expenditures $390 million, including capital expenditures of $97 million (FY88 est.) Exports: $292 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts; partners--US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, FRG Imports: $402 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--food, petroleum, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment; partners--South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe External debt: $1.4 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.4% (1988) Electricity: 181,000 kW capacity; 535 million kWh produced, 60 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling, cement, consumer goods Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops--tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops--potatoes, cassava, sorghum, pulses; livestock--cattle and goats Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $182 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.8 billion Currency: Malawian kwacha (plural--kwacha); 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1--2.6793 (January 1990), 2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987), 1.8611 (1986), 1.7191 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Railroads: 789 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota--all on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft Airports: 48 total, 47 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and radio communication stations; 36,800 telephones; stations--8 AM, 4 FM, no TV; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT Note: a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the Beira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines Defense Forces Branches: Army, Army Air Wing, Army Naval Detachment, paramilitary Police Mobile Force Unit, paramilitary Young Pioneers Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,904,445; 967,032 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 1.6% of GDP, or $22 million (1989 est.) .pa Malaysia Geography Total area: 329,750 km2; land area: 328,550 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 2,669 km total; Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782, Thailand 506 km Coastline: 4,675 km total (2,068 km Peninsular Malaysia, 2,607 km East Malaysia) Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation, specified boundary in the South China Sea; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; state of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Natural resources: tin, crude oil, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: 3% arable land; 10% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows and pastures; 63% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 1% irrigated Environment: subject to flooding; air and water pollution Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea People Population: 17,510,546 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 71 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Malaysian(s); adjective--Malaysian Ethnic divisions: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese, 9% Indian Religion: Peninsular Malaysia--Malays nearly all Muslim, Chinese predominantly Buddhists, Indians predominantly Hindu; Sabah--38% Muslim, 17% Christian, 45% other; Sarawak--35% tribal religion, 24% Buddhist and Confucianist, 20% Muslim, 16% Christian, 5% other Language: Peninsular Malaysia--Malay (official); English, Chinese dialects, Tamil; Sabah--English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate among Chinese; Sarawak--English, Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages Literacy: 65.0% overall, age 20 and up; Peninsular Malaysia--80%; Sabah--60%; Sarawak--60% Labor force: 6,800,000; 30.8% agriculture, 17% manufacturing, 13.6% government, 5.8% construction, 4.3% finance, 3.4% business services, transport and communications, 0.6% mining, 24.5% other (1989 est.) Organized labor: 660,000, 10% of total labor force (1988) Government Long-form name: none Type: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; constitutional monarchy nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament composed of a 58-member Senate and a 177-member House of Representatives; Peninsular Malaysian states--hereditary rulers in all but Penang and Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by 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 within Malaysia, holds 24 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* Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK) Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 when Federation of Malaya became Federation of Malaysia 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 National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957) Executive branch: paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an upper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1989); Head of Government--Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Baba (since 7 May 1986) Political parties and leaders: Peninsular Malaysia--National Front, a confederation of 14 political parties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), Mahathir bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Ling Liong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Datuk Lim Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk Samy Vellu; Sabah--Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohamed Noor Mansoor; Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Joseph Pairin Kitingan; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), Tun Datuk Mustapha; Sarawak--coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud; Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar Stephen Yong Kuat Tze; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk James Wong; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo Moggie; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), Lim Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil Noor Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Representatives--last held 2-3 August 1986 (next to be held by August 1991); results--National Front 57.4%, DAP 20.8%, PAS 15.6%, independents 3.3%, others 2.9%; note--within the National Front, UMNO got 35% and MCA 14% of the vote; seats--(177 total) National Front 148, DAP 24, PAS 1, independents 4; note--within the National Front, UMNO got 83 seats and MCA 17 seats Communists: Peninsular Malaysia--about 1,000 armed insurgents on Thailand side of international boundary and about 200 full time inside Malaysia surrendered on 2 December 1989; only about 100 Communist insurgents remain in North Kalimantan and Sabah Member of: ADB, ANRPC, ASEAN, Association of Tin Producing Countries, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Albert S. TALALLA; Chancery at 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2700; there are Malaysian Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York; US--Ambassador Paul M. CLEVELAND; Embassy at 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur (mailing address is P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur); telephone ?6? (03) 248-9011 Flag: fourteen 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 Overview: In 1988-89 booming exports helped Malaysia continue to recover from the severe 1985-86 recession. Real output grew by 8.7% in 1988 and about 7.7% in 1989, helped by vigorous growth in manufacturing output and further increases in foreign direct investment, particularly from Japanese and Taiwanese firms facing higher costs at home. Malaysia has become the world's third-largest producer of semiconductor devices (after the US and Japan) and the world's largest exporter of semiconductor devices. Inflation remained low as unemployment stood at about 8% of the labor force and as the government followed prudent fiscal/monetary policies. The country is not self-sufficient in food, and a majority of the rural population subsists at the poverty level. Malaysia's high export dependence (merchandise exports are 63% of GDP) leaves it vulnerable to a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in world commodity prices. GDP: $37.9 billion, per capita $2,270; real growth rate 7.7% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $8.8 billion; expenditures $11.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.5 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $24 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--natural rubber, palm oil, tin, timber, petroleum, electronics, light manufactures; partners--Singapore, Japan, USSR, EC, Australia, US Imports: $20 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--food, crude oil, consumer goods, intermediate goods, capital equipment, chemicals; partners--Japan, Singapore, FRG, UK, Thailand, China, Australia, US External debt: $16.3 billion (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 13.6% (1988) Electricity: 5,600,000 kW capacity; 16,500 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1989) 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 Agriculture: Peninsular Malaysia--natural rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah--mainly subsistence; main crops--rubber, timber, coconut, rice; Sarawak--main crops--rubber, timber, pepper; there is a deficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in 1987 Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $3.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million Currency: ringgit (plural--ringgits); 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1--2.7038 (January 1990), 2.7087 (1989), 2.6188 (1988), 2.5196 (1987), 2.5814 (1986), 2.4830 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: Peninsular Malaysia--1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government owned; Sabah--136 km 1.000-meter gauge Highways: Peninsular Malaysia--23,600 km (19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly bituminous-surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved); Sabah--3,782 km; Sarawak--1,644 km Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia--3,209 km; Sabah--1,569 km; Sarawak--2,518 km Ports: Tanjong, Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau Merchant marine: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,525,635 GRT/2,216,215 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 71 cargo, 21 container, 2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 livestock carrier, 28 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 1 specialized tanker, 1 passenger-cargo, 22 bulk, 1 passenger Civil air: 53 major transport aircraft Pipelines: crude oil, 1,307 km; natural gas, 379 km Airports: 126 total, 121 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good intercity service provided to peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave relay, adequate intercity radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radio and television broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); stations--28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations--1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic Defense Forces Branches: Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,499,495; 2,744,743 fit for military service; 178,923 reach military age (21) annually Defense expenditures: 3.8% of GDP, or $1.4 billion (1990 est.) .pa Maldives Geography Total area: 300 km2; land area: 300 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: about 100 nm (defined by geographic coordinates); Extended economic zone: 37-310 nm (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 elevations only as high as 2.5 meters Natural resources: fish Land use: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 3% meadows and pastures; 3% forest and woodland; 84% other Environment: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean People Population: 217,945 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 76 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 65 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Maldivian(s); adjective--Maldivian Ethnic divisions: admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black Religion: Sunni Muslim Language: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English spoken by most government officials Literacy: 36% Labor force: 66,000 (est.); 80% engaged in fishing industry Organized labor: none Government Long-form name: Republic of Maldives Type: republic Capital: Male Administrative divisions: 19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK) Constitution: 4 June 1964 Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis) Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since since 11 November 1978) Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results--President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reelected; Citizens' Council--last held on 7 December 1984 (next to be held 7 December 1989); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(48 total, 40 elected) Communists: negligible Member of: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York; US--the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Mahduedurage, Violet Magu, Henveru, Male; telephone 2581 Flag: 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 Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 80% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 14% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further growth of 9% on the strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season. GDP: $136 million, per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.) Exports: $47.0 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--fish 57%, clothing 39%; partners--Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka Imports: $90.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities-- intermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods 42%, petroleum products 11%; partners--Japan, Western Europe, Thailand External debt: $70 million (December 1988) Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1988 est.) Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $84 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million Currency: rufiyaa (plural--rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1--9.3043 (January 1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987), 7.1507 (1986), 7.0981 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city Ports: Male, Gan Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,066 GRT/112,480 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 bulk Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,325 telephones; stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Branches: no military force Military manpower: males 15-49, 49,261; 27,519 fit for military service Defense expenditures: $1.8 million (1984 est.) .pa Mali Geography Total area: 1,240,000 km2; land area: 1,220,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 7,243 km total; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km Coastline: none--landlocked Maritime claims: none--landlocked Disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger 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 Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 25% meadows and pastures; 7% forest and woodland; 66% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; desertification Note: landlocked People Population: 8,142,373 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 47 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Malian(s); adjective--Malian Ethnic divisions: 50% Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), 17% Peul, 12% Voltaic, 6% Songhai, 5% Tuareg and Moor, 10% other Religion: 90% Muslim, 9% indigenous beliefs, 1% Christian Language: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the population; numerous African languages Literacy: 18% Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); 80% agriculture, 19% services, 1% industry and commerce (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella organization for over 13 national unions Government Long-form name: Republic of Mali Type: republic; single-party constitutional government Capital: Bamako Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular--region); Gao, Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou; note--there may be a new capital district of Bamako Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan) Constitution: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September 1981 and March 1985 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Gen. Moussa TRAORE (since 6 December 1968) Political parties and leaders: only party--Democratic Union of Malian People (UDPM) Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held June 1991); results--General Moussa Traore was reelected without opposition; National Assembly--last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held June 1991); results--UDPM is the only party; seats--(82 total) UDPM 82 Communists: a few Communists and some sympathizers (no legal Communist party) Member of: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU, OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River Valley), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO, Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Alhousseyni TOURE; Chancery at 2130 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-2249 or 939-8950; US--Ambassador Robert M. PRINGLE; Embassy at Rue Testard and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako); telephone 225834 Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 80% 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 lives as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. GDP: $1.94 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate - 0.9% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% (1987) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $338 million; expenditures $559 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987) Exports: $260 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins; partners--mostly franc zone and Western Europe Imports: $493 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals; partners--mostly franc zone and Western Europe External debt: $2.1 billion (December 1988 est.) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 165 million kWh produced, 20 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops--millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock--cattle, sheep, and goats Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $313 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $190 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes Highways: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km bituminous, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 37 total, 29 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force; paramilitary, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,585,878; 913,000 fit for military service; no conscription Defense expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (1987) .pa Malta Geography Total area: 320 km2; land area: 320 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 140 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to 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 Natural resources: limestone, salt Land use: 38% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 59% other; includes 3% irrigated Environment: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce--increasing reliance on desalination Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily, 290 km north of Libya People Population: 353,465 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990) Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 78 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Maltese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Maltese Ethnic divisions: mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religion: 98% Roman Catholic Language: Maltese and English (official) Literacy: 83% Labor force: 125,674; 30% services, 24% manufacturing, 21% government (except job corps), 8% construction, 5% utilities and drydocks, 4% agriculture (1987) Organized labor: about 40% of labor force Government Long-form name: Republic of Malta Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Valletta Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta) Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK) Constitution: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974 Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Freedom Day, 31 March Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State--President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989); Head of Government--Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987) Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party, Edward Fenech Adami; Malta Labor Party, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives--last held on 9 May 1987 (next to be held by May 1992); results--NP 51.1%, MLP 48.9%; seats--(usually 65 total, but additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total 69) MLP 34, NP 31 before popular vote adjustment; MLP 34, NP 35 after adjustment Communists: fewer than 100 (est.) Member of: CCC, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM,UN, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Salvatore J. STELLINI; Chancery at 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3611 or 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York; US--Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O. Box 535, Valletta); telephone ?356? 623653 or 620424, 623216 Flag: 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 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. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 30% of GDP, with the textile and clothing industry a major contributor. In 1988 inflation was held to a low 0.9%. Per capita GDP at $5,100 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's nations. GDP: $1.9 billion, per capita $5,100; real growth rate 7.1% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (1988) Unemployment rate: 4.4% (1987) Budget: revenues $844 million; expenditures $938 million, including capital expenditures of $226 million (1989 est.) Exports: $710 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--clothing, textiles, footwear, ships; partners--FRG 31%, UK 14%, Italy 14% Imports: $1,360 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--food, petroleum, nonfood raw materials; partners--FRG 19%, UK 17%, Italy 17%, US 11% External debt: $90 million, medium and long-term (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate 6.2% (1987) Electricity: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 2,990 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, ship repair yard, clothing, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco Agriculture: overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products--potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $332 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million Currency: Maltese lira (plural--liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1--0.3332 (January 1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987), 0.3924 (1986), 0.4676 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Highways: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk Merchant marine: 314 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,677,797 GRT/6,357,733 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 4 short-sea passenger, 127 cargo, 2 container, 1 passenger-cargo, 13 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 6 refrigerated cargo, 7 chemical tanker, 4 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 61 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 72 bulk, 11 combination bulk; note--a flag of convenience registry; China owns 1 ship, Cuba owns 8, and Vietnam owns 1 Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: modern automatic system centered in Valletta; 153,000 telephones; stations--9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Branches: Armed Forces, Police, Paramilitary Dejima Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 92,610; 74,256 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 1.3% of GDP, or $25 million (1989 est.) .pa Man, Isle of (British crown dependency) Geography Total area: 588 km2; land area: 588 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; extensive arable land and forests Environment: strong westerly winds prevail Note: located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, and Ireland People Population: 64,859 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Manxman, Manxwoman, adjective--Manx Ethnic divisions: native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Language: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: NA%, but compulsory education between ages of 5 and 15 Labor force: 25,864 (1981) Organized labor: 22 labor unions patterned along British lines Government Long-form name: none Type: British crown dependency Capital: Douglas Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act Legal system: English law and local statute National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, prime minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Tynwald) consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys Judicial branch: High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State--Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Maj. Gen. Laurence NEW (since 1985); Head of Government--President of the Legislative Council J. C. NIVISON (since 1985) Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: House of Keys--last held in 1986 (next to be held 1991); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(24 total) independents 24 Communists: probably none Diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency) Flag: 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 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 GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing about 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK. GNP: $490 million, per capita $7,573; real growth rate NA% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1988) Budget: revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.) Exports: $NA; commodities--tweeds, herring, processed shellfish meat; partners--UK Imports: $NA; commodities--timber, fertilizers, fish; partners--UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,930 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry Aid: NA Currency: Manx pound (plural--pounds); 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1--0.6055 (January 1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Railroads: 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track Highways: 640 km motorable roads Ports: Douglas, Ramsey, Peel Merchant marine: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,656,216 GRT/2,984,047 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 8 cargo, 5 container, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 32 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 2 combination ore/oil, 6 liquefied gas, 12 bulk; note--a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British-owned Airports: 2 total; 1 usable with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 24,435 telephones; stations--1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK .pa Marshall Islands Geography Total area: 181.3 km2; land area: 181.3 km2; includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 370.4 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims US-administered Wake Island Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals Land use: 0% arable land; 60% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 40% other Environment: occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands Note: located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea; Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range People Population: 43,417 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990) Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 43 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Marshallese; adjective--Marshallese Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Micronesian Religion: predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant Language: English universally spoken and is the official language; two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese Literacy: 90% Labor force: 4,800 (1986) Organized labor: none Government Long-form name: Republic of the Marshall Islands Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 Capital: Majuro Administrative divisions: none Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship; formerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Constitution: 1 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Nitijela) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Amata KABUA (since 1979) Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President Kabua is chief political (and traditional) leader Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results--President Amata Kabua was reelected; Parliament--last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(33 total) Communists: none Member of: SPF, ESCAP (associate) Diplomatic representation: Representative Wilfred I. KENDALL; Representative Office at Suite 1004, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20006; telephone (202) 223-4952; US--Representative Samuel B. THOMSEN; US Office at NA address (mailing address is P. O. Box 680, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960); telephone 692-9-3348 Flag: 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 Economy Overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million. GDP: $63 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1981) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $55 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1987 est.) Exports: $2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities--copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicrafts; partners--NA Imports: $29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--foodstuffs, beverages, building materials; partners--NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 12,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearl; offshore banking (embryonic) Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, copra; pigs, chickens Aid: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September Communications Highways: macadam and concrete roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks Ports: Majuro Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 475,968 GRT/949,888 DWT; includes 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 bulk carrier; note--a flag of convenience registry Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: telephone network--570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); stations--1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US .pa Martinique (overseas department of France) Geography Total area: 1,100 km2; land area: 1,060 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: 10% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 30% meadows and pastures; 26% forest and woodland; 26% other; includes 5% irrigated Environment: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years Note: located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea People Population: 340,381 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Martiniquais (sing. and pl.); adjective--Martiniquais Ethnic divisions: 90% African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture, 5% Caucasian, less than 5% East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Hindu and pagan African Language: French, Creole patois Literacy: over 70% Labor force: 100,000; 31.7% service industry, 29.4% construction and public works, 13.1% agriculture, 7.3% industry, 2.2% fisheries, 16.3% other Organized labor: 11% of labor force Government Long-form name: Department of Martinique Type: overseas department of France Capital: Fort-de-France Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); Head of Government--Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988) Political parties: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen Bago; Union of the Left composed of the Progressive Party of Martinique (PPM), Aime Cesaire; Socialist Federation of Martinique, Michael Yoyo; and the Communist Party of Martinique (PCM), Armand Nicolas; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean Maran Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council--last held on NA October 1988 (next to be held by March 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(44 total) number of seats by party NA; Regional Assembly--last held on 16 March 1986 (next to be held by March 1992); results--UDF/RPR coalition 49.8%, PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 41.3%, others 8.9%; seats--(41 total) PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 21, UDF/RPR coalition 20; French Senate--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1; French National Assembly--last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1 Communists: 1,000 (est.) Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS), Martinique Independence Movement (MIM), Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC), Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc Pulvar; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants Member of: WFTU Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France, Martiniquais interests are represented in the US by France; US--Consul General Ray ROBINSON; Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac, Fort-de-France (mailing address is B. P. 561, Fort-de-France); telephone ?596? 63-13-03 Flag: the flag of France is used Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 7% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, however, 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. In 1984 the annual per capita income was relatively high at $3,650. During 1985 the unemployment rate was between 25% and 30% and was particularly severe among younger workers. GDP: $1.3 billion, per capita $3,650; real growth rate NA% (1984) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1986) Unemployment rate: 25-30% (1985) Budget: revenues $223 million; expenditures $223 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.) Exports: $209 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples; partners--France 65%, Guadeloupe 26% (1986) Imports: $879 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods; partners--France 64% (1986) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 108,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP; principal crops--pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $9.8 billion Currency: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth Ports: Fort-de-France Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and St. Lucia; stations--1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France .pa Mauritania Geography Total area: 1,030,700 km2; land area: 1,030,400 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: 5,074 km total; Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km Coastline: 754 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: armed conflict in Western Sahara; boundary with Senegal Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 38% meadows and pastures; 5% forest and woodland; 56% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal People Population: 1,934,549 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990) Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 96 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 44 years male, 49 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mauritanian(s); adjective--Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: 40% mixed Maur/black, 30% Maur, 30% black Religion: nearly 100% Muslim Language: Hasaniya Arabic (national); French (official); Toucouleur, Fula, Sarakole, Wolof Literacy: 17% Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); 47% agriculture, 29% services, 14% industry and commerce, 10% government; 53% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian Workers' Union Government Long-form name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania Type: republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978; a palace coup that took place on 24 December 1984 brought President Taya to power Capital: Nouakchott Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular--region); Adrar, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, El Acaba, 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) Constitution: 20 May 1961, abrogated after coup of 10 July 1978; provisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandoned in 1981; new constitutional charter published 27 February 1985 Legal system: based on Islamic law National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960) Executive branch: president, Military Committee for National Salvation (CMSN), Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale), dissolved after 10 July 1978 coup; legislative power resides with the CMSN Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Col. Maaouiya Ould SidAhmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) Political parties and leaders: suspended Suffrage: none Elections: none; last presidential election August 1976; National Assembly dissolved 10 July 1978; no national elections are scheduled Communists: no Communist party, but there is a scattering of Maoist sympathizers Member of: ACP, AfDB, AIOEC, Arab League, CCC, CEAO, CIPEC (associate), EAMA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River Valley), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abdellah OULD DADDAH; Chancery at 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5700; US--Ambassador William H. TWADDELL; Embassy at address NA, Nouakchott (mailing address is B. P. 222, Nouakchott); telephone ?2222? 52660 or 52663 Flag: 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 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 drought in 1983. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore that account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production in recent years. 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. GDP: $1.0 billion, per capita $520; real growth rate 3.6% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: 50% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $358 million; expenditures $334 million, including capital expenditures of $79 million (1988 est.) Exports: $424 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--iron ore, processed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum, unrecorded but numerically significant cattle exports to Senegal; partners--EC 57%, Japan 39%, Ivory Coast 2% Imports: $365 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods; partners--EC 79%, Africa 5%, US 4%, Japan 2% External debt: $2.3 billion (December 1989) Industrial production: growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.) Electricity: 189,000 kW capacity; 136 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: fishing, fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum Agriculture: accounts for 29% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops--dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $160 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $277 million Currency: ouguiya (plural--ouguiya); 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums Exchange rates: ouguiya (UM) per US$1--83.838 (January 1990), 83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988), 73.878 (1987), 74.375 (1986), 77.085 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 670 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track, owned and operated by government mining company Highways: 7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone, or otherwise improved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracks Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,272 GRT/ 1,840 DWT Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 30 total, 29 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor radio relay links, and radio communications stations; 5,200 telephones; stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with a third planned Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitary National Guard, paramilitary National Police, paramilitary Presidential Guard, paramilitary Nomad Security Guards Military manpower: males 15-49, 410,153; 200,212 fit for military service; conscription law not implemented Defense expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (1987) .pa Mauritius Geography Total area: 1,860 km2; land area: 1,850 km2; includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (St. Brandon) and Rodrigues Comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Climate: tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: 54% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows and pastures; 31% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 9% irrigated Environment: subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs Note: located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean People Population: 1,070,005 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990) Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 73 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mauritian(s); adjective--Mauritian Ethnic divisions: 68% Indo-Mauritian, 27% Creole, 3% Sino-Mauritian, 2% Franco-Mauritian Religion: 51% Hindu, 30% Christian (mostly Roman Catholic with a few Anglicans), 17% Muslim, 2% other Language: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori Literacy: 82.8% Labor force: 335,000; 29% government services, 27% agriculture and fishing, 22% manufacturing, 22% other; 43% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 35% of labor force in more than 270 unions Government Long-form name: none Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Port Louis Administrative divisions: 5 urban councils and 3 district councils*; Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Curepipe, Moka-Flacq*, North*, Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, South*, Vacoas-Phoenix; note--there may now be 4 urban councils and 9 district councils* named Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Black River*, Curepipe, Flacq*, Grand Port*, Moka*, Pamplemousses*, Plaine Wilhems*, Port Louis*, Quartre Bornes, Riviere du Rempart*, Savanne*, and Vacoas-Phoenix Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK) Constitution: 12 March 1968 Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Veerasamy RINGADOO (since 17 January 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Satcam BOOLELL (since 15 August 1988) Political parties and leaders: the government is currently controlled by a coalition composed of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. Jugnauth, and the Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), S. Boolell; the main opposition union consists of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Prem Nababsing; Socialist Workers Front, Sylvio Michel; Democratic Labor Movement, Anil Baichoo; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), G. Duval Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held on 30 August 1987 (next to be held 30 August 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(70 total, 62 elected) MSM 24, MMM 21, MLP 10, PMSD 5, others 10 Communists: may be 2,000 sympathizers; several Communist organizations; Mauritius Lenin Youth Organization, Mauritius Women's Committee, Mauritius Communist Party, Mauritius People's Progressive Party, Mauritius Young Communist League, Mauritius Liberation Front, Chinese Middle School Friendly Association, Mauritius/USSR Friendship Society Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING; Chancery at Suite 134, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-1491 or 1492; US--Ambassador Penne KORTH; Embassy at 4th Floor, Rogers Building, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis; telephone 082347 Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and tourism. Despite significant expansion in other sectors over the past decade, sugarcane remains dominant and is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area, accounting for 40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy is centered on industrialization (with a view to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1988 was impressive, with 6.3% real growth rate and low unemployment. GDP: $1.9 billion, per capita $1,910; real growth rate 6.3% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (1988) Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1988) Budget: revenues $351 million; expenditures $414 million, including capital expenditures of $76 million (FY87 est.) Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10%; partners--EC and US have preferential treatment, EC 77%, US 15% Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7%; partners--EC, US, South Africa, Japan External debt: $670 million (December 1989) Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (FY87) Electricity: 233,000 kW capacity; 420 million kWh produced, 375 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel, chemical and chemical products, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; other products--tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $72 million; Western (non-US) countries (1970-87), $538 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $54 million Currency: Mauritian rupee (plural--rupees); 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1--15.033 (January 1990), 15.250 (1989), 13.438 (1988), 12.878 (1987), 13.466 (1986), 15.442 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June Communications Highways: 1,800 km total; 1,640 km paved, 160 km earth Ports: Port Louis Merchant marine: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 143,029 GRT/ 248,754 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 3 cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 3 bulk Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 5 total, 4 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: small system with good service; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries; 48,000 telephones; stations--2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Branches: paramilitary Special Mobile Force, Special Support Units, regular Police Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 297,975; 153,130 fit for military service Defense expenditures: NA .pa Mayotte (territorial collectivity of France) Geography Total area: 375 km2; land area: 375 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other Environment: subject to cyclones during rainy season Note: part of Comoro Archipelago; located in the Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar People Population: 72,186 (July 1990), growth rate 3.9% (1990) Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 58 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mahorais (sing., pl.); adjective--Mahoran Religion: 99% Muslim; remainder Christian, mostly Roman Catholic Language: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: NA%, but probably high Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Dzaoudzi Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: government commissioner Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (Conseil General) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Leaders: Chief of State President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); Head of Government Government Commissioner Akli KHIDER (since 1983); President of the General Council Youssouf BAMANA (since 1976) Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Zna M'Oere; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche Maoulida; Mahoran Rally for the Republic (RMPR), Abdoul Anizizi; Union of the Center (UDC) Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: General Council--last held NA June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(17 total) MPM 9, RPR 6, others 2; French Senate--last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) MPM 1; French National Assembly--last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) UDC 1 Communists: probably none Diplomatic representation: as a territorial collectivity of France, Mahoran interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used Economy Overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island is heavily dependent on French financial assistance. GDP: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues NA; expenditures $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985) Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities--ylang-ylang, vanilla; partners--France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9% Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities--building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour; partners--France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry Agriculture: most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops--vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $287.8 million Currency: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 42 km total; 18 km bituminous Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Ports: Dzaoudzi Telecommunications: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio communications for links with Comoros and international communications; 450 telephones; stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France .pa Mexico Geography Total area: 1,972,550 km2; land area: 1,923,040 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas Land boundaries: 4,538 km total; Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km Coastline: 9,330 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm; Continental shelf: natural prolongation of continental margin or 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert Natural resources: crude oil, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber Land use: 12% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 39% meadows and pastures; 24% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 3% irrigated Environment: subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast and destructive earthquakes in the center and south; natural water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast; deforestation; erosion widespread; desertification; serious air pollution in Mexico City and urban centers along US-Mexico border Note: strategic location on southern border of US People Population: 87,870,154 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990) Birth rate: 29 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 33 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 76 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mexican(s); adjective--Mexican Ethnic divisions: 60% mestizo (Indian-Spanish), 30% Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, 9% white or predominantly white, 1% other Religion: 97% nominally Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant Language: Spanish Literacy: 88% Labor force: 26,100,000 (1988); 31.4% services; 26% agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing, 13.9% commerce, 12.8% manufacturing, 9.5% construction, 4.8% transportation, 1.3% mining and quarrying, 0.3% electricity, (1986) Organized labor: 35% of labor force Government Long-form name: United Mexican States Type: federal republic operating under a centralized government Capital: Mexico Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular--estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain) Constitution: 5 February 1917 Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Suprema Corte de Justicia) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988) Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta; National Action Party (PAN), Luis Alvarez; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio Sayago Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Cuauhtemoc Cardenas; Cardenist Front for the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael Aguilar Talamantes; Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Carlos Enrique Cantu Rosas Suffrage: universal and compulsory (but not enforced) at age 18 Elections: President--last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results--Carlos Salinas de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc Cardemas Solorzano (FDN) 31.06%, Manuel Clouthier (PAN) 16.81%; others 1.39%; note--several of the smaller parties ran a common candidate under a coalition called the National Democratic Front (FDN) Senate--last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1991); results--PRI 94%, FDN (now PRD) 6%; seats--(64 total) number of seats by party NA; Chamber of Deputies--last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1991); results--PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS (now part of PRD) 4%; seats--(500 total) number of seats by party NA Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church, Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO), National Peasant Confederation (CNC), National Confederation of Popular Organizations (CNOP), Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican Democratic Party (PDM), Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), Regional Confederation of Mexican Workers (CROM), Confederation of Employers of the Mexican Republic (COPARMEX), National Chamber of Transformation Industries (CANACINTRA), Business Coordination Council (CCE) Member of: FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, IWC--International Whaling Commission, LAIA, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gustavo PETRICIOLI Iturbide; Chancery at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20006; telephone (202) 728-1600; there are Mexican Consulates General in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Antonio, San Diego, and Consulates in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Kansas City (Missouri), Laredo, McAllen (Texas), Miami, Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Presidio (Texas), Sacramento, St. Louis, St. Paul (Minneapolis), Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Seattle; US--Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE, Jr.; Embassy at Paseo de la Reforma 305, Mexico 5, D.F. (mailing address is P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044); telephone ?52? (5) 211-0042; there are US Consulates General in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana, and Consulates in Hermosillo, Matamoros, Mazatlan, Merida, and Nuevo Laredo Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake is its beak) is centered in the white band Economy Overview: Mexico's economy is a mixture of state-owned industrial plants (notably oil), private manufacturing and services, and both large-scale and traditional agriculture. In the 1980s Mexico experienced severe economic difficulties: the nation accumulated large external debts as world petroleum prices fell; rapid population growth outstripped the domestic food supply; and inflation, unemployment, and pressures to emigrate became more acute. Growth in national output dropped from 8% in 1980 to 1.1% in 1988 and 2.5% in 1989. The US is Mexico's major trading partner, accounting for two-thirds of its exports and imports. After petroleum, border assembly plants and tourism are the largest earners of foreign exchange. The government, in consultation with international economic agencies, is implementing programs to stabilize the economy and foster growth. GDP: $187.0 billion, per capita $2,165; real growth rate 2.5% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1989) Unemployment rate: 20% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $36.1 billion; expenditures $56.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.7 biilion (1988) Exports: $23.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--crude oil, oil products, coffee, shrimp, engines, cotton; partners--US 66%, EC 16%, Japan 11% Imports: $23.3 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--grain, metal manufactures, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment; partners--US 62%, EC 18%, Japan 10% External debt: $95.1 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 1.3% (1988) Electricity: 26,900,000 kW capacity; 103,670 million kWh produced, 1,200 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, transportation equipment, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops--corn, wheat, rice, beans; cash crops--cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; fish catch of 1.4 million metric tons among top 20 nations (1987) Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of government eradication efforts; major link in chain of countries used to smuggle cocaine from South American dealers to US markets Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $3.0 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $6.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $110 million Currency: Mexican peso (plural--pesos); 1 Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1--2,660.3 (January 1990), 2,461.3 (1989), 2,273.1 (1988), 1,378.2 (1987), 611.8 (1986), 256.9 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 20,680 km total; 19,950 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 730 km 0.914-meter narrow gauge Highways: 210,000 km total; 65,000 km paved, 30,000 km semipaved or cobblestone, 60,000 km rural roads (improved earth) or roads under construction, 55,000 km unimproved earth roads Inland waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals Pipelines: crude oil, 4,381 km; refined products, 8,345 km; natural gas, 13,254 km Ports: Acapulco, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Veracruz Merchant marine: 68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,041,229 GRT/1,552,478 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 10 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 31 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 3 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 4 bulk, 4 combination bulk Civil air: 174 major transport aircraft Airports: 1,785 total, 1,484 usable; 190 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 259 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed system with extensive radio relay links; connection into Central American Microwave System; 6.41 million telephones; stations--679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22 shortwave; 120 domestic satellite terminals; satellite earth stations--4 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps Military manpower: males 15-49, 21,575,525; 15,803,322 fit for military service; 1,118,046 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (1987) .pa Micronesia, Federated States of Geography Total area: 702 km2; land area: 702 km2; includes Pohnpei, Truk, Yap, and Kosrae Comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 6,112 km Maritime claims: Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional severe damage Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other Environment: subject to typhoons from June to December; four major island groups totaling 607 islands Note: located 5,150 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia People Population: 104,937 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990) Birth rate: 34 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Micronesian(s); adjective--Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups Religion: predominantly Christian, divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant; other churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist, Latter Day Saints, and the Baha'i Faith Language: English is the official and common language; most indigenous languages fall within the Austronesian language family, the exceptions are the Polynesian languages; major indigenous languages are Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, and Kosrean Literacy: NA%, but education compulsory through eight grades Labor force: NA; two-thirds are government employees; 45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65 Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Federated States of Micronesia (no short-form name) Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei); note--a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, Yap Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship; formerly the Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap districts of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Constitution: 10 May 1979 Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President John R. HAGLELGAM (since 11 May 1987); Vice President Hiroshi H. ISMAEL (since 11 May 1987) Political parties and leaders: no formal parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 11 May 1987 (next to be held May 1991); results--John R. Haglelgam was elected; House of Representatives--last held on NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(NA total) Communists: none Member of: SPF, ESCAP (associate) Diplomatic representation: Deputy Representative Jesse B. MAREHALAN; Representative Office at 706 G Street SE, Washington DC 20003; telephone (202) 544-2640; US--Representative Michael G. WYGANT; US Office at address NA, Kolonia (mailing address is P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941); telephone 691-320-2187 Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern Economy Overview: Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s. Micronesia also earns about $4 million a year in fees from foreign commercial fishing concerns. Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development; note--GNP numbers reflect US spending. GNP: $150 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 80% Budget: revenues $110.8 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1987 est.) Exports: $1.6 million (f.o.b., 1983); commodities--copra; partners--NA Imports: $48.9 million (c.i.f., 1983); commodities--NA; partners--NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 15,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 340 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearl Agriculture: mainly a subsistence economy; copra, black pepper; tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens Aid: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001 Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September Communications Highways: 39 km of paved macadam and concrete roads on major islands, otherwise 187 km stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads Ports: Colonia (Yap), Truk (Kosrae), Okat (Kosrae) Airports: 11 total, 10 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 Telecommunications: 16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987); telephone network--960 telephone lines at both Kolonia and Truk; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); stations--5 AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US .pa Midway Islands (territory of the US) Geography Total area: 5.2 km2; land area: 5.2 km2; includes Eastern Island and Sand Island Comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 15 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain: low, nearly level Natural resources: fish and wildlife Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: coral atoll Note: located 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu at the western end of Hawaiian Islands group, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo; closed to the public People Population: 453 US military personnel (1989) Government Long-form name: none Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under command of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managed cooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US) Flag: the US flag is used Economy Overview: The economy is based on providing support services for US naval operations located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Communications Highways: 32 km total Pipelines: 7.8 km Ports: Sand Island Airports: 3 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US .pa Monaco Geography Total area: 1.9 km2; land area: 1.9 km2 Comparative area: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundary: 4.4 km with France Coastline: 4.1 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky Natural resources: none Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: almost entirely urban Note: second-smallest independent state in world (after Vatican City) People Population: 29,453 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990) Birth rate: 7 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 9 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 80 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s); adjective--Monacan or Monegasque Ethnic divisions: 47% French, 16% Monegasque, 16% Italian, 21% other Religion: 95% Roman Catholic Language: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: 99% Labor force: NA Organized labor: 4,000 members in 35 unions Government Long-form name: Principality of Monaco Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Monaco Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular--quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo Independence: 1419, rule by the House of Grimaldi Constitution: 17 December 1962 Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: National Day, 19 November Executive branch: prince, minister of state, Council of Government (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Council (Conseil National) Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State--Prince RAINIER III (since November 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958); Head of Government Minister of State Jean AUSSEIL (since 10 September 1985) Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union (UND), Democratic Union Movement (MUD), Monaco Action, Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM) Suffrage: universal adult at age 25 Elections: National Council--last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held 24 January 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(18 total) UND 18 Member of: IAEA, ICAO, IHO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, UN (permanent observer), UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation: Monaco maintains honorary consulates general in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and honorary consulates in Dallas, Honolulu, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and Washington; US--no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille, France, is accredited to Monaco; Consul General R. Susan WOOD; Consulate General at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral, 13286 Marseille Cedex (mailing address APO NY 09777); telephone ?33? (91) 549-200 Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red Economy Overview: No data are published on the economy. Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. About 50% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism. Living standards are high, that is, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan suburbs. GNP: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: full employment (1989) Budget: revenues $386 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.) Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs union with France Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customs union with France External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 10,000 kW standby capacity (1988); power supplied by France Industries: pharmaceuticals, food processing, precision instruments, glassmaking, printing, tourism Agriculture: NA Aid: NA Currency: French franc (plural--francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1--5.7598 (January 1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 1.6 km 1.435-meter gauge Highways: none; city streets Ports: Monaco Merchant marine: 1 tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT/4,959 DWT Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runways Telecommunications: served by the French communications system; automatic telephone system; 38,200 telephones; stations--3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; no communication satellite stations Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France .pa Mongolia Geography Total area: 1,565,000 km2; land area: 1,565,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries: 8,114 km total; China 4,673 km, USSR 3,441 km Coastline: none--landlocked Maritime claims: none--landlocked Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in southeast Natural resources: coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold Land use: 1% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 79% meadows and pastures; 10% forest and woodland; 10% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: harsh and rugged Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Soviet Union People Population: 2,187,275 (July 1990), growth rate 2.7% (1990) Birth rate: 35 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mongolian(s); adjective--Mongolian Ethnic divisions: 90% Mongol, 4% Kazakh, 2% Chinese, 2% Russian, 2% other Religion: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, about 4% Muslim, limited religious activity because of Communist regime Language: Khalkha Mongol used by over 90% of population; minor languages include Turkic, Russian, and Chinese Literacy: 80% (est.); 100% claimed (1985) Labor force: NA, but primarily agricultural; over half the adult population is in the labor force, including a large percentage of women; shortage of skilled labor Organized labor: 425,000 members of the Central Council of Mongolian Trade Unions (CCMTU) controlled by the government (1984) Government Long-form name: Mongolian People's Republic; abbreviated MPR Type: Communist state Capital: Ulaanbaatar Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular--aymag) and 3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular--hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China; formerly Outer Mongolia) Constitution: 6 July 1960 Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: People's Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) Executive branch: chairman and deputy chairman of the Presidium of the People's Great Hural, Presidium of the People's Great Hural, chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's Great Hural Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Great Hural Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 21 March 1990); Head of Government--Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sharabyn GUNGAADORJ (since 21 March 1990); Political parties and leaders: only party--Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), Gombojabin Ochirbat, General Secretary Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held July 1991); results--Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat elected by the People's Great Hural; People's Great Hural--last held on 22 June 1986 (next to be held June 1990); results--MPRP was the only party; seats--(370 total) MPRP 370 Communists: MPRP membership 88,150 (1986 est.) Member of: CEMA, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBEC, ILO, IPU, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gendengiin NYAMDOO; US--Ambassador Richard L. WILLIAMS Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is a five-pointed star above the national emblem (soyombo--a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representations for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol) Economy Overview: Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and the breeding of livestock--Mongolia has the highest number of livestock per person in the world. In recent years extensive mineral resources have been developed with Soviet support. The mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $880 (1985 est.); average real growth rate 3.6% (1976-85 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $2.2 billion; expenditures $2.19 billion, including capital expenditures of $0.9 billion (1987 est.) Exports: $388 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities--livestock, animal products, wool, hides, fluorspar, nonferrous metals, minerals; partners--nearly all trade with Communist countries (about 80% with USSR) Imports: $1.0 billion (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea; partners--nearly all trade with Communist countries (about 80% with USSR) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 10.9% (1985) Electricity: 657,000 kW capacity; 29,500 million kWh produced, 1,340 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: processing of animal products, building materials, food and beverage, mining (particularly coal) Agriculture: accounts for 90% of exports and provides livelihood for about 50% of the population; livestock raising predominates (sheep, goats, horses); crops--wheat, barley, potatoes, forage Aid: about $500-$700 million annually from USSR Currency: tughrik (plural--tughriks); 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1--3.355 (1986-1988), 3.600 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 1,750 km 1.524-meter broad gauge (1986) Highways: 46,700 km total; 1,000 km hard surface; 45,700 km other surfaces (1986) Inland waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1986) Civil air: 22 major transport aircraft Airports: 80 total, 30 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; fewer than 5 with runways over 3,659 m; fewer than 20 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: stations--13 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (with 18 provincial relays); relay of Soviet TV; 60,000 TV sets; 186,000 radio receivers; at least 1 satellite earth station Defense Forces Branches: Mongolian People's Army, Air Force (negligible) Military manpower: males 15-49, 518,482; 338,652 fit for military service; 24,783 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: NA .pa Montserrat (dependent territory of the UK) Geography Total area: 100 km2; land area: 100 km2 Comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Natural resources: negligible Land use: 20% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures; 40% forest and woodland; 30% other Environment: subject to severe hurricanes from June to November Note: located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea People Population: 12,467 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 4 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Montserratian(s); adjective--Montserratian Ethnic divisions: mostly black with a few Europeans Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations Language: English Literacy: 77% Labor force: 5,100; 40.5% community, social, and personal services, 13.5% construction, 12.3% trade, restaurants, and hotels, 10.5% manufacturing, 8.8% agriculture, forestry, and fishing, 14.4% other (1983 est.) Organized labor: 30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500 members (1984 est.) Government Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Plymouth Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter Independence: none (colony of the UK) Constitution: 1 January 1960 Legal system: English common law and statute law National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June) Executive branch: monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet), chief minister Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987); Head of Government--Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978) Political parties and leaders: People's Liberation Movement (PLM), John Osborne; Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Howell Bramble; United National Front (UNF), Dr. George Irish; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand Osborne Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Council--last held on 25 August 1987 (next to be held NA 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(11 total, 7 elected) PLM 4, NDP 2, PDP 1 Communists: probably none Diplomatic representation: none (colony of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross Economy Overview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and accounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted for about 4% of GDP and industry 9%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist mainly of electronic parts sold to the US. GDP: $45.4 million, per capita $3,780; real growth rate 12% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1987) Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987) Budget: revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987) Exports: $3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--plastic bags, electronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle; partners--NA Imports: $25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials; partners--NA External debt: $3.7 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1986) Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced, 930 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism; light manufacturing--rum, textiles, electronic appliances Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops--tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock products Aid: NA Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Highways: 280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth Ports: Plymouth Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,036 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; stations--8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK .pa Morocco Geography Total area: 446,550 km2; land area: 446,300 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than California Land boundaries: 2,002 km total; Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km Coastline: 1,835 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved; armed conflict in Western Sahara; Spain controls two coastal presidios or places of sovereignty (Ceuta, Melilla) Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Terrain: mostly mountains with rich coastal plains Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: 18% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 28% meadows and pastures; 12% forest and woodland; 41% other; includes 1% irrigated Environment: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; desertification Note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar People Population: 25,648,241 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990) Birth rate: 31 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 1 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 78 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 66 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Moroccan(s); adjective--Moroccan Ethnic divisions: 99.1% Arab-Berber, 0.7% non-Moroccan, 0.2% Jewish Religion: 98.7% Muslim, 1.1% Christian, 0.2% Jewish Language: Arabic (official); several Berber dialects; French is language of business, government, diplomacy, and postprimary education Literacy: 28% Labor force: 7,400,000; 50% agriculture, 26% services, 15% industry, 9% other (1985) Organized labor: about 5% of the labor force, mainly in the Union of Moroccan Workers (UMT) and the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Morocco Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Rabat Administrative divisions: 36 provinces (provinces, singular--province) and 2 municipalities* (wilayas, singular--wilaya); Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) Constitution: 10 March 1972 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court National holiday: National Day (anniversary of King Hassan II's accession to the throne), 3 March (1961) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Representatives (Majlis al Nuwab) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961); Head of Government--Prime Minister Dr. Azzedine LARAKI (since 30 September 1986) Political parties and leaders: Morocco has 15 political parties; the major ones are Istiqlal Party, M'Hamed Boucetta; Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Abderrahim Bouabid; Popular Movement (MP), Secretariat General; National Assembly of Independents (RNI), Ahmed Osman; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane El-Jadidi; Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali Yata; Constitutional Union (UC), Maati Bouabid Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: Chamber of Representatives--last held on 14 September 1984 (were scheduled for September 1990, but postponed until NA 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(306 total, 206 elected) CU 83, RNI 61, MP 47, Istiqlal 41, USFP 36, PND 24, others 14 Communists: about 2,000 Member of: AfDB, Arab League, CCC, EC (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ali BENGELLOUN; Chancery at 1601 21st Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-7979; there is a Moroccan Consulate General in New York; US--Ambassador Michael USSERY; Embassy at 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat (mailing address is P. O. Box 120, Rabat, or APO New York 09284); telephone ?212? (7) 622-65; there are US Consulates General in Casablanca and Tangier Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam Economy Overview: After registering a robust 10% growth in 1988, the economy slowed in 1989 because of higher prices for food and oil imports, lower worker remittances, and a trade dispute with India over phosphoric acid prices that cost Rabat $500 million. To meet the foreign payments shortfall, Rabat has been drawing down foreign exchange reserves. Servicing the $22 billion foreign debt, high unemployment, and Morocco's vulnerability to external forces remain severe problems for the 1990s. GDP: $21.9 billion, per capita $880 (1988); real growth rate 4.5% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1989) Unemployment rate: 15% (1988) Budget: revenues $5.1 billion; expenditures $6.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.4 billion (1988) Exports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17%; partners--EC 58%, India 7%, Japan 5%, USSR 3%, US 2% Imports: $5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 10%; partners--EC 53%, US 11%, Canada 4%, Iraq 3%, USSR 3%, Japan 2% External debt: $22.2 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1989 est.) Electricity: 2,140,000 kW capacity; 7,760 million kWh produced, 300 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism Agriculture: 50% of employment and 30% of export value; not self-sufficient in food; cereal farming and livestock raising predominate; barley, wheat, citrus fruit, wine, vegetables, olives; fishing catch of 491,000 metric tons in 1987 Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of cannabis mostly directed to Western Europe; occasional transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe. Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.2 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $6.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $2.3 billion Currency: Moroccan dirham (plural--dirhams); 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1--8.093 (January 1990), 8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988), 8.359 (1987), 9.104 (1986), 10.062 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 1,893 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (246 km double track, 974 km electrified) Highways: 59,198 km total; 27,740 km bituminous treated, 31,458 km gravel, crushed stone, improved earth, and unimproved earth Pipelines: 362 km crude oil; 491 km (abandoned) refined products; 241 km natural gas Ports: Agadir, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla Merchant marine: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,931 GRT/513,762 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 2 container, 14 refrigerated cargo, 5 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 12 chemical tanker, 4 bulk, 3 short-sea passenger Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft Airports: 75 total, 68 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good system composed of wire lines, cables, and radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat, secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan; 280,000 telephones; stations--14 AM, 6 FM, 47 TV; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable to Algeria; microwave network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco Defense Forces Branches: Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie Military manpower: males 15-49, 6,203,759; 3,946,408 fit for military service; 293,893 reach military age (18) annually; limited conscription Defense expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (1987) .pa Mozambique Geography Total area: 801,590 km2; land area: 784,090 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,571 km total; Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km Coastline: 2,470 km Maritime claims: Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical to subtropical Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Natural resources: coal, titanium Land use: 4% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 56% meadows and pastures; 20% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: severe drought and floods occur in south; desertification People Population: 14,565,656 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990) Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 138 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 49 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Mozambican(s); adjective--Mozambican Ethnic divisions: majority from indigenous tribal groups; about 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, 15,000 Indians Religion: 60% indigenous beliefs, 30% Christian, 10% Muslim Language: Portuguese (official); many indigenous dialects Literacy: 38% Labor force: NA, but 90% engaged in agriculture Organized labor: 225,000 workers belong to a single union, the Mozambique Workers' Organization (OTM) Note: there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.) Government Long-form name: People's Republic of Mozambique Type: people's republic Capital: Maputo Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular--provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal) Constitution: 25 June 1975 Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assembleia Popular) Judicial branch: People's Courts at all levels Leaders: Chief of State--President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); Head of Government--Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986) Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) is the only legal party and is a Marxist organization with close ties to the USSR Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: national elections are indirect and based on mass meetings throughout the country Communists: about 60,000 FRELIMO members Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Valeriano FERRAO; Chancery at Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone (202) 293-7146; US--Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 3rd Floor, 35 Rua Da Mesquita, Maputo (mailing address is P. O. Box 783, Maputo); telephone 743167 or 744163 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book Economy Overview: One of Africa's poorest countries, with a per capita GDP of little more than $100, Mozambique has failed to exploit the economic potential of its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources. Indeed, national output, consumption, and investment declined throughout the first half of the 1980s because of internal disorders, lack of government administrative control, and a growing foreign debt. A sharp increase in foreign aid, attracted by an economic reform policy, has resulted in successive years of economic growth since 1985. Agricultural output, nevertheless, is only at about 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be imported. Industry operates at only 20-40% of capacity. The economy depends heavily on foreign assistance to keep afloat. GDP: $1.6 billion, per capita less than $110; real growth rate 5.0% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 81.1% (1988) Unemployment rate: 40.0 (1988) Budget: revenues $186 million; expenditures $239 million, including capital expenditures of $208 million (1988 est.) Exports: $100 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--shrimp 48%, cashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3%; partners--US, Western Europe, GDR, Japan Imports: $764 million (c.i.f., 1988), including aid; commodities--food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum; partners--US, Western Europe, USSR External debt: $4.4 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1989 est.) Electricity: 2,265,000 kW capacity; 1,740 million kWh produced, 120 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass, asbestos), tobacco Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP, over 80% of labor force, and about 90% of exports; cash crops--cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, shrimp; other crops--cassava, corn, rice, tropical fruits; not self-sufficient in food Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $282 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $3.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $37 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $887 million Currency: metical (plural--meticais); 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1--800 (September 1989), 528.60 (1988), 289.44 (1987), 40.43 (1986), 43.18 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 3,288 km total; 3,140 km 1.067-meter gauge; 148 km 0.762-meter narrow gauge; Malawi-Nacala, Malawi-Beira, and Zimbabwe-Maputo lines are subject to closure because of insurgency Highways: 26,498 km total; 4,593 km paved; 829 km gravel, crushed stone, stabilized soil; 21,076 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes Pipelines: 306 km crude oil (not operating); 289 km refined products Ports: Maputo, Beira, Nacala Merchant marine: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,806 GRT/12,873 DWT Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 203 total, 153 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 29 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of troposcatter, open-wire lines, and radio relay; 57,400 telephones; stations--15 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic Defense Forces Branches: Mozambique Armed Forces (including Army, Border Guard, Naval Command, Air Defense Forces) Military manpower: males 15-49, 3,295,067; 1,892,699 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 8.4% of GDP (1987) .pa Namibia Geography Total area: 824,290 km2; land area: 823,290 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Alaska Land boundaries: 3,935 km total; Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 966 km, Zambia 233 km Coastline: 1,489 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; Territorial sea: 6 nm Disputes: short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; possible future claim to South Africa's Walvis Bay Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of coal and iron ore Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 64% meadows and pastures; 22% forest and woodland; 13% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: inhospitable with very limited natural water resources; desertification Note: Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia People Population: 1,452,951 (July 1990), growth rate 5.6% (1990) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 10 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 20 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 71 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 57 years male, 63 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Namibian(s); adjective--Namibian Ethnic divisions: 86% black, 6.5% white, 7.5% mixed; about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% from the Kavangos tribe Religion: predominantly Christian Language: Afrikaans principal language of about 60% of white population, German of 33%, and English of 7% (all official); several indigenous languages Literacy: 100% whites, 16% nonwhites Labor force: 500,000; 60% agriculture, 19% industry and commerce, 8% services, 7% government, 6% mining (1981 est.) Organized labor: 15 trade unions--largest is the mineworkers' union which has a sizable black membership Government Long-form name: Republic of Namibia Type: republic as of 21 March 1990 Capital: Windhoek Administrative divisions: 26 districts; Bethanien, Boesmanland, Caprivi Oos, Damaraland, Gobabis, Grootfontein, Hereroland Oos, Hereroland Wes, Kaokoland, Karasburg, Karibib, Kavango, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Maltahohe, Mariental, Namaland, Okahandja, Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, Outjo, Owambo, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Windhoek Independence: 21 March 1990 Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law National holiday: Settlers' Day, 10 December Executive branch: president, Cabinet, Constitutional Council Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam Nujoma; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Dirk Mudge; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus Garoeb; Action Christian National (ACN), Kosie Pretorius; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses Katjiuongua; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans Diergaardt; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii Rukoro Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: National Assembly--last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1 Communists: no Communist party Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: FAO, IAEA, ILO, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation: NA Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe which is contrasted by two narrow white edge borders Economy Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 35% of GDP, agriculture and fisheries 10-15%, and manufacturing about 5%. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten, and it has substantial resources of coal. GNP: $1.54 billion, per capita $1,245; real growth rate 2.9% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.1% (1989) Unemployment rate: over 30% (1988) Budget: revenues $781 million; expenditures $932 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $935 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--diamonds, uranium, zinc, copper, meat, processed fish, karakul skins; partners--South Africa Imports: $856 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs, manufactured consumer goods, machinery and equipment; partners--South Africa, FRG, UK, US External debt: about $27 million at independence; under a 1971 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, Namibia may not be liable for debt incurred during its colonial period Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 486,000 kW capacity; 1,280 million kWh produced, 930 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc, diamond, uranium) Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (including fishing); mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major source of cash income; crops--millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled, 1987 catch reaching only 520,000 metric tons; not self-sufficient in food Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $47.2 million Currency: South African rand (plural--rand); 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1--2.5555 (January 1990), 2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987), 2.2685 (1986), 2.1911 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Railroads: 2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track Highways: 54,500 km; 4,079 km paved, 2,540 km gravel, 47,881 km earth roads and tracks Ports: Luderitz; primary maritime outlet is Walvis Bay (South Africa) Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 143 total, 123 usable; 21 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; stations--2 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV Defense Forces Branches: NA Military manpower: males 15-49, 298,249; 176,660 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 4.9% of GNP (1986) Note: the South-West Africa Territorial Force, established in 1980, was demobilized in June 1989; a new national defense force will probably be formed by the new government .pa Nauru Geography Total area: 21 km2; land area: 21 km2 Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Natural resources: phosphates Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: only 53 km south of Equator Note: one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific (others are Banaba or Ocean Island in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia) People Population: 9,202 (July 1990), growth rate 1.5% (1990) Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 69 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Nauruan(s); adjective--Nauruan Ethnic divisions: 58% Nauruan, 26% other Pacific Islander, 8% Chinese, 8% European Religion: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Language: Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language (official); English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: 99% Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Republic of Nauru Type: republic Capital: no capital city as such; government offices in Yaren District Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK); formerly Pleasant Island Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20 Elections: President--last held 9 December 1989 (next to be held December 1992); results--Bernard Dowiyogo elected by Parliament; Parliament--last held on 9 December 1989 (next to be held December 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(18 total) independents 18 Member of: Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation: Ambassador T. W. STAR resides in Melbourne (Australia); there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam); US--the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru Economy Overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World--$10,000 annually. Few other resources exist so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates constitute serious long-term problems. Substantial investment in trust funds, out of phosphate income, will help cushion the transition. GNP: over $90 million, per capita $10,000; real growth rate NA% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.) Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities--phosphates; partners--Australia, NZ Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984); commodities--food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery; partners--Australia, UK, NZ, Japan External debt: $33.3 million Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 13,250 kW capacity; 48 million kWh produced, 5,300 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconuts Agriculture: negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water Aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January 1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June Communications Railroads: 3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast Highways: about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth Ports: Nauru Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,597 GRT/50,729 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 1 cargo, 2 bulk Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft, one on order Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate intraisland and international radio communications provided via Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones; 4,000 radio receivers; stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Branches: no regular armed forces Military manpower: males 15-49, 298,249; 176,660 fit for military service; 100 reach age 18 annually Defense expenditures: no formal defense structure .pa Navassa Island (territory of the US) Geography Total area: 5.2 km2; land area: 5.2 km2 Comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claimed by Haiti Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) Natural resources: guano Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 90% other Environment: mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus Note: strategic location between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea; 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba People Population: uninhabited; transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island Government Long-form name: none (territory of the US) Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard Economy Overview: no economic activity Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US .pa Nepal Geography Total area: 140,800 km2; land area: 136,800 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: 2,926 km total; China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: none--landlocked Maritime claims: none--landlocked Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winter in south Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty; small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: 17% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 13% meadows and pastures; 33% forest and woodland; 37% other; includes 2% irrigated Environment: contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India People Population: 19,145,800 (July 1990), growth rate 2.4% (1990) Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 99 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 50 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.6 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Nepalese (sing. and pl.); adjective--Nepalese Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, as well as many smaller groups Religion: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu (about 88% of population) and Buddhist groups; small groups of Muslims and Christians Language: Nepali (official); 20 languages divided into numerous dialects Literacy: 20% Labor force: 4,100,000; 93% agriculture, 5% services, 2% industry; severe lack of skilled labor Organized labor: Teachers' Union, not officially recognized Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Nepal Type: constitutional monarchy, but King Birendra exercises control over multitiered system of government Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768, unified by Prithyi Narayan Shah Constitution: 16 December 1962 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945) Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Council of State, Council of State, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Rashtriya Panchayat) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat) Leaders: Chief of State--King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January 1972, crowned King 24 February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, son of the King (born 21 June 1971); Head of Government--Prime Minister Marich Man Singh SHRESTHA (since 15 July 1986) Political parties and leaders: all political parties outlawed but operate more or less openly; Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Ganesh Man Singh, K. P. Bhattarai, G. P. Koirala Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: National Assembly--last held on 12 May 1986 (next to be held May 1991); results--all independents since political parties are officially banned; seats--(140 total, 112 elected) independents 112 Communists: Communist Party of Nepal (CPN); factions include V. B. Manandhar, Man Mohan Adhikari/Sahana Pradhan, Bharat Raj Joshi, Rai Majhi, Tulsi Lal, Krishna Raj Burma Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; Indian merchants in Tarai and capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups operating from north India Member of: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohan Man SAINJU; Chancery at 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 667-4550; there is a Nepalese Consulate General in New York; US--Ambassador Julia Chang BLOCH; Embassy at Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu; telephone ?977? 411179 or 412718, 411601 Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun Economy Overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with a per capita income of only $158. Real growth averaged 4% in the 1980s until FY89, when it plunged to 1.5% because of the ongoing trade/transit dispute with India. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 90% of the population and accounting for 60% of GDP and about 75% of exports. Industrial activity is limited, and what there is involves the processing of agricultural produce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Apart from agricultural land and forests, the only other exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Despite considerable investment in the agricultural sector, production in the 1980s has not kept pace with the population growth of 2.7%, which has led to a reduction in exportable surpluses and balance-of-payments difficulties. Economic prospects for the 1990s remain grim. GDP: $2.9 billion, per capita $158; real growth rate 1.5% (FY89) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (FY89 est.) Unemployment rate: 5%; underemployment estimated at 25-40% (1987) Budget: revenues $296 million; expenditures $635 million, including capital expenditures of $394 million (FY89 est.) Exports: $374 million (f.o.b., FY89 est.), but does not include unrecorded border trade with India; commodities--clothing, carpets, leather goods, grain; partners--India 38%, US 23%, UK 6%, other Europe 9% (FY88) Imports: $724 million (c.i.f., FY89 est.); commodities--petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%; partners--India 36%, Japan 13%, Europe 4%, US 1% (FY88) External debt: $1.3 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate - 4.5% (FY89 est.) Electricity: 205,000 kW capacity; 535 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textiles, cement, brick; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and 90% of work force; farm products--rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not self-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $285 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-87), $1.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $273 million Currency: Nepalese rupee (plural--rupees); 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1--28.559 (January 1990), 27.189 (1989), 23.289 (1988), 21.819 (1987), 21.230 (1986), 18.246 (1985) Fiscal year: 16 July-15 July Communications Railroads: 52 km (1985), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Tarai close to Indian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned Highways: 5,958 km total (1986); 2,645 km paved, 815 km gravel or crushed stone, 2,257 km improved and unimproved earth; also 241 km of seasonally motorable tracks Civil air: 5 major and 11 minor transport aircraft Airports: 38 total, 38 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 30,000 telephones (1987); stations--4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,531,660; 2,347,412 fit for military service; 225,349 reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: 2% of GDP, or $58 million (1989 est.) .pa Netherlands Geography Total area: 37,290 km2; land area: 33,940 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: 1,027 km total; Belgium 450 km, FRG 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, crude oil, fertile soil Land use: 25% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 34% meadows and pastures; 9% forest and woodland; 31% other; includes 15% irrigated Environment: 27% of the land area is below sea level and protected from the North Sea by dikes Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, Schelde) People Population: 14,936,032 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990) Birth rate: 13 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women); adjective--Dutch Ethnic divisions: 96% Dutch, 4% Moroccans, Turks, and others (1988) Religion: 36% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 4% other, 33% unaffiliated (1986) Language: Dutch Literacy: 99% Labor force: 5,300,000; 50.1% services, 28.2% manufacturing and construction, 15.9% government, 5.8% agriculture (1986) Organized labor: 29% of labor force Government Long-form name: Kingdom of the Netherlands Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amsterdam, but government resides at The Hague Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular--provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles Independence: 1579 (from Spain) Constitution: 17 February 1983 Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of Parliament; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet, Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral States General (Staten Generaal) consists of an upper chamber or First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad) Leaders: Chief of State--Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27 April 1967); Head of Government--Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 2 November 1989) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem van Velzen; Labor (PvdA), Wim Kok; Liberal (VVD), Joris Voorhoeve; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van Mierio; Communist (CPN), Henk Hoekstra; a host of minor parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: First Chamber--last held on 9 June l987 (next to be held 9 June 1991); results--elected by the country's 12 provincial councils; seats--(75 total) percent of seats by party NA; Second Chamber--last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held by September 1993); results--CDA 35.3%, PvdA 31.9%, VVD 14.6%, D'66 7.9%, others 10.3%; seats--(150 total) CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D'66 12, others 13 Communists: about 6,000 Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and IKV--Interchurch Peace Council Member of: ADB, Benelux, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, ECE, EIB, EMS, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INRO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council (with respect to interests of the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname), NATO, OAS (observer), OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO, Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Richard H. FEIN; Chancery at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-5300; there are Dutch Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador C. Howard WILKINS; Embassy at Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague (mailing address APO New York 09159); telephone ?31? (70) 62-49-11; there is a US Consulate General in Amsterdam Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg which uses a lighter blue and is longer Economy Overview: This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity, including construction, provides about 25% of GDP, and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and metal-working industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 6% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. An unemployment rate of over 8.6% and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. GDP: $205.9 billion, per capita $13,900; real growth rate 4.2% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.6% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $71 billion; expenditures $82 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (1989) Exports: $110.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing; partners--EC 74.9% (FRG 28.3%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14.2%, France 10.7%, UK 10.2%), US 4.7% (1988) Imports: $100.9 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportation equipment, crude oil, food products; partners--EC 63.8% (FRG 26.5%, Belgium-Luxembourg 23.1%, UK 8.1%), US 7.9% (1988) External debt: none Industrial production: growth rate 4.8% (1989 est.) Electricity: 22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,570 million kWh produced, 4,300 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops--grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, and oils Aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $15.8 billion Currency: Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (plural--guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1--2.2906 (January 1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766 (1988), 2.0257 (1987), 2.4500 (1986), 3.3214 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 3,037 km track (includes 1,871 km electrified and 1,800 km double track; 2,871 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS); 166 km privately owned Highways: 108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited access, divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stone Inland waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or larger Pipelines: 418 km crude oil; 965 km refined products; 10,230 km natural gas Ports: maritime--Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland--29 ports Merchant marine: 345 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,661,822 GRT/3,732,282 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 187 cargo, 42 refrigerated cargo, 23 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 livestock carrier, 12 multifunction large-load carrier, 15 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 27 chemical tanker, 11 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 1 combinatio n ore/oil, 9 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note--many Dutch-owned ships are also registered in the captive Netherlands Antilles register Civil air: 98 major transport aircraft Airports: 28 total, 28 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by radio relay links; 9,418,000 telephones; stations--6 AM, 20 (32 repeaters) FM, 21 (8 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; communication satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean) and EUTELSAT systems Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy/Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,134,006; 3,660,048 fit for military service; 111,948 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 2.9% of GDP, or $6.0 billion (1989 est.) .pa Netherlands Antilles (part of the Dutch realm) Geography Total area: 960 km2; land area: 960 km2; includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) Comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; modified by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: 8% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 92% other Environment: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October Note: consists of two island groups--Curacao and Bonaire are located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie 800 km to the north People Population: 183,503 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 11 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Netherlands Antillean(s); adjective--Netherlands Antillean Ethnic divisions: 85% mixed African; remainder Carib Indian, European, Latin, and Oriental Religion: predominantly Roman Catholic; Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Language: Dutch (official); Papiamento, a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates; English widely spoken; Spanish Literacy: 95% Labor force: 89,000; 65% government, 28% industry and commerce (1983) Organized labor: 60-70% of labor force Government Long-form name: none Type: part of the Dutch realm--full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954 Capital: Willemstad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Dutch realm) Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm) Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Executive branch: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: Parliament (Staten) Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State--Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since October 1989); Head of Government--Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May 1988, previously served from September 1984 to November 1985) Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to each island: Curacao--National People's Party (NVP), Maria Liberia-Peters; New Antilles Movement (MAN), Domenico Felip Martina; Democratic Party of Curacao (DP), Augustus Diaz; Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Wilson (Papa) Godett; Socialist Independent (SI), George Hueck and Nelson Monte; Bonaire--New Force, Rudy Ellis; Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB), John Evert (Jopie) Abraham; Sint Maarten--Democratic Party of Sint Maarten, Claude Wathey; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten, Romeo Paplophlet; Sint Eustatius--Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius, Albert K. Van Putten; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM), Eric Henriquez; Saba--Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Will Johnston; Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Vernon Hassell; Saba Unity Party, Carmen Simmonds Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament--last held on 22 November 1985 (next to be held November 1989); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(22 total) PNP 6, MAN 4, DP-Curacao 3, DP-St. Maarten 3, DP-Bonaire 2, DP-St. Eustatius 1, FOL 1, UPB 1, WIPM 1; note--the government of Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters is a coalition of several parties Communists: small leftist groups Member of: EC (associate), INTERPOL; associated with UN through the Netherlands; UPU, WMO Diplomatic representation: as an autonomous part of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antillean interests in the US are represented by the Netherlands; US--Consul General Sharon P. WILKINSON; Consulate General at St. Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacao (mailing address P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao); telephone ?599? (9) 613066 Flag: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band also centered; five white five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten Economy Overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of the economy. The islands enjoy a comparatively high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Unlike many Latin American countries, the Netherlands Antilles has avoided large international debt. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US being the major supplier. The economy has suffered somewhat in recent years because of the depressed state of the world oil market and declining tax revenues. In 1983 the drop in oil prices led to the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar, which ended a substantial flow of Venezuelan tourists to the islands. As a result of a decline in tax revenues, the government has been seeking financial support from the Netherlands. GDP: $1.0 billion, per capita $5,500; real growth rate 3% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: 26.0% (1988) Budget: revenues $180 million; expenditures $289 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.) Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--petroleum products 98%; partners--US 55%, UK 7%, Jamaica 5% Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures; partners--Venezuela 52%, Nigeria 15%, US 12% External debt: $701.2 million (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced, 1,990 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Agriculture: hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products--aloes, sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not self-sufficient in food Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-79), $353 million Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (plural--guilders, gulden, or florins); 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins (NAf.) per US$1--1.80 (fixed rate since 1971) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 950 km total; 300 km paved, 650 km gravel and earth Ports: Willemstad, Philipsburg, Kralendijk Merchant marine: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 418,206 GRT/414,325 DWT; includes 4 passenger, 19 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo, 7 container, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 multifunction large-load carrier, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 2 bulk; note--all but a few are foreign owned Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft Airports: 7 total, 7 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland radio relay links; stations--9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Defense Forces Military Manpower: males 15-49 49,299; 27,888 fit for military service; 1,678 reach military age (20) annually Note: defense is responsibility of the Netherlands .pa New Caledonia (overseas territory of France) Geography Total area: 19,060 km2; land area: 18,760 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: none Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: NEGL% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 14% meadows and pastures; 51% forest and woodland; 35% other Environment: typhoons most frequent from November to March Note: located 1,750 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean People Population: 153,215 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990) Birth rate: 24 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 39 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 71 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--New Caledonian(s); adjective--New Caledonian Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3.0% Religion: over 60% Roman Catholic, 30% Protestant, 10% other Language: French; Melanesian-Polynesian dialects Labor force: 50,469; foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.) Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies Type: overseas territory of France Capital: Noumea Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France) Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note--a referendum on independence will be held in 1998, with a review of the issue in 1992 Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Executive branch: high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State--President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); Head of Government High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Bernard GRASSET (since 15 July 1988) Political parties: white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR), conservative; Melanesian proindependence Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS); Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist Liberation (LKS); National Front (FN), extreme right; Caledonian Separatist Front, extreme left Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Territorial Congress--last held NA June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19, FN 3, others 5; French Senate--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) RPCR 1; French National Assembly--last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(2 total) RPCR 2 Communists: number unknown; Palita extreme left party; some politically active Communists deported during 1950s; small number of North Vietnamese Member of: EIB (associate), WFTU, WMO Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are represented in the US by France Flag: the flag of France is used Economy Overview: New Caledonia has more than 40% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports. GNP: $860 million, per capita $5,810; real growth rate 2.4% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1986) Unemployment rate: 6.2% (1983) Budget: revenues $110.5 million; expenditures $110.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1981) Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--nickel metal 87%, nickel ore; partners--France 56.3%, Japan Imports: $180 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipment; partners--France 50.3%, Australia External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced, 14,440 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: nickel mining Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, wheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $3.6 billion Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural--francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1--104.71 (January 1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987), 125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note--linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 5,448 km total; 558 km paved, 2,251 km improved earth, 2,639 km unimproved earth Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); stations--5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France .pa New Zealand Geography Total area: 268,680 km2; land area: 268,670 km2; includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Comparative area: about the size of Colorado Land boundaries: none Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone Land use: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 53% meadows and pastures; 38% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 1% irrigated Environment: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe People Population: 3,295,866 (July 1990), growth rate 0.4% (1990) Birth rate: 16 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 3 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--New Zealander(s); adjective--New Zealand Ethnic divisions: 88% European, 8.9% Maori, 2.9% Pacific Islander, 0.2% other Religion: 81% Christian, 18% none or unspecified, 1% Hindu, Confucian, and other Language: English (official), Maori Literacy: 99% Labor force: 1,591,900; 67.4% services, 19.8% manufacturing, 9.3% primary production (1987) Organized labor: 681,000 members; 43% of labor force (1986) Government Long-form name: none; abbreviated NZ Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Wellington Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK) Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has not been enacted Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament) Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II ( since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General The Most Rev. Sir Paul REEVES (since 20 November 1985); Head of Government--Prime Minister Geoffrey PALMER (since 8 August 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 8 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP; government), Geoffrey Palmer; National Party (NP; opposition), Jim Bolger; Democratic Party, Neil Morrison; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Ken Douglas Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: House of Representatives--last held on 15 August 1987 (next to be held by August 1990); results--LP 47%, NP 45%, DP 6%; seats--(97 total) LP 58, NP 39 Communists: SUP about 140, other groups, about 200 Member of: ADB, ANZUS, ASPAC, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, DAC, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITU, OECD, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WSG Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Harold Huyton FRANCIS; Chancery at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-4800; there are New Zealand Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York; US--Ambassador Della NEWMAN; Embassy at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (mailing address is Private Bag, Wellington, or FPO San Francisco 96690-0001); telephone ?64? (4) 722-068; there is a US Consulate General in Auckland Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation Economy Overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to an open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels but growth has been sluggish and unemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has been at a record high 7.4%. In 1988 GDP fell by 1% and in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%. GDP: $39.1 billion, per capita $11,600; real growth rate 2.4% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 7.4% (1989) Budget: revenues $18.6 billion; expenditures $19.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90 est.) Exports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., FY89); commodities--wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures, chemicals, foresty products; partners--EC 18.3%, Japan 17.9%, Australia 17.5%, US 13.5%, China 3.6%, South Korea 3.1% Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., FY89); commodities--petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipment; partners--Australia 19.7%, Japan 16.9%, EC 16.9%, US 15.3%, Taiwan 3.0% External debt: $17.0 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate - 1.6% (FY88) Electricity: 7,800,000 kW capacity; 27,600 million kWh produced, 8,190 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GNP and 10% of the work force; livestock predominates--wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops--wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, and vegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 431,000 metric tons in 1987 Aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $448 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6581 (January 1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June Communications Railroads: 4,716 km total; all 1.067-meter gauge; 274 km double track; 113 km electrified; over 99% government owned Highways: 92,648 km total; 49,547 km paved, 43,101 km gravel or crushed stone Inland waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation Pipelines: 1,000 km natural gas; 160 km refined products; 150 km condensate Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga Merchant marine: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 190,553 GRT/257,782 DWT; includes 1 cargo, 2 container, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 railcar carrier, 4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk Civil air: about 40 major transport aircraft Airports: 157 total, 157 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 47 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: excellent international and domestic systems; 2,110,000 telephones; stations 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend to Australia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Defense Forces Branches: Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Air Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 872,336; 740,207 fit for military service; 29,532 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 2.1% of GDP, or $820 million (1989 est.) .pa Nicaragua Geography Total area: 129,494 km2; land area: 120,254 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New York State Land boundaries: 1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km Coastline: 910 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain); Continental shelf: not specified; Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish Land use: 9% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 43% meadows and pastures; 35% forest and woodland; 12% other; including 1% irrigated Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution People Population: 3,722,683 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990) Birth rate: 40 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 62 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Nicaraguan(s); adjective--Nicaraguan Ethnic divisions: 69% mestizo, 17% white, 9% black, 5% Indian Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant Language: Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast Literacy: 88% (1981) Labor force: 1,086,000; 43% service, 44% agriculture, 13% industry (1986) Organized labor: 35% of labor force Government Long-form name: Republic of Nicaragua Type: republic Capital: Managua Administrative divisions: 9 administrative regions encompassing 17 departments (departamentos, singular--departamento); North, Atlantic Coast, South, Atlantic Coast, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: January 1987 Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courts Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President-Elect Violeta Barios de CHAMORRO (since 25 February 1990; takes office 25 April 1990); Vice President-elect Virgilio GODOY (since 25 February 1990; takes office 25 April 1990) Political parties and leaders: Ruling coalition: National Opposition Union (UNO)--14 party alliance: National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano Matamoros; Conservative Popular Alliance Party (PAPC), Miriam Arguello; National Conservative Action Party (PANC), Hernaldo Zuniga; National Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), Augustin Jarquin; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Virgilio Godoy; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Andres Zuniga; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto Somarriba; National Action Party (PAN), Eduardo Rivas; Nicaraguan Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo Tablada; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli Altimirano; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Luis Humberto; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto Urroz; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo Potoy; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), Alejandro Perez; Opposition parties: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel Ortega; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca Rojas; Democratic Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose Brenes; Liberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN), Eduardo Coronado; Movement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco Samper; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick Ramirez; Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio Miranda; Social Conservative Party (PSOC), Fernando Aguerro; Popular Action Movement--Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro Tellez; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio Diaz Suffrage: universal at age 16 Elections: President--last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results--Violeta Barrios de Chamorro (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel Ortega Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, others 4.5%; National Constituent Assembly--last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results--UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats--(92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39, PSC 1, MUR 1 Communists: FSLN--35,000; other Communists--15,000-20,000 Other political or pressure groups: Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT), Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS), Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A), Independent General Confederation of Workers (CTG-I), Communist Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS), Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CST); Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is an umbrella group of 11 different business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Industry, and the Nicaraguan Development Institute (INDE) Member of: CACM, CEMA (observer), FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS, ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Charge d'Affaires Leonor Arguello de HUPER; Chancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 387-4371 or 4372; US--Charge d'Affaires John P. LEONARD; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua (mailing address is APO Miami 34021); telephone ?505? (2) 66010 or 66013, 66015 through 66018, 66026, 66027, 66032 through 66034; note--Nicaragua expelled the US Ambassador on 11 July 1988, and the US expelled the Nicaraguan Ambassador on 12 July 1988 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band Economy Overview: Government control of the economy historically has been extensive, although the new government has pledged to reduce it. The financial system is directly controlled by the state, which also regulates wholesale purchasing, production, sales, foreign trade, and distribution of most goods. Over 50% of the agricultural and industrial firms are state owned. Sandinista economic policies and the war have produced a severe economic crisis. The foundation of the economy continues to be the export of agricultural commodities, largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989, the fifth successive year of decline. The agricultural sector employs 44% of the work force and accounts for 23% of GDP and 86% of export earnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributes 26% to GDP, showed a sharp drop of - 23% in 1988 and remains below pre-1979 levels. External debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In 1989 the annual inflation rate was 1,700%, down from a record 16,000% in 1988. Shortages of basic consumer goods are widespread. GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $470; real growth rate - 5.0% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1,700% (1989) Unemployment rate: 25% (1989) Budget: revenues $0.9 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $0.15 billion (1987) Exports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicals; partners--CEMA 15%, OECD 75%, others 10% Imports: $550 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothing; partners--CEMA 55%, EC 20%, Latin America 10%, others 10% External debt: $8 billion (year end 1988) Industrial production: growth rate - 23% (1988 est.) Electricity: 415,000 kW capacity; 1,340 million kWh produced, 380 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash crops--coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops--rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans; variety of animal products--beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy; while normally self-sufficient in food, war-induced shortages now exist Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-82), $290 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $981 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $3.3 billion Currency: cordoba (plural--cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: cordobas (C$) per US$1--65,000 (February 1990) is the free market rate; official rate is 46,000 (February 1990), 270 (1988), 0.103 (1987), 0.097 (1986), 0.039 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 373 km 1.067-meter gauge, government owned; majority of system not operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connect with mainline) Highways: 25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved (includes all 2,170 km gravel or crushed stone, 5,425 km earth or graded earth, 14,335 km unimproved, 368.5 km of the Pan-American highway) Inland waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes Pipelines: crude oil, 56 km Ports: Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161 GRT/2,500 DWT Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft Airports: 261 total, 169 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; stations--45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; satellite earth stations--1 Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT Defense Forces Branches: Sandinista Popular Army, Sandinista Navy, Sandinista Air Force/Air Defense, Sandinista People's Militia Military manpower: males 15-49, 747,144; 459,333 fit for military service; 44,213 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: NA .pa Niger Geography Total area: 1,267,000 km2; land area: 1,266,700 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: 5,697 km total; Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km Coastline: none--landlocked Maritime claims: none--landlocked Disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; exact locations of the Chad-Niger-Nigeria and Cameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not been determined, so the boundary has not been demarcated and border incidents have resulted; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates Land use: 3% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 7% meadows and pastures; 2% forest and woodland; 88% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosion Note: landlocked People Population: 7,969,309 (July 1990), growth rate 3.6% (1990) Birth rate: 52 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 131 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 53 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.4 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Nigerien(s) adjective--Nigerien Ethnic divisions: 56% Hausa; 22% Djerma; 8.5% Fula; 8% Tuareg; 4.3% Beri Beri (Kanouri); 1.2% Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche; about 4,000 French expatriates Religion: 80% Muslim, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians Language: French (official); Hausa, Djerma Literacy: 13.9% Labor force: 2,500,000 wage earners (1982); 90% agriculture, 6% industry and commerce, 4% government; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: negligible Government Long-form name: Republic of Niger Type: republic; presidential system in which military officers hold key offices Capital: Niamey Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular--departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: adopted NA December 1989 after 15 years of military rule Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holidays: Republic Day, 18 December (1958) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Development Council Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel) Leaders: Chief of State--President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987); Head of Government--Prime Minister ALIOU MAHAMIDA (since 2 March 1990) Political parties and leaders: only party--National Movement for the Development Society (MNSD), leader NA Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Elections: President--last held December 1989 (next to be held NA 1996); results--President Ali Saibou was reelected without opposition; National Development Council--last held December 1989 (next to be held NA 1994); results--MNSD is the only party; seats--(150 total) MNSD 150 (indirectly elected) Communists: no Communist party; some sympathizers in outlawed Sawaba party Member of: ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Niger River Commission, NAM, OAU, OCAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Chancery at 2204 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4224 through 4227; US--Ambassador Carl C. CUNDIFF; Embassy at Avenue des Ambassadeurs, Niamey (mailing address is B. P. 11201, Niamey); telephone ?227? 72-26-61 through 64 and 72-26-70 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India which has a blue, spoked wheel centered in the white band Economy Overview: About 90% of the population is engaged in farming and stock rearing, activities which generate almost half of the national income. The economy also depends heavily on exploitation of large uranium deposits. Uranium production grew rapidly in the mid-1970s, but tapered off in the early 1980s, when world prices declined. France is a major customer, while FRG, Japan, and Spain also make regular purchases. The depressed demand for uranium has contributed to an overall sluggishness in the economy, a severe trade imbalance, and a mounting external debt. GDP: $2.4 billion, per capita $330; real growth rate 7.1% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): - 1.4% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $254 million; expenditures $510 million, including capital expenditures of $239 million (1988 est.) Exports: $371 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--uranium 76%, livestock, cowpeas, onions, hides, skins; partners--NA Imports: $441 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleum products, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, cereals, foodstuffs External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1989 est.) Electricity: 102,000 kW capacity; 225 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: cement, brick, rice mills, small cotton gins, oilseed presses, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium production began in 1971 Agriculture: accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash crops--cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops--millet, sorghum, cassava, rice; livestock--cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in drought years Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $349 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $61 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September Communications Highways: 39,970 km total; 3,170 km bituminous, 10,330 km gravel and laterite, 3,470 km earthen, 23,000 km tracks Inland waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 31 total, 29 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay links concentrated in southwestern area; 11,900 telephones; stations--15 AM, 5 FM, 16 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 4 domestic Defense Forces Branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitary Republican Guard, paramilitary Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Police Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,656,466; 894,095 fit for military service; 87,478 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $20.6 million (1988) .pa Nigeria Geography Total area: 923,770 km2; land area: 910,770 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California Land boundaries: 4,047 km total; Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km Coastline: 853 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 30 nm Disputes: exact locations of the Chad-Niger-Nigeria and Cameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not been determined, so the boundary has not been demarcated and border incidents have resulted; Nigerian proposals to reopen maritime boundary negotiations and redemarcate the entire land boundary have been rejected by Cameroon Climate: varies--equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Natural resources: crude oil, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas Land use: 31% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 23% meadows and pastures; 15% forest and woodland; 28% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation People Population: 118,819,377 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990) Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 17 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 119 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 49 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Nigerian(s); adjective--Nigerian Ethnic divisions: more than 250 tribal groups; Hausa and Fulani of the north, Yoruba of the southwest, and Ibos of the southeast make up 65% of the population; about 27,000 non-Africans Religion: 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% indigenous beliefs Language: English (official); Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and several other languages also widely used Literacy: 42.4% Labor force: 42,844,000; 54% agriculture, 19% industry, commerce, and services, 15% government; 49% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: 3,520,000 wage earners belong to 42 recognized trade unions, which come under a single national labor federation--the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) Government Long-form name: Federal Republic of Nigeria Type: military government since 31 December 1983 Capital: Lagos Administrative divisions: 21 states and 1 territory*; Abuja Capital Territory*, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bendel, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Gongola, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK) Constitution: 1 October 1979, amended 9 February 1984, revised 1989 Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic, and tribal law National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960) Executive branch: president of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, Armed Forces Ruling Council, National Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: National Assembly was dissolved after the military coup of 31 December 1983 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Ibrahim BABANGIDA (since 27 August 1985) Political parties and leaders: two political parties established by the government in 1989--Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC) Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--scheduled for 1 October 1992 Communists: the pro-Communist underground consists of a small fraction of the Nigerian left; leftist leaders are prominent in the country's central labor organization but have little influence on government Member of: ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, Commonwealth, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Niger River Commission, NAM, OAU, OPEC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hamzat AHMADU; Chancery at 2201 M Street NW, Washington DC 20037; telephone (202) 822-1500; there are Nigerian Consulates General in Atlanta, New York and San Francisco; US--Ambassador Lannon WALKER; Embassy at 2 Eleke Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos (mailing address is P. O. Box 554, Lagos); telephone ?234? (1) 610097; there is a US Consulate General in Kaduna Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green Economy Overview: In 1989, despite rising oil prices, the economic performance failed to meet government expectations because of higher inflationary pressures fueled by a relatively poor agricultural performance. Agricultural production was up only 4% following a 10% decline in 1988, and manufacturing remained below the 1985 level with only a 6% increase. The government is continuing an economic adjustment program to reduce Nigeria's dependence on oil and to help create a basis for sustainable noninflationary growth. GNP: $30.0 billion, per capita $270; real growth rate 4% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 47.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 7.5% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $6.5 billion; expenditures $7.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9 billion (1988 est.) Exports: $8.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--oil 95%, cocoa, palm kernels, rubber; partners--EC 51%, US 32% Imports: $5.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--consumer goods, capital equipment, chemicals, raw materials; partners--EC, US External debt: $32 billion, medium and long-term (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1987 est.) Electricity: 4,737,000 kW capacity; 11,270 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: mining--crude oil, natural gas, coal, tin, columbite; primary processing industries--palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, petroleum, wood, hides and skins; manufacturing industries--textiles, cement, building materials, food products, footwear, chemical, printing, ceramics, steel Agriculture: accounts for 28% of GNP and half of labor force; inefficient small-scale farming dominates; once a large net exporter of food and now an importer; cash crops--cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food crops--corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock--cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forestry resources extensively exploited Illicit drugs: illicit heroin and some cocaine trafficking; marijuana cultivation for domestic consumption and export; major transit country for heroin en route from Southwest Asia via Africa to Western Europe and the US; growing transit route for cocaine from South America via West Africa to Western Europe and the US Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $662 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $2.2 billion Currency: naira (plural--naira); 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1--7.6221 (December 1989), 7.3647 (1989), 4.5370 (1988), 4.0160 (1987), 1.7545 (1986), 0.8938 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 3,505 km 1.067-meter gauge Highways: 107,990 km total 30,019 km paved (mostly bituminous-surface treatment); 25,411 km laterite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth; 52,560 km unimproved Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks Pipelines: 2,042 km crude oil; 500 km natural gas; 3,000 km refined products Ports: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, Sapele Merchant marine: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 428,116 GRT/680,343 DWT; includes 19 cargo, 1 refrigerated, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 5 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 bulk Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft Airports: 84 total, 72 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in progress; radio relay and cable routes; 155,000 telephones; stations--37 AM, 19 FM, 38 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, domestic, with 19 stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 27,282,248; 15,587,485 fit for military service; 1,263,883 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: 1% of GNP, or $300 million (1990 est.) .pa Niue (free association with New Zealand) Geography Total area: 260 km2; land area: 260 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Natural resources: fish, arable land Land use: 61% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows and pastures; 19% forest and woodland; 12% other Environment: subject to typhoons Note: one of world's largest coral islands; located about 460 km east of Tonga People Population: 2,019 (July 1990), growth rate NA (1990) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Niuean(s); adjective--Niuean Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans Religion: 75% Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church)--a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society, 10% Mormon, 5% Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist Language: Polynesian tongue closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English Literacy: NA%, but education compulsory between 5 and 14 years of age Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.); most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: none Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand Capital: Alofi Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Constitution: no formal, written constitution Legal system: English common law National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840) Executive branch: British monarch, premier, Cabinet Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by New Zealand Representative John SPRINGFORD (since 1974); Head of Government--Premier Sir Robert R. REX (since NA October 1974) Suffrage: universal adult at age 18 Political parties and leaders: Niue People's Action Party, leader NA Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held on 28 March 1987 (next to be held NA 1990); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(20 total, 6 elected) independents 5, Niue People's Action Party 1 Member of: ESCAP (associate member), SPF Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars--a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross Economy Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand--the grants are used to pay wages to the 80% or more of the work force employed in public service. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand. GNP: $2.1 million, per capita $1,000; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (1984) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $5.5 million; expenditures $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY85 est.) Exports: $175,274 (f.o.b., 1985); commodities--canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts; partners--NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia Imports: $3.8 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs; partners--NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 1,500 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 1,420 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourist, handicrafts Agriculture: copra, coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops--taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $58 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6581 (January 1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March Communications Highways: 123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roads Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway of 1,650 m Telecommunications: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island; 383 telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); stations--1 AM, 1 FM, no TV Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand .pa Norfolk Island (territory of Australia) Geography Total area: 34.6 km2; land area: 34.6 km2 Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains Natural resources: fish Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 25% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 75% other Environment: subject to typhoons (especially May to July) Note: located 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean People Population: 2,533 (July 1990), growth rate 1.7% (1990) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Norfolk Islander(s); adjective--Norfolk Islander(s) Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently, Australian and New Zealand settlers Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church in Australia, and Seventh-Day Adventist Language: English (official) and Norfolk--a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian Literacy: NA%, but probably high Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Territory of Norfolk Island Type: territory of Australia Capital: Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center) Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1957 Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856) Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator H. B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed by the Governor General of Australia; Head of Government--Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA) Political parties and leaders: NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Legislative Assembly--last held NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) percent of seats by party NA Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band Economy Overview: The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached almost 30,000 in 1986. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. GNP: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $3.4 million; expenditures $3.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY88) Exports: $1.8 million (f.o.b., FY85); commodities--postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of avocados; partners--Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe Imports: $16.3 million (c.i.f., FY85); commodities--NA; partners--Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe External debt: NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 3,210 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry Aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January 1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June Communications Highways: 80 km of roads, including 53 km of sealed roads; remainder are earth formed or coral surfaced Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned) Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service with Sydney; 987 telephones (1983); stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia .pa Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth associated with the US) Geography Total area: 477 km2; land area: 477 km2; includes Saipan, Rota, and Tinian Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,482 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to July, rainy season July to October Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 meters (Mt. Tagpochu on Saipan) Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: 1% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 19% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other Environment: Mt. Pagan is an active volcano (last erupted in October 1988); subject to typhoons during the rainy season Note: strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines People Population: 22,719 (July 1990), growth rate 3.4% (1990) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: undetermined Ethnic divisions: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German, Japanese admixtures Religion: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found Language: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taught in school Literacy: NA% Labor force: 17,533, including 10,000 foreign workers (1988 est.) Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Type: commonwealth associated with the US and administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: Saipan Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US) Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 Legal system: NA National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Executive branch: governor, lieutenant governor Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989); Head of Government--Governor Pedro P. TENORIO (since 1978); Lieutenant Governor Pedro A. TENORIO (since NA) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Antonio S. Guerrero; Republican Party, Alonso Igisomar Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections Elections: Governor--last held on NA (next to be held NA); results--Pedro P. TENORIO (Democratic Party) was elected; Senate--last held on NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) number of seats by party NA; House of Representatives--last held on NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(14 total) number of seats by party NA; US House of Representatives--last held NA (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) party of nonvoting delegate NA Diplomatic representation: none Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center Economy Overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which employs about 10% of the work force. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale in nature--mostly handicrafts and fish processing. GNP: $165 million, per capita $9,170; real growth rate NA% (1982) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $70.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987) Exports: $NA; commodities--vegetables, beef, pork; partners--NA Imports: $NA; commodities--NA; partners--NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 1,640 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts Agriculture: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle Aid: none Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September Communications Highways: 300 km total (53 km primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local) Ports: Saipan, Rota, Tinian Airports: 6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US .pa Norway Geography Total area: 324,220 km2; land area: 307,860 km2 Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: 2,582 km total; Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,657, USSR 196 km Coastline: 21,925 km (3,419 km mainland; 2,413 km large islands; 16,093 km long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations) Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 10 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 4 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with USSR; territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beween Greenland and Jan Mayen Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Natural resources: crude oil, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: 3% arable land; 0% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows and pastures; 27% forest and woodland; 70% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: air and water pollution; acid rain Note: strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with the USSR People Population: 4,252,806 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990) Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 81 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Norwegian(s); adjective--Norwegian Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic) and racial-cultural minority of 20,000 Lapps Religion: 94% Evangelical Lutheran (state church), 4% other Protestant and Roman Catholic, 2% other Language: Norwegian (official); small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: 100% Labor force: 2,164,000; 33.6% services, 17.4% commerce, 16.6% mining and manufacturing, 8.4% transportation, 7.8% construction, 6.8% banking and financial services, 6.5% agriculture, forestry, and fishing (1986) Organized labor: 66% of labor force (1985) Government Long-form name: Kingdom of Norway Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Oslo Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular--fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden) Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, State Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Storting or Stortinget) with an Upper Chamber (Lagting) and a Lower Chamber (Odelsting) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoiesterett) Leaders: Chief of State--King OLAV V (since 21 September 1957); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HARALD (born 21 February 1937); Head of Government--Prime Minister Jan P. SYSE (since 16 October 1989) Political parties and leaders: Labor, Gro Harlem Brundtland; Conservative, Jan P. Syse; Center, Johan J. Jakobsen; Christian People's, Kjell Magne Bondevik; Socialist Left, Eric Solheim; Norwegian Communist, Hans I. Kleven; Progress, Carl I. Hagen; Liberal, Arne Fjortoft; Finnmark List, leader NA Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: Parliament--last held on 11 September 1989 (next to be held 6 September 1993); results--Labor 34.3%, Conservative 22.2%, Progress 13.0%, Socialist Left 10.1%, Christian People's 8.5%, Center 6.6%, Finnmark List 0.3%, others 5%; seats--(165 total) Labor 63, Conservative 37, Progress 22, Socialist Left 17, Christian People's 14, Center 11, Finnmark List 1 Communists: 15,500 est.; 5,500 Norwegian Communist Party (NKP); 10,000 Workers Communist Party Marxist-Leninist (AKP-ML, pro-Chinese) Member of: ADB, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EFTA, ESA, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IEA (associate member), IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, IWC--International Whaling Commission, IWC--International Wheat Council, NATO, Nordic Council, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kjeld VIBE; Chancery at 2720 34th Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-6000; there are Norwegian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Miami and New Orleans; US--Ambassador Loret Miller RUPPE; Embassy at Drammensveien 18, Oslo 2 (mailing address is APO New York 09085); telephone ?47? (2) 44-85-50 Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Overview: Norway is a prosperous capitalist nation with the resources to finance extensive welfare measures. Since 1975 exploitation of large crude oil and natural gas reserves has helped achieve an average annual growth of roughly 4%, the third-highest among OECD countries. Growth slackened in 1987-88 because of the sharp drop in world oil prices and a slowdown in consumer spending, but picked up again in 1989. Future economic issues involve the aging of the population, the increased economic integration of Europe, and the balance between private and public influence in economic decisions. GDP: $75.8 billion, per capita $17,900; real growth rate 5.7% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 3.9% (1989 est., excluding people in job-training programs) Budget: revenues $40.6 billion; expenditures $41.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--petroleum and petroleum products 25%, natural gas 11%, fish 7%, aluminum 6%, ships 3.5%, pulp and paper; partners--UK 26%, EFTA 16.3%, less developed countries 14%, Sweden 12%, FRG 12%, US 6%, Denmark 5% (1988) Imports: $18.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--machinery, fuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, clothing, ships; partners--Sweden 18%, less developed countries 18%, FRG 14%, Denmark 8%, UK 7%, US 7%, Japan 5% (1988) External debt: $18.3 billion (December 1989) Industrial production: growth rate 15.8% (1989) Electricity: 26,735,000 kW capacity; 121,685 million kWh produced, 28,950 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Agriculture: accounts for 3.1% of GNP and 6.5% of labor force; among world's top 10 fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value of crops; over half of food needs imported; fish catch of 1.9 million metric tons in 1987 Aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $3.7 billion Currency: Norwegian krone (plural--kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 ore Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1--6.5405 (January 1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987), 7.3947 (1986), 8.5972 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Railroads: 4,223 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Norwegian State Railways (NSB) operates 4,219 km (2,450 km electrified and 96 km double track); 4 km other Highways: 79,540 km total; 18,600 km concrete, bituminous, stone block; 19,980 km bituminous treated; 40,960 km gravel, crushed stone, and earth Inland waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 1.5-2.4 m draft vessels maximum Pipelines: refined products, 53 km Ports: Oslo, Bergen, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Trondheim Merchant marine: 660 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,702,254 GRT/28,722,304 DWT; includes 11 passenger, 19 short-sea passenger, 104 cargo, 3 passenger-cargo, 19 refrigerated cargo, 6 container, 40 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 128 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 86 chemical tanker, 62 liquefied gas, 26 combination ore/oil, 142 bulk, 7 combination bulk; note--the government has created a captive register, the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of convenience and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians; the majority of ships under the Norwegian flag are now registered with the NIS Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft Airports: 104 total, 104 usable; 64 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: high-quality domestic and international telephone, telegraph, and telex services; 3,102,000 telephones; stations--8 AM, 46 (1,400 relays) FM, 55 (2,100 relays) TV; 4 coaxial submarine cables; communications satellite earth stations operating in the EUTELSAT, INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean), MARISAT, and domestic systems Defense Forces Branches: Royal Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,115,620; 937,555 fit for military service; 32,748 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 3.3% of GDP, or $2.5 billion (1989 est.) .pa Oman Geography Total area: 212,460 km2; land area: 212,460 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: 1,374 km total; Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, PDRY 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: to be defined; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: Administrative Line with PDRY; no defined boundary with most of UAE, Administrative Line in far north Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Natural resources: crude oil, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: NEGL% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 95% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and duststorms in interior; sparse natural freshwater resources Note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz (17% of world's oil production transits this point going from Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea) People Population: 1,457,064 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 105 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 56 years male, 58 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Omani(s); adjective--Omani Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Arab, with small Balochi, Zanzibari, and Indian groups Religion: 75% Ibadhi Muslim; remainder Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, some Hindu Language: Arabic (official); English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: 20% Labor force: 430,000; 60% agriculture (est.); 58% are non-Omani Organized labor: trade unions are illegal Government Long-form name: Sultanate of Oman Type: absolute monarchy; independent, with residual UK influence Capital: Muscat Administrative divisions: none Independence: 1650, expulsion of the Portuguese Constitution: none Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Executive branch: sultan, Cabinet, State Consultative Assembly Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system National holiday: National Day, 18 November Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970) Political parties: none Suffrage: none Elections: none Other political or pressure groups: outlawed Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), based in South Yemen; small, clandestine Shia fundamentalist groups are active Member of: Arab League, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Awadh Bader AL-SHANFARI; Chancery at 2342 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-1980 through 1982; US--Ambassador Richard BOEHM; Embassy at address NA, Muscat (mailing address is P. O. Box 966, Muscat); telephone 738-231 or 738-006 Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band Economy Overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry. Petroleum accounts for nearly all export earnings, about 70% of government revenues, and more than 50% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rate of extraction. Although agriculture employs a majority of the population, urban centers depend on imported food. GDP: $7.8 billion, per capita $6,006; real growth rate - 3.0% (1987 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $3.1 billion; expenditures $4.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.0 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities--petroleum, reexports, processed copper, dates, nuts, fish; partners--Japan, South Korea, Thailand Imports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities --machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants; partners--Japan, UAE, UK, FRG, US External debt: $3.1 billion (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 5.0% (1986) Electricity: 1,130,000 kW capacity; 3,600 million kWh produced, 2,760 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Agriculture: accounts for 3.4% of GDP and 60% of the labor force (including fishing); less than 2% of land cultivated; largely subsistence farming (dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle); not self-sufficient in food; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $122 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $92 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $797 million Currency: Omani rial (plural--rials); 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1--0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Highways: 22,800 km total; 3,800 km bituminous surface, 19,000 km motorable track Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km Ports: Mina Qabus, Mina Raysut Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 128 total, 119 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire, radio relay, and radio communications stations; 50,000 telephones; stations--3 AM, 3 FM, 11 TV; satellite earth stations--2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT and 8 domestic Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman Police Military manpower: males 15-49, 350,173; 198,149 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 16.5% of GDP, or $1.3 billion (1990 est.) .pa Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau) Geography Total area: 458 km2; land area: 458 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid Terrain: islands vary geologically from the high mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products; deep-seabed minerals Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other Environment: subject to typhoons from June to December; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain Note: important location 850 km southeast of the Philippines; includes World War II battleground of Peleliu and world-famous rock islands People Population: 14,310 (July 1990), growth rate 0.7% (1990) Birth rate: 25 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 12 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 74 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Palauan(s); adjective--Palauan Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian races Religion: predominantly Christian, mainly Roman Catholic Language: Palauan is the official language, though English is commonplace; inhabitants of the isolated southwestern islands speak a dialect of Trukese Literacy: NA%, but education compulsory through eight grades Labor force: NA Organized labor: NA Government Long-form name: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (no short-form name); may change to Republic of Palau after independence; note--Belau, the native form of Palau, is sometimes used Type: UN trusteeship administered by the US; constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, after approval in a series of UN-observed plebiscites; until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Capital: Koror; a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap Administrative divisions: none Independence: still part of the US-administered UN trusteeship (the last polity remaining under the trusteeship; the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas have left); administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of Interior Constitution: 11 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Executive branch: US president, US vice president, national president, national vice president Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Delegates Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--President Walker BUSH (since 20 January 1989), represented by High Commissioner Janet MCCOY (since NA); Head of Government--President Ngiratkel ETPISON (since 2 November 1988) Political parties: no formal parties Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held on 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); Ngiratkel Etpison 26.3%, Roman Tmetuchl 25.9%, Thomas Remengesau 19.5%, others 28.3%; Senate--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(18 total); House of Delegates--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(16 total) Diplomatic representation: none; US--US Liaison Officer Steven R. PRUETT; US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas, Koror (mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940); telephone 160-680-920 or 990 Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy Overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote location of Palau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered development. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. GDP: $31.6 million, per capita $2,260; real growth rate NA% (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 20% (1986) Budget: revenues $6.0 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1986) Exports: $0.5 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities--NA; partners--US, Japan Imports: $27.2 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities--NA; partners--US External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 16,000 kW capacity; 22 million kWh produced, 1,550 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: tourism, craft items (shell, wood, pearl), some commercial fishing and agriculture Agriculture: subsistence-level production of coconut, copra, cassava, sweet potatoes Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $2 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $62.6 million Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September Communications Highways: 25.7 km paved macadam and concrete roads, otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads (1986) Ports: Koror Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: stations--1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US and that will not change when the UN trusteeship terminates .pa Pacific Ocean Geography Total area: 165,384,000 km2; includes Arafura Sea, Banda Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Makassar Strait, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Comparative area: slightly less than 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km Climate: the western Pacific is monsoonal--a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian land mass back to the ocean Terrain: surface in the northern Pacific dominated by a clockwise, warm water gyre (broad, circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool water gyre; sea ice occurs in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk during winter and reaches maximum northern extent from Antarctica in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches; the world's greatest depth is 10,924 meters in the Marianas Trench Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Environment: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica; occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrent moves south, which kills the plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because of their lost food source Note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific from June to December is a hazard to shipping; surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the Pacific Ring of Fire Economy Overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides cheap sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's total fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, New Zealand, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the lower world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings. Industries: fishing, oil and gas production Communications Ports: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (USSR), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Telecommunications: several submarine cables with network focused on Guam and Hawaii .pa