- Defense ForcesBranches: Royal Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian AirForce, Royal Malaysian Police Force
Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,499,495; 2,744,743 fit for military service; 178,923 reach military age (21) annually
Defense expenditures: 3.8% of GDP, or $1.4 billion (1990 est.)——————————————————————————Country: Maldives- GeographyTotal area: 300 km2; land area: 300 km2
Comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims:
Exclusive fishing zone: about 100 nm (defined by geographic coordinates);
Extended economic zone: 37-310 nm (segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India);
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November toMarch); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters
Natural resources: fish
Land use: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 3% meadows and pastures; 3% forest and woodland; 84% other
Environment: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls
Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
- PeoplePopulation: 217,945 (July 1990), growth rate 3.7% (1990)
Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 76 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 65 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 6.6 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Maldivian(s); adjective—Maldivian
Ethnic divisions: admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black
Religion: Sunni Muslim
Language: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic); English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: 36%
Labor force: 66,000 (est.); 80% engaged in fishing industry
Organized labor: none
- GovernmentLong-form name: Republic of Maldives
Type: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu,GaafuAliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu,Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
Constitution: 4 June 1964
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Executive branch: president, Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis)
Judicial branch: High Court
Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government—President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since since 11 November 1978)
Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries
Suffrage: universal at age 21
Elections:President—last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September1994);results—President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reelected;
Citizens' Council—last held on 7 December 1984 (next to be held 7 December 1989); results—percent of vote NA; seats—(48 total, 40 elected)
Communists: negligible
Member of: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, FAO,G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB—Islamic Development Bank, IFAD,IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation: Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York; US—the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Mahduedurage, Violet Magu, Henveru, Male; telephone 2581
Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
- Economy Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 80% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 14% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further growth of 9% on the strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season.
GDP: $136 million, per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)
Exports: $47.0 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities—fish 57%, clothing 39%; partners—Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka
Imports: $90.0 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities— intermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods 42%, petroleum products 11%; partners—Japan, Western Europe, Thailand
External debt: $70 million (December 1988)
Industrial production: growth rate 3.9% (1988 est.)
Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts
Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $84 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million
Currency: rufiyaa (plural—rufiyaa); 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laaris
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1—9.3043 (January 1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988), 9.2230 (1987), 7.1507 (1986), 7.0981 (1985)
Fiscal year: calendar year
- CommunicationsHighways: Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city
Ports: Male, Gan
Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,066 GRT/112,480 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 bulk
Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft
Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m
Telecommunications: minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,325 telephones; stations—2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
- Defense ForcesBranches: no military force
Military manpower: males 15-49, 49,261; 27,519 fit for military service
Defense expenditures: $1.8 million (1984 est.)——————————————————————————Country: Mali- GeographyTotal area: 1,240,000 km2; land area: 1,220,000 km2
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: 7,243 km total; Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Ivory Coast 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline: none—landlocked
Maritime claims: none—landlocked
Disputes: the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium; bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 25% meadows and pastures; 7% forest and woodland; 66% other; includes NEGL% irrigated
Environment: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; desertification
Note: landlocked
- PeoplePopulation: 8,142,373 (July 1990), growth rate 2.3% (1990)
Birth rate: 51 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 21 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 47 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 7.1 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Malian(s); adjective—Malian
Ethnic divisions: 50% Mande (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), 17% Peul, 12%Voltaic, 6% Songhai, 5% Tuareg and Moor, 10% other
Religion: 90% Muslim, 9% indigenous beliefs, 1% Christian
Language: French (official); Bambara spoken by about 80% of the population; numerous African languages
Literacy: 18%
Labor force: 2,666,000 (1986 est.); 80% agriculture, 19% services, 1% industry and commerce (1981); 50% of population of working age (1985)
Organized labor: National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM) is umbrella organization for over 13 national unions
- GovernmentLong-form name: Republic of Mali
Type: republic; single-party constitutional government
Capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular—region); Gao, Kayes, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou; note—there may be a new capital district of Bamako
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France; formerly French Sudan)
Constitution: 2 June 1974, effective 19 June 1979; amended September 1981 and March 1985
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)
Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government—President Gen. Moussa TRAORE (since 6 December 1968)
Political parties and leaders: only party—Democratic Union ofMalian People (UDPM)
Suffrage: universal at age 21
Elections: President—last held on 9 June 1985 (next to be held June 1991); results—General Moussa Traore was reelected without opposition;
National Assembly—last held on 26 June 1988 (next to be held June 1991); results—UDPM is the only party; seats—(82 total) UDPM 82
Communists: a few Communists and some sympathizers (no legal Communist party)
Member of: ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto),IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB—Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, IRC, ITU, NAM, Niger River Commission, OAU,OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal RiverValley), UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO,
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Alhousseyni TOURE; Chanceryat 2130 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 332-2249 or939-8950;US—Ambassador Robert M. PRINGLE; Embassy at Rue Testard andRue Mohamed V., Bamako (mailing address is B. P. 34, Bamako); telephone 225834
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
- Economy Overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 80% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population lives as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities.
GDP: $1.94 billion, per capita $220; real growth rate - 0.9% (1988 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% (1987)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues $338 million; expenditures $559 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)
Exports: $260 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities—livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skins; partners—mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports: $493 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities—textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cereals; partners—mostly franc zone and Western Europe
External debt: $2.1 billion (December 1988 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 165 million kWh produced, 20 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold, fishing
Agriculture: accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops—millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock—cattle, sheep, and goats
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $313 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.4 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $190 million
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural—francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)
Fiscal year: calendar year
- Communications Railroads: 642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes
Highways: about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km bituminous, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth, 10,360 km unimproved earth
Inland waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Civil air: no major transport aircraft
Airports: 37 total, 29 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 7 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 9 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; stations—2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations—1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT
- Defense ForcesBranches: Army, Air Force; paramilitary, Gendarmerie,Republican Guard, National Guard
Military manpower: males 15-49, 1,585,878; 913,000 fit for military service; no conscription
Defense expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (1987)——————————————————————————Country: Malta- GeographyTotal area: 320 km2; land area: 320 km2
Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use: 38% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 59% other; includes 3% irrigated
Environment: numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce—increasing reliance on desalination
Note: strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily, 290 km north of Libya
- PeoplePopulation: 353,465 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)
Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 78 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Maltese (sing. and pl.); adjective—Maltese
Ethnic divisions: mixture of Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian,English
Religion: 98% Roman Catholic
Language: Maltese and English (official)
Literacy: 83%
Labor force: 125,674; 30% services, 24% manufacturing, 21% government (except job corps), 8% construction, 5% utilities and drydocks, 4% agriculture (1987)
Organized labor: about 40% of labor force
- GovernmentLong-form name: Republic of Malta
Type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administration directly from Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
Constitution: 26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
National holiday: Freedom Day, 31 March
Executive branch: president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal
Leaders:Chief of State—President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989);
Head of Government—Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987)
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party, Edward Fenech Adami;Malta Labor Party, Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: House of Representatives—last held on 9 May 1987 (next to be held by May 1992); results—NP 51.1%, MLP 48.9%; seats—(usually 65 total, but additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total 69) MLP 34, NP 31 before popular vote adjustment; MLP 34, NP 35 after adjustment
Communists: fewer than 100 (est.)
Member of: CCC, Commonwealth, Council of Europe, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD,ICAO, IFAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, ITU, IWC—International Wheat Council,NAM,UN, UNDP, UNESCO, UNICEF, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Salvatore J. STELLINI; Chancery at 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 462-3611 or 3612; there is a Maltese Consulate General in New York; US—Ambassador Sally J. NOVETZKE; Embassy at 2nd Floor, Development House, St. Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta (mailing address is P. O. Box 535, Valletta); telephone [356] 623653 or 620424, 623216
Flag: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
- Economy Overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 30% of GDP, with the textile and clothing industry a major contributor. In 1988 inflation was held to a low 0.9%. Per capita GDP at $5,100 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's nations.
GDP: $1.9 billion, per capita $5,100; real growth rate 7.1% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (1988)
Unemployment rate: 4.4% (1987)
Budget: revenues $844 million; expenditures $938 million, including capital expenditures of $226 million (1989 est.)
Exports: $710 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities—clothing, textiles, footwear, ships; partners—FRG 31%, UK 14%, Italy 14%
Imports: $1,360 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities—food, petroleum, nonfood raw materials; partners—FRG 19%, UK 17%, Italy 17%, US 11%
External debt: $90 million, medium and long-term (December 1987)
Industrial production: growth rate 6.2% (1987)
Electricity: 328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 2,990 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: tourism, ship repair yard, clothing, construction, food manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco
Agriculture: overall, 20% self-sufficient; main products—potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basic foodstuffs
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $332 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48 million
Currency: Maltese lira (plural—liri); 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1—0.3332 (January 1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988), 0.3451 (1987), 0.3924 (1986), 0.4676 (1985)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
- Communications Highways: 1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35 km improved and unimproved earth
Ports: Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Merchant marine: 314 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,677,797 GRT/6,357,733 DWT; includes 3 passenger, 4 short-sea passenger, 127 cargo, 2 container, 1 passenger-cargo, 13 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 vehicle carrier, 6 refrigerated cargo, 7 chemical tanker, 4 combination ore/oil, 1 specialized tanker, 61 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 72 bulk, 11 combination bulk; note—a flag of convenience registry; China owns 1 ship, Cuba owns 8, and Vietnam owns 1
Civil air: 8 major transport aircraft
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m
Telecommunications: modern automatic system centered in Valletta; 153,000 telephones; stations—9 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 1 submarine cable; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
- Defense ForcesBranches: Armed Forces, Police, Paramilitary Dejima Force
Military manpower: males 15-49, 92,610; 74,256 fit for military service
Defense expenditures: 1.3% of GDP, or $25 million (1989 est.)——————————————————————————Country: Man, Isle of(British crown dependency)- GeographyTotal area: 588 km2; land area: 588 km2
Comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;
Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use: NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures;NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; extensive arable land and forests
Environment: strong westerly winds prevail
Note: located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, and Ireland
- PeoplePopulation: 64,859 (July 1990), growth rate 0.2% (1990)
Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 78 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Manxman, Manxwoman, adjective—Manx
Ethnic divisions: native Manx of Norse-Celtic descent; British
Religion: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,Society of Friends
Language: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: NA%, but compulsory education between ages of 5 and 15
Labor force: 25,864 (1981)
Organized labor: 22 labor unions patterned along British lines
- GovernmentLong-form name: none
Type: British crown dependency
Capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system: English law and local statute
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, prime minister,Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Tynwald) consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and a lower house or House of Keys
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice
Leaders: Chief of State—Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Maj. Gen. Laurence NEW (since 1985);
Head of Government—President of the Legislative Council J. C. NIVISON (since 1985)
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system and members sit as independents
Suffrage: universal at age 21
Elections: House of Keys—last held in 1986 (next to be held 1991); results—percent of vote NA; seats—(24 total) independents 24
Communists: probably none
Diplomatic representation: none (British crown dependency)
Flag: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
- Economy Overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturing about 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK.
GNP: $490 million, per capita $7,573; real growth rate NA% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Unemployment rate: 1.5% (1988)
Budget: revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.)
Exports: $NA; commodities—tweeds, herring, processed shellfish meat; partners—UK
Imports: $NA; commodities—timber, fertilizers, fish; partners—UK
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: 61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,930 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: an important offshore financial center; financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Agriculture: cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Aid: NA
Currency: Manx pound (plural—pounds); 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1—0.6055 (January 1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986), 0.7714 (1985); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
- CommunicationsRailroads: 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track
Highways: 640 km motorable roads
Ports: Douglas, Ramsey, Peel
Merchant marine: 77 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,656,216 GRT/2,984,047 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 8 cargo, 5 container, 6 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 32 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 5 chemical tanker, 2 combination ore/oil, 6 liquefied gas, 12 bulk; note—a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on the register are British-owned
Airports: 2 total; 1 usable with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: 24,435 telephones; stations—1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV
- Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK —————————————————————————— Country: Marshall Islands - Geography Total area: 181.3 km2; land area: 181.3 km2; includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein
Comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims:
Contiguous zone: 24 nm;
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: claims US-administered Wake Island
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use: 0% arable land; 60% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 40% other
Environment: occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands
Note: located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea; Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
- PeoplePopulation: 43,417 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990)
Birth rate: 39 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 43 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 70 years male, 75 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 5.9 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Marshallese; adjective—Marshallese
Ethnic divisions: almost entirely Micronesian
Religion: predominantly Christian, mostly Protestant
Language: English universally spoken and is the official language; two major Marshallese dialects from Malayo-Polynesian family; Japanese
Literacy: 90%
Labor force: 4,800 (1986)
Organized labor: none
- GovernmentLong-form name: Republic of the Marshall Islands
Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
Capital: Majuro
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship; formerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Constitution: 1 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)
Executive branch: president, Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Nitijela)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government—President Amata KABUA (since 1979)
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President Kabua is chief political (and traditional) leader
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: President—last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results—President Amata Kabua was reelected;
Parliament—last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results—percent of vote NA; seats—(33 total)
Communists: none
Member of: SPF, ESCAP (associate)
Diplomatic representation: Representative Wilfred I. KENDALL; Representative Office at Suite 1004, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20006; telephone (202) 223-4952; US—Representative Samuel B. THOMSEN; US Office at NA address (mailing address is P. O. Box 680, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960); telephone 692-9-3348
Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner—orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
- Economy Overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million.
GDP: $63 million, per capita $1,500; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues $55 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA (1987 est.)
Exports: $2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities—copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicrafts; partners—NA
Imports: $29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities—foodstuffs, beverages, building materials; partners—NA
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: 12,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 240 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearl; offshore banking (embryonic)
Agriculture: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, copra; pigs, chickens
Aid: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually
Currency: US currency is used
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
- Communications Highways: macadam and concrete roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports: Majuro
Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 475,968 GRT/949,888 DWT; includes 2 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 bulk carrier; note—a flag of convenience registry
Airports: 5 total, 5 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; 5 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: telephone network—570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes); stations—1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
- Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US —————————————————————————— Country: Martinique (overseas department of France) - Geography Total area: 1,100 km2; land area: 1,060 km2
Comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 290 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June toOctober)
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use: 10% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 30% meadows and pastures; 26% forest and woodland; 26% other; includes 5% irrigated
Environment: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years
Note: located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea
- PeoplePopulation: 340,381 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)
Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 11 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Martiniquais (sing. and pl.); adjective—Martiniquais
Ethnic divisions: 90% African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture, 5%Caucasian, less than 5% East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic, 5% Hindu and pagan African
Language: French, Creole patois
Literacy: over 70%
Labor force: 100,000; 31.7% service industry, 29.4% construction and public works, 13.1% agriculture, 7.3% industry, 2.2% fisheries, 16.3% other
Organized labor: 11% of labor force
- GovernmentLong-form name: Department of Martinique
Type: overseas department of France
Capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
National holiday: Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Executive branch: government commissioner
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral RegionalCouncil
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Leaders: Chief of State—President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981);
Head of Government—Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President of the General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988)
Political parties: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen Bago;Union of the Left composed of the Progressive Party of Martinique (PPM),Aime Cesaire; Socialist Federation of Martinique, Michael Yoyo; and theCommunist Party of Martinique (PCM), Armand Nicolas; Union for French Democracy(UDF), Jean Maran
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: General Council—last held on NA October 1988 (next to be held by March 1991); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(44 total) number of seats by party NA;
Regional Assembly—last held on 16 March 1986 (next to be held by March 1992); results—UDF/RPR coalition 49.8%, PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 41.3%, others 8.9%; seats—(41 total) PPM/FSM/PCM coalition 21, UDF/RPR coalition 20;
French Senate—last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1;
French National Assembly—last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1
Communists: 1,000 (est.)
Other political or pressure groups: Proletarian Action Group (GAP);Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist Revolution Group (GRS), Martinique IndependenceMovement (MIM), Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC), Central Union forMartinique Workers (CSTM), Marc Pulvar; Frantz Fanon Circle; League ofWorkers and Peasants
Member of: WFTU
Diplomatic representation: as an overseas department of France,Martiniquais interests are represented in the US by France;US—Consul General Ray ROBINSON; Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac,Fort-de-France (mailing address is B. P. 561, Fort-de-France);telephone [596] 63-13-03
Flag: the flag of France is used
- Economy Overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 7% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, however, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration. In 1984 the annual per capita income was relatively high at $3,650. During 1985 the unemployment rate was between 25% and 30% and was particularly severe among younger workers.
GDP: $1.3 billion, per capita $3,650; real growth rate NA% (1984)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (1986)
Unemployment rate: 25-30% (1985)
Budget: revenues $223 million; expenditures $223 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)
Exports: $209 million (f.o.b., 1986); commodities—refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples; partners—France 65%, Guadeloupe 26% (1986)
Imports: $879 million (c.i.f., 1986); commodities—petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods; partners—France 64% (1986)
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: 108,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP; principal crops—pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetables
Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $9.8 billion
Currency: French franc (plural—francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1—5.7598 (January 1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987), 6.9261 (1986), 8.9852 (1985)
Fiscal year: calendar year
- CommunicationsHighways: 1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earth
Ports: Fort-de-France
Civil air: no major transport aircraft
Airports: 2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 2,439 m
Telecommunications: domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and St. Lucia; stations—1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
- Defense ForcesNote: defense is the responsibility of France——————————————————————————Country: Mauritania- GeographyTotal area: 1,030,700 km2; land area: 1,030,400 km2
Comparative area: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries: 5,074 km total; Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: armed conflict in Western Sahara; boundary with Senegal
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use: 1% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 38% meadows and pastures; 5% forest and woodland; 56% other; includes NEGL% irrigated
Environment: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal
- PeoplePopulation: 1,934,549 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990)
Birth rate: 49 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 96 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 44 years male, 49 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 7.3 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Mauritanian(s); adjective—Mauritanian
Ethnic divisions: 40% mixed Maur/black, 30% Maur, 30% black
Religion: nearly 100% Muslim
Language: Hasaniya Arabic (national); French (official); Toucouleur, Fula,Sarakole, Wolof
Literacy: 17%
Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); 47% agriculture, 29% services, 14% industry and commerce, 10% government; 53% of population of working age (1985)
Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, MauritanianWorkers' Union
- GovernmentLong-form name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Type: republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978; a palace coup that took place on 24 December 1984 brought President Taya to power
Capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular—region);Adrar, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, El Acaba, Gorgol, Guidimaka,Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza;note—there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
Constitution: 20 May 1961, abrogated after coup of 10 July 1978; provisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandoned in 1981; new constitutional charter published 27 February 1985
Legal system: based on Islamic law
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Executive branch: president, Military Committee for NationalSalvation (CMSN), Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale), dissolved after 10 July 1978 coup; legislative power resides with the CMSN
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government—President Col. Maaouiya OuldSidAhmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)
Political parties and leaders: suspended
Suffrage: none
Elections: none; last presidential election August 1976; National Assembly dissolved 10 July 1978; no national elections are scheduled
Communists: no Communist party, but there is a scattering of Maoist sympathizers
Member of: ACP, AfDB, AIOEC, Arab League, CCC, CEAO, CIPEC (associate),EAMA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB—IslamicDevelopment Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM,OAU, OIC, OMVS (Organization for the Development of the Senegal River Valley),UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Abdellah OULD DADDAH; Chancery at 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5700; US—Ambassador William H. TWADDELL; Embassy at address NA, Nouakchott (mailing address is B. P. 222, Nouakchott); telephone [2222] 52660 or 52663
Flag: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
- Economy Overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent drought in 1983. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore that account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production in recent years. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986.
GDP: $1.0 billion, per capita $520; real growth rate 3.6% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: 50% (1988 est.)
Budget: revenues $358 million; expenditures $334 million, including capital expenditures of $79 million (1988 est.)
Exports: $424 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities—iron ore, processed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum, unrecorded but numerically significant cattle exports to Senegal; partners—EC 57%, Japan 39%, Ivory Coast 2%
Imports: $365 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities—foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods; partners—EC 79%, Africa 5%, US 4%, Japan 2%
External debt: $2.3 billion (December 1989)
Industrial production: growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.)
Electricity: 189,000 kW capacity; 136 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: fishing, fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Agriculture: accounts for 29% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops—dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought
Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $160 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $277 million
Currency: ouguiya (plural—ouguiya); 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates: ouguiya (UM) per US$1—83.838 (January 1990), 83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988), 73.878 (1987), 74.375 (1986), 77.085 (1985)
Fiscal year: calendar year
- Communications Railroads: 670 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track, owned and operated by government mining company
Highways: 7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone, or otherwise improved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracks
Inland waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports: Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Merchant marine: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,272 GRT/ 1,840 DWT
Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft
Airports: 30 total, 29 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor radio relay links, and radio communications stations; 5,200 telephones; stations—2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations—1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with a third planned
- Defense ForcesBranches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitaryNational Guard, paramilitary National Police, paramilitary Presidential Guard,paramilitary Nomad Security Guards
Military manpower: males 15-49, 410,153; 200,212 fit for military service; conscription law not implemented
Defense expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (1987)——————————————————————————Country: Mauritius- GeographyTotal area: 1,860 km2; land area: 1,850 km2; includes AgalegaIslands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (St. Brandon) and Rodrigues
Comparative area: slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: none
Coastline: 177 km
Maritime claims:
Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;
Extended economic zone: 200 nm;
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Disputes: claims Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island ofDiego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claimsFrench-administered Tromelin Island
Climate: tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter(May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use: 54% arable land; 4% permanent crops; 4% meadows and pastures; 31% forest and woodland; 7% other; includes 9% irrigated
Environment: subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs
Note: located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean
- PeoplePopulation: 1,070,005 (July 1990), growth rate 1.8% (1990)
Birth rate: 21 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: 4 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 73 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.0 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—Mauritian(s); adjective—Mauritian
Ethnic divisions: 68% Indo-Mauritian, 27% Creole, 3% Sino-Mauritian, 2%Franco-Mauritian
Religion: 51% Hindu, 30% Christian (mostly Roman Catholic with a fewAnglicans), 17% Muslim, 2% other
Language: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka,Bojpoori
Literacy: 82.8%
Labor force: 335,000; 29% government services, 27% agriculture and fishing, 22% manufacturing, 22% other; 43% of population of working age (1985)
Organized labor: 35% of labor force in more than 270 unions