Macau
\n(overseas territory of Portugal)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 16 km2; land area: 16 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundary: 0.34 km with China<\/p>\n
Coastline: 40 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 6 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: scheduled to become a Special Administrative Region of China
\nin 1999<\/p>\n
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers<\/p>\n
Terrain: generally flat<\/p>\n
Natural resources: negligible<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other<\/p>\n
Environment: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect
\nthe two islands to the peninsula on mainland<\/p>\n
Note: 27 km west southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of
\nChina<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 441,691 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 16 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 75 years male, 79 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Macanese (sing. and pl.); adjective–Macau<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 95% Chinese, 3% Portuguese, 2% other<\/p>\n
Religion: mainly Buddhist; 17,000 Roman Catholics, of whom about half are
\nChinese<\/p>\n
Language: Portuguese (official); Cantonese is the language of
\ncommerce<\/p>\n
Literacy: almost 100% among Portuguese and Macanese; no data on Chinese
\npopulation<\/p>\n
Labor force: 180,000 (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: none<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China
\nin 1999<\/p>\n
Capital: Macau<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular–concelho);
\nIlhas, Macau<\/p>\n
Independence: none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed an agreement
\nwith China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the
\njoint declaration, China promises to respect Macau’s existing social and
\neconomic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition<\/p>\n
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau<\/p>\n
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system<\/p>\n
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council,
\n(cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since
\n9 March 1986);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Governor Carlos MELANCIA (since 3 July 1987)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests of
\nMacau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development of Macau; Macau
\nIndependent Group<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nLegislative Assembly–last held on 9 November 1988 (next to be
\nheld November 1991);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(17 total; 6 elected by universal suffrage, 6 by indirect
\nsuffrage) number of seats by party NA<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese
\nrepresenting local interests, wealthy pro-Communist merchants representing
\nChina’s interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese
\ndemands that gave China veto power over administration<\/p>\n
Member of: Multifiber Agreement<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: as Chinese territory under Portuguese
\nadministration, Macanese interests in the US are represented by Portugal;
\nUS–the US has no offices in Macau and US interests are monitored
\nby the US Consulate General in Hong Kong<\/p>\n
Flag: the flag of Portugal is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including
\ngambling), and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have
\nspawned other small industries–toys, artificial flowers, and electronics.
\nThe tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing
\nindustry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings. Macau depends on
\nChina for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong
\nare the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.<\/p>\n
GDP: $2.7 billion, per capita $6,300; real growth rate 5% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 2% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (1989)<\/p>\n
Exports: $1.7 billion (1989 est.); commodities–textiles, clothing,
\ntoys;
\npartners–US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987)<\/p>\n
Imports: $1.6 billion (1989 est.); commodities–raw materials,
\nfoodstuffs, capital goods;
\npartners–Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan 10% (1987)<\/p>\n
External debt: $91 million (1985)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: NA<\/p>\n
Electricity: 179,000 kW capacity; 485 million kWh produced,
\n1,110 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: rice, vegetables; food shortages–rice, vegetables, meat;
\ndepends mostly on imports for food requirements<\/p>\n
Aid: none<\/p>\n
Currency: pataca (plural–patacas); 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1–8.03 (1989), 8.044 (1988),
\n7.993 (1987), 8.029 (1986), 8.045 (1985); note–linked to the Hong Kong dollar
\nat the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 42 km paved<\/p>\n
Ports: Macau<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: none; 1 seaplane station<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for
\ndomestic and international services; 52,000 telephones; stations–4 AM, 3 FM,
\nno TV; 75,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radio
\ncommunication facility; access to international communications carriers provided
\nvia Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nMilitary manpower: males 15-49, 166,956; 93,221 fit for military service<\/p>\n
Note: defense is responsibility of Portugal
\n.pa
\nMadagascar
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 587,040 km2; land area: 581,540 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 4,828 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 150 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands,
\nJuan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south<\/p>\n
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center<\/p>\n
Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt,
\nquartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish<\/p>\n
Land use: 4% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 58% meadows and
\npastures; 26% forest and woodland; 11% other; includes 2% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing;
\nsoil erosion; desertification<\/p>\n
Note: world’s fourth-largest island; strategic location
\nalong Mozambique Channel<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 11,800,524 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 47 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 15 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 97 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 54 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.9 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Malagasy (sing. and pl.); adjective–Malagasy<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: basic split between highlanders of predominantly
\nMalayo-Indonesian origin (Merina 1,643,000 and related Betsileo 760,000) on the
\none hand and coastal tribes, collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed
\nAfrican, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry (Betsimisaraka 941,000, Tsimihety
\n442,000, Antaisaka 415,000, Sakalava 375,000), on the other; there are also
\n11,000 European French, 5,000 Indians of French nationality, and 5,000 Creoles<\/p>\n
Religion: 52% indigenous beliefs; about 41% Christian, 7% Muslim<\/p>\n
Language: French and Malagasy (official)<\/p>\n
Literacy: 67.5%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in
\nsubsistence agriculture; 175,000 wage earners–26% agriculture, 17% domestic
\nservice, 15% industry, 14% commerce, 11% construction, 9% services,
\n6% transportation, 2% other; 51% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 4% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Democratic Republic of Madagascar<\/p>\n
Type: republic<\/p>\n
Capital: Antananarivo<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (plural–NA, singular–faritanin);
\nAntananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara<\/p>\n
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 21 December 1975<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy
\nlaw; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Supreme Council of the Revolution,
\nprime minister, Council of Ministers<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee
\nNationale Populaire)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional
\nCourt (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Lt. Col. Victor RAMAHATRA (since
\n12 February 1988)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: seven parties are now allowed limited
\npolitical activity under the national front and are represented on the Supreme
\nRevolutionary Council: Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), Didier
\nRatsiraka; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM);
\nCongress Party for Malagasy Independence-Revival (AKFM-R), Pastor Richard
\nAndriamanjato; Movement for National Unity (VONJY), Dr. Marojama Razanabahiny;
\nMalagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA), Norbert Andriamorasata; Militants
\nfor the Establishment of a Proletarian Regime (MFM), Manandafy Rakotonirina;
\nNational Movement for the Independence of Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja Jaona;
\nSocialist Organization Monima (VSM, an offshoot of MONIMA), Tsihozony
\nMaharanga<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held March 1996);
\nresults–Didier Ratsiraka (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy Rakotonirina (MFM\/MFT)
\n20%, Dr. Jerome Marojama Razanabahiny (VONJY) 15%, Monja Jaona
\n(MONIMA) 3%;<\/p>\n
People’s National Assembly–last held on 28 May 1989 (next to
\nbe held May 1994);
\nresults–AREMA 88.2%, MFM 5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, others 0.8%;
\nseats–(137 total) AREMA 120, MFM 7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1,
\nindependent 1<\/p>\n
Communists: Communist party of virtually no importance; small and vocal
\ngroup of Communists has gained strong position in leadership of AKFM, the rank
\nand file of which is non-Communist<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, EAMA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO,
\nIDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU,
\nOCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO;
\nChancery at 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202)
\n265-5525 or 5526; there is a Malagasy Consulate General in New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo,
\nAntsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo);
\ntelephone 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18<\/p>\n
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical
\nwhite band of the same width on hoist side<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world.
\nDuring the period 1980-85 it had a population growth of 3% a year and
\na – 0.4% GDP growth rate. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is
\nthe mainstay of the economy, accounting for over 40% of GDP, employing about
\n85% of the labor force, and contributing more than 70% to export earnings.
\nIndustry is confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile
\nmanufacturing; in 1988 it contributed only 16% to GDP and employed 3% of the
\nlabor force. Industrial development has been hampered by government policies
\nthat have restricted imports of equipment and spare parts and put strict
\ncontrols on foreign-owned enterprises. In 1986 the government introduced a
\nfive-year development plan that stresses self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice)
\nby 1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $155; real growth rate 2.2% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.0% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $337 million; expenditures $245 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $163 million (1988)<\/p>\n
Exports: $284 million (f.o.b., 1988);
\ncommodities–coffee 45%, vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum
\nproducts; partners–France, Japan, Italy, FRG, US<\/p>\n
Imports: $319 million (f.o.b., 1988);
\ncommodities–intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,
\npetroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%; partners–France, FRG, UK,
\nother EC, US<\/p>\n
External debt: $3.6 billion (1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate – 3.9 % (1988)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 119,000 kW capacity; 430 million kWh produced,
\n40 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories,
\nbrewery, tanneries, sugar refining), light consumer goods industries (textiles,
\nglassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops–coffee, vanilla,
\nsugarcane, cloves, cocoa; food crops–rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts;
\ncattle raising widespread; not self-sufficient in rice and wheat flour<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
\nvarieties) used mostly for domestic consumption<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $118 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.6 billion;
\nCommunist countries (1970-88), $491 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Malagasy franc (plural–francs);
\n1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1–1,531.0 (January 1990),
\n1603.4 (1989), 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987), 676.3 (1986), 662.5 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 1,020 km 1.000-meter gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: 40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel,
\nor stabilized soil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.)<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small
\nportions of Canal des Pangalanes<\/p>\n
Ports: Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toliara<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 58,126
\nGRT\/79,420 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 2 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum,
\noils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gas<\/p>\n
Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 147 total, 115 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial
\ncables, radio relay, and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain;
\nsatellite earth stations–1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT;
\nover 38,200 telephones; stations–14 AM, 1 FM, 7 (30 repeaters) TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Popular Army, Aeronaval Forces (includes Navy and Air Force),
\nparamilitary Gendarmerie<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 2,550,775; 1,519,084 fit for military
\nservice; 116,438 reach military age (20) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 2.2% of GDP, or $37 million (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nMalawi
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 118,480 km2; land area: 94,080 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 2,881 km total; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km,
\nZambia 837 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Maritime claims: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa
\n(Lake Malawi)<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to
\nNovember)<\/p>\n
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills,
\nsome mountains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal,
\nand bauxite<\/p>\n
Land use: 25% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 20% meadows and
\npastures; 50% forest and woodland; 5% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: deforestation<\/p>\n
Note: landlocked<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 9,157,528 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 52 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 18 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 16 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 130 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 50 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 7.7 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Malawian(s); adjective–Malawian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni,
\nNgonde, Asian, European<\/p>\n
Religion: 55% Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim; traditional
\nindigenous beliefs are also practiced<\/p>\n
Language: English and Chichewa (official); other languages important
\nregionally<\/p>\n
Literacy: 41.2%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 428,000 wage earners; 43% agriculture, 16% manufacturing,
\n15% personal services, 9% commerce, 7% construction, 4% miscellaneous services,
\n6% other permanently employed (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: small minority of wage earners are unionized<\/p>\n
Note: there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Malawi<\/p>\n
Type: one-party state<\/p>\n
Capital: Lilongwe<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu,
\nChitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Kasupe, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mchinji,
\nMulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ncheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhota Kota, Nsanje, Ntchisi,
\nRumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba<\/p>\n
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK; formerly Nyasaland)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 6 July 1964; republished as amended January 1974<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial
\nreview of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted
\ncompulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Dr. Hastings Kamuzu
\nBANDA (since 6 July 1966; sworn in as President for Life 6 July 1971)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: only party–Malawi Congress Party
\n(MCP), Maxwell Pashane, administrative secretary; John Tembo, treasurer
\ngeneral; top party position of secretary general vacant since 1983<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–President Banda sworn in as President for Life on
\n6 July 1971;<\/p>\n
National Assembly–last held 27-28 May 1987 (next to be held
\nby May 1992);
\nresults–MCP is the only party;
\nseats–(133 total, 112 elected) MCP 133<\/p>\n
Communists: no Communist party<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, EC (associated member), FAO,
\nG-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO,
\nITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Robert B. MBAYA; Chancery at
\n2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-1007;
\nUS–Ambassador George A. TRAIL, III; Embassy in new capital city
\ndevelopment area, address NA (mailing address is P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe);
\ntelephone 730-166<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a
\nradiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band; similar to the flag of
\nAfghanistan which is longer and has the national coat of arms superimposed on
\nthe hoist side of the black and red bands<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: A landlocked country, Malawi ranks among the world’s least
\ndeveloped with a per capita GDP of $180. The economy is predominately
\nagricultural and operates under a relatively free enterprise
\nenvironment, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas.
\nAgriculture accounts for 40% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. After
\ntwo years of weak performance, economic growth improved significantly
\nin 1988 as a result of good weather and a broadly based economic
\nadjustment effort by the government. The closure of traditional trade
\nroutes through Mozambique continues to be a constraint on the economy.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.4 billion, per capita $180; growth rate 3.6% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 31.5% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $246 million; expenditures $390 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $97 million (FY88 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $292 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–tobacco,
\ntea, sugar, coffee, peanuts; partners–US, UK, Zambia, South Africa, FRG<\/p>\n
Imports: $402 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities–food,
\npetroleum, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment;
\npartners–South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe<\/p>\n
External debt: $1.4 billion (December 1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 6.4% (1988)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 181,000 kW capacity; 535 million kWh produced,
\n60 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: agricultural processing (tea, tobacco, sugar), sawmilling,
\ncement, consumer goods<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops–tobacco,
\nsugarcane, cotton, tea, and corn; subsistence crops–potatoes, cassava,
\nsorghum, pulses; livestock–cattle and goats<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $182 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.8 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: Malawian kwacha (plural–kwacha);
\n1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1–2.6793 (January 1990),
\n2.7595 (1989), 2.5613 (1988), 2.2087 (1987), 1.8611 (1986), 1.7191 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 789 km 1.067-meter gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: 13,135 km total; 2,364 km paved; 251 km crushed stone, gravel,
\nor stabilized soil; 10,520 km earth and improved earth<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, and Nkotakota–all on Lake
\nNyasa (Lake Malawi)<\/p>\n
Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 48 total, 47 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire lines, radio relay links, and
\nradio communication stations; 36,800 telephones; stations–8 AM, 4 FM, no TV;
\nsatellite earth stations–1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT<\/p>\n
Note: a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the
\nBeira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of
\ninsurgent activity and damage to rail lines<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Army Air Wing, Army Naval Detachment, paramilitary
\nPolice Mobile Force Unit, paramilitary Young Pioneers<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,904,445; 967,032 fit for military
\nservice<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 1.6% of GDP, or $22 million (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nMalaysia
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 329,750 km2; land area: 328,550 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 2,669 km total; Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782,
\nThailand 506 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 4,675 km total (2,068 km Peninsular Malaysia,
\n2,607 km East Malaysia)<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation,
\nspecified boundary in the South China Sea;<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with
\nChina, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam; state of Sabah claimed by the
\nPhilippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides
\nBrunei into two parts<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast
\n(October to February) monsoons<\/p>\n
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: tin, crude oil, timber, copper, iron ore,
\nnatural gas, bauxite<\/p>\n
Land use: 3% arable land; 10% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows and
\npastures; 63% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 1% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to flooding; air and water pollution<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern
\nSouth China Sea<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 17,510,546 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 29 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 6 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 30 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 71 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Malaysian(s); adjective–Malaysian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 59% Malay and other indigenous, 32% Chinese, 9% Indian<\/p>\n
Religion: Peninsular Malaysia–Malays nearly all Muslim, Chinese
\npredominantly Buddhists, Indians predominantly Hindu; Sabah–38% Muslim,
\n17% Christian, 45% other; Sarawak–35% tribal religion, 24% Buddhist and
\nConfucianist, 20% Muslim, 16% Christian, 5% other<\/p>\n
Language: Peninsular Malaysia–Malay (official); English, Chinese
\ndialects, Tamil; Sabah–English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects, Mandarin and
\nHakka dialects predominate among Chinese; Sarawak–English, Malay, Mandarin,
\nnumerous tribal languages<\/p>\n
Literacy: 65.0% overall, age 20 and up; Peninsular Malaysia–80%;
\nSabah–60%; Sarawak–60%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 6,800,000; 30.8% agriculture, 17% manufacturing,
\n13.6% government, 5.8% construction, 4.3% finance, 3.4% business services,
\ntransport and communications, 0.6% mining, 24.5% other (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 660,000, 10% of total labor force (1988)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; constitutional monarchy
\nnominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament
\ncomposed of a 58-member Senate and a 177-member House of Representatives;
\nPeninsular Malaysian states–hereditary rulers in all but Penang and Melaka,
\nwhere governors are appointed by Malaysian Government; powers of state
\ngovernments are limited by federal Constitution; Sabah–self-governing state,
\nholds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense,
\ninternal security, and other powers delegated to federal government;
\nSarawak–self-governing state within Malaysia, holds 24 seats in House of
\nRepresentatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and
\nother powers delegated to federal government<\/p>\n
Capital: Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular–negeri) and
\n2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan,
\nsingular–wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka,
\nNegeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor,
\nTerengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*<\/p>\n
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963 when
\nFederation of Malaya became Federation of Malaysia<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative
\nacts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not
\naccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister,
\ndeputy prime minister, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an
\nupper house or Senate (Dewan Negara) and a lower house or House of
\nRepresentatives (Dewan Rakyat)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan
\nYusof Izzudin (since 26 April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA’AFAR ibni Abdul
\nRahman (since 26 April 1989);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since
\n16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister Abdul GHAFAR Baba (since 7 May 1986)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Peninsular
\nMalaysia–National Front, a confederation of 14 political parties
\ndominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru),
\nMahathir bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), Ling Liong Sik;
\nGerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Datuk Lim Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress
\n(MIC), Datuk Samy Vellu;<\/p>\n
Sabah–Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohamed Noor Mansoor; Bersatu Sabah
\n(PBS), Joseph Pairin Kitingan; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO),
\nTun Datuk Mustapha;<\/p>\n
Sarawak–coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party
\nPesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib
\nMahmud; Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar Stephen Yong
\nKuat Tze; Sarawak National Party (SNAP), Datuk James Wong; Parti Bansa
\nDayak Sarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo Moggie; major opposition parties are
\nDemocratic Action Party (DAP), Lim Kit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic
\nParty (PAS), Fadzil Noor<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nHouse of Representatives–last held 2-3 August 1986 (next to be held
\nby August 1991);
\nresults–National Front 57.4%, DAP 20.8%, PAS 15.6%, independents 3.3%,
\nothers 2.9%; note–within the National Front, UMNO got 35% and MCA
\n14% of the vote;
\nseats–(177 total) National Front 148, DAP 24, PAS 1, independents 4;
\nnote–within the National Front, UMNO got 83 seats and MCA 17 seats<\/p>\n
Communists: Peninsular Malaysia–about 1,000 armed insurgents on
\nThailand side of international boundary and about 200 full time inside
\nMalaysia surrendered on 2 December 1989; only about 100 Communist
\ninsurgents remain in North Kalimantan and Sabah<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, ANRPC, ASEAN, Association of Tin Producing Countries,
\nCCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
\nIDB–Islamic Development Bank, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC,
\nITC, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Albert S. TALALLA; Chancery at
\n2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2700;
\nthere are Malaysian Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Paul M. CLEVELAND; Embassy at 376 Jalan Tun Razak,
\n50400 Kuala Lumpur (mailing address is P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur);
\ntelephone \u00d56\u00e5 (03) 248-9011<\/p>\n
Flag: fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
\nwhite (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing
\na yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star
\nare traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: In 1988-89 booming exports helped Malaysia continue to recover
\nfrom the severe 1985-86 recession. Real output grew by 8.7% in 1988 and
\nabout 7.7% in 1989, helped by vigorous growth in manufacturing output and
\nfurther increases in foreign direct investment, particularly from
\nJapanese and Taiwanese firms facing higher costs at home. Malaysia has
\nbecome the world’s third-largest producer of semiconductor devices
\n(after the US and Japan) and the world’s largest exporter of semiconductor
\ndevices. Inflation remained low as unemployment stood at about 8% of
\nthe labor force and as the government followed prudent fiscal\/monetary
\npolicies. The country is not self-sufficient in food, and a majority
\nof the rural population subsists at the poverty level. Malaysia’s
\nhigh export dependence (merchandise exports are 63% of GDP) leaves
\nit vulnerable to a recession in the OECD countries or a fall in
\nworld commodity prices.<\/p>\n
GDP: $37.9 billion, per capita $2,270; real growth rate 7.7% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 7.9% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $8.8 billion; expenditures $11.2 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $2.5 billion (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $24 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities–natural
\nrubber, palm oil, tin, timber, petroleum, electronics, light manufactures;
\npartners–Singapore, Japan, USSR, EC, Australia, US<\/p>\n
Imports: $20 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities–food, crude
\noil, consumer goods, intermediate goods, capital equipment, chemicals;
\npartners–Japan, Singapore, FRG, UK, Thailand, China, Australia, US<\/p>\n
External debt: $16.3 billion (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 13.6% (1988)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 5,600,000 kW capacity; 16,500 million kWh produced,
\n990 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia–rubber and oil palm processing and
\nmanufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and
\nsmelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah–logging, petroleum production;
\nSarawak–agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging<\/p>\n
Agriculture: Peninsular Malaysia–natural rubber, palm oil, rice;
\nSabah–mainly subsistence; main crops–rubber, timber, coconut, rice;
\nSarawak–main crops–rubber, timber, pepper; there is a deficit of rice
\nin all areas; fish catch of 608,000 metric tons in 1987<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $3.8 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $42 million<\/p>\n
Currency: ringgit (plural–ringgits); 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1–2.7038 (January 1990),
\n2.7087 (1989), 2.6188 (1988), 2.5196 (1987), 2.5814 (1986), 2.4830 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: Peninsular Malaysia–1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double
\ntrack, government owned; Sabah–136 km 1.000-meter gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: Peninsular Malaysia–23,600 km (19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly
\nbituminous-surface treatment, and 4,248 km unpaved); Sabah–3,782 km;
\nSarawak–1,644 km<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: Peninsular Malaysia–3,209 km; Sabah–1,569 km;
\nSarawak–2,518 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Tanjong, Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang,
\nPort Kelang, Sandakan, Tawau<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,525,635
\nGRT\/2,216,215 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 71 cargo, 21 container,
\n2 vehicle carrier, 2 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 1 livestock carrier, 28 petroleum,
\noils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas,
\n1 specialized tanker, 1 passenger-cargo, 22 bulk, 1 passenger<\/p>\n
Civil air: 53 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Pipelines: crude oil, 1,307 km; natural gas, 379 km<\/p>\n
Airports: 126 total, 121 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 19 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: good intercity service provided to peninsular Malaysia
\nmainly by microwave relay, adequate intercity radio relay network between Sabah
\nand Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radio and
\ntelevision broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); stations–28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV;
\nsubmarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOM submarine cable links to
\nHong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations–1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and
\n1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air
\nForce, Royal Malaysian Police Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,499,495; 2,744,743 fit for military
\nservice; 178,923 reach military age (21) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 3.8% of GDP, or $1.4 billion (1990 est.)
\n.pa
\nMaldives
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 300 km2; land area: 300 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 644 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: about 100 nm (defined by geographic
\ncoordinates);<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 37-310 nm (segment of zone coincides with
\nmaritime boundary with India);<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to
\nMarch); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)<\/p>\n
Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters<\/p>\n
Natural resources: fish<\/p>\n
Land use: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 3% meadows and pastures;
\n3% forest and woodland; 84% other<\/p>\n
Environment: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls<\/p>\n
Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along
\nmajor sea lanes in Indian Ocean<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 217,945 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 46 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 76 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 65 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Maldivian(s); adjective–Maldivian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black<\/p>\n
Religion: Sunni Muslim<\/p>\n
Language: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English
\nspoken by most government officials<\/p>\n
Literacy: 36%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 66,000 (est.); 80% engaged in fishing industry<\/p>\n
Organized labor: none<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Maldives<\/p>\n
Type: republic<\/p>\n
Capital: Male<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu,
\nGaafu
\nAliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu,
\nNaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu<\/p>\n
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 4 June 1964<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law
\nprimarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens’ Council (Majlis)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: High Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM
\n(since since 11 November 1978)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties; country
\ngoverned by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September
\n1994);
\nresults–President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reelected;<\/p>\n
Citizens’ Council–last held on 7 December 1984 (next to be held
\n7 December 1989);
\nresults–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(48 total, 40 elected)<\/p>\n
Communists: negligible<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, FAO,
\nG-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic Development Bank, IFAD,
\nIFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Maldives does not maintain an embassy
\nin the US, but does have a UN mission in New York;
\nUS–the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and
\nmakes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Mahduedurage, Violet
\nMagu, Henveru, Male; telephone 2581<\/p>\n
Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical
\nwhite crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping.
\nAgriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide
\nonly 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 80%
\nof the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an
\nimportant source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one
\nof the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988
\nindustry accounted for about 14% of GDP. Real GDP is officially
\nestimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period
\n1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further growth of 9% on
\nthe strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season.<\/p>\n
GDP: $136 million, per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $47.0 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities–fish 57%,
\nclothing 39%; partners–Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka<\/p>\n
Imports: $90.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities–
\nintermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods 42%, petroleum products 11%;
\npartners–Japan, Western Europe, Thailand<\/p>\n
External debt: $70 million (December 1988)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced,
\n50 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat
\nbuilding, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope),
\nhandicrafts<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing);
\nfishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn,
\nsweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $84 million;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million<\/p>\n
Currency: rufiyaa (plural–rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1–9.3043 (January 1990),
\n9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987), 7.1507 (1986), 7.0981 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city<\/p>\n
Ports: Male, Gan<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,066
\nGRT\/112,480 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum, oils, and
\nlubricants (POL) tanker, 2 bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: minimal domestic and international facilities;
\n2,325 telephones; stations–2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth
\nstation<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: no military force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 49,261; 27,519 fit for military
\nservice<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: $1.8 million (1984 est.)
\n.pa
\nMali
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,240,000 km2; land area: 1,220,000 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 7,243 km total; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km,
\nGuinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal
\n419 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Maritime claims: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was
\nsubmitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the
\nICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept;
\nBurkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including
\nthe tripoint with Niger<\/p>\n
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy,
\nhumid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna
\nin south, rugged hills in northeast<\/p>\n
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone,
\nuranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known
\nbut not exploited<\/p>\n
Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 25% meadows and
\npastures; 7% forest and woodland; 66% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons;
\ndesertification<\/p>\n
Note: landlocked<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 8,142,373 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 51 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 21 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 7 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 116 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 47 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Malian(s); adjective–Malian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 50% Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), 17% Peul, 12%
\nVoltaic, 6% Songhai, 5% Tuareg and Moor, 10% other<\/p>\n
Religion: 90% Muslim, 9% indigenous beliefs, 1% Christian<\/p>\n
Language: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the
\npopulation; numerous African languages<\/p>\n
Literacy: 18%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); 80% agriculture, 19% services,
\n1% industry and commerce (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella
\norganization for over 13 national unions<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Mali<\/p>\n
Type: republic; single-party constitutional government<\/p>\n
Capital: Bamako<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular–region); Gao,
\nKayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou; note–there may be a new
\ncapital district of Bamako<\/p>\n
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September 1981
\nand March 1985<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial
\nreview of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not
\naccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic,
\n22 September (1960)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Gen. Moussa TRAORE
\n(since 6 December 1968)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: only party–Democratic Union of
\nMalian People (UDPM)<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held June 1991);
\nresults–General Moussa Traore was reelected without opposition;<\/p>\n
National Assembly–last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held June
\n1991); results–UDPM is the only party; seats–(82 total) UDPM 82<\/p>\n
Communists: a few Communists and some sympathizers (no legal Communist
\nparty)<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),
\nIAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
\nINTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU,
\nOIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River
\nValley), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO,<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Alhousseyni TOURE; Chancery
\nat 2130 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-2249 or
\n939-8950;
\nUS–Ambassador Robert M. PRINGLE; Embassy at Rue Testard and
\nRue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako); telephone 225834<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and
\nred; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about
\n80% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely
\nconfined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the
\npopulation lives as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in
\nagriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on
\nprocessing farm commodities.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.94 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate – 0.9% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% (1987)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $338 million; expenditures $559 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (1987)<\/p>\n
Exports: $260 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities–livestock,
\npeanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins; partners–mostly franc zone and
\nWestern Europe<\/p>\n
Imports: $493 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities–textiles,
\nvehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals; partners–mostly
\nfranc zone and Western Europe<\/p>\n
External debt: $2.1 billion (December 1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 165 million kWh produced,
\n20 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: small local consumer goods and processing, construction,
\nphosphate, gold, fishing<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small
\nsubsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of
\nexports; other crops–millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts;
\nlivestock–cattle, sheep, and goats<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $313 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.4 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$190 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural–francs);
\n1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per
\nUS$1–287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987),
\n346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal’s rail
\nsystem through Kayes<\/p>\n
Highways: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km bituminous, 3,670 km
\ngravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 37 total, 29 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: domestic system poor but improving; provides only
\nminimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations;
\nexpansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; stations–2 AM, 2 FM,
\n2 TV; satellite earth stations–1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean
\nINTELSAT<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Air Force; paramilitary, Gendarmerie,
\nRepublican Guard, National Guard<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,585,878; 913,000 fit for military
\nservice; no conscription<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (1987)
\n.pa
\nMalta
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 320 km2; land area: 320 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 140 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs<\/p>\n
Natural resources: limestone, salt<\/p>\n
Land use: 38% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 0% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 59% other; includes 3% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very
\nscarce–increasing reliance on desalination<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south
\nof Sicily, 290 km north of Libya<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 353,465 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 15 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 1 migrant\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 78 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Maltese (sing. and pl.); adjective–Maltese<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian,
\nEnglish<\/p>\n
Religion: 98% Roman Catholic<\/p>\n
Language: Maltese and English (official)<\/p>\n
Literacy: 83%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 125,674; 30% services, 24% manufacturing, 21% government
\n(except job corps), 8% construction, 5% utilities and drydocks, 4% agriculture
\n(1987)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: about 40% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Malta<\/p>\n
Type: parliamentary democracy<\/p>\n
Capital: Valletta<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta)<\/p>\n
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has
\naccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations<\/p>\n
National holiday: Freedom Day, 31 March<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
\nCabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH
\nADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO
\n(since 14 May 1987)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party, Edward Fenech Adami;
\nMalta Labor Party, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nHouse of Representatives–last held on 9 May 1987 (next to be
\nheld by May 1992);
\nresults–NP 51.1%, MLP 48.9%;
\nseats–(usually 65 total, but additional seats are given to the party with the
\nlargest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total 69)
\nMLP 34, NP 31 before popular vote adjustment; MLP 34, NP 35
\nafter adjustment<\/p>\n
Communists: fewer than 100 (est.)<\/p>\n
Member of: CCC, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
\nICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, IWC–International Wheat Council,
\nNAM,UN, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Salvatore J. STELLINI; Chancery at
\n2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3611
\nor 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, Development House,
\nSt. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O. Box 535,
\nValletta); telephone \u00d5356\u00e5 623653 or 620424, 623216<\/p>\n
Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper
\nhoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic
\nlocation, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its
\nfood needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy
\nsources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and
\nservices. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the
\neconomy. Manufacturing accounts for about 30% of GDP, with the textile and
\nclothing industry a major contributor. In 1988 inflation was held to a low 0.9%.
\nPer capita GDP at $5,100 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world’s
\nnations.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.9 billion, per capita $5,100; real growth rate 7.1% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 4.4% (1987)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $844 million; expenditures $938 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $226 million (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $710 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–clothing,
\ntextiles, footwear, ships; partners–FRG 31%, UK 14%, Italy 14%<\/p>\n
Imports: $1,360 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities–food,
\npetroleum, nonfood raw materials; partners–FRG 19%, UK 17%, Italy 17%,
\nUS 11%<\/p>\n
External debt: $90 million, medium and long-term (December 1987)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 6.2% (1987)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced,
\n2,990 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism, ship repair yard, clothing, construction,
\nfood manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco<\/p>\n
Agriculture: overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products–potatoes,
\ncauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green
\npeppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables,
\npoultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain,
\nanimal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $332 million;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$48 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Maltese lira (plural–liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1–0.3332 (January 1990),
\n0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987), 0.3924 (1986), 0.4676 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or
\ngravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 314 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,677,797
\nGRT\/6,357,733 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 4 short-sea passenger, 127 cargo,
\n2 container, 1 passenger-cargo, 13 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 2 vehicle carrier,
\n6 refrigerated cargo, 7 chemical tanker, 4 combination ore\/oil,
\n1 specialized tanker, 61 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,
\n72 bulk, 11 combination bulk; note–a flag of convenience registry;
\nChina owns 1 ship, Cuba owns 8, and Vietnam owns 1<\/p>\n
Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: modern automatic system centered in Valletta;
\n153,000 telephones; stations–9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic
\nOcean INTELSAT earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Armed Forces, Police, Paramilitary Dejima Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 92,610; 74,256 fit for military service<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 1.3% of GDP, or $25 million (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nMan, Isle of
\n(British crown dependency)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 588 km2; land area: 588 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 113 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 3 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half
\nthe time<\/p>\n
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley<\/p>\n
Natural resources: lead, iron ore<\/p>\n
Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures;
\nNA% forest and woodland; NA% other; extensive arable land and forests<\/p>\n
Environment: strong westerly winds prevail<\/p>\n
Note: located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland,
\nand Ireland<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 64,859 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 11 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 15 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 5 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Manxman, Manxwoman, adjective–Manx<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British<\/p>\n
Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,
\nSociety of Friends<\/p>\n
Language: English, Manx Gaelic<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%, but compulsory education between ages of 5 and 15<\/p>\n
Labor force: 25,864 (1981)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 22 labor unions patterned along British lines<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: British crown dependency<\/p>\n
Capital: Douglas<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (British crown dependency)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act<\/p>\n
Legal system: English law and local statute<\/p>\n
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July<\/p>\n
Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, prime minister,
\nExecutive Council (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Tynwald) consists of an upper
\nhouse or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February
\n1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Maj. Gen. Laurence NEW
\n(since 1985);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–President of the Legislative Council J. C. NIVISON
\n(since 1985)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit
\nas independents<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nHouse of Keys–last held in 1986 (next to be held 1991);
\nresults–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(24 total) independents 24<\/p>\n
Communists: probably none<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)<\/p>\n
Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the
\ncenter; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order
\nto have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided
\nemblem is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of
\nthe economy. The government’s policy of offering incentives to high-technology
\ncompanies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in
\nexpanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result,
\nagriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in
\ntheir shares of GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing
\nabout 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK.<\/p>\n
GNP: $490 million, per capita $7,573; real growth rate NA% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $NA; commodities–tweeds, herring, processed shellfish
\nmeat; partners–UK<\/p>\n
Imports: $NA; commodities–timber, fertilizers, fish;
\npartners–UK<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced,
\n2,930 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: an important offshore financial center; financial services,
\nlight manufacturing, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry<\/p>\n
Aid: NA<\/p>\n
Currency: Manx pound (plural–pounds); 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1–0.6055 (January 1990),
\n0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985);
\nthe Manx pound is at par with the British pound<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track<\/p>\n
Highways: 640 km motorable roads<\/p>\n
Ports: Douglas, Ramsey, Peel<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,656,216
\nGRT\/2,984,047 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 8 cargo, 5 container,
\n6 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 32 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,
\n5 chemical tanker, 2 combination ore\/oil, 6 liquefied gas, 12 bulk;
\nnote–a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all
\nships on the register are British-owned<\/p>\n
Airports: 2 total; 1 usable with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: 24,435 telephones; stations–1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the UK
\n.pa
\nMarshall Islands
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 181.3 km2; land area: 181.3 km2; includes the atolls
\nof Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 370.4 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claims US-administered Wake Island<\/p>\n
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border
\ntyphoon belt<\/p>\n
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands<\/p>\n
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed
\nminerals<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 60% permanent crops; 0% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 40% other<\/p>\n
Environment: occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic
\nisland chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands<\/p>\n
Note: located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean,
\nabout two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea; Bikini and
\nEniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II
\nbattleground, is now used as a US missile test range<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 43,417 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 39 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 1 migrant\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 43 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Marshallese; adjective–Marshallese<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Micronesian<\/p>\n
Religion: predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant<\/p>\n
Language: English universally spoken and is the official language;
\ntwo major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese<\/p>\n
Literacy: 90%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 4,800 (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: none<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of the Marshall Islands<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional government in free association with the US;
\nthe Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986<\/p>\n
Capital: Majuro<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none<\/p>\n
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship;
\nformerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific
\nIslands)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 1 May 1979<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
\nlegislature, municipal, common, and customary laws<\/p>\n
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
\n1 May (1979)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Nitijela)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Amata KABUA (since 1979)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President Kabua
\nis chief political (and traditional) leader<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November
\n1991); results–President Amata Kabua was reelected;<\/p>\n
Parliament–last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November
\n1991); results–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(33 total)<\/p>\n
Communists: none<\/p>\n
Member of: SPF, ESCAP (associate)<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Representative Wilfred I. KENDALL;
\nRepresentative Office at Suite 1004, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
\nWashington DC 20006; telephone (202) 223-4952;
\nUS–Representative Samuel B. THOMSEN; US Office at NA address (mailing
\naddress is P. O. Box 680, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960);
\ntelephone 692-9-3348<\/p>\n
Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side
\ncorner–orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large
\nrays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy.
\nAgricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important
\ncommercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle
\nranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to
\nhandicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary
\nsource of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands
\nhave few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US
\nGovernment provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of
\n$55 million.<\/p>\n
GDP: $63 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1981)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $55 million; expenditures NA, including capital
\nexpenditures of NA (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities–copra, copra oil,
\nagricultural products, handicrafts; partners–NA<\/p>\n
Imports: $29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities–foodstuffs,
\nbeverages, building materials; partners–NA<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 12,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per
\ncapita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearl;
\noffshore banking (embryonic)<\/p>\n
Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, copra; pigs,
\nchickens<\/p>\n
Aid: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to
\nprovide approximately $40 million in aid annually<\/p>\n
Currency: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: macadam and concrete roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein),
\notherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks<\/p>\n
Ports: Majuro<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 475,968
\nGRT\/949,888 DWT; includes 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,
\n1 bulk carrier; note–a flag of convenience registry<\/p>\n
Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways;
\n5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: telephone network–570 lines (Majuro) and 186
\n(Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used
\nmostly for government purposes); stations–1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave;
\n2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications
\nsystem on Kwajalein<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
\n.pa
\nMartinique
\n(overseas department of France)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,100 km2; land area: 1,060 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 290 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to
\nOctober)<\/p>\n
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano<\/p>\n
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land<\/p>\n
Land use: 10% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 30% meadows and
\npastures; 26% forest and woodland; 26% other; includes 5% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that
\nresult in an average of one major natural disaster every five years<\/p>\n
Note: located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 340,381 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 19 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 3 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Martiniquais (sing. and pl.); adjective–Martiniquais<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 90% African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture, 5%
\nCaucasian, less than 5% East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese<\/p>\n
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Hindu and pagan African<\/p>\n
Language: French, Creole patois<\/p>\n
Literacy: over 70%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 100,000; 31.7% service industry, 29.4% construction and
\npublic works, 13.1% agriculture, 7.3% industry, 2.2% fisheries, 16.3% other<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 11% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Department of Martinique<\/p>\n
Type: overseas department of France<\/p>\n
Capital: Fort-de-France<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (overseas department of France)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)<\/p>\n
Legal system: French legal system<\/p>\n
National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: government commissioner<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional
\nCouncil<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Francois MITTERRAND (since
\n21 May 1981);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since
\n5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA
\n1988)<\/p>\n
Political parties: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen Bago;
\nUnion of the Left composed of the Progressive Party of Martinique (PPM),
\nAime Cesaire; Socialist Federation of Martinique, Michael Yoyo; and the
\nCommunist Party of Martinique (PCM), Armand Nicolas; Union for French Democracy
\n(UDF), Jean Maran<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nGeneral Council–last held on NA October 1988
\n(next to be held by March 1991); results–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(44 total) number of seats by party NA;<\/p>\n
Regional Assembly–last held on 16 March 1986 (next to be held by
\nMarch 1992); results–UDF\/RPR coalition 49.8%, PPM\/FSM\/PCM
\ncoalition 41.3%, others 8.9%;
\nseats–(41 total) PPM\/FSM\/PCM coalition 21, UDF\/RPR coalition 20;<\/p>\n
French Senate–last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held
\nSeptember 1992); results–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1;<\/p>\n
French National Assembly–last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next
\nto be held June 1993); results–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1<\/p>\n
Communists: 1,000 (est.)<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP);
\nAlhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS), Martinique Independence
\nMovement (MIM), Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC), Central Union for
\nMartinique Workers (CSTM), Marc Pulvar; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of
\nWorkers and Peasants<\/p>\n
Member of: WFTU<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France,
\nMartiniquais interests are represented in the US by France;
\nUS–Consul General Ray ROBINSON; Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac,
\nFort-de-France (mailing address is B. P. 561, Fort-de-France);
\ntelephone \u00d5596\u00e5 63-13-03<\/p>\n
Flag: the flag of France is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light
\nindustry. Agriculture accounts for about 7% of GDP and the small industrial
\nsector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now
\nused for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, however, going
\nmostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be
\nimported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual
\ntransfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than
\nagricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work
\nforce is employed in the service sector and in administration. In 1984 the
\nannual per capita income was relatively high at $3,650. During 1985 the
\nunemployment rate was between 25% and 30% and was particularly severe among
\nyounger workers.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.3 billion, per capita $3,650; real growth rate NA% (1984)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1986)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 25-30% (1985)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $223 million; expenditures $223 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $209 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities–refined petroleum
\nproducts, bananas, rum, pineapples; partners–France 65%, Guadeloupe 26%
\n(1986)<\/p>\n
Imports: $879 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities–petroleum
\nproducts, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other
\nconsumer goods; partners–France 64% (1986)<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 108,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced,
\n990 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP; principal crops–pineapples,
\navocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane for rum; dependent on
\nimported food, particularly meat and vegetables<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-87), $9.8 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: French franc (plural–francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1–5.7598 (January 1990),
\n6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Fort-de-France<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways;
\n1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones;
\ninterisland radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and St. Lucia;
\nstations–1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of France
\n.pa
\nMauritania
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,030,700 km2; land area: 1,030,400 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 5,074 km total; Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal
\n813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 754 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: armed conflict in Western Sahara; boundary with Senegal<\/p>\n
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills<\/p>\n
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate<\/p>\n
Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 38% meadows and
\npastures; 5% forest and woodland; 56% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: hot, dry, dust\/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily
\nin March and April; desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 1,934,549 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 49 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 18 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 96 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 44 years male, 49 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mauritanian(s); adjective–Mauritanian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 40% mixed Maur\/black, 30% Maur, 30% black<\/p>\n
Religion: nearly 100% Muslim<\/p>\n
Language: Hasaniya Arabic (national); French (official); Toucouleur, Fula,
\nSarakole, Wolof<\/p>\n
Literacy: 17%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980);
\n47% agriculture, 29% services, 14% industry and commerce, 10% government;
\n53% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian
\nWorkers’ Union<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania<\/p>\n
Type: republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July
\n1978; a palace coup that took place on 24 December 1984 brought President
\nTaya to power<\/p>\n
Capital: Nouakchott<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular–region);
\nAdrar, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, El Acaba, Gorgol, Guidimaka,
\nHodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza;
\nnote–there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott<\/p>\n
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 20 May 1961, abrogated after coup of 10 July 1978;
\nprovisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandoned in 1981; new
\nconstitutional charter published 27 February 1985<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Islamic law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Military Committee for National
\nSalvation (CMSN), Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee
\nNationale), dissolved after 10 July 1978 coup; legislative power
\nresides with the CMSN<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Col. Maaouiya Ould
\nSidAhmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: suspended<\/p>\n
Suffrage: none<\/p>\n
Elections: none; last presidential election August 1976;
\nNational Assembly dissolved 10 July 1978; no national elections
\nare scheduled<\/p>\n
Communists: no Communist party, but there is a scattering of Maoist
\nsympathizers<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, AIOEC, Arab League, CCC, CEAO, CIPEC (associate),
\nEAMA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic
\nDevelopment Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM,
\nOAU, OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River Valley),
\nUN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abdellah OULD DADDAH; Chancery at
\n2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5700;
\nUS–Ambassador William H. TWADDELL; Embassy at address NA, Nouakchott
\n(mailing address is B. P. 222, Nouakchott); telephone \u00d52222\u00e5 52660 or 52663<\/p>\n
Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal
\ncrescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color
\ngreen are traditional symbols of Islam<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture
\nand livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many
\nsubsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent drought in 1983.
\nMauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore that account for almost 50% of
\ntotal exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to
\ncutbacks in production in recent years. The nation’s coastal waters are among
\nthe richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners
\nthreatens this key source of revenue. The country’s first deepwater
\nport opened near Nouakchott in 1986.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.0 billion, per capita $520; real growth rate 3.6% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 50% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $358 million; expenditures $334 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $79 million (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $424 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–iron ore,
\nprocessed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum, unrecorded but
\nnumerically significant cattle exports to Senegal; partners–EC 57%,
\nJapan 39%, Ivory Coast 2%<\/p>\n
Imports: $365 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities–foodstuffs,
\nconsumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods; partners–EC 79%,
\nAfrica 5%, US 4%, Japan 2%<\/p>\n
External debt: $2.3 billion (December 1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 189,000 kW capacity; 136 million kWh produced,
\n70 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: fishing, fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 29% of GDP (including fishing); largely
\nsubsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal
\nriver valley; crops–dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products
\nnumber-one export; large food deficit in years of drought<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $160 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.1 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$277 million<\/p>\n
Currency: ouguiya (plural–ouguiya); 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: ouguiya (UM) per US$1–83.838 (January 1990),
\n83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988), 73.878 (1987), 74.375 (1986), 77.085 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 670 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track, owned and
\noperated by government mining company<\/p>\n
Highways: 7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone,
\nor otherwise improved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracks<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River<\/p>\n
Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,272 GRT\/
\n1,840 DWT<\/p>\n
Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 30 total, 29 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor
\nradio relay links, and radio communications stations; 5,200 telephones;
\nstations–2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations–1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
\nand 2 ARABSAT, with a third planned<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitary
\nNational Guard, paramilitary National Police, paramilitary Presidential Guard,
\nparamilitary Nomad Security Guards<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 410,153; 200,212 fit for military service;
\nconscription law not implemented<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (1987)
\n.pa
\nMauritius
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,860 km2; land area: 1,850 km2; includes Agalega
\nIslands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (St. Brandon) and Rodrigues<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 177 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claims Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island of
\nDiego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claims
\nFrench-administered Tromelin Island<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter
\n(May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)<\/p>\n
Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains
\nencircling central plateau<\/p>\n
Natural resources: arable land, fish<\/p>\n
Land use: 54% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows and
\npastures; 31% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 9% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely
\nsurrounded by reefs<\/p>\n
Note: located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 1,070,005 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 21 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 6 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 4 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 73 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mauritian(s); adjective–Mauritian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 68% Indo-Mauritian, 27% Creole, 3% Sino-Mauritian, 2%
\nFranco-Mauritian<\/p>\n
Religion: 51% Hindu, 30% Christian (mostly Roman Catholic with a few
\nAnglicans), 17% Muslim, 2% other<\/p>\n
Language: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka,
\nBojpoori<\/p>\n
Literacy: 82.8%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 335,000; 29% government services, 27% agriculture and
\nfishing, 22% manufacturing, 22% other; 43% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 35% of labor force in more than 270 unions<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: parliamentary democracy<\/p>\n
Capital: Port Louis<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 5 urban councils and 3 district councils*;
\nBeau Bassin-Rose Hill, Curepipe, Moka-Flacq*, North*, Port Louis, Quatre
\nBornes, South*, Vacoas-Phoenix; note–there may now be 4 urban councils
\nand 9 district councils* named Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Black River*,
\nCurepipe, Flacq*, Grand Port*, Moka*, Pamplemousses*, Plaine Wilhems*,
\nPort Louis*, Quartre Bornes, Riviere du Rempart*, Savanne*, and
\nVacoas-Phoenix<\/p>\n
Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 12 March 1968<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements of English
\ncommon law in certain areas<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,
\ndeputy prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
\nrepresented by Governor General Sir Veerasamy RINGADOO (since 17 January
\n1986);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June
\n1982); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Satcam BOOLELL (since 15 August 1988)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: the government is currently controlled by a
\ncoalition composed of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. Jugnauth,
\nand the Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), S. Boolell; the main opposition union
\nconsists of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Prem Nababsing; Socialist
\nWorkers Front, Sylvio Michel; Democratic Labor Movement, Anil Baichoo;
\nMauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), G. Duval<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nLegislative Assembly–last held on 30 August 1987 (next to be held 30
\nAugust 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(70 total, 62 elected) MSM 24, MMM 21, MLP 10, PMSD 5, others 10<\/p>\n
Communists: may be 2,000 sympathizers; several Communist organizations;
\nMauritius Lenin Youth Organization, Mauritius Women’s Committee, Mauritius
\nCommunist Party, Mauritius People’s Progressive Party, Mauritius Young Communist
\nLeague, Mauritius Liberation Front, Chinese Middle School Friendly Association,
\nMauritius\/USSR Friendship Society<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: various labor unions<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Commonwealth, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,
\nICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ISO, ITU,
\nIWC–International Wheat Council, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
\nWIPO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING; Chancery
\nat Suite 134, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008;
\ntelephone (202) 244-1491 or 1492;
\nUS–Ambassador Penne KORTH; Embassy at 4th Floor, Rogers Building,
\nJohn Kennedy Street, Port Louis; telephone 082347<\/p>\n
Flag: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles),
\nand tourism. Despite significant expansion in other sectors over the past
\ndecade, sugarcane remains dominant and is grown on about 90% of the cultivated
\nland area, accounting for 40% of export earnings. The government’s
\ndevelopment strategy is centered on industrialization (with a view to exports),
\nagricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1988 was
\nimpressive, with 6.3% real growth rate and low unemployment.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.9 billion, per capita $1,910; real growth rate 6.3% (1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.2% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $351 million; expenditures $414 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $76 million (FY87 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–textiles 44%,
\nsugar 40%, light manufactures 10%; partners–EC and US have preferential
\ntreatment, EC 77%, US 15%<\/p>\n
Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities–manufactured
\ngoods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%,
\nchemicals 7%; partners–EC, US, South Africa, Japan<\/p>\n
External debt: $670 million (December 1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 12.9% (FY87)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 233,000 kW capacity; 420 million kWh produced,
\n375 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing
\napparel, chemical and chemical products, metal products, transport equipment,
\nnonelectrical machinery, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in
\nsugarcane; other products–tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats,
\nfish; net food importer, especially rice and fish<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international
\ndrug trade<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $72 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries (1970-87), $538 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $54
\nmillion<\/p>\n
Currency: Mauritian rupee (plural–rupees);
\n1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1–15.033 (January 1990),
\n15.250 (1989), 13.438 (1988), 12.878 (1987), 13.466 (1986), 15.442 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 1,800 km total; 1,640 km paved, 160 km earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Port Louis<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 143,029 GRT\/
\n248,754 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 3 cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and
\nlubricants (POL) tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 3 bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 5 total, 4 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: small system with good service; new microwave link to
\nReunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries; 48,000 telephones;
\nstations–2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: paramilitary Special Mobile Force, Special Support Units,
\nregular Police Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 297,975; 153,130 fit for military service<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: NA
\n.pa
\nMayotte
\n(territorial collectivity of France)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 375 km2; land area: 375 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 185.2 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claimed by Comoros<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern
\nmonsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)<\/p>\n
Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines<\/p>\n
Natural resources: negligible<\/p>\n
Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and
\npastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to cyclones during rainy season<\/p>\n
Note: part of Comoro Archipelago; located in the Mozambique Channel about
\nhalfway between Africa and Madagascar<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 72,186 (July 1990), growth rate 3.9% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 51 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 12 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 89 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 58 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mahorais (sing., pl.); adjective–Mahoran<\/p>\n
Religion: 99% Muslim; remainder Christian, mostly Roman Catholic<\/p>\n
Language: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%, but probably high<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte<\/p>\n
Type: territorial collectivity of France<\/p>\n
Capital: Dzaoudzi<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)<\/p>\n
Legal system: French law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: government commissioner<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council (Conseil General)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d’Appel)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981);<\/p>\n
Head of Government Government Commissioner Akli KHIDER (since 1983);
\nPresident of the General Council Youssouf BAMANA (since 1976)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Zna
\nM’Oere; Party for the Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche Maoulida;
\nMahoran Rally for the Republic (RMPR), Abdoul Anizizi; Union of the
\nCenter (UDC)<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nGeneral Council–last held NA June 1988 (next to be held June
\n1993);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(17 total) MPM 9, RPR 6, others 2;<\/p>\n
French Senate–last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held
\nSeptember 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(1 total) MPM 1;<\/p>\n
French National Assembly–last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to
\nbe held June 1993);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(1 total) UDC 1<\/p>\n
Communists: probably none<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: as a territorial collectivity of France,
\nMahoran interests are represented in the US by France<\/p>\n
Flag: the flag of France is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural
\nsector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient
\nand must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly
\nfrom France. The economy and future development of the island is heavily
\ndependent on French financial assistance.<\/p>\n
GDP: NA<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues NA; expenditures $37.3 million, including capital
\nexpenditures of NA (1985)<\/p>\n
Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities–ylang-ylang,
\nvanilla; partners–France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9%<\/p>\n
Imports: $21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities–building
\nmaterials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour;
\npartners–France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8%<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita<\/p>\n
Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry<\/p>\n
Agriculture: most important sector; provides all export earnings;
\ncrops–vanilla, ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food
\nneeds<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-87), $287.8 million<\/p>\n
Currency: French franc (plural–francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1–5.7598 (January 1990),
\n6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 42 km total; 18 km bituminous<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Ports: Dzaoudzi<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: small system administered by French Department of
\nPosts and Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio
\ncommunications for links with Comoros and international communications;
\n450 telephones; stations–1 AM, no FM, no TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of France
\n.pa
\nMexico
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,972,550 km2; land area: 1,923,040 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Texas<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 4,538 km total; Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km,
\nUS 3,326 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 9,330 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: natural prolongation of continental margin or
\n200 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: varies from tropical to desert<\/p>\n
Terrain: high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus,
\nand desert<\/p>\n
Natural resources: crude oil, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc,
\nnatural gas, timber<\/p>\n
Land use: 12% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 39% meadows and
\npastures; 24% forest and woodland; 24% other; includes 3% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast and destructive
\nearthquakes in the center and south; natural water resources scarce and polluted
\nin north, inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast;
\ndeforestation; erosion widespread; desertification; serious air pollution in
\nMexico City and urban centers along US-Mexico border<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location on southern border of US<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 87,870,154 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 29 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 2 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 33 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 76 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mexican(s); adjective–Mexican<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 60% mestizo (Indian-Spanish), 30% Amerindian or
\npredominantly Amerindian, 9% white or predominantly white, 1% other<\/p>\n
Religion: 97% nominally Roman Catholic, 3% Protestant<\/p>\n
Language: Spanish<\/p>\n
Literacy: 88%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 26,100,000 (1988); 31.4% services; 26% agriculture, forestry,
\nhunting, and fishing, 13.9% commerce, 12.8% manufacturing, 9.5% construction,
\n4.8% transportation, 1.3% mining and quarrying, 0.3% electricity, (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 35% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: United Mexican States<\/p>\n
Type: federal republic operating under a centralized government<\/p>\n
Capital: Mexico<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 31 states (estados, singular–estado) and
\n1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California Norte,
\nBaja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima,
\nDistrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico,
\nMichoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro,
\nQuintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala,
\nVeracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas<\/p>\n
Independence: 16 September 1810 (from Spain)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 5 February 1917<\/p>\n
Legal system: mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system;
\njudicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
\nwith reservations<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 16 September (1810)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union)
\nconsists of an upper chamber or Senate (Camara de Senadores)
\nand a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Suprema Corte de Justicia)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Carlos SALINAS de
\nGortari (since 1 December 1988)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: (recognized parties) Institutional
\nRevolutionary Party (PRI), Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta; National Action
\nParty (PAN), Luis Alvarez; Popular Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio Sayago
\nHerrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), Cuauhtemoc Cardenas;
\nCardenist Front for the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael
\nAguilar Talamantes; Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM),
\nCarlos Enrique Cantu Rosas<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal and compulsory (but not enforced) at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1994);
\nresults–Carlos Salinas de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%,
\nCuauhtemoc Cardemas Solorzano (FDN) 31.06%,
\nManuel Clouthier (PAN) 16.81%; others 1.39%; note–several of the smaller
\nparties ran a common candidate under a coalition called the National
\nDemocratic Front (FDN)<\/p>\n
Senate–last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September
\n1991); results–PRI 94%, FDN (now PRD) 6%;
\nseats–(64 total) number of seats by party NA;<\/p>\n
Chamber of Deputies–last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September
\n1991);
\nresults–PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS (now part of PRD) 4%;
\nseats–(500 total) number of seats by party NA<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church, Confederation
\nof Mexican Workers (CTM), Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN),
\nConfederation of National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO), National Peasant
\nConfederation (CNC), National Confederation of Popular Organizations (CNOP),
\nRevolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican Democratic Party (PDM),
\nRevolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), Regional
\nConfederation of Mexican Workers (CROM), Confederation of Employers of
\nthe Mexican Republic (COPARMEX), National Chamber of Transformation
\nIndustries (CANACINTRA), Business Coordination Council (CCE)<\/p>\n
Member of: FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO,
\nICO, IDA, IDB–Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO,
\nINTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, IWC–International Whaling Commission, LAIA,
\nOAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gustavo PETRICIOLI Iturbide;
\nChancery at 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20006; telephone
\n(202) 728-1600;
\nthere are Mexican Consulates General in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso,
\nHouston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Antonio,
\nSan Diego, and Consulates in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brownsville
\n(Texas), Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit,
\nDouglas (Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Kansas City
\n(Missouri), Laredo, McAllen (Texas), Miami, Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard
\n(California), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Presidio (Texas), Sacramento, St. Louis,
\nSt. Paul (Minneapolis), Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, San Juan
\n(Puerto Rico), and Seattle;
\nUS–Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE, Jr.; Embassy at Paseo de la
\nReforma 305, Mexico 5, D.F. (mailing address is P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX
\n78044); telephone \u00d552\u00e5 (5) 211-0042; there are US Consulates General in
\nCiudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana, and Consulates in
\nHermosillo, Matamoros, Mazatlan, Merida, and Nuevo Laredo<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red;
\nthe coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake is its beak) is
\ncentered in the white band<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Mexico’s economy is a mixture of state-owned industrial plants
\n(notably oil), private manufacturing and services, and both large-scale and
\ntraditional agriculture. In the 1980s Mexico experienced severe economic
\ndifficulties: the nation accumulated large external debts as world
\npetroleum prices fell; rapid population growth outstripped the domestic
\nfood supply; and inflation, unemployment, and pressures to emigrate
\nbecame more acute. Growth in national output dropped from 8% in
\n1980 to 1.1% in 1988 and 2.5% in 1989. The US is Mexico’s major
\ntrading partner, accounting for two-thirds of its exports and
\nimports. After petroleum, border assembly plants and tourism are the largest
\nearners of foreign exchange. The government, in consultation with international
\neconomic agencies, is implementing programs to stabilize the economy
\nand foster growth.<\/p>\n
GDP: $187.0 billion, per capita $2,165; real growth rate 2.5% (1989)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 20% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $36.1 billion; expenditures $56.1 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $7.7 biilion (1988)<\/p>\n
Exports: $23.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities–crude oil,
\noil products, coffee, shrimp, engines, cotton; partners–US 66%,
\nEC 16%, Japan 11%<\/p>\n
Imports: $23.3 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities–grain,
\nmetal manufactures, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment;
\npartners–US 62%, EC 18%, Japan 10%<\/p>\n
External debt: $95.1 billion (1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 1.3% (1988)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 26,900,000 kW capacity; 103,670 million kWh produced,
\n1,200 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel,
\npetroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, transportation equipment, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large
\nnumber of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops–corn,
\nwheat, rice, beans; cash crops–cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; fish
\ncatch of 1.4 million metric tons among top 20 nations (1987)<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis
\ncontinues in spite of government eradication efforts; major link in
\nchain of countries used to smuggle cocaine from South American
\ndealers to US markets<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $3.0 billion; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $6.8
\nbillion; Communist countries (1970-88), $110 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Mexican peso (plural–pesos);
\n1 Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1–2,660.3
\n(January 1990), 2,461.3 (1989), 2,273.1 (1988), 1,378.2 (1987), 611.8 (1986),
\n256.9 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 20,680 km total; 19,950 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 730 km
\n0.914-meter narrow gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: 210,000 km total; 65,000 km paved, 30,000 km semipaved or
\ncobblestone, 60,000 km rural roads (improved earth) or roads under construction,
\n55,000 km unimproved earth roads<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals<\/p>\n
Pipelines: crude oil, 4,381 km; refined products, 8,345 km; natural gas,
\n13,254 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Acapulco, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo,
\nMazatlan, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Veracruz<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 68 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,041,229
\nGRT\/1,552,478 DWT; includes 5 short-sea passenger, 10 cargo, 2 refrigerated
\ncargo, 2 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 31 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)
\ntanker, 3 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 4 bulk, 4 combination bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: 174 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 1,785 total, 1,484 usable; 190 with permanent-surface runways;
\n2 with runways over 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 259 with runways
\n1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: highly developed system with extensive radio relay
\nlinks; connection into Central American Microwave System; 6.41 million
\ntelephones; stations–679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22 shortwave; 120 domestic
\nsatellite terminals; satellite earth stations–4 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and
\n1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 21,575,525; 15,803,322 fit for military
\nservice; 1,118,046 reach military age (18) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (1987)
\n.pa
\nMicronesia, Federated States of
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 702 km2; land area: 702 km2; includes Pohnpei, Truk, Yap,
\nand Kosrae<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 6,112 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
\nislands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional severe
\ndamage<\/p>\n
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low,
\ncoral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk<\/p>\n
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals<\/p>\n
Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures;
\nNA% forest and woodland; NA% other<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to typhoons from June to December; four major
\nisland groups totaling 607 islands<\/p>\n
Note: located 5,150 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific
\nOcean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 104,937 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 34 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 2 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 26 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 5.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Micronesian(s); adjective–Micronesian;
\nKosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups<\/p>\n
Religion: predominantly Christian, divided between Roman Catholic and
\nProtestant; other churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
\nSeventh-Day Adventist, Latter Day Saints, and the Baha’i Faith<\/p>\n
Language: English is the official and common language; most indigenous
\nlanguages fall within the Austronesian language family, the exceptions are the
\nPolynesian languages; major indigenous languages are Trukese, Pohnpeian,
\nYapese, and Kosrean<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%, but education compulsory through eight grades<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA; two-thirds are government employees; 45,000 people are
\nbetween the ages of 15 and 65<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Federated States of Micronesia (no short-form name)<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the
\nCompact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986<\/p>\n
Capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei); note–a new capital is being
\nbuilt about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, Yap<\/p>\n
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship;
\nformerly the Kosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap districts of the Trust Territory
\nof the Pacific Islands)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 10 May 1979<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the
\nlegislature, municipal, common, and customary laws<\/p>\n
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia,
\n10 May (1979)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President John R. HAGLELGAM
\n(since 11 May 1987); Vice President Hiroshi H. ISMAEL (since 11 May 1987)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held 11 May 1987 (next to be held May 1991);
\nresults–John R. Haglelgam was elected;<\/p>\n
House of Representatives–last held on NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(NA total)<\/p>\n
Communists: none<\/p>\n
Member of: SPF, ESCAP (associate)<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Deputy Representative Jesse B. MAREHALAN;
\nRepresentative Office at 706 G Street SE, Washington DC 20003;
\ntelephone (202) 544-2640;
\nUS–Representative Michael G. WYGANT; US Office at address NA, Kolonia
\n(mailing address is P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
\n96941); telephone 691-320-2187<\/p>\n
Flag: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars
\nare arranged in a diamond pattern<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Financial assistance from the US is the primary source
\nof revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s.
\nMicronesia also earns about $4 million a year in fees from foreign commercial
\nfishing concerns. Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming
\nand fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,
\nexcept for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry
\nexists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate
\nfacilities hinder development; note–GNP numbers reflect US spending.<\/p>\n
GNP: $150 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 80%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $110.8 million; expenditures NA, including
\ncapital expenditures of NA (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $1.6 million (f.o.b., 1983); commodities–copra;
\npartners–NA<\/p>\n
Imports: $48.9 million (c.i.f., 1983); commodities–NA;
\npartners–NA<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 15,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced,
\n340 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearl<\/p>\n
Agriculture: mainly a subsistence economy; copra, black pepper; tropical
\nfruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens<\/p>\n
Aid: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will
\nprovide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001<\/p>\n
Currency: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 39 km of paved macadam and concrete roads on major islands,
\notherwise 187 km stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads<\/p>\n
Ports: Colonia (Yap), Truk (Kosrae), Okat (Kosrae)<\/p>\n
Airports: 11 total, 10 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways;
\n6 with runways 1,220-2,439<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: 16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987);
\ntelephone network–960 telephone lines at both Kolonia and Truk; islands
\ninterconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes);
\nstations–5 AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
\n.pa
\nMidway Islands
\n(territory of the US)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 5.2 km2; land area: 5.2 km2; includes Eastern Island
\nand Sand Island<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 15 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 m;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds<\/p>\n
Terrain: low, nearly level<\/p>\n
Natural resources: fish and wildlife<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures;
\n0% forest and woodland; 100% other<\/p>\n
Environment: coral atoll<\/p>\n
Note: located 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu at the western end of
\nHawaiian Islands group, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo;
\nclosed to the public<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 453 US military personnel (1989)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy,
\nunder command of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managed
\ncooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US
\nDepartment of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none (territory of the US)<\/p>\n
Flag: the US flag is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is based on providing support services for US naval
\noperations located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be
\nimported.<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 32 km total<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 7.8 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Sand Island<\/p>\n
Airports: 3 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
\n.pa
\nMonaco
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1.9 km2; land area: 1.9 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundary: 4.4 km with France<\/p>\n
Coastline: 4.1 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers<\/p>\n
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky<\/p>\n
Natural resources: none<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other<\/p>\n
Environment: almost entirely urban<\/p>\n
Note: second-smallest independent state in world (after
\nVatican City)<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 29,453 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 7 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 9 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 80 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 1.2 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s); adjective–Monacan or
\nMonegasque<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 47% French, 16% Monegasque, 16% Italian, 21% other<\/p>\n
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic<\/p>\n
Language: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque<\/p>\n
Literacy: 99%<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 4,000 members in 35 unions<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Principality of Monaco<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n
Capital: Monaco<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular–quartier);
\nFontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo<\/p>\n
Independence: 1419, rule by the House of Grimaldi<\/p>\n
Constitution: 17 December 1962<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
\njurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: National Day, 19 November<\/p>\n
Executive branch: prince, minister of state, Council of Government
\n(cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: National Council (Conseil National)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Prince RAINIER III (since November 1949); Heir Apparent
\nPrince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958);<\/p>\n
Head of Government Minister of State Jean AUSSEIL (since 10
\nSeptember 1985)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union (UND),
\nDemocratic Union Movement (MUD), Monaco Action, Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM)<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal adult at age 25<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nNational Council–last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held 24
\nJanuary 1993);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(18 total) UND 18<\/p>\n
Member of: IAEA, ICAO, IHO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU,
\nUN (permanent observer), UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Monaco maintains honorary consulates
\ngeneral in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and San
\nFrancisco, and honorary consulates in Dallas, Honolulu, Palm Beach,
\nPhiladelphia, and Washington;
\nUS–no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille,
\nFrance, is accredited to Monaco; Consul General R. Susan WOOD; Consulate
\nGeneral at 12 Boulevard Paul Peytral, 13286 Marseille Cedex (mailing
\naddress APO NY 09777); telephone \u00d533\u00e5 (91) 549-200<\/p>\n
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the
\nflag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top)
\nand red<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: No data are published on the economy. Monaco, situated
\non the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists
\nto its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to
\ndiversify into services and small, high-value-added, non-polluting industries.
\nThe state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax
\nhaven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign
\ncompanies that have set up businesses and offices. About 50% of Monaco’s annual
\nrevenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the industrial
\nsector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism. Living standards are
\nhigh, that is, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French
\nmetropolitan suburbs.<\/p>\n
GNP: NA<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: full employment (1989)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $386 million; expenditures $NA, including capital
\nexpenditures of $NA (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
\nrebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through
\ncustoms union with France<\/p>\n
Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and
\nrebates Monacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through
\ncustoms union with France<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 10,000 kW standby capacity (1988); power supplied by France<\/p>\n
Industries: pharmaceuticals, food processing, precision instruments,
\nglassmaking, printing, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: NA<\/p>\n
Aid: NA<\/p>\n
Currency: French franc (plural–francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1–5.7598 (January 1990),
\n6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 1.6 km 1.435-meter gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: none; city streets<\/p>\n
Ports: Monaco<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 1 tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT\/4,959 DWT<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runways<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: served by the French communications system; automatic
\ntelephone system; 38,200 telephones; stations–3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV;
\nno communication satellite stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of France
\n.pa
\nMongolia
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,565,000 km2; land area: 1,565,000 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than Alaska<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 8,114 km total; China 4,673 km, USSR 3,441 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Maritime claims: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature
\nranges)<\/p>\n
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and
\nsouthwest; Gobi Desert in southeast<\/p>\n
Natural resources: coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin,
\nnickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold<\/p>\n
Land use: 1% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 79% meadows and
\npastures; 10% forest and woodland; 10% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: harsh and rugged<\/p>\n
Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Soviet Union<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 2,187,275 (July 1990), growth rate 2.7% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 35 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 50 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 67 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mongolian(s); adjective–Mongolian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 90% Mongol, 4% Kazakh, 2% Chinese, 2% Russian, 2% other<\/p>\n
Religion: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, about 4% Muslim, limited
\nreligious activity because of Communist regime<\/p>\n
Language: Khalkha Mongol used by over 90% of population; minor languages
\ninclude Turkic, Russian, and Chinese<\/p>\n
Literacy: 80% (est.); 100% claimed (1985)<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA, but primarily agricultural; over half the adult
\npopulation is in the labor force, including a large percentage of women;
\nshortage of skilled labor<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 425,000 members of the Central Council of Mongolian Trade
\nUnions (CCMTU) controlled by the government (1984)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Mongolian People’s Republic; abbreviated MPR<\/p>\n
Type: Communist state<\/p>\n
Capital: Ulaanbaatar<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular–aymag) and
\n3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular–hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy,
\nBulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*,
\nGovi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay,
\nSelenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs<\/p>\n
Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China; formerly Outer Mongolia)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 6 July 1960<\/p>\n
Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law;
\nno constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not
\naccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: People’s Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: chairman and deputy chairman of the Presidium of
\nthe People’s Great Hural, Presidium of the People’s Great Hural, chairman
\nof the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral People’s Great Hural<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Chairman of the Presidium of the People’s Great
\nHural Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 21 March 1990);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Chairman of the Council of Ministers
\nSharabyn GUNGAADORJ (since 21 March 1990);<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: only party–Mongolian People’s
\nRevolutionary Party (MPRP), Gombojabin Ochirbat, General Secretary<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held 21 March 1990 (next to be held July 1991);
\nresults–Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat elected by the People’s Great Hural;<\/p>\n
People’s Great Hural–last held on 22 June 1986 (next to be held
\nJune 1990);
\nresults–MPRP was the only party;
\nseats–(370 total) MPRP 370<\/p>\n
Communists: MPRP membership 88,150 (1986 est.)<\/p>\n
Member of: CEMA, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBEC, ILO, IPU, ITU, UN, UNESCO,
\nUPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Gendengiin NYAMDOO;
\nUS–Ambassador Richard L. WILLIAMS<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;
\ncentered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is a five-pointed star above the
\nnational emblem (soyombo–a columnar arrangement of abstract and
\ngeometric representations for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
\nsymbol)<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Economic activity traditionally has been based on
\nagriculture and the breeding of livestock–Mongolia has the highest
\nnumber of livestock per person in the world. In recent years extensive
\nmineral resources have been developed with Soviet support. The mining and
\nprocessing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold
\naccount for a large part of industrial production.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $880 (1985 est.); average real
\ngrowth rate 3.6% (1976-85 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $2.2 billion; expenditures $2.19 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $0.9 billion (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $388 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities–livestock, animal
\nproducts, wool, hides, fluorspar, nonferrous metals, minerals;
\npartners–nearly all trade with Communist countries (about 80% with USSR)<\/p>\n
Imports: $1.0 billion (c.i.f., 1985); commodities–machinery and
\nequipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building
\nmaterials, sugar, tea;
\npartners–nearly all trade with Communist countries (about 80% with USSR)<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 10.9% (1985)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 657,000 kW capacity; 29,500 million kWh produced,
\n1,340 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: processing of animal products, building materials, food and
\nbeverage, mining (particularly coal)<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 90% of exports and provides livelihood for about
\n50% of the population; livestock raising predominates (sheep, goats, horses);
\ncrops–wheat, barley, potatoes, forage<\/p>\n
Aid: about $500-$700 million annually from USSR<\/p>\n
Currency: tughrik (plural–tughriks); 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1–3.355 (1986-1988),
\n3.600 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 1,750 km 1.524-meter broad gauge (1986)<\/p>\n
Highways: 46,700 km total; 1,000 km hard surface; 45,700 km other surfaces
\n(1986)<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1986)<\/p>\n
Civil air: 22 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 80 total, 30 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways;
\nfewer than 5 with runways over 3,659 m; fewer than 20 with runways
\n2,440-3,659 m; 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: stations–13 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (with 18 provincial
\nrelays); relay of Soviet TV; 60,000 TV sets; 186,000 radio receivers;
\nat least 1 satellite earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Mongolian People’s Army, Air Force (negligible)<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 518,482; 338,652 fit for military service;
\n24,783 reach military age (18) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: NA
\n.pa
\nMontserrat
\n(dependent territory of the UK)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 100 km2; land area: 100 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 40 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 3 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation<\/p>\n
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland<\/p>\n
Natural resources: negligible<\/p>\n
Land use: 20% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and
\npastures; 40% forest and woodland; 30% other<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to severe hurricanes from June to November<\/p>\n
Note: located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 12,467 (July 1990), growth rate 0.3% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 16 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 10 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 4 migrant\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 80 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Montserratian(s); adjective–Montserratian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: mostly black with a few Europeans<\/p>\n
Religion: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day
\nAdventist, other Christian denominations<\/p>\n
Language: English<\/p>\n
Literacy: 77%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 5,100; 40.5% community, social, and personal services,
\n13.5% construction, 12.3% trade, restaurants, and hotels, 10.5% manufacturing,
\n8.8% agriculture, forestry, and fishing, 14.4% other (1983 est.)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 30% of labor force, three trade unions with 1,500
\nmembers (1984 est.)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: dependent territory of the UK<\/p>\n
Capital: Plymouth<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges,
\nSaint Peter<\/p>\n
Independence: none (colony of the UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 1 January 1960<\/p>\n
Legal system: English common law and statute law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
\nSaturday of June)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: monarch, governor, Executive Council (cabinet),
\nchief minister<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
\nrepresented by Governor Christopher J. TURNER (since 1987);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Chief Minister John A. OSBORNE (since 1978)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: People’s Liberation Movement (PLM), John
\nOsborne; Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Howell Bramble; United
\nNational Front (UNF), Dr. George Irish; National Development Party (NDP),
\nBertrand Osborne<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nLegislative Council–last held on 25 August 1987 (next to be
\nheld NA 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(11 total, 7 elected) PLM 4, NDP 2, PDP 1<\/p>\n
Communists: probably none<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none (colony of the UK)<\/p>\n
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
\nthe Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat
\nof arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around
\na black cross<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is small and open with economic activity centered
\non tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and
\naccounted for 20% of GDP in 1986. Agriculture accounted for about 4%
\nof GDP and industry 9%. The economy is heavily dependent on imports,
\nmaking it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports consist
\nmainly of electronic parts sold to the US.<\/p>\n
GDP: $45.4 million, per capita $3,780; real growth rate 12% (1988
\nest.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1987)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 3.0% (1987)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $10.0 million; expenditures $9.4 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $3.2 million (1987)<\/p>\n
Exports: $3.0 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities–plastic bags,
\nelectronic parts, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle; partners–NA<\/p>\n
Imports: $25.3 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities–machinery and
\ntransportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants,
\nand related materials; partners–NA<\/p>\n
External debt: $3.7 million (1985)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 8.1% (1986)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 12 million kWh produced,
\n930 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism; light manufacturing–rum, textiles, electronic
\nappliances<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food
\ncrops–tomatoes, onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially
\nlivestock products<\/p>\n
Aid: NA<\/p>\n
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (plural–dollars);
\n1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1–2.70 (fixed
\nrate since 1976)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 280 km total; about 200 km paved, 80 km gravel and earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Plymouth<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,036 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; stations–8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the UK
\n.pa
\nMorocco
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 446,550 km2; land area: 446,300 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than California<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 2,002 km total; Algeria 1,559 km, Western
\nSahara 443 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 1,835 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is
\nunresolved; armed conflict in Western Sahara; Spain controls two coastal
\npresidios or places of sovereignty (Ceuta, Melilla)<\/p>\n
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly mountains with rich coastal plains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead,
\nzinc, fish, salt<\/p>\n
Land use: 18% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 28% meadows and
\npastures; 12% forest and woodland; 41% other; includes 1% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject
\nto earthquakes; desertification<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 25,648,241 (July 1990), growth rate 2.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 31 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 1 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 78 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 66 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Moroccan(s); adjective–Moroccan<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 99.1% Arab-Berber, 0.7% non-Moroccan, 0.2% Jewish<\/p>\n
Religion: 98.7% Muslim, 1.1% Christian, 0.2% Jewish<\/p>\n
Language: Arabic (official); several Berber dialects; French is language
\nof business, government, diplomacy, and postprimary education<\/p>\n
Literacy: 28%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 7,400,000; 50% agriculture, 26% services, 15% industry,
\n9% other (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: about 5% of the labor force, mainly in the Union of
\nMoroccan Workers (UMT) and the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Kingdom of Morocco<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n
Capital: Rabat<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 36 provinces (provinces, singular–province)
\nand 2 municipalities* (wilayas, singular–wilaya); Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal,
\nBeni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida,
\nEl Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane,
\nKenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador,
\nOuarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan,
\nTaounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit<\/p>\n
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 10 March 1972<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law
\nsystem; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme
\nCourt<\/p>\n
National holiday: National Day (anniversary of King Hassan II’s accession
\nto the throne), 3 March (1961)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Chamber of Representatives (Majlis al
\nNuwab)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Dr. Azzedine LARAKI (since
\n30 September 1986)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Morocco has 15 political parties; the major
\nones are Istiqlal Party, M’Hamed Boucetta; Socialist Union of Popular Forces
\n(USFP), Abderrahim Bouabid; Popular Movement (MP), Secretariat General;
\nNational Assembly of Independents (RNI), Ahmed Osman; National Democratic Party
\n(PND), Mohamed Arsalane El-Jadidi; Party for Progress and Socialism (PPS),
\nAli Yata; Constitutional Union (UC), Maati Bouabid<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nChamber of Representatives–last held on 14 September 1984 (were
\nscheduled for September 1990, but postponed until NA 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(306 total, 206 elected) CU 83, RNI 61, MP 47, Istiqlal 41,
\nUSFP 36, PND 24, others 14<\/p>\n
Communists: about 2,000<\/p>\n
Member of: AfDB, Arab League, CCC, EC (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT,
\nIAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
\nILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOOC, IPU, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU,
\nWHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ali BENGELLOUN; Chancery at
\n1601 21st Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-7979;
\nthere is a Moroccan Consulate General in New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Michael USSERY; Embassy at 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
\n(mailing address is P. O. Box 120, Rabat, or APO New York 09284);
\ntelephone \u00d5212\u00e5 (7) 622-65; there are US Consulates General in Casablanca
\nand Tangier<\/p>\n
Flag: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as
\nSolomon’s seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of
\nIslam<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: After registering a robust 10% growth in 1988, the
\neconomy slowed in 1989 because of higher prices for food and oil
\nimports, lower worker remittances, and a trade dispute with India over
\nphosphoric acid prices that cost Rabat $500 million. To meet the foreign
\npayments shortfall, Rabat has been drawing down foreign exchange reserves.
\nServicing the $22 billion foreign debt, high unemployment, and Morocco’s
\nvulnerability to external forces remain severe problems for the 1990s.<\/p>\n
GDP: $21.9 billion, per capita $880 (1988); real growth rate 4.5% (1989
\nest.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 15% (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $5.1 billion; expenditures $6.0 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $1.4 billion (1988)<\/p>\n
Exports: $3.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities–food and
\nbeverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17%;
\npartners–EC 58%, India 7%, Japan 5%, USSR 3%, US 2%<\/p>\n
Imports: $5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities–capital
\ngoods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel and lubricants 16%,
\nfood and beverages 13%, consumer goods 10%; partners–EC 53%, US 11%,
\nCanada 4%, Iraq 3%, USSR 3%, Japan 2%<\/p>\n
External debt: $22.2 billion (1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 2,140,000 kW capacity; 7,760 million kWh produced,
\n300 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing,
\nleather goods, textiles, construction, tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: 50% of employment and 30% of export value; not
\nself-sufficient in food; cereal farming and livestock raising predominate;
\nbarley, wheat, citrus fruit, wine, vegetables, olives; fishing catch
\nof 491,000 metric tons in 1987<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; trafficking on
\nthe increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments
\nof cannabis mostly directed to Western Europe; occasional transit point
\nfor cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe.<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.2 billion; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $6.3 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4.8 billion; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$2.3 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: Moroccan dirham (plural–dirhams);
\n1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1–8.093 (January 1990),
\n8.488 (1989), 8.209 (1988), 8.359 (1987), 9.104 (1986), 10.062 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 1,893 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (246 km double track, 974
\nkm electrified)<\/p>\n
Highways: 59,198 km total; 27,740 km bituminous treated, 31,458 km gravel,
\ncrushed stone, improved earth, and unimproved earth<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 362 km crude oil; 491 km (abandoned) refined products; 241 km
\nnatural gas<\/p>\n
Ports: Agadir, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador,
\nSafi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,931
\nGRT\/513,762 DWT; includes 11 cargo, 2 container, 14 refrigerated cargo,
\n5 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 3 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker,
\n12 chemical tanker, 4 bulk, 3 short-sea passenger<\/p>\n
Civil air: 23 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 75 total, 68 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with
\nrunways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 27 with runways
\n1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: good system composed of wire lines, cables, and radio
\nrelay links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat, secondary centers are
\nFes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan; 280,000 telephones;
\nstations–14 AM, 6 FM, 47 TV; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations–2
\nAtlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and
\nWestern Sahara; coaxial cable to Algeria; microwave network linking Syria,
\nJordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air
\nForce, Royal Gendarmerie<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 6,203,759; 3,946,408 fit for military
\nservice; 293,893 reach military age (18) annually; limited conscription<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 7.1% of GDP (1987)
\n.pa
\nMozambique
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 801,590 km2; land area: 784,090 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of California<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 4,571 km total; Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km,
\nSwaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 2,470 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical to subtropical<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in
\nnorthwest, mountains in west<\/p>\n
Natural resources: coal, titanium<\/p>\n
Land use: 4% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 56% meadows and
\npastures; 20% forest and woodland; 20% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: severe drought and floods occur in south; desertification<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 14,565,656 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 47 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 18 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 3 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 138 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 49 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Mozambican(s); adjective–Mozambican<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: majority from indigenous tribal groups; about
\n10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, 15,000 Indians<\/p>\n
Religion: 60% indigenous beliefs, 30% Christian, 10% Muslim<\/p>\n
Language: Portuguese (official); many indigenous dialects<\/p>\n
Literacy: 38%<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA, but 90% engaged in agriculture<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 225,000 workers belong to a single union,
\nthe Mozambique Workers’ Organization (OTM)<\/p>\n
Note: there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: People’s Republic of Mozambique<\/p>\n
Type: people’s republic<\/p>\n
Capital: Maputo<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias,
\nsingular–provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula,
\nNiassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia<\/p>\n
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 25 June 1975<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral People’s Assembly (Assembleia Popular)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: People’s Courts at all levels<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6
\nNovember 1986);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since
\n17 July 1986)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique
\n(FRELIMO) is the only legal party and is a Marxist organization with close ties
\nto the USSR<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal adult at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections: national elections are indirect and based on mass meetings
\nthroughout the country<\/p>\n
Communists: about 60,000 FRELIMO members<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO,
\nIFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADCC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Valeriano FERRAO; Chancery at
\nSuite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington DC 20036; telephone (202) 293-7146;
\nUS–Ambassador Melissa F. WELLS; Embassy at 3rd Floor, 35 Rua Da Mesquita,
\nMaputo (mailing address is P. O. Box 783, Maputo); telephone 743167 or 744163<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with
\na red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in
\nwhite; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed
\nrifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: One of Africa’s poorest countries, with a per capita GDP of
\nlittle more than $100, Mozambique has failed to exploit the economic potential
\nof its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources.
\nIndeed, national output, consumption, and investment declined throughout the
\nfirst half of the 1980s because of internal disorders, lack of government
\nadministrative control, and a growing foreign debt. A sharp increase in foreign
\naid, attracted by an economic reform policy, has resulted in successive years of
\neconomic growth since 1985. Agricultural output, nevertheless, is only
\nat about 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to be imported. Industry
\noperates at only 20-40% of capacity. The economy depends heavily on
\nforeign assistance to keep afloat.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.6 billion, per capita less than $110; real growth rate 5.0%
\n(1988)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 81.1% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 40.0 (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $186 million; expenditures $239 million,
\nincluding capital expenditures of $208 million (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $100 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–shrimp 48%,
\ncashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3%; partners–US, Western
\nEurope, GDR, Japan<\/p>\n
Imports: $764 million (c.i.f., 1988), including aid;
\ncommodities–food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum;
\npartners–US, Western Europe, USSR<\/p>\n
External debt: $4.4 billion (1988)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 2,265,000 kW capacity; 1,740 million kWh produced,
\n120 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints),
\npetroleum products, textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass,
\nasbestos), tobacco<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP, over 80% of labor force, and about
\n90% of exports; cash crops–cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, shrimp; other
\ncrops–cassava, corn, rice, tropical fruits; not self-sufficient in food<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $282 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $3.1 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $37 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$887 million<\/p>\n
Currency: metical (plural–meticais); 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1–800 (September 1989),
\n528.60 (1988), 289.44 (1987), 40.43 (1986), 43.18 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 3,288 km total; 3,140 km 1.067-meter gauge; 148 km 0.762-meter
\nnarrow gauge; Malawi-Nacala, Malawi-Beira, and Zimbabwe-Maputo lines are
\nsubject to closure because of insurgency<\/p>\n
Highways: 26,498 km total; 4,593 km paved; 829 km gravel, crushed stone,
\nstabilized soil; 21,076 km unimproved earth<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 306 km crude oil (not operating); 289 km refined products<\/p>\n
Ports: Maputo, Beira, Nacala<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 5 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,806
\nGRT\/12,873 DWT<\/p>\n
Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 203 total, 153 usable; 27 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 29 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: fair system of troposcatter, open-wire lines, and
\nradio relay; 57,400 telephones; stations–15 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV; satellite earth
\nstations–1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Mozambique Armed Forces (including Army, Border Guard, Naval
\nCommand, Air Defense Forces)<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 3,295,067; 1,892,699 fit for military
\nservice<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 8.4% of GDP (1987)
\n.pa
\nNamibia
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 824,290 km2; land area: 823,290 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than half the size of Alaska<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 3,935 km total; Angola 1,376 km, Botswana
\n1,360 km, South Africa 966 km, Zambia 233 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 1,489 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 6 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite;
\nquadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement;
\npossible future claim to South Africa’s Walvis Bay<\/p>\n
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert
\nin east<\/p>\n
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin,
\nzinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of coal
\nand iron ore<\/p>\n
Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 64% meadows and
\npastures; 22% forest and woodland; 13% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: inhospitable with very limited natural water resources;
\ndesertification<\/p>\n
Note: Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 1,452,951 (July 1990), growth rate 5.6% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 46 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 10 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 20 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 71 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 57 years male, 63 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Namibian(s); adjective–Namibian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 86% black, 6.5% white, 7.5% mixed; about 50%
\nof the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% from the Kavangos
\ntribe<\/p>\n
Religion: predominantly Christian<\/p>\n
Language: Afrikaans principal language of about 60% of white population,
\nGerman of 33%, and English of 7% (all official); several indigenous languages<\/p>\n
Literacy: 100% whites, 16% nonwhites<\/p>\n
Labor force: 500,000; 60% agriculture, 19% industry and commerce,
\n8% services, 7% government, 6% mining (1981 est.)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 15 trade unions–largest is the mineworkers’
\nunion which has a sizable black membership<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Namibia<\/p>\n
Type: republic as of 21 March 1990<\/p>\n
Capital: Windhoek<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 26 districts; Bethanien, Boesmanland,
\nCaprivi Oos, Damaraland, Gobabis, Grootfontein, Hereroland Oos,
\nHereroland Wes, Kaokoland, Karasburg, Karibib, Kavango, Keetmanshoop,
\nLuderitz, Maltahohe, Mariental, Namaland, Okahandja, Omaruru,
\nOtjiwarongo, Outjo, Owambo, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Tsumeb, Windhoek<\/p>\n
Independence: 21 March 1990<\/p>\n
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Settlers’ Day, 10 December<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet, Constitutional Council<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government President Sam NUJOMA
\n(since 21 March 1990)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: South-West Africa People’s
\nOrganization (SWAPO), Sam Nujoma;
\nDemocratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA), Dirk Mudge;
\nUnited Democratic Front (UDF), Justus Garoeb;
\nAction Christian National (ACN), Kosie Pretorius;
\nNational Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses Katjiuongua;
\nFederal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans Diergaardt;
\nNamibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii Rukoro<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nNational Assembly–last held on 7-11 November 1989
\n(next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1<\/p>\n
Communists: no Communist party<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: NA<\/p>\n
Member of: FAO, IAEA, ILO, UNESCO, WHO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: NA<\/p>\n
Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the
\nupper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower
\nright section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe which is
\ncontrasted by two narrow white edge borders<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry
\nto extract and process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 35%
\nof GDP, agriculture and fisheries 10-15%, and manufacturing about 5%.
\nNamibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and
\nthe world’s fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are
\namong the richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for
\ngem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin,
\nsilver, and tungsten, and it has substantial resources of coal.<\/p>\n
GNP: $1.54 billion, per capita $1,245; real growth rate 2.9%
\n(1987)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.1% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: over 30% (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $781 million; expenditures $932 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (FY88)<\/p>\n
Exports: $935 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–diamonds,
\nuranium, zinc, copper, meat, processed fish, karakul skins;
\npartners–South Africa<\/p>\n
Imports: $856 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–foodstuffs,
\nmanufactured consumer goods, machinery and equipment;
\npartners–South Africa, FRG, UK, US<\/p>\n
External debt: about $27 million at independence; under a 1971
\nInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, Namibia may not be
\nliable for debt incurred during its colonial period<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 486,000 kW capacity; 1,280 million kWh produced,
\n930 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper,
\nlead, zinc, diamond, uranium)<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 10% of GDP (including fishing); mostly
\nsubsistence farming; livestock raising major source of cash income;
\ncrops–millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch potential of over 1 million
\nmetric tons not being fulfilled, 1987 catch reaching only 520,000 metric
\ntons; not self-sufficient in food<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-87), $47.2 million<\/p>\n
Currency: South African rand (plural–rand);
\n1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1–2.5555 (January 1990),
\n2.6166 (1989), 2.2611 (1988), 2.0350 (1987), 2.2685 (1986), 2.1911 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track<\/p>\n
Highways: 54,500 km; 4,079 km paved, 2,540 km gravel, 47,881 km earth
\nroads and tracks<\/p>\n
Ports: Luderitz; primary maritime outlet is Walvis Bay (South Africa)<\/p>\n
Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 143 total, 123 usable; 21 with permanent-surface runways;
\n1 with runways over 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways
\n1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects
\nmajor towns, wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones;
\nstations–2 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: NA<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 298,249; 176,660 fit for military service<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 4.9% of GNP (1986)<\/p>\n
Note: the South-West Africa Territorial Force, established in
\n1980, was demobilized in June 1989; a new national defense force will
\nprobably be formed by the new government
\n.pa
\nNauru
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 21 km2; land area: 21 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 30 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)<\/p>\n
Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs
\nwith phosphate plateau in center<\/p>\n
Natural resources: phosphates<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other<\/p>\n
Environment: only 53 km south of Equator<\/p>\n
Note: one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific
\n(others are Banaba or Ocean Island in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia)<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 9,202 (July 1990), growth rate 1.5% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 20 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: NEGL migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 69 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Nauruan(s); adjective–Nauruan<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 58% Nauruan, 26% other Pacific Islander, 8% Chinese, 8%
\nEuropean<\/p>\n
Religion: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)<\/p>\n
Language: Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language (official); English
\nwidely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes<\/p>\n
Literacy: 99%<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Nauru<\/p>\n
Type: republic<\/p>\n
Capital: no capital city as such; government offices in Yaren District<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare,
\nBaiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren<\/p>\n
Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia,
\nNew Zealand, and UK); formerly Pleasant Island<\/p>\n
Constitution: 29 January 1968<\/p>\n
Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President Bernard DOWIYOGO
\n(since 12 December 1989)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: none<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held 9 December 1989 (next to be held December
\n1992);
\nresults–Bernard Dowiyogo elected by Parliament;<\/p>\n
Parliament–last held on 9 December 1989 (next to be held
\nDecember 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(18 total) independents 18<\/p>\n
Member of: Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL,
\nITU, SPC, SPF, UPU<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador T. W. STAR resides in Melbourne
\n(Australia); there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam);
\nUS–the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru<\/p>\n
Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and
\na large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the
\nstar indicates the country’s location in relation to the Equator (the
\nyellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of
\nNauru<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves
\nof which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given
\nNauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third
\nWorld–$10,000 annually. Few other resources exist so
\nmost necessities must be imported, including fresh water from
\nAustralia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income
\nfrom phosphates constitute serious long-term problems. Substantial
\ninvestment in trust funds, out of phosphate income, will help cushion the
\ntransition.<\/p>\n
GNP: over $90 million, per capita $10,000; real growth rate NA% (1989)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 0%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984); commodities–phosphates;
\npartners–Australia, NZ<\/p>\n
Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984); commodities–food, fuel,
\nmanufactures, building materials, machinery; partners–Australia, UK, NZ,
\nJapan<\/p>\n
External debt: $33.3 million<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 13,250 kW capacity; 48 million kWh produced,
\n5,300 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconuts<\/p>\n
Agriculture: negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food
\nand water<\/p>\n
Aid: none<\/p>\n
Currency: Australian dollar (plural–dollars);
\n1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1–1.2784 (January 1990),
\n1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island
\nto processing facilities on the southwest coast<\/p>\n
Highways: about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Nauru<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 39,597
\nGRT\/50,729 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 1 cargo, 2 bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: 3 major transport aircraft, one on order<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: adequate intraisland and international radio
\ncommunications provided via Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones;
\n4,000 radio receivers; stations–1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
\nearth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: no regular armed forces<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 298,249; 176,660 fit for military
\nservice; 100 reach age 18 annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: no formal defense structure
\n.pa
\nNavassa Island
\n(territory of the US)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 5.2 km2; land area: 5.2 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 8 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 m;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: claimed by Haiti<\/p>\n
Climate: marine, tropical<\/p>\n
Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by
\nvertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)<\/p>\n
Natural resources: guano<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures;
\n0% forest and woodland; 90% other<\/p>\n
Environment: mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat
\nherds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica in the
\nCaribbean Sea; 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: uninhabited; transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on
\nthe island<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none (territory of the US)<\/p>\n
Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast
\nGuard<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: no economic activity<\/p>\n
Communications
\nPorts: none; offshore anchorage only<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
\n.pa
\nNepal
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 140,800 km2; land area: 136,800 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 2,926 km total; China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Maritime claims: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to
\nsubtropical summers and mild winter in south<\/p>\n
Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill
\nregion, rugged Himalayas in north<\/p>\n
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic
\nbeauty; small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore<\/p>\n
Land use: 17% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 13% meadows and
\npastures; 33% forest and woodland; 37% other; includes 2% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: contains eight of world’s 10 highest peaks;
\ndeforestation; soil erosion; water pollution<\/p>\n
Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 19,145,800 (July 1990), growth rate 2.4% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 39 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 15 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 99 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 50 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 5.6 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Nepalese (sing. and pl.); adjective–Nepalese<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs,
\nBhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas, as well as many smaller groups<\/p>\n
Religion: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp
\ndistinction between many Hindu (about 88% of population) and Buddhist groups;
\nsmall groups of Muslims and Christians<\/p>\n
Language: Nepali (official); 20 languages divided into numerous dialects<\/p>\n
Literacy: 20%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 4,100,000; 93% agriculture, 5% services, 2% industry;
\nsevere lack of skilled labor<\/p>\n
Organized labor: Teachers’ Union, not officially recognized<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Kingdom of Nepal<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional monarchy, but King Birendra exercises
\ncontrol over multitiered system of government<\/p>\n
Capital: Kathmandu<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural);
\nBagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali,
\nKosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani,
\nRapti, Sagarmatha, Seti<\/p>\n
Independence: 1768, unified by Prithyi Narayan Shah<\/p>\n
Constitution: 16 December 1962<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has
\nnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: monarch, chairman of the Council of State, Council
\nof State, prime minister<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Rashtriya Panchayat)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January
\n1972, crowned King 24 February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA
\nBir Bikram Shah Dev, son of the King (born 21 June 1971);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Marich Man Singh SHRESTHA (since
\n15 July 1986)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: all political parties outlawed but operate
\nmore or less openly; Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Ganesh Man Singh, K. P.
\nBhattarai, G. P. Koirala<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nNational Assembly–last held on 12 May 1986 (next to be held May 1991);
\nresults–all independents since political parties are officially banned;
\nseats–(140 total, 112 elected) independents 112<\/p>\n
Communists: Communist Party of Nepal (CPN); factions include V. B.
\nManandhar, Man Mohan Adhikari\/Sahana Pradhan, Bharat Raj Joshi, Rai Majhi,
\nTulsi Lal, Krishna Raj Burma<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning student
\ngroups in the capital; Indian merchants in Tarai and capital; several small,
\nradical Nepalese antimonarchist groups operating from north India<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, CCC, Colombo Plan, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA,
\nIFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN,
\nUNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Mohan Man SAINJU; Chancery at 2131
\nLeroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 667-4550; there is a
\nNepalese Consulate General in New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Julia Chang BLOCH; Embassy at Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu;
\ntelephone \u00d5977\u00e5 411179 or 412718, 411601<\/p>\n
Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping
\nright triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the
\nlarger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the
\nworld with a per capita income of only $158. Real growth averaged 4% in the
\n1980s until FY89, when it plunged to 1.5% because of the ongoing
\ntrade\/transit dispute with India. Agriculture is the mainstay of the
\neconomy, providing a livelihood for over 90% of the population and
\naccounting for 60% of GDP and about 75% of exports. Industrial activity is
\nlimited, and what there is involves the processing of agricultural
\nproduce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain).
\nApart from agricultural land and forests, the only other exploitable natural
\nresources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Despite considerable investment in
\nthe agricultural sector, production in the 1980s has not kept pace with the
\npopulation growth of 2.7%, which has led to a reduction in exportable surpluses
\nand balance-of-payments difficulties. Economic prospects for the 1990s
\nremain grim.<\/p>\n
GDP: $2.9 billion, per capita $158; real growth rate 1.5% (FY89)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (FY89 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 5%; underemployment estimated at 25-40% (1987)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $296 million; expenditures $635 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $394 million (FY89 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $374 million (f.o.b., FY89 est.), but does not include
\nunrecorded border trade with India; commodities–clothing, carpets,
\nleather goods, grain; partners–India 38%, US 23%, UK 6%, other
\nEurope 9% (FY88)<\/p>\n
Imports: $724 million (c.i.f., FY89 est.); commodities–petroleum
\nproducts 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%; partners–India 36%,
\nJapan 13%, Europe 4%, US 1% (FY88)<\/p>\n
External debt: $1.3 billion (December 1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate – 4.5% (FY89 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 205,000 kW capacity; 535 million kWh produced,
\n30 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette,
\ntextiles, cement, brick; tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and 90% of work force; farm
\nproducts–rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not
\nself-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and
\ninternational drug markets<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $285 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-87), $1.8 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $273
\nmillion<\/p>\n
Currency: Nepalese rupee (plural–rupees);
\n1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1–28.559 (January 1990),
\n27.189 (1989), 23.289 (1988), 21.819 (1987), 21.230 (1986), 18.246 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 16 July-15 July<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 52 km (1985), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Tarai close
\nto Indian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned<\/p>\n
Highways: 5,958 km total (1986); 2,645 km paved, 815 km gravel or crushed
\nstone, 2,257 km improved and unimproved earth; also 241 km of seasonally
\nmotorable tracks<\/p>\n
Civil air: 5 major and 11 minor transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 38 total, 38 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio
\ncommunication and broadcast service; international radio communication service
\nis poor; 30,000 telephones (1987); stations–4 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean
\nINTELSAT earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese
\nPolice Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,531,660; 2,347,412 fit for military
\nservice; 225,349 reach military age (17) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 2% of GDP, or $58 million (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nNetherlands
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 37,290 km2; land area: 33,940 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 1,027 km total; Belgium 450 km, FRG 577 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 451 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters<\/p>\n
Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some
\nhills in southeast<\/p>\n
Natural resources: natural gas, crude oil, fertile soil<\/p>\n
Land use: 25% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 34% meadows and
\npastures; 9% forest and woodland; 31% other; includes 15% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: 27% of the land area is below sea level and protected from
\nthe North Sea by dikes<\/p>\n
Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine,
\nMaas or Meuse, Schelde)<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 14,936,032 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 13 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 2 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women); adjective–Dutch<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 96% Dutch, 4% Moroccans, Turks, and others (1988)<\/p>\n
Religion: 36% Roman Catholic, 27% Protestant, 4% other, 33%
\nunaffiliated (1986)<\/p>\n
Language: Dutch<\/p>\n
Literacy: 99%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 5,300,000; 50.1% services, 28.2% manufacturing and
\nconstruction, 15.9% government, 5.8% agriculture (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 29% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Kingdom of the Netherlands<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n
Capital: Amsterdam, but government resides at The Hague<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien,
\nsingular–provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen,
\nLimburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,
\nZuid-Holland<\/p>\n
Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles<\/p>\n
Independence: 1579 (from Spain)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 17 February 1983<\/p>\n
Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory;
\njudicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather
\nthan Acts of Parliament; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations<\/p>\n
National holiday: Queen’s Day, 30 April (1938)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet,
\nCabinet of Ministers<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral States General (Staten Generaal) consists of
\nan upper chamber or First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second
\nChamber (Tweede Kamer)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980);
\nHeir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born
\n27 April 1967);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since
\n4 November 1982); Deputy Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 2 November 1989)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem
\nvan Velzen; Labor (PvdA), Wim Kok; Liberal (VVD), Joris Voorhoeve; Democrats ’66
\n(D’66), Hans van Mierio; Communist (CPN), Henk Hoekstra; a host of minor parties<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nFirst Chamber–last held on 9 June l987 (next to be held 9 June 1991);
\nresults–elected by the country’s 12 provincial councils;
\nseats–(75 total) percent of seats by party NA;<\/p>\n
Second Chamber–last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held by
\nSeptember 1993);
\nresults–CDA 35.3%, PvdA 31.9%, VVD 14.6%, D’66 7.9%, others 10.3%;
\nseats–(150 total) CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D’66 12, others 13<\/p>\n
Communists: about 6,000<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms; Federation
\nof Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade
\nunions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant
\nEmployers Associations; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands
\nEnterprises; and IKV–Interchurch Peace Council<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, Benelux, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EC, ECE, EIB,
\nEMS, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA,
\nIDB–Inter-American Development Bank, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO,
\nINRO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITC, ITU, IWC–International Wheat Council
\n(with respect to interests of the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname), NATO, OAS
\n(observer), OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WEU, WHO,<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Richard H. FEIN; Chancery at
\n4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-5300;
\nthere are Dutch Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New
\nYork, and San Francisco;
\nUS–Ambassador C. Howard WILKINS; Embassy at Lange Voorhout 102,
\n2514 EJ The Hague (mailing address APO New York 09159);
\ntelephone \u00d531\u00e5 (70) 62-49-11; there is a US Consulate General in Amsterdam<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar
\nto the flag of Luxembourg which uses a lighter blue and is longer<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: This highly developed and affluent economy is based on
\nprivate enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however,
\nthrough many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs
\naffecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial
\nservices sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity,
\nincluding construction, provides about 25% of GDP, and is led by the
\nfood-processing, oil-refining, and metal-working industries. The highly
\nmechanized agricultural sector employs only 6% of the
\nlabor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic
\nfood-processing industry. An unemployment rate of over 8.6% and a sizable
\nbudget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems.<\/p>\n
GDP: $205.9 billion, per capita $13,900; real growth rate 4.2% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 8.6% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $71 billion; expenditures $82 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA billion (1989)<\/p>\n
Exports: $110.3 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities–agricultural
\nproducts, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals, metal products,
\ntextiles, clothing; partners–EC 74.9% (FRG 28.3%, Belgium-Luxembourg
\n14.2%, France 10.7%, UK 10.2%), US 4.7% (1988)<\/p>\n
Imports: $100.9 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities–raw materials
\nand semifinished products, consumer goods, transportation equipment, crude oil,
\nfood products; partners–EC 63.8% (FRG 26.5%, Belgium-Luxembourg 23.1%,
\nUK 8.1%), US 7.9% (1988)<\/p>\n
External debt: none<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 4.8% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,570 million kWh
\nproduced, 4,300 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical
\nmachinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction,
\nmicroelectronics<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP; animal production predominates;
\ncrops–grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain,
\nfats, and oils<\/p>\n
Aid: donor–ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $15.8 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (plural–guilders,
\ngulden, or florins); 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per
\nUS$1–2.2906 (January 1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766 (1988), 2.0257 (1987),
\n2.4500 (1986), 3.3214 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 3,037 km track (includes 1,871 km electrified and
\n1,800 km double track; 2,871 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by
\nNetherlands Railways (NS); 166 km privately owned<\/p>\n
Highways: 108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited
\naccess, divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stone<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of
\n1,000 metric ton capacity or larger<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 418 km crude oil; 965 km refined products; 10,230 km natural
\ngas<\/p>\n
Ports: maritime–Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht,
\nEemshaven, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen;
\ninland–29 ports<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 345 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,661,822
\nGRT\/3,732,282 DWT; includes 2 short-sea passenger, 187 cargo, 42 refrigerated
\ncargo, 23 container, 9 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 3 livestock carrier,
\n12 multifunction large-load carrier, 15 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)
\ntanker, 27 chemical tanker, 11 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 1 combinatio
\nn ore\/oil, 9 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note–many Dutch-owned ships are also
\nregistered in the captive Netherlands Antilles register<\/p>\n
Civil air: 98 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 28 total, 28 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: highly developed, well maintained, and integrated;
\nextensive system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by radio relay links;
\n9,418,000 telephones; stations–6 AM, 20 (32 repeaters) FM, 21 (8 repeaters) TV;
\n5 submarine cables;
\ncommunication satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and
\n2 Atlantic Ocean) and EUTELSAT systems<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy\/Marine Corps,
\nRoyal Netherlands Air Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,134,006; 3,660,048 fit for military
\nservice; 111,948 reach military age (20) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 2.9% of GDP, or $6.0 billion (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nNetherlands Antilles
\n(part of the Dutch realm)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 960 km2; land area: 960 km2; includes Bonaire,
\nCuracao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the
\nisland of Saint Martin)<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 364 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; modified by northeast trade winds<\/p>\n
Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors<\/p>\n
Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)<\/p>\n
Land use: 8% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0%
\nforest and woodland; 92% other<\/p>\n
Environment: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane
\nbelt, so rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are
\nsubject to hurricanes from July to October<\/p>\n
Note: consists of two island groups–Curacao and Bonaire
\nare located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint
\nEustatius lie 800 km to the north<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 183,503 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 18 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 5 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 11 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Netherlands Antillean(s); adjective–Netherlands
\nAntillean<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 85% mixed African; remainder Carib Indian, European,
\nLatin, and Oriental<\/p>\n
Religion: predominantly Roman Catholic; Protestant, Jewish,
\nSeventh-Day Adventist<\/p>\n
Language: Dutch (official); Papiamento, a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English
\ndialect predominates; English widely spoken; Spanish<\/p>\n
Literacy: 95%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 89,000; 65% government, 28% industry and commerce
\n(1983)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 60-70% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: part of the Dutch realm–full autonomy in internal affairs
\ngranted in 1954<\/p>\n
Capital: Willemstad<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Dutch realm)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands,
\nas amended<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common
\nlaw influence<\/p>\n
National holiday: Queen’s Day, 30 April (1938)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime
\nminister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: Parliament (Staten)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980),
\nrepresented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since October 1989);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May
\n1988, previously served from September 1984 to November 1985)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to each
\nisland:<\/p>\n
Curacao–National People’s Party (NVP), Maria
\nLiberia-Peters; New Antilles Movement (MAN), Domenico Felip Martina;
\nDemocratic Party of Curacao (DP), Augustus Diaz; Workers’ Liberation
\nFront (FOL), Wilson (Papa) Godett; Socialist Independent (SI), George
\nHueck and Nelson Monte;<\/p>\n
Bonaire–New Force, Rudy Ellis; Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB),
\nJohn Evert (Jopie) Abraham;<\/p>\n
Sint Maarten–Democratic Party of Sint Maarten, Claude Wathey;
\nPatriotic Movement of Sint Maarten, Romeo Paplophlet;<\/p>\n
Sint Eustatius–Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius, Albert
\nK. Van Putten; Windward Islands People’s Movement (WIPM), Eric Henriquez;<\/p>\n
Saba–Windward Islands People’s Movement (WIPM Saba), Will
\nJohnston; Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Vernon Hassell; Saba Unity
\nParty, Carmen Simmonds<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nParliament–last held on 22 November 1985 (next to be held
\nNovember 1989); results–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(22 total) PNP 6, MAN 4, DP-Curacao 3, DP-St. Maarten 3,
\nDP-Bonaire 2, DP-St. Eustatius 1, FOL 1, UPB 1, WIPM 1; note–the
\ngovernment of Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters is a coalition of
\nseveral parties<\/p>\n
Communists: small leftist groups<\/p>\n
Member of: EC (associate), INTERPOL; associated with UN through the
\nNetherlands; UPU, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: as an autonomous part of the Netherlands,
\nNetherlands Antillean interests in the US are represented by the Netherlands;
\nUS–Consul General Sharon P. WILKINSON; Consulate General at
\nSt. Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacao (mailing address P. O. Box 158,
\nWillemstad, Curacao); telephone \u00d5599\u00e5 (9) 613066<\/p>\n
Flag: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed
\non a vertical red band also centered; five white five-pointed stars are
\narranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars
\nrepresent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint
\nEustatius, and Sint Maarten<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the
\nmainstays of the economy. The islands enjoy a comparatively high per
\ncapita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other
\ncountries in the region. Unlike many Latin American countries, the
\nNetherlands Antilles has avoided large international debt. Almost all
\nconsumer and capital goods are imported, with the US being the major
\nsupplier. The economy has suffered somewhat in recent years because
\nof the depressed state of the world oil market and declining tax revenues.
\nIn 1983 the drop in oil prices led to the devaluation of the Venezuelan
\nbolivar, which ended a substantial flow of Venezuelan tourists to the
\nislands. As a result of a decline in tax revenues, the government has
\nbeen seeking financial support from the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.0 billion, per capita $5,500; real growth rate 3% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 26.0% (1988)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $180 million; expenditures $289 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities–petroleum
\nproducts 98%; partners–US 55%, UK 7%, Jamaica 5%<\/p>\n
Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities–crude petroleum
\n64%, food, manufactures; partners–Venezuela 52%, Nigeria 15%, US 12%<\/p>\n
External debt: $701.2 million (December 1987)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced,
\n1,990 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining
\n(Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire),
\nlight manufacturing (Curacao)<\/p>\n
Agriculture: hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief
\nproducts–aloes, sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not
\nself-sufficient in food<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-79), $353 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin
\n(plural–guilders, gulden, or florins);
\n1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins
\n(NAf.) per US$1–1.80 (fixed rate since 1971)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 950 km total; 300 km paved, 650 km gravel and earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Willemstad, Philipsburg, Kralendijk<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 418,206
\nGRT\/414,325 DWT; includes 4 passenger, 19 cargo, 5 refrigerated cargo,
\n7 container, 4 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 6 multifunction large-load carrier,
\n1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 chemical tanker,
\n2 liquefied gas, 2 bulk; note–all but a few are foreign owned<\/p>\n
Civil air: 5 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 7 total, 7 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland
\nradio relay links; stations–9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic
\nOcean INTELSAT earth stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nMilitary Manpower: males 15-49 49,299; 27,888 fit for military service;
\n1,678 reach military age (20) annually<\/p>\n
Note: defense is responsibility of the Netherlands
\n.pa
\nNew Caledonia
\n(overseas territory of France)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 19,060 km2; land area: 18,760 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 2,254 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid<\/p>\n
Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold,
\nlead, copper<\/p>\n
Land use: NEGL% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 14% meadows and
\npastures; 51% forest and woodland; 35% other<\/p>\n
Environment: typhoons most frequent from November to March<\/p>\n
Note: located 1,750 km east of Australia in the South Pacific
\nOcean<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 153,215 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 24 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 7 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 39 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 71 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 3.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–New Caledonian(s); adjective–New Caledonian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%,
\nPolynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3.0%<\/p>\n
Religion: over 60% Roman Catholic, 30% Protestant, 10% other<\/p>\n
Language: French; Melanesian-Polynesian dialects<\/p>\n
Labor force: 50,469; foreign workers for plantations and mines from
\nWallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies<\/p>\n
Type: overseas territory of France<\/p>\n
Capital: Noumea<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note–a
\nreferendum on independence will be held in 1998, with a review of the
\nissue in 1992<\/p>\n
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)<\/p>\n
Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy
\nto the islands; formerly under French law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981);<\/p>\n
Head of Government High Commissioner and President of the Council
\nof Government Bernard GRASSET (since 15 July 1988)<\/p>\n
Political parties: white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Caledonie
\ndans la Republique (RPCR), conservative; Melanesian proindependence Kanak
\nSocialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS); Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist
\nLiberation (LKS); National Front (FN), extreme right; Caledonian
\nSeparatist Front, extreme left<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal adult at age NA<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nTerritorial Congress–last held NA June 1989 (next to be held NA
\n1993);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19, FN 3, others 5;<\/p>\n
French Senate–last held 24 September 1989 (next to be
\nheld September 1992);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(1 total) RPCR 1;<\/p>\n
French National Assembly–last held 5 and 12 June 1988
\n(next to be held June 1993);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(2 total) RPCR 2<\/p>\n
Communists: number unknown; Palita extreme left party; some politically
\nactive Communists deported during 1950s; small number of North Vietnamese<\/p>\n
Member of: EIB (associate), WFTU, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France,
\nNew Caledonian interests are represented in the US by France<\/p>\n
Flag: the flag of France is used<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: New Caledonia has more than 40% of the world’s known nickel
\nresources. In recent years the economy has suffered because of depressed
\ninternational demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings.
\nOnly a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food
\naccounts for about 25% of imports.<\/p>\n
GNP: $860 million, per capita $5,810; real growth rate 2.4% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1986)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 6.2% (1983)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $110.5 million; expenditures $110.5 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of NA (1981)<\/p>\n
Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities–nickel metal
\n87%, nickel ore; partners–France 56.3%, Japan<\/p>\n
Imports: $180 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities–foods, fuels,
\nminerals, machines, electrical equipment; partners–France 50.3%,
\nAustralia<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced,
\n14,440 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: nickel mining<\/p>\n
Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn,
\nwheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-87), $3.6 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural–francs);
\n1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF)
\nper US$1–104.71 (January 1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987),
\n125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note–linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French
\nfranc<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 5,448 km total; 558 km paved, 2,251 km improved earth,
\n2,639 km unimproved earth<\/p>\n
Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); stations–5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV;
\n1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of France
\n.pa
\nNew Zealand
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 268,680 km2; land area: 268,670 km2; includes
\nAntipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island,
\nChatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about the size of Colorado<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 15,134 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)<\/p>\n
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts<\/p>\n
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber,
\nhydropower, gold, limestone<\/p>\n
Land use: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 53% meadows and
\npastures; 38% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 1% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 3,295,866 (July 1990), growth rate 0.4% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 16 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 8 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 3 migrant\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–New Zealander(s); adjective–New Zealand<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 88% European, 8.9% Maori, 2.9% Pacific Islander,
\n0.2% other<\/p>\n
Religion: 81% Christian, 18% none or unspecified, 1% Hindu, Confucian, and
\nother<\/p>\n
Language: English (official), Maori<\/p>\n
Literacy: 99%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 1,591,900; 67.4% services, 19.8% manufacturing, 9.3% primary
\nproduction (1987)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 681,000 members; 43% of labor force (1986)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none; abbreviated NZ<\/p>\n
Type: parliamentary democracy<\/p>\n
Capital: Wellington<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and
\n3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller,
\nChatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna,
\nEllesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay,
\nGreat Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke’s Bay, Heathcote,
\nHikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood,
\nKaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu,
\nMangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri,
\nOpotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako,
\nPohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga,
\nSaint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan,
\nTaranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent,
\nWaiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate,
\nWaimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa,
\nWairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland,
\nWhakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville<\/p>\n
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau<\/p>\n
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various
\ndocuments, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments;
\nConstitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has
\nnot been enacted<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land
\ncourts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations<\/p>\n
National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British
\nsovereignty), 6 February (1840)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister,
\ndeputy prime minister, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called
\nParliament)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen ELIZABETH II ( since 6 February 1952), represented
\nby Governor General The Most Rev. Sir Paul REEVES (since 20 November 1985);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Geoffrey PALMER (since 8 August
\n1989); Deputy Prime Minister Helen CLARK (since 8 August 1989)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP; government),
\nGeoffrey Palmer; National Party (NP; opposition), Jim Bolger; Democratic Party,
\nNeil Morrison; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Ken Douglas<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nHouse of Representatives–last held on 15 August 1987 (next to be
\nheld by August 1990);
\nresults–LP 47%, NP 45%, DP 6%;
\nseats–(97 total) LP 58, NP 39<\/p>\n
Communists: SUP about 140, other groups, about 200<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, ANZUS, ASPAC, CCC, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth,
\nDAC, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO,
\nIMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ISO, ITU, OECD, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO,
\nWMO, WSG<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Harold Huyton FRANCIS; Chancery at
\n37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-4800;
\nthere are New Zealand Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York;
\nUS–Ambassador Della NEWMAN; Embassy at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace,
\nThorndon, Wellington (mailing address is Private Bag, Wellington, or
\nFPO San Francisco 96690-0001); telephone \u00d564\u00e5 (4) 722-068; there is a US
\nConsulate General in Auckland<\/p>\n
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with
\nfour red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the
\nflag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an
\nagrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to an open
\nfree market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government
\nhas hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, reduce
\ninflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The
\nresults have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels
\nbut growth has been sluggish and unemployment, always a highly sensitive
\nissue, has been at a record high 7.4%. In 1988 GDP fell by 1% and in
\n1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%.<\/p>\n
GDP: $39.1 billion, per capita $11,600; real growth rate 2.4% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 7.4% (1989)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $18.6 billion; expenditures $19.1 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $NA (FY90 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $8.9 billion (f.o.b., FY89); commodities–wool, lamb,
\nmutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures, chemicals, foresty products;
\npartners–EC 18.3%, Japan 17.9%, Australia 17.5%, US 13.5%, China 3.6%,
\nSouth Korea 3.1%<\/p>\n
Imports: $7.5 billion (c.i.f., FY89); commodities–petroleum,
\nconsumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipment;
\npartners–Australia 19.7%, Japan 16.9%, EC 16.9%, US 15.3%,
\nTaiwan 3.0%<\/p>\n
External debt: $17.0 billion (1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate – 1.6% (FY88)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 7,800,000 kW capacity; 27,600 million kWh produced,
\n8,190 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery,
\ntransportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GNP and 10% of the
\nwork force; livestock predominates–wool, meat, dairy products all export
\nearners; crops–wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, and
\nvegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a
\nrecord 431,000 metric tons in 1987<\/p>\n
Aid: donor–ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $448 million<\/p>\n
Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural–dollars);
\n1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1–1.6581 (January 1990),
\n1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986),
\n2.0064 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 4,716 km total; all 1.067-meter gauge; 274 km double track;
\n113 km electrified; over 99% government owned<\/p>\n
Highways: 92,648 km total; 49,547 km paved, 43,101 km gravel or
\ncrushed stone<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 1,000 km natural gas; 160 km refined products; 150 km
\ncondensate<\/p>\n
Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 190,553 GRT\/257,782
\nDWT; includes 1 cargo, 2 container, 4 roll-on\/roll-off cargo, 1 railcar carrier,
\n4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: about 40 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 157 total, 157 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 47 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: excellent international and domestic systems;
\n2,110,000 telephones; stations 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend
\nto Australia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal New Zealand Navy, New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand
\nAir Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 872,336; 740,207 fit for military service;
\n29,532 reach military age (20) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 2.1% of GDP, or $820 million (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nNicaragua
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 129,494 km2; land area: 120,254 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than New York State<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 910 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain);<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: not specified;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 200 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de
\nSan Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands<\/p>\n
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior
\nmountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes<\/p>\n
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber,
\nfish<\/p>\n
Land use: 9% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 43% meadows and
\npastures; 35% forest and woodland; 12% other; including 1% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes,
\nlandslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion;
\nwater pollution<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 3,722,683 (July 1990), growth rate 2.8% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 40 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 9 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 3 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 68 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 61 years male, 62 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 5.0 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Nicaraguan(s); adjective–Nicaraguan<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 69% mestizo, 17% white, 9% black, 5% Indian<\/p>\n
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant<\/p>\n
Language: Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on
\nAtlantic coast<\/p>\n
Literacy: 88% (1981)<\/p>\n
Labor force: 1,086,000; 43% service, 44% agriculture, 13% industry (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 35% of labor force<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Nicaragua<\/p>\n
Type: republic<\/p>\n
Capital: Managua<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 9 administrative regions encompassing 17
\ndepartments (departamentos, singular–departamento); North, Atlantic Coast,
\nSouth, Atlantic Coast, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli,
\nGranada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia,
\nRio San Juan, Rivas<\/p>\n
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)<\/p>\n
Constitution: January 1987<\/p>\n
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review
\nadministrative acts<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courts<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President-Elect Violeta
\nBarios de CHAMORRO (since 25 February 1990; takes office 25 April 1990);
\nVice President-elect Virgilio GODOY (since 25 February 1990; takes office
\n25 April 1990)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders:<\/p>\n
Ruling coalition: National Opposition Union (UNO)–14 party
\nalliance: National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano Matamoros;
\nConservative Popular Alliance Party (PAPC), Miriam Arguello;
\nNational Conservative Action Party (PANC), Hernaldo Zuniga;
\nNational Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), Augustin Jarquin;
\nIndependent Liberal Party (PLI), Virgilio Godoy;
\nNeo-Liberal Party (PALI), Andres Zuniga;
\nLiberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto Somarriba;
\nNational Action Party (PAN), Eduardo Rivas;
\nNicaraguan Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo Tablada;
\nCommunist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli Altimirano;
\nPopular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Luis Humberto;
\nNicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto Urroz;
\nSocial Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo Potoy;
\nCentral American Integrationist Party (PIAC), Alejandro Perez;<\/p>\n
Opposition parties: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN),
\nDaniel Ortega;
\nCentral American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca Rojas;
\nDemocratic Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose Brenes;
\nLiberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN), Eduardo Coronado;
\nMovement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco Samper;
\nSocial Christian Party (PSC), Erick Ramirez;
\nRevolutionary Workers’ Party (PRT), Bonifacio Miranda;
\nSocial Conservative Party (PSOC), Fernando Aguerro;
\nPopular Action Movement–Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro Tellez;
\nPopular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio Diaz<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 16<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February
\n1996);
\nresults–Violeta Barrios de Chamorro (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel Ortega Saavedra
\n(FSLN) 40.8%, others 4.5%;<\/p>\n
National Constituent Assembly–last held on 25 February 1990
\n(next to be held February 1996);
\nresults–UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%;
\nseats–(92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39, PSC 1, MUR 1<\/p>\n
Communists: FSLN–35,000; other Communists–15,000-20,000<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: Permanent Congress of Workers
\n(CPT), Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS), Autonomous Nicaraguan
\nWorkers’ Central (CTN-A), Independent General Confederation of Workers
\n(CTG-I), Communist Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS), Nicaraguan
\nWorkers’ Central (CST); Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is
\nan umbrella group of 11 different business groups, including the Chamber of
\nCommerce, the Chamber of Industry, and the Nicaraguan Development Institute
\n(INDE)<\/p>\n
Member of: CACM, CEMA (observer), FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC,
\nICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB–Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
\nINTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS, ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN,
\nUNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Charge d’Affaires Leonor Arguello de HUPER;
\nChancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone
\n(202) 387-4371 or 4372;
\nUS–Charge d’Affaires John P. LEONARD; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5
\nCarretera Sur, Managua (mailing address is APO Miami 34021); telephone \u00d5505\u00e5
\n(2) 66010 or 66013, 66015 through 66018, 66026, 66027, 66032 through 66034;
\nnote–Nicaragua expelled the US Ambassador on 11 July 1988, and the US expelled
\nthe Nicaraguan Ambassador on 12 July 1988<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the
\nnational coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a
\ntriangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and
\nAMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador which
\nfeatures a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA
\nAMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of
\nHonduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in
\nthe white band<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Government control of the economy historically has been
\nextensive, although the new government has pledged to reduce it.
\nThe financial system is directly controlled by the state, which also
\nregulates wholesale purchasing, production, sales, foreign trade, and
\ndistribution of most goods. Over 50% of the agricultural and industrial
\nfirms are state owned. Sandinista economic policies and the war have
\nproduced a severe economic crisis. The foundation of the economy
\ncontinues to be the export of agricultural commodities, largely coffee
\nand cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989, the fifth
\nsuccessive year of decline. The agricultural sector employs 44%
\nof the work force and accounts for 23% of GDP and 86% of export earnings.
\nIndustry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributes 26% to GDP,
\nshowed a sharp drop of – 23% in 1988 and remains below pre-1979 levels.
\nExternal debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis.
\nIn 1989 the annual inflation rate was 1,700%, down from a record
\n16,000% in 1988. Shortages of basic consumer goods are widespread.<\/p>\n
GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $470; real growth rate – 5.0% (1989
\nest.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1,700% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 25% (1989)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $0.9 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $0.15 billion (1987)<\/p>\n
Exports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities–coffee,
\ncotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicals; partners–CEMA 15%,
\nOECD 75%, others 10%<\/p>\n
Imports: $550 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities–petroleum,
\nfood, chemicals, machinery, clothing; partners–CEMA 55%, EC 20%,
\nLatin America 10%, others 10%<\/p>\n
External debt: $8 billion (year end 1988)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate – 23% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 415,000 kW capacity; 1,340 million kWh produced,
\n380 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles,
\nclothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash
\ncrops–coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops–rice, corn,
\ncassava, citrus fruit, beans; variety of animal products–beef, veal,
\npork, poultry, dairy; while normally self-sufficient in food, war-induced
\nshortages now exist<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-82), $290 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $981 million;
\nCommunist countries (1970-88), $3.3 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: cordoba (plural–cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: cordobas (C$) per US$1–65,000 (February 1990)
\nis the free market rate; official rate is 46,000 (February 1990),
\n270 (1988), 0.103 (1987), 0.097 (1986), 0.039 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 373 km 1.067-meter gauge, government owned; majority of system
\nnot operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connect
\nwith mainline)<\/p>\n
Highways: 25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved (includes all 2,170 km
\ngravel or crushed stone, 5,425 km earth or graded earth, 14,335 km
\nunimproved, 368.5 km of the Pan-American highway)<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes<\/p>\n
Pipelines: crude oil, 56 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161
\nGRT\/2,500 DWT<\/p>\n
Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 261 total, 169 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;
\n12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: low-capacity radio relay and wire system being
\nexpanded; connection into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones;
\nstations–45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; satellite earth stations–1
\nIntersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Sandinista Popular Army, Sandinista Navy, Sandinista Air
\nForce\/Air Defense, Sandinista People’s Militia<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 747,144; 459,333 fit for military service;
\n44,213 reach military age (18) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: NA
\n.pa
\nNiger
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 1,267,000 km2; land area: 1,266,700 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 5,697 km total; Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km,
\nBurkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Maritime claims: none–landlocked<\/p>\n
Disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; exact locations
\nof the Chad-Niger-Nigeria and Cameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have
\nnot been determined, so the boundary has not been demarcated and border
\nincidents have resulted; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary
\ndemarcation, including the tripoint with Niger<\/p>\n
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south<\/p>\n
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to
\nrolling plains in south; hills in north<\/p>\n
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates<\/p>\n
Land use: 3% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 7% meadows and
\npastures; 2% forest and woodland; 88% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting
\nmarginal agricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosion<\/p>\n
Note: landlocked<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 7,969,309 (July 1990), growth rate 3.6% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 52 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 17 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 131 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 53 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 7.4 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Nigerien(s) adjective–Nigerien<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: 56% Hausa; 22% Djerma; 8.5% Fula; 8% Tuareg; 4.3% Beri
\nBeri (Kanouri); 1.2% Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche; about 4,000 French
\nexpatriates<\/p>\n
Religion: 80% Muslim, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians<\/p>\n
Language: French (official); Hausa, Djerma<\/p>\n
Literacy: 13.9%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 2,500,000 wage earners (1982); 90% agriculture, 6% industry
\nand commerce, 4% government; 51% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: negligible<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Republic of Niger<\/p>\n
Type: republic; presidential system in which military officers
\nhold key offices<\/p>\n
Capital: Niamey<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements,
\nsingular–departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder<\/p>\n
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)<\/p>\n
Constitution: adopted NA December 1989 after 15 years of
\nmilitary rule<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
\nhas not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
National holidays: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers
\n(cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: National Development Council<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d’Etat), Court of Appeal
\n(Cour d’Apel)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister ALIOU MAHAMIDA (since 2 March
\n1990)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: only party–National Movement
\nfor the Development Society (MNSD), leader NA<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal adult at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–last held December 1989 (next to be held NA 1996);
\nresults–President Ali Saibou was reelected without opposition;<\/p>\n
National Development Council–last held December 1989 (next to be
\nheld NA 1994); results–MNSD is the only party;
\nseats–(150 total) MNSD 150 (indirectly elected)<\/p>\n
Communists: no Communist party; some sympathizers in outlawed Sawaba party<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, CEAO, EAMA, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente,
\nFAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic Development Bank,
\nIFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, Lake Chad Basin
\nCommission, Niger River Commission, NAM, OAU, OCAM, OIC, UN, UNESCO,
\nUPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE;
\nChancery at 2204 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4224
\nthrough 4227; US–Ambassador Carl C. CUNDIFF; Embassy at Avenue des
\nAmbassadeurs, Niamey (mailing address is B. P. 11201, Niamey); telephone
\n\u00d5227\u00e5 72-26-61 through 64 and 72-26-70<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with
\na small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar
\nto the flag of India which has a blue, spoked wheel centered in the white band<\/p>\n
Economy<\/p>\n
Overview: About 90% of the population is engaged in farming and
\nstock rearing, activities which generate almost half of the national income.
\nThe economy also depends heavily on exploitation of large uranium deposits.
\nUranium production grew rapidly in the mid-1970s, but tapered off in the
\nearly 1980s, when world prices declined. France is a major customer,
\nwhile FRG, Japan, and Spain also make regular purchases. The depressed
\ndemand for uranium has contributed to an overall sluggishness in the
\neconomy, a severe trade imbalance, and a mounting external debt.<\/p>\n
GDP: $2.4 billion, per capita $330; real growth rate 7.1% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): – 1.4% (1988)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $254 million; expenditures $510 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of $239 million (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $371 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities–uranium 76%,
\nlivestock, cowpeas, onions, hides, skins; partners–NA<\/p>\n
Imports: $441 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities–petroleum
\nproducts, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic
\nequipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, cereals, foodstuffs<\/p>\n
External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 4.7% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 102,000 kW capacity; 225 million kWh produced,
\n30 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: cement, brick, rice mills, small cotton gins, oilseed presses,
\nslaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium production
\nbegan in 1971<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash
\ncrops–cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops–millet, sorghum, cassava, rice;
\nlivestock–cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in drought years<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $349 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.8 billion;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist countries (1970-88),
\n$61 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural–francs);
\n1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF)
\nper US$1–287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987),
\n346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 39,970 km total; 3,170 km bituminous, 10,330 km gravel
\nand laterite, 3,470 km earthen, 23,000 km tracks<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on
\nthe Benin frontier from mid-December through March<\/p>\n
Civil air: no major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 31 total, 29 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways;
\n1 with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways
\n1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio
\nrelay links concentrated in southwestern area; 11,900 telephones; stations–15
\nAM, 5 FM, 16 TV; satellite earth stations–1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian
\nOcean INTELSAT, and 4 domestic<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitary
\nRepublican Guard, paramilitary Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Police<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,656,466; 894,095 fit for military
\nservice; 87,478 reach military age (18) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: $20.6 million (1988)
\n.pa
\nNigeria
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 923,770 km2; land area: 910,770 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 4,047 km total; Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km,
\nChad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 853 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 30 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: exact locations of the Chad-Niger-Nigeria and
\nCameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not been determined, so the
\nboundary has not been demarcated and border incidents have resulted; Nigerian
\nproposals to reopen maritime boundary negotiations and redemarcate the entire
\nland boundary have been rejected by Cameroon<\/p>\n
Climate: varies–equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north<\/p>\n
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;
\nmountains in southeast, plains in north<\/p>\n
Natural resources: crude oil, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal,
\nlimestone, lead, zinc, natural gas<\/p>\n
Land use: 31% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 23% meadows and
\npastures; 15% forest and woodland; 28% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal
\nagricultural activities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 118,819,377 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 46 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 17 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 1 migrant\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 119 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 49 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Nigerian(s); adjective–Nigerian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: more than 250 tribal groups; Hausa and Fulani of the
\nnorth, Yoruba of the southwest, and Ibos of the southeast make up 65% of the
\npopulation; about 27,000 non-Africans<\/p>\n
Religion: 50% Muslim, 40% Christian, 10% indigenous beliefs<\/p>\n
Language: English (official); Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and several
\nother languages also widely used<\/p>\n
Literacy: 42.4%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 42,844,000; 54% agriculture, 19% industry, commerce,
\nand services, 15% government; 49% of population of working age (1985)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 3,520,000 wage earners belong to 42 recognized trade
\nunions, which come under a single national labor federation–the Nigerian
\nLabor Congress (NLC)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Federal Republic of Nigeria<\/p>\n
Type: military government since 31 December 1983<\/p>\n
Capital: Lagos<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 21 states and 1 territory*;
\nAbuja Capital Territory*, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bendel, Benue, Borno,
\nCross River, Gongola, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun,
\nOndo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto<\/p>\n
Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 1 October 1979, amended 9 February 1984, revised 1989<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic, and tribal law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: president of the Armed Forces Ruling Council,
\nArmed Forces Ruling Council, National Council of State, Council of
\nMinisters (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: National Assembly was dissolved after the military
\ncoup of 31 December 1983<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–President and Commander in
\nChief of Armed Forces Gen. Ibrahim BABANGIDA (since 27 August 1985)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: two political parties established by
\nthe government in 1989–Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National
\nRepublican Convention (NRC)<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 21<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nPresident–scheduled for 1 October 1992<\/p>\n
Communists: the pro-Communist underground consists of a small fraction of
\nthe Nigerian left; leftist leaders are prominent in the country’s central
\nlabor organization but have little influence on government<\/p>\n
Member of: ACP, AfDB, APC, CCC, Commonwealth, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO,
\nG-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF,
\nINTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITC, ITU, IWC–International Wheat
\nCouncil, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Niger River Commission, NAM, OAU,
\nOPEC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hamzat AHMADU; Chancery at
\n2201 M Street NW, Washington DC 20037; telephone (202) 822-1500;
\nthere are Nigerian Consulates General in Atlanta, New York and San Francisco;
\nUS–Ambassador Lannon WALKER; Embassy at 2 Eleke Crescent,
\nVictoria Island, Lagos (mailing address is P. O. Box 554, Lagos);
\ntelephone \u00d5234\u00e5 (1) 610097; there is a US Consulate General in Kaduna<\/p>\n
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: In 1989, despite rising oil prices, the economic
\nperformance failed to meet government expectations because of higher
\ninflationary pressures fueled by a relatively poor agricultural
\nperformance. Agricultural production was up only 4% following a 10%
\ndecline in 1988, and manufacturing remained below the 1985 level
\nwith only a 6% increase. The government is continuing an economic
\nadjustment program to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil and to help
\ncreate a basis for sustainable noninflationary growth.<\/p>\n
GNP: $30.0 billion, per capita $270; real growth rate 4% (1989)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 47.5% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 7.5% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $6.5 billion; expenditures $7.4 billion, including
\ncapital expenditures of $1.9 billion (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $8.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities–oil 95%,
\ncocoa, palm kernels, rubber; partners–EC 51%, US 32%<\/p>\n
Imports: $5.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities–consumer
\ngoods,
\ncapital equipment, chemicals, raw materials; partners–EC, US<\/p>\n
External debt: $32 billion, medium and long-term (December 1989
\nest.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 5% (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 4,737,000 kW capacity; 11,270 million kWh produced,
\n100 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: mining–crude oil, natural gas, coal, tin, columbite;
\nprimary processing industries–palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, petroleum,
\nwood, hides and skins; manufacturing industries–textiles, cement, building
\nmaterials, food products, footwear, chemical, printing, ceramics, steel<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 28% of GNP and half of labor force; inefficient
\nsmall-scale farming dominates; once a large net exporter of food and
\nnow an importer; cash crops–cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food
\ncrops–corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock–cattle,
\nsheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forestry resources extensively exploited<\/p>\n
Illicit drugs: illicit heroin and some cocaine trafficking;
\nmarijuana cultivation for domestic consumption and export; major transit
\ncountry for heroin en route from Southwest Asia via Africa to Western
\nEurope and the US; growing transit route for cocaine from South America
\nvia West Africa to Western Europe and the US<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $662 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.9 billion;
\nCommunist countries (1970-88), $2.2 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: naira (plural–naira); 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1–7.6221 (December 1989), 7.3647
\n(1989), 4.5370 (1988), 4.0160 (1987), 1.7545 (1986), 0.8938 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 3,505 km 1.067-meter gauge<\/p>\n
Highways: 107,990 km total 30,019 km paved (mostly bituminous-surface
\ntreatment); 25,411 km laterite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth;
\n52,560 km unimproved<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and
\nsmaller rivers and creeks<\/p>\n
Pipelines: 2,042 km crude oil; 500 km natural gas; 3,000 km refined
\nproducts<\/p>\n
Ports: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, Sapele<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 428,116
\nGRT\/680,343 DWT; includes 19 cargo, 1 refrigerated, 1 roll-on\/roll-off cargo,
\n5 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 bulk<\/p>\n
Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 84 total, 72 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways;
\n1 with runways over 3,659 m; 13 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;
\n22 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: above-average system limited by poor maintenance;
\nmajor expansion in progress; radio relay and cable routes; 155,000 telephones;
\nstations–37 AM, 19 FM, 38 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean
\nINTELSAT, domestic, with 19 stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 27,282,248; 15,587,485 fit for military
\nservice; 1,263,883 reach military age (18) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 1% of GNP, or $300 million (1990 est.)
\n.pa
\nNiue
\n(free association with New Zealand)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 260 km2; land area: 260 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 64 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds<\/p>\n
Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau<\/p>\n
Natural resources: fish, arable land<\/p>\n
Land use: 61% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows and
\npastures; 19% forest and woodland; 12% other<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to typhoons<\/p>\n
Note: one of world’s largest coral islands; located about 460 km
\neast of Tonga<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 2,019 (July 1990), growth rate NA (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: NA births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: NA deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: NA migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: NA children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Niuean(s); adjective–Niuean<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and
\nTongans<\/p>\n
Religion: 75% Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church)–a Protestant
\nchurch closely related to the London Missionary Society, 10% Mormon, 5% Roman
\nCatholic, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist<\/p>\n
Language: Polynesian tongue closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%, but education compulsory between 5 and 14 years of age<\/p>\n
Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.); most work on family plantations; paid work
\nexists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development
\nBoard<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: none<\/p>\n
Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand<\/p>\n
Capital: Alofi<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none<\/p>\n
Independence: none (self-governing territory in free association with
\nNew Zealand)<\/p>\n
Constitution: no formal, written constitution<\/p>\n
Legal system: English common law<\/p>\n
National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British
\nsovereignty), 6 February (1840)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: British monarch, premier, Cabinet<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented
\nby New Zealand Representative John SPRINGFORD (since 1974);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Premier Sir Robert R. REX (since NA October
\n1974)<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal adult at age 18<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Niue People’s Action Party,
\nleader NA<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nLegislative Assembly–last held on 28 March 1987 (next to be
\nheld NA 1990);
\nresults–percent of vote NA;
\nseats–(20 total, 6 elected) independents 5, Niue People’s Action Party 1<\/p>\n
Member of: ESCAP (associate member), SPF<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in free
\nassociation with New Zealand)<\/p>\n
Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
\nflag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars–a large one on a blue
\ndisk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New
\nZealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the
\nshortfall made up by grants from New Zealand–the grants are used to pay
\nwages to the 80% or more of the work force employed in public service.
\nThe agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some
\ncash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories
\nto process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of
\npostage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue.
\nThe island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population
\nbecause of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.<\/p>\n
GNP: $2.1 million, per capita $1,000; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (1984)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $5.5 million; expenditures $6.3 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of NA (FY85 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $175,274 (f.o.b., 1985); commodities–canned coconut cream,
\ncopra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs,
\nstamps, handicrafts; partners–NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia<\/p>\n
Imports: $3.8 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities–food, live
\nanimals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs;
\npartners–NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 1,500 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced,
\n1,420 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourist, handicrafts<\/p>\n
Agriculture: copra, coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence
\ncrops–taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle<\/p>\n
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
\n(1970-87), $58 million<\/p>\n
Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural–dollars);
\n1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1–1.6581 (January 1990),
\n 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roads<\/p>\n
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway of 1,650 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: single-line telephone system connects all villages on
\nisland; 383 telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); stations–1 AM, 1 FM,
\nno TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
\n.pa
\nNorfolk Island
\n(territory of Australia)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 34.6 km2; land area: 34.6 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 32 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 3 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation<\/p>\n
Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains<\/p>\n
Natural resources: fish<\/p>\n
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 25% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 75% other<\/p>\n
Environment: subject to typhoons (especially May to July)<\/p>\n
Note: located 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific
\nOcean<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 2,533 (July 1990), growth rate 1.7% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: NA births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: NA deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: NA migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: NA children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Norfolk Islander(s); adjective–Norfolk Islander(s)<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently,
\nAustralian and New Zealand settlers<\/p>\n
Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church in
\nAustralia, and Seventh-Day Adventist<\/p>\n
Language: English (official) and Norfolk–a mixture of 18th century
\nEnglish and ancient Tahitian<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%, but probably high<\/p>\n
Labor force: NA<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Territory of Norfolk Island<\/p>\n
Type: territory of Australia<\/p>\n
Capital: Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center)<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)<\/p>\n
Independence: none (territory of Australia)<\/p>\n
Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1957<\/p>\n
Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the
\nNorfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court<\/p>\n
National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia,
\nadministrator, Executive Council (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented
\nby Administrator H. B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed
\nby the Governor General of Australia;<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Assembly President and Chief Minister John
\nTerence BROWN (since NA)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: NA<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nLegislative Assembly–last held NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(9 total) percent of seats by party NA<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)<\/p>\n
Flag: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a
\nlarge green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought
\na level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. The
\nnumber of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached almost
\n30,000 in 1986. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance
\nof trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the
\nproduction of beef, poultry, and eggs.<\/p>\n
GNP: NA<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $3.4 million; expenditures $3.4 million, including
\ncapital expenditures of NA (FY88)<\/p>\n
Exports: $1.8 million (f.o.b., FY85); commodities–postage
\nstamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of
\navocados;
\npartners–Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe<\/p>\n
Imports: $16.3 million (c.i.f., FY85); commodities–NA;
\npartners–Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe<\/p>\n
External debt: NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced,
\n3,210 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism<\/p>\n
Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals,
\nvegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry<\/p>\n
Aid: none<\/p>\n
Currency: Australian dollar (plural–dollars);
\n1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1–1.2784 (January 1990),
\n1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 80 km of roads, including 53 km of sealed roads; remainder are
\nearth formed or coral surfaced<\/p>\n
Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade<\/p>\n
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m
\n(Australian owned)<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service
\nwith Sydney; 987 telephones (1983); stations–1 AM, no FM, no TV<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of Australia
\n.pa
\nNorthern Mariana Islands
\n(commonwealth associated with the US)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 477 km2; land area: 477 km2; includes Saipan, Rota, and Tinian<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: none<\/p>\n
Coastline: 1,482 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 12 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 m;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 3 nm<\/p>\n
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little
\nseasonal temperature variation; dry season December to July, rainy season
\nJuly to October<\/p>\n
Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing
\ncoral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 meters
\n(Mt. Tagpochu on Saipan)<\/p>\n
Natural resources: arable land, fish<\/p>\n
Land use: 1% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 19% meadows and
\npastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other<\/p>\n
Environment: Mt. Pagan is an active volcano (last erupted in October
\n1988); subject to typhoons during the rainy season<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the
\nNorth Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and
\nthe Philippines<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 22,719 (July 1990), growth rate 3.4% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 43 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 6 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: – 3 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: undetermined<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians;
\nSpanish, German, Japanese admixtures<\/p>\n
Religion: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional
\nbeliefs and taboos may still be found<\/p>\n
Language: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the
\nhome and taught in school<\/p>\n
Literacy: NA%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 17,533, including 10,000 foreign workers (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: NA<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands<\/p>\n
Type: commonwealth associated with the US and administered by the
\nOffice of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the
\nInterior<\/p>\n
Capital: Saipan<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none<\/p>\n
Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)<\/p>\n
Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986<\/p>\n
Legal system: NA<\/p>\n
National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: governor, lieutenant governor<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house
\nor Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989);
\nVice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Governor Pedro P. TENORIO (since 1978);
\nLieutenant Governor Pedro A. TENORIO (since NA)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Antonio S. Guerrero;
\nRepublican Party, Alonso Igisomar<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US
\ncitizens but do not vote in US presidential elections<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nGovernor–last held on NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–Pedro P. TENORIO (Democratic Party) was elected;<\/p>\n
Senate–last held on NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(9 total) number of seats by party NA;<\/p>\n
House of Representatives–last held on NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(14 total) number of seats by party NA;<\/p>\n
US House of Representatives–last held NA (next to be held NA);
\nresults–percent of vote by party NA;
\nseats–(1 total) party of nonvoting delegate NA<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: none<\/p>\n
Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray
\nsilhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building)
\nin the center<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance
\nfrom the US. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to
\n$228 million for capital development, government operations, and special
\nprograms. Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which
\nemploys about 10% of the work force. The agricultural sector is made up of
\ncattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and
\nmelons. Industry is small scale in nature–mostly handicrafts and fish
\nprocessing.<\/p>\n
GNP: $165 million, per capita $9,170; real growth rate NA% (1982)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $70.6 million, including capital
\nexpenditures of $NA (1987)<\/p>\n
Exports: $NA; commodities–vegetables, beef, pork;
\npartners–NA<\/p>\n
Imports: $NA; commodities–NA;
\npartners–NA<\/p>\n
External debt: $NA<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate NA%<\/p>\n
Electricity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced,
\n1,640 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts<\/p>\n
Agriculture: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle<\/p>\n
Aid: none<\/p>\n
Currency: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: US currency is used<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 300 km total (53 km primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local)<\/p>\n
Ports: Saipan, Rota, Tinian<\/p>\n
Airports: 6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with
\nrunways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: stations–2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
\nearth stations<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nNote: defense is the responsibility of the US
\n.pa
\nNorway
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 324,220 km2; land area: 307,860 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 2,582 km total; Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,657,
\nUSSR 196 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 21,925 km (3,419 km mainland; 2,413 km large islands;
\n16,093 km long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations)<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Contiguous zone: 10 nm;<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 4 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with USSR; territorial claim in
\nAntarctica (Queen Maud Land); Denmark has challenged Norway’s maritime
\nclaims beween Greenland and Jan Mayen<\/p>\n
Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder
\ninterior; rainy year-round on west coast<\/p>\n
Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken
\nby fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented
\nby fjords; arctic tundra in north<\/p>\n
Natural resources: crude oil, copper, natural gas, pyrites,
\nnickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower<\/p>\n
Land use: 3% arable land; 0% permanent crops; NEGL% meadows and
\npastures; 27% forest and woodland; 70% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: air and water pollution; acid rain<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in
\nNorth Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and
\nTurkey only NATO members having a land boundary with the USSR<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 4,252,806 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 14 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 11 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 2 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 81 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Norwegian(s); adjective–Norwegian<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic) and racial-cultural
\nminority of 20,000 Lapps<\/p>\n
Religion: 94% Evangelical Lutheran (state church), 4% other Protestant and
\nRoman Catholic, 2% other<\/p>\n
Language: Norwegian (official); small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking
\nminorities<\/p>\n
Literacy: 100%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 2,164,000; 33.6% services, 17.4% commerce, 16.6% mining and
\nmanufacturing, 8.4% transportation, 7.8% construction,
\n6.8% banking and financial services, 6.5% agriculture, forestry, and
\nfishing (1986)<\/p>\n
Organized labor: 66% of labor force (1985)<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Kingdom of Norway<\/p>\n
Type: constitutional monarchy<\/p>\n
Capital: Oslo<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular–fylke);
\nAkershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal,
\nNordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland,
\nSogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold<\/p>\n
Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden)<\/p>\n
Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884<\/p>\n
Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard<\/p>\n
Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law
\ntraditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked;
\naccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations<\/p>\n
National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)<\/p>\n
Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, State Council (cabinet)<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Storting or Stortinget)
\nwith an Upper Chamber (Lagting) and a Lower Chamber (Odelsting)<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoiesterett)<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State–King OLAV V (since 21 September 1957); Heir Apparent
\nCrown Prince HARALD (born 21 February 1937);<\/p>\n
Head of Government–Prime Minister Jan P. SYSE (since 16 October
\n1989)<\/p>\n
Political parties and leaders: Labor, Gro Harlem Brundtland;
\nConservative, Jan P. Syse; Center, Johan J. Jakobsen; Christian
\nPeople’s, Kjell Magne Bondevik; Socialist Left, Eric Solheim; Norwegian
\nCommunist, Hans I. Kleven; Progress, Carl I. Hagen; Liberal, Arne
\nFjortoft; Finnmark List, leader NA<\/p>\n
Suffrage: universal at age 18<\/p>\n
Elections:
\nParliament–last held on 11 September 1989 (next to be held
\n6 September 1993);
\nresults–Labor 34.3%, Conservative 22.2%, Progress 13.0%, Socialist Left
\n10.1%, Christian People’s 8.5%, Center 6.6%, Finnmark List 0.3%, others
\n5%;
\nseats–(165 total) Labor 63, Conservative 37, Progress 22, Socialist
\nLeft 17, Christian People’s 14, Center 11, Finnmark List 1<\/p>\n
Communists: 15,500 est.; 5,500 Norwegian Communist Party (NKP); 10,000
\nWorkers Communist Party Marxist-Leninist (AKP-ML, pro-Chinese)<\/p>\n
Member of: ADB, CCC, Council of Europe, DAC, EFTA, ESA, FAO,
\nGATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICES, ICO, IDA, IEA (associate member),
\nIFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, ILZSG, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU,
\nIWC–International Whaling Commission, IWC–International
\nWheat Council, NATO, Nordic Council, OECD, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,
\nWMO, WSG<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kjeld VIBE; Chancery at
\n2720 34th Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-6000;
\nthere are Norwegian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles,
\nMinneapolis, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Miami and New
\nOrleans;
\nUS–Ambassador Loret Miller RUPPE; Embassy at Drammensveien 18,
\nOslo 2 (mailing address is APO New York 09085); telephone \u00d547\u00e5
\n(2) 44-85-50<\/p>\n
Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of
\nthe flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the
\nstyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Norway is a prosperous capitalist nation with the resources
\nto finance extensive welfare measures. Since 1975 exploitation of large
\ncrude oil and natural gas reserves has helped achieve an average annual
\ngrowth of roughly 4%, the third-highest among OECD countries. Growth
\nslackened in 1987-88 because of the sharp drop in world oil prices and a
\nslowdown in consumer spending, but picked up again in 1989. Future
\neconomic issues involve the aging of the population, the increased
\neconomic integration of Europe, and the balance between private and
\npublic influence in economic decisions.<\/p>\n
GDP: $75.8 billion, per capita $17,900; real growth rate 5.7% (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (1989)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: 3.9% (1989 est., excluding people in
\njob-training programs)<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $40.6 billion; expenditures $41.3 billion,
\nincluding capital expenditures of $NA (1989)<\/p>\n
Exports: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1989);
\ncommodities–petroleum and petroleum products 25%, natural gas
\n11%, fish 7%, aluminum 6%, ships 3.5%, pulp and paper;
\npartners–UK 26%, EFTA 16.3%, less developed countries 14%,
\nSweden 12%, FRG 12%, US 6%, Denmark 5% (1988)<\/p>\n
Imports: $18.7 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities–machinery,
\nfuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, clothing,
\nships; partners–Sweden 18%, less developed countries 18%,
\nFRG 14%, Denmark 8%, UK 7%, US 7%, Japan 5% (1988)<\/p>\n
External debt: $18.3 billion (December 1989)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 15.8% (1989)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 26,735,000 kW capacity; 121,685 million kWh produced,
\n28,950 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and
\npaper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 3.1% of GNP and 6.5% of labor force;
\namong world’s top 10 fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value
\nof crops; over half of food needs imported; fish catch of 1.9 million
\nmetric tons in 1987<\/p>\n
Aid: donor–ODA and OOF commitments (1970-87), $3.7 billion<\/p>\n
Currency: Norwegian krone (plural–kroner);
\n1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 ore<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1–6.5405 (January 1990),
\n6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987), 7.3947 (1986), 8.5972 (1985)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nRailroads: 4,223 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Norwegian State Railways
\n(NSB) operates 4,219 km (2,450 km electrified and 96 km double track); 4
\nkm other<\/p>\n
Highways: 79,540 km total; 18,600 km concrete, bituminous, stone block;
\n19,980 km bituminous treated; 40,960 km gravel, crushed stone, and earth<\/p>\n
Inland waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 1.5-2.4 m draft vessels
\nmaximum<\/p>\n
Pipelines: refined products, 53 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Oslo, Bergen, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, Stavanger,
\nTrondheim<\/p>\n
Merchant marine: 660 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,702,254
\nGRT\/28,722,304 DWT; includes 11 passenger, 19 short-sea passenger, 104 cargo,
\n3 passenger-cargo, 19 refrigerated cargo, 6 container, 40 roll-on\/roll-off
\ncargo, 6 vehicle carrier, 1 railcar carrier, 128 petroleum, oils, and lubricants
\n(POL) tanker, 86 chemical tanker, 62 liquefied gas, 26 combination ore\/oil,
\n142 bulk, 7 combination bulk; note–the government has created a captive
\nregister, the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS), as a subset of
\nthe Norwegian register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of
\nconvenience and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians; the majority of
\nships under the Norwegian flag are now registered with the NIS<\/p>\n
Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 104 total, 104 usable; 64 with permanent-surface runways;
\nnone with runways over 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;
\n16 with runways 1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: high-quality domestic and international telephone,
\ntelegraph, and telex services; 3,102,000 telephones; stations–8 AM, 46 (1,400
\nrelays) FM, 55 (2,100 relays) TV; 4 coaxial submarine cables; communications
\nsatellite earth stations operating in the EUTELSAT, INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean),
\nMARISAT, and domestic systems<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Royal Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air
\nForce<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,115,620; 937,555 fit for military
\nservice; 32,748 reach military age (20) annually<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 3.3% of GDP, or $2.5 billion (1989 est.)
\n.pa
\nOman
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 212,460 km2; land area: 212,460 km2<\/p>\n
Comparative area: slightly smaller than Kansas<\/p>\n
Land boundaries: 1,374 km total; Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km,
\nPDRY 288 km<\/p>\n
Coastline: 2,092 km<\/p>\n
Maritime claims:<\/p>\n
Continental shelf: to be defined;<\/p>\n
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;<\/p>\n
Territorial sea: 12 nm<\/p>\n
Disputes: Administrative Line with PDRY; no defined boundary with
\nmost of UAE, Administrative Line in far north<\/p>\n
Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong
\nsouthwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south<\/p>\n
Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south<\/p>\n
Natural resources: crude oil, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone,
\nchromium, gypsum, natural gas<\/p>\n
Land use: NEGL% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows and
\npastures; 0% forest and woodland; 95% other; includes NEGL% irrigated<\/p>\n
Environment: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and duststorms
\nin interior; sparse natural freshwater resources<\/p>\n
Note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam
\nPeninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz (17% of world’s oil production
\ntransits this point going from Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea)<\/p>\n
People
\nPopulation: 1,457,064 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)<\/p>\n
Birth rate: 43 births\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Death rate: 12 deaths\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Net migration rate: 0 migrants\/1,000 population (1990)<\/p>\n
Infant mortality rate: 105 deaths\/1,000 live births (1990)<\/p>\n
Life expectancy at birth: 56 years male, 58 years female (1990)<\/p>\n
Total fertility rate: 6.8 children born\/woman (1990)<\/p>\n
Nationality: noun–Omani(s); adjective–Omani<\/p>\n
Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Arab, with small Balochi, Zanzibari, and
\nIndian groups<\/p>\n
Religion: 75% Ibadhi Muslim; remainder Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, some
\nHindu<\/p>\n
Language: Arabic (official); English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialects<\/p>\n
Literacy: 20%<\/p>\n
Labor force: 430,000; 60% agriculture (est.); 58% are non-Omani<\/p>\n
Organized labor: trade unions are illegal<\/p>\n
Government
\nLong-form name: Sultanate of Oman<\/p>\n
Type: absolute monarchy; independent, with residual UK influence<\/p>\n
Capital: Muscat<\/p>\n
Administrative divisions: none<\/p>\n
Independence: 1650, expulsion of the Portuguese<\/p>\n
Constitution: none<\/p>\n
Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate
\nappeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction<\/p>\n
Executive branch: sultan, Cabinet, State Consultative Assembly<\/p>\n
Legislative branch: none<\/p>\n
Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent
\ncivil court system<\/p>\n
National holiday: National Day, 18 November<\/p>\n
Leaders:
\nChief of State and Head of Government–Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS
\nbin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970)<\/p>\n
Political parties: none<\/p>\n
Suffrage: none<\/p>\n
Elections: none<\/p>\n
Other political or pressure groups: outlawed Popular Front for the
\nLiberation of Oman (PFLO), based in South Yemen; small, clandestine Shia
\nfundamentalist groups are active<\/p>\n
Member of: Arab League, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB–Islamic
\nDevelopment Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OIC, UN,
\nUNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO<\/p>\n
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Awadh Bader AL-SHANFARI; Chancery at
\n2342 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-1980
\nthrough 1982;
\nUS–Ambassador Richard BOEHM; Embassy at address NA, Muscat
\n(mailing address is P. O. Box 966, Muscat); telephone 738-231 or 738-006<\/p>\n
Flag: three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green
\n(double width) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national
\nemblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords
\nin scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band<\/p>\n
Economy
\nOverview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil
\nindustry. Petroleum accounts for nearly all export earnings, about 70% of
\ngovernment revenues, and more than 50% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of
\n4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years’ supply at the current
\nrate of extraction. Although agriculture employs a majority of the population,
\nurban centers depend on imported food.<\/p>\n
GDP: $7.8 billion, per capita $6,006; real growth rate – 3.0% (1987 est.)<\/p>\n
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.0% (1988 est.)<\/p>\n
Unemployment rate: NA%<\/p>\n
Budget: revenues $3.1 billion; expenditures $4.2 billion,
\nincluding capital expenditures of $1.0 billion (1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Exports: $3.6 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.);
\ncommodities–petroleum, reexports, processed copper, dates, nuts, fish;
\npartners–Japan, South Korea, Thailand<\/p>\n
Imports: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities
\n–machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food,
\nlivestock, lubricants; partners–Japan, UAE, UK, FRG, US<\/p>\n
External debt: $3.1 billion (December 1989 est.)<\/p>\n
Industrial production: growth rate 5.0% (1986)<\/p>\n
Electricity: 1,130,000 kW capacity; 3,600 million kWh produced,
\n2,760 kWh per capita (1989)<\/p>\n
Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production,
\nconstruction, cement, copper<\/p>\n
Agriculture: accounts for 3.4% of GDP and 60% of the labor force
\n(including fishing); less than 2% of land cultivated; largely subsistence
\nfarming (dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle); not
\nself-sufficient in food; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons<\/p>\n
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $122 million; Western
\n(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $92 million;
\nOPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $797 million<\/p>\n
Currency: Omani rial (plural–rials); 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza<\/p>\n
Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1–0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)<\/p>\n
Fiscal year: calendar year<\/p>\n
Communications
\nHighways: 22,800 km total; 3,800 km bituminous surface, 19,000 km
\nmotorable track<\/p>\n
Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km<\/p>\n
Ports: Mina Qabus, Mina Raysut<\/p>\n
Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft<\/p>\n
Airports: 128 total, 119 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways;
\n1 with runways over 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 63 with runways
\n1,220-2,439 m<\/p>\n
Telecommunications: fair system of open-wire, radio relay, and radio
\ncommunications stations; 50,000 telephones; stations–3 AM, 3 FM, 11 TV;
\nsatellite earth stations–2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT and 8 domestic<\/p>\n
Defense Forces
\nBranches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman Police<\/p>\n
Military manpower: males 15-49, 350,173; 198,149 fit for military service<\/p>\n
Defense expenditures: 16.5% of GDP, or $1.3 billion (1990 est.)
\n.pa
\nPacific Islands, Trust Territory of the
\n(Palau)
\nGeography
\nTotal area: 458 km2; land area: 458 <\/p>\n
