:Liberia Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Liberia Communications
Railroads:480 km total; 328 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 152 km 1.067-meter narrowgauge; all lines single track; rail systems owned and operated by foreignsteel and financial interests in conjunction with Liberian GovernmentHighways:10,087 km total; 603 km bituminous treated, 2,848 km all weather, 4,313 kmdry weather; there are also 2,323 km of private, laterite-surfaced roadsopen to public use, owned by rubber and timber companiesPorts:Monrovia, Buchanan, Greenville, Harper (or Cape Palmas)Merchant marine:1,564 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 54,049,124 DWT/ 95,338,925 DWT;includes 19 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 145 cargo, 51 refrigeratedcargo, 22 roll-on/roll-off, 62 vehicle carrier, 89 container, 4 bargecarrier, 460 petroleum tanker, 105 chemical, 57 combination ore/oil, 50liquefied gas, 6 specialized tanker, 465 bulk, 1 multifunction large-loadcarrier, 27 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience registry; allships are foreign owned; the top 4 owning flags are US 18%, Japan 16%, HongKong 10%, and Norway 9%Civil air:1 major transport aircraftAirports:66 total, 49 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:telephone and telegraph service via radio relay network; main center isMonrovia; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth stations; most telecommunications services inoperable due toinsurgency movement
:Liberia Defense Forces
Branches:Monrovia-based Armed Forces of Liberia (Army only) along with a policeforce; rest of country controlled by the army of the National PatrioticFront of Liberia (NPFL) insurgent groupManpower availability:males 15-49, 585,224; 312,420 fit for military service; no conscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
:Libya Geography
Total area:1,759,540 km2Land area:1,759,540 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than AlaskaLand boundaries:4,383 km; Algeria 982 km, Chad 1,055 km, Egypt 1,150 km, Niger 354 km, Sudan383 km, Tunisia 459 kmCoastline:1,770 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:12 nmGulf of Sidra closing line:32 degrees 30 minutes NDisputes:claims and occupies the 100,000 km2 Aozou Strip in northern Chad; maritimeboundary dispute with Tunisia; Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northernNiger; Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in southeastern AlgeriaClimate:Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interiorTerrain:mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressionsNatural resources:crude oil, natural gas, gypsumLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 91%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days inspring and fall; desertification; sparse natural surface-water resourcesNote:the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in theworld, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara tocoastal cities
:Libya People
Population:4,484,795 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992)Birth rate:36 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:60 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 71 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Libyan(s); adjective - LibyanEthnic divisions:Berber and Arab 97%; some Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis,Turks, Indians, and TunisiansReligions:Sunni Muslim 97%Languages:Arabic; Italian and English widely understood in major citiesLiteracy:64% (male 75%, female 50%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:1,000,000, includes about 280,000 resident foreigners; industry 31%,services 27%, government 24%, agriculture 18%Organized labor:National Trade Unions' Federation, 275,000 members; General Union for Oiland Petrochemicals; Pan-Africa Federation of Petroleum Energy and AlliedWorkers
:Libya Government
Long-form name:Socialist People's Libyan Arab JamahiriyaDigraph:Tripoli Administration divisions *** 25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular- baladiyat; Ajdabiya, Al `Aziziyah, Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, AlJufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat al Khams, Ash Shati', Awbari, AzZawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan, Misratah, Murzuq, Sabha,Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq, Yafran, ZlitanType:Jamahiriya (a state of the masses); in theory, governed by the populacethrough local councils; in fact, a military dictatorshipCapital:Tripoli Administration divisionsAdministrative divisions:25 municipalities (baladiyah, singular - baladiyat; Ajdabiya, Al 'Aziziyah,Al Fatih, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jufrah, Al Khums, Al Kufrah, An Nuqat alKhams, Ash Shati', Awbari, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi, Darnah, Ghadamis, Gharyan,Misratah, Murzuq Sabha, Sawfajjin, Surt, Tarabulus, Tarhunah, Tubruq,Yafran, ZlitanIndependence:24 December 1951 (from Italy)Constitution:11 December 1969, amended 2 March 1977Legal system:based on Italian civil law system and Islamic law; separate religiouscourts; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Revolution Day, 1 September (1969)Executive branch:revolutionary leader, chairman of the General People's Committee (premier),General People's Committee (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral General People's CongressJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Revolutionary Leader Col. Mu`ammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI (since 1 September1969)Head of Government:Chairman of the General People's Committee (Premier) Abu Zayd `umar DURDA(since 7 October 1990)Political parties and leaders:noneSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:national elections are indirect through a hierarchy of peoples' committeesOther political or pressure groups:various Arab nationalist movements and the Arab Socialist Resurrection(Ba'th) party with almost negligible memberships may be functioningclandestinely, as well as some Islamic elementsMember of:ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO
:Libya Government
Diplomatic representation:noneFlag:plain green; green is the traditional color of Islam (the state religion)
:Libya Economy
Overview:The socialist-oriented economy depends primarily upon revenues from the oilsector, which contributes practically all export earnings and aboutone-third of GDP. Since 1980, however, the sharp drop in oil prices and theresulting decline in export revenues have adversely affected economicdevelopment. In 1988 per capita GDP was the highest in Africa at $5,410, butGDP growth rates have slowed and fluctuate sharply in response to changes inthe world oil market. Import restrictions and inefficient resourceallocations have led to shortages of basic goods and foodstuffs, althoughthe reopening of the Libyan-Tunisian border in April 1988 and theLibyan-Egyptian border in December 1989 have somewhat eased shortages.Austerity budgets and a lack of trained technicians have undermined thegovernment's ability to implement a number of planned infrastructuredevelopment projects. Windfall revenues from the hike in world oil prices inlate 1990 improved the foreign payments position and resulted in a currentaccount surplus for the first time in five years. The nonoil manufacturingand construction sectors, which account for about 22% of GDP, have expandedfrom processing mostly agricultural products to include petrochemicals,iron, steel, and aluminum. Although agriculture accounts for about 5% ofGDP, it employs about 20% of the labor force. Climatic conditions and poorsoils severely limit farm output, and Libya imports about 75% of its foodrequirements.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $28.9 billion, per capita $6,800; real growthrate 9% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:2% (1988 est.)Budget:revenues $8.1 billion; expenditures $9.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $3.1 billion (1989 est.)Exports:$11 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:petroleum, peanuts, hidespartners:Italy, USSR, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium/Luxembourg, TurkeyImports:$7.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:machinery, transport equipment, food, manufactured goodspartners:Italy, USSR, Germany, UK, JapanExternal debt:$3.5 billion, excluding military debt (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 4%; accounts for 22% of GDP (not including oil) (1989)Electricity:4,700,000 kW capacity; 13,700 million kWh produced, 3,100 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:petroleum, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cementAgriculture:5% of GNP; cash crops - wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus fruits,peanuts; 75% of food is importedEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87),$242 million; no longer a recipient
:Libya Economy
Currency:Libyan dinar (plural - dinars); 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhamsExchange rates:Libyan dinars (LD) per US$1 - 0.2743 (March 1992), 0.2669 (1991), 0.2699(1990), 0.2922 (1989), 0.2853 (1988), 0.2706 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Libya Communications
Pipelines:crude oil 4,383 km; natural gas 1,947 km; petroleum products 443 km(includes liquid petroleum gas 256 km)Ports:Tobruk, Tripoli, Banghazi, Misratah, Marsa al Burayqah, Ra's LanufMerchant marine:30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 684,969 GRT/1,209,084 DWT; includes 3short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off, 10 petroleum tanker, 1chemical tanker, 1 liquefied gasCivil air:59 major transport aircraftAirports:133 total, 120 usable; 53 with permanent-surface runways; 9 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 28 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 46 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:modern telecommunications system using radio relay, coaxial cable,tropospheric scatter, and domestic satellite stations; 370,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 12 TV; satellite earth stations - 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 14 domestic; submarinecables to France and Italy; radio relay to Tunisia and Egypt; troposphericscatter to Greece; planned ARABSAT and Intersputnik satellite stations
:Libya Defense Forces
Branches:Armed Peoples of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (including Army, Navy, Air andAir Defense Command), National PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,056,686; 624,027 fit for military service; 50,916 reachmilitary age (17) annually; conscription now being implementedDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, 11.1% of GDP (1987)
:Liechtenstein Geography
Total area:160 km2Land area:160 km2Comparative area:about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:78 km; Austria 37 km, Switzerland 41 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool tomoderately warm, cloudy, humid summersTerrain:mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western thirdNatural resources:hydroelectric potentialLand use:arable land 25%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 38%; forest andwoodland 19%; other 18%Environment:variety of microclimatic variations based on elevationNote:landlocked
:Liechtenstein People
Population:28,642 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)Birth rate:13 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:5 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:74 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Liechtensteiner(s); adjective - LiechtensteinEthnic divisions:Alemannic 95%, Italian and other 5%Religions:Roman Catholic 87.3%, Protestant 8.3%, unknown 1.6%, other 2.8% (1988)Languages:German (official), Alemannic dialectLiteracy:100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 10 and over can read and write (1981)Labor force:19,905, of which 11,933 are foreigners; 6,885 commute from Austria andSwitzerland to work each day; industry, trade, and building 53.2%, services45%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1.8% (1990)Organized labor:NA
:Liechtenstein Government
Long-form name:Principality of LiechtensteinType:hereditary constitutional monarchyCapital:VaduzAdministrative divisions:11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin,Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, VaduzIndependence:23 January 1719, Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein establishedConstitution:5 October 1921Legal system:local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsNational holiday:Assumption Day, 15 AugustExecutive branch:reigning prince, hereditary prince, head of government, deputy head ofgovernmentLegislative branch:unicameral Diet (Landtag)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof) for criminal cases and Superior Court(Obergericht) for civil casesLeaders:Chief of State:Prince Hans ADAM II (since 13 November 1989; assumed executive powers 26August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS von und zu Liechtenstein (born 11June 1968)Head of Government:Hans BRUNHART (since 26 April 1978); Deputy Head of Government Dr. HerbertWILLE (since 2 February 1986)Political parties and leaders:Fatherland Union (VU), Dr. Otto HASLER; Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP),Emanuel VOGT; Free Electoral List (FW)Suffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Diet:last held on 5 March 1989 (next to be held by March 1993); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (25 total) VU 13, FBP 12Member of:CE, CSCE, EBRD, IAEA, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UPU,WIPODiplomatic representation:in routine diplomatic matters, Liechtenstein is represented in the US by theSwiss EmbassyUS:the US has no diplomatic or consular mission in Liechtenstein, but the USConsul General at Zurich (Switzerland) has consular accreditation at VaduzFlag:two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on thehoist side of the blue band
:Liechtenstein Economy
Overview:The prosperous economy is based primarily on small-scale light industry andtourism. Industry accounts for 53% of total employment, the service sector45% (mostly based on tourism), and agriculture and forestry 2%. The sale ofpostage stamps to collectors is estimated at $10 million annually. Lowbusiness taxes (the maximum tax rate is 20%) and easy incorporation ruleshave induced about 25,000 holding or so-called letter box companies toestablish nominal offices in Liechtenstein. Such companies, incorporatedsolely for tax purposes, provide 30% of state revenues. The economy is tiedclosely to that of Switzerland in a customs union, and incomes and livingstandards parallel those of the more prosperous Swiss groups.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $630 million, per capita $22,300; real growthrate NA% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.4% (1990)Unemployment rate:1.5% (1990)Budget:revenues $259 million; expenditures $292 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1990)Exports:$1.6 billioncommodities:small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, potterypartners:EFTA countries 20.9% (Switzerland 15.4%), EC countries 42.7%, other 36.4%(1990)Imports:$NAcommodities:machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehiclespartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:23,000 kW capacity; 150 million kWh produced, 5,340 kWh per capita (1989)Industries:electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, foodproducts, precision instruments, tourismAgriculture:livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapesEconomic aid:noneCurrency:Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural - francs, franken, or franchi); 1Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimiExchange rates:Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1 - 1.5079 (March 1992),1.4340 (1991), 1.3892 (1990), 1.6359 (1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Liechtenstein Communications
Railroads:18.5 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, electrified; owned, operated, andincluded in statistics of Austrian Federal RailwaysHighways:130.66 km main roads, 192.27 km byroadsCivil air:no transport aircraftAirports:noneTelecommunications:limited, but sufficient automatic telephone system; 25,400 telephones;linked to Swiss networks by cable and radio relay for internationaltelephone, radio, and TV services
:Liechtenstein Defense Forces
Branches:Police DepartmentNote:defense is responsibility of Switzerland
:Lithuania Geography
Total area:65,200 km2Land area:65,200 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than West VirginiaLand boundaries:1,273 km; Belarus 502 km, Latvia 453 km, Poland 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad)227 kmCoastline:108 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:NA nmContinental shelf:NA meter depthExclusive fishing zone:NA nmExclusive economic zone:NA nmTerritorial sea:NA nmDisputes:dispute with Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) over the position of the NemanRiver border presently located on the Lithuanian bank and not in midriver asby international standardsClimate:maritime; wet, moderate wintersTerrain:lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soilNatural resources:peatLand use:49.1% arable land; NA% permanent crops; 22.2% meadows and pastures; 16.3%forest and woodland; 12.4% other; includes NA% irrigatedEnvironment:NA
:Lithuania People
Population:3,788,542 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992)Birth rate:15 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:4 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Lithuanian(s); adjective - LithuanianEthnic divisions:Lithuanian 80.1%, Russian 8.6%, Poles 7.7%, Byelorussian 1.5%, other 2.1%Religions:Catholic NA%, Lutheran NA%, unknown NA%, none NA%, other NA%Languages:Lithuanian (official), Polish NA%, Russian NA%Literacy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:1,836,000; industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 18%,other 40% (1990)Organized labor:Lithuanian Trade Union Association; Labor Federation of Lithuania; Union ofWorkers
:Lithuania Government
Long-form name:Republic of LithuaniaType:republicCapital:VilniusAdministrative divisions:none - all rayons are under direct republic jurisdictionIndependence:1918; annexed by the Soviet Union 3 August 1940; restored independence 11March 1990; and regained indpendence from the USSR 6 September 1991Constitution:NA; Constitutional Commission has drafted a new constitution that will besent to Parliament for ratificationLegal system:based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative actsNational holiday:Independence Day, 16 February; Defenders of Freedom Day, 13 JanuaryExecutive branch:prime minister, Council of Ministers, Government,Legislative branch:unicameral Supreme Council, ParliamentJudicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; district and city courts; ProcuratorGeneral of LithuaniaLeaders:Chief of State:Chairman, Supreme Council Vytautas LANDSBERGIS (since March 1990), DeputyChairmen Bronius KUZMICKAS (since March 1990), Ceslovas STANKEVICIUS (sinceMarch 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister Gediminas VAGNORIUS (since January 1991); Deputy PrimeMinisters Algis DOBROVOLSKAS (since January 1991), Vytantas PAKALNISKIS(since January 1991), Zigmas VAISVILA (since January 1991)Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Party, FNU KATILIUS, chairman; Democratic Labor Partyof Lithuania, Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman; Lithuanian DemocraticParty, Sauluis PECELIUNAS, chairman; Lithuanian Green Party, IrenaIGNATAVICIENE, chairwoman; Lithuanian Humanism Party, Vytautas KAZLAUSKAS,chairman; Lithuanian Independence Party, Virgilijus CEPAITIS, chairman;Lithuanian Liberty League, Antanas TERLECKAS; Lithuanian Liberals Union,Vytautus RADZVILAS, chairman; Lithuanian Nationalist Union, RimantasSMETONA, chairman; Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Aloizas SAKALAS,chairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held March 1990 (elected by Parliament); results - LANDSBERGIS,BRAZAUSKASSupreme Council:last held 24 February 1990; results - Sajudis (nationalist movement won alarge majority) (90) 63%; seats - (141 total)Other political or pressure groups:Sajudis; Lithuanian Future Forum; Farmers UnionMember of:CSCE, IAEA, ILO, NACC, UN, UNCTAD
:Lithuania Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador Stasys LOZORAITIS, Jr.; Embassy at 2622 16th St. NW, Washington,DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-5860, 2639US:Ambassador Darryl JOHNSON; Embassy at Mykolaicio putino 4, Vilnius; (mailingaddress is APO AE 09862); telephone [7] (01-22) 628-049Flag:yellow, green, and red horizontal stripes
:Lithuania Economy
Overview:Lithuania is striving to become a small, independent, largely privatizedeconomy rather than a segment of a huge, centrally planned economy. Althoughsubstantially above average in living standards and technology in the oldUSSR, Lithuania historically lagged behind Latvia and Estonia in economicdevelopment. It is ahead of its Baltic neighbors, however, in implementingmarket reform. The country has no important natural resources aside from itsarable land and strategic location. Industry depends entirely on importedmaterials that have come from the republics of the former USSR. Lithuaniabenefits from its ice-free port at Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea and its railand highway hub at Vilnius, which provides land communication betweenEastern Europe and Russia, Latvia, Estonia, and Belarus. Industry produces asmall assortment of high-quality products, ranging from complex machinetools to sophisticated consumer electronics. Thanks to nuclear power,Lithuania is presently self-sufficient in electricity, exporting its surplusto Latvia and Belarus; the nuclear facilities inherited from the USSR,however, have come under world scrutiny as seriously deficient in safetystandards. Agriculture is efficient compared with most of the former SovietUnion. Lithuania holds first place in per capita consumption of meat, secondplace for eggs and potatoes, and fourth place for milk and dairy products.Grain must be imported to support the meat and dairy industries. As toeconomic reforms, Lithuania is pressing ahead with plans to privatize atleast 60% of state-owned property (industry, agriculture, and housing)having already sold many small enterprises using a voucher system. Othergovernment priorities include stimulating foreign investment by protectingthe property rights of foreign firms and redirecting foreign trade away fromEastern markets to the more competitive Western markets. For the moment,Lithuania will remain highly dependent on Russia for energy, raw materials,grains, and markets for its products.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $NA; per capita NA; real growth rate -13%(1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):200% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues 4.8 billion rubles; expenditures 4.7 billion rubles (1989 economicsurvey); note - budget revenues and expenditures are not given for otherformer Soviet republics; implied deficit from these figures does not have aclear interpretationExports:700 million rubles (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:electronics 18%, petroleum products 16%, food 10%, chemicals 6% (1989)partners:Russia 60%, Ukraine 15%, other former Soviet republics 20%, West 5%Imports:2.2 billion rubles (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:oil 24%, machinery 14%, chemicals 8%, grain NA%partners:NAExternal debt:$650 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -1.3% (1991)Electricity:5,875,000 kW capacity; 25,500 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1991)
:Lithuania Economy
Industries:employs 25% of the labor force; its shares in the total production of theformer USSR are metal-cutting machine tools 6.6%; electric motors 4.6%;television sets 6.2%; refrigerators and freezers 5.4%; other productionincludes petroleum refining, shipbuilding (small ships), furniture making,textiles, food processing, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, opticalequipment, electronic components, computers, and amberAgriculture:employs 29% of labor force; sugar, grain, potatoes, sugarbeets, vegetables,meat, milk, dairy products, eggs, and fish; most developed are the livestockand dairy branches - these depend on imported grain; Lithuania is a netexporter of meat, milk, and eggsIllicit drugs:transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia toWestern EuropeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $10 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-86), $NA million;Communist countries (1971-86), $NA millionCurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currency but planning early introductionof ``litas''Exchange rates:NAFiscal year:calendar year
:Lithuania Communications
Railroads:2,010 km (includes NA km electrified); does not include industrial lines(1990)Highways:44,200 km total (1990); 35,500 km hard surfaced, 8,700 km earthInland waterways:600 km perennially navigablePipelines:NAPorts:maritime - Klaipeda; inland - KaunasMerchant marine:66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 268,854 GRT/315,690 DWT; includes 27cargo, 24 timber carrier, 1 container, 3 railcar carrier, 11 combinationbulkCivil air:NAAirports:NATelecommunications:better developed than in most other former USSR republics; 22.4 telephonesper 100 persons; broadcast stations - 13 AM, 26 FM, 1 SW, 1 LW, 3 TV;landlines or microwave to former USSR republics; leased connection to theMoscow international switch for traffic with other countries; satelliteearth stations - (8 channels to Norway)
:Lithuania Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops),National Guard/Volunteers; Russian Forces (Ground, Navy, Air, and AirDefense)Manpower availability:NA
:Luxembourg Geography
Total area:2,586 kmLand area:2,586 kmComparative area:slightly smaller than Rhode IslandLand boundaries:359 km; Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:noneClimate:modified continental with mild winters, cool summersTerrain:mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands toslightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle floodplain inthe southeastNatural resources:iron ore (no longer exploited)Land use:arable land 24%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest andwoodland 21%; other 34%Environment:deforestationNote:landlocked
:Luxembourg People
Population:392,405 (July 1992), growth rate 1.0% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:7 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:73 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Luxembourger(s); adjective - LuxembourgEthnic divisions:Celtic base, with French and German blend; also guest and worker residentsfrom Portugal, Italy, and European countriesReligions:Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%Languages:Luxembourgisch, German, French; many also speak EnglishLiteracy:100% (male 100%, female 100%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)Labor force:177,300; one-third of labor force is foreign workers, mostly from Portugal,Italy, France, Belgium, and FRG; services 65%, industry 31.6%, agriculture3.4% (1988)Organized labor:100,000 (est.) members of four confederated trade unions
:Luxembourg Government
Long-form name:Grand Duchy of LuxembourgType:constitutional monarchyCapital:LuxembourgAdministrative divisions:3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, LuxembourgIndependence:1839Constitution:17 October 1868, occasional revisionsLegal system:based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday), 23 June(1921)Executive branch:grand duke, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers(cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes); note - the Council ofState (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by theChamber of DeputiesJudicial branch:Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Justice)Leaders:Chief of State:Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964); Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son ofGrand Duke Jean, born 16 April 1955)Head of Government:Prime Minister Jacques SANTER (since 21 July 1984); Vice Prime MinisterJacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984)Political parties and leaders:Christian Social Party (CSV), Jacques SANTER; Socialist Workers Party(LSAP), Jacques POOS; Liberal (DP), Colette FLESCH; Communist (KPL), AndreHOFFMANN; Green Alternative (GAP), Jean HUSSSuffrage:universal and compulsory at age 18Elections:Chamber of Deputies:last held on 18 June 1989 (next to be held by June 1994); results - CSV31.7%, LSAP 27.2%, DP 16.2%, Greens 8.4%, PAC 7.3%, KPL 5.1%, other 4.1%;seats - (60 total) CSV 22, LSAP 18, DP 11, Greens 4, PAC 4, KPL 1Other political or pressure groups:group of steel industries representing iron and steel industry, CentralePaysanne representing agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist laborunions; Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers FederationMember of:ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB,EMS, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG,OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Alphonse BERNS; Chancery at 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-4171; there are LuxembourgConsulates General in New York and San Francisco
:Luxembourg Government
US:Ambassador Edward M. ROWELL; Embassy at 22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535Luxembourg City; PSC 11 (mailing address is APO AE 09132-5380); telephone[352] 460123; FAX [352] 461401Flag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar tothe flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; designwas based on the flag of France
:Luxembourg Economy
Overview:The stable economy features moderate growth, low inflation, and negligibleunemployment. Agriculture is based on small but highly productivefamily-owned farms. The industrial sector, until recently dominated bysteel, has become increasingly more diversified, particularly towardhigh-technology firms. During the past decade, growth in the financialsector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services,especially banking, account for a growing proportion of the economy.Luxembourg participates in an economic union with Belgium on trade and mostfinancial matters and is also closely connected economically to theNetherlands.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $7.83 billion, per capita $20,200; real growthrate 2.5% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.7% (1990)Unemployment rate:1.3% (1990)Budget:revenues $2.5 billion; expenditures $2.3 billion, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1988)Exports:$6.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:finished steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass, aluminum, otherindustrial productspartners:EC 75%, US 5%Imports:$7.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goodspartners:Belgium 37%, FRG 31%, France 12%, US 2%External debt:$131.6 million (1989 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 0.5% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:1,500,000 kW capacity; 1,163 million kWh produced, 3,170 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products,engineering, tires, glass, aluminumAgriculture:accounts for less than 3% of GDP (including forestry); principal products -barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; cattle raisingwidespreadEconomic aid:noneCurrency:Luxembourg franc (plural - francs); 1 Luxembourg franc (LuxF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Luxembourg francs (LuxF) per US$1 - 32.462 (January 1992), 34.148 (1991),33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989), 36.768 (1988), 37.334 (1987); note - theLuxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freelyin LuxembourgFiscal year:calendar year
:Luxembourg Communications
Railroads:Luxembourg National Railways (CFL) operates 270 km 1.435-meter standardgauge; 162 km double track; 162 km electrifiedHighways:5,108 km total; 4,995 km paved, 57 km gravel, 56 km earth; about 80 kmlimited access divided highwayInland waterways:37 km; Moselle RiverPipelines:petroleum products 48 kmPorts:Mertert (river port)Merchant marine:49 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,592,985 GRT/2,642,249 DWT; includes3 cargo, 5 container, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 6 petroleum tanker, 4 chemicaltanker, 3 combination ore/oil, 8 liquefied gas, 1 passenger, 8 bulk, 6combination bulkCivil air:13 major transport aircraftAirports:2 total, 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 1,220 mTelecommunications:highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buriedcables; 230,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 3channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable; 1 direct-broadcastsatellite earth station; nationwide mobile phone system
:Luxembourg Defense Forces
Branches:Army, National GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49, 100,994; 83,957 fit for military service; 2,320 reach militaryage (19) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1.4% of GDP (1991)
:Macau Geography
Total area:16 km2Land area:16 km2Comparative area:about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0.34 km; China 0.34 kmCoastline:40 kmMaritime claims:not knownDisputes:noneClimate:subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summersTerrain:generally flatNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:essentially urban; one causeway and one bridge connect the two islands tothe peninsula on mainlandNote:27 km west-southwest of Hong Kong on the southeast coast of China
:Macau People
Population:473,333 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992)Birth rate:17 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:4 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:4 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:78 years male, 84 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Macanese (singular and plural); adjective - MacauEthnic divisions:Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%Religions:Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, other 1.2%(1981)Languages:Portuguese (official); Cantonese is the language of commerceLiteracy:90% (male 93%, female 86%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981)Labor force:180,000 (1986)Organized labor:none
:Macau Government
Long-form name:noneType:overseas territory of Portugal; scheduled to revert to China in 1999Capital:MacauAdministrative divisions:2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, MacauIndependence:none (territory of Portugal); Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the jointdeclaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economicsystems and lifestyle for 50 years after transitionConstitution:17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily byBeijing awaiting final approvalLegal system:Portuguese civil law systemNational holiday:Day of Portugal, 10 JuneExecutive branch:President of Portugal, governor, Consultative Council (cabinet)Legislative branch:Legislative AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since 9 March 1986)Head of Government:Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since 20 March 1991)Political parties and leaders:Association to Defend the Interests of Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Groupto Study the Development of Macau; Macau Independent GroupSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Legislative Assembly:last held on 10 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -(23 total; 8 elected by universal suffrage, 8 by indirect suffrage, and 7appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NAOther political or pressure groups:wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthypro-Communist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 theMacau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power overadministrationMember of:IMO (associate), WTO (associate)Diplomatic representation:as Chinese territory under Portuguese administration, Macanese interests inthe US are represented by PortugalUS:the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the USConsulate General in Hong KongFlag:the flag of Portugal is used
:Macau Economy
Overview:The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile andfireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other smallindustries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sectorhas accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has providedabout two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry represented 36%of GDP in 1991. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water,and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of rawmaterials and capital goods.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $3.1 billion, per capita $6,900; real growth rate6% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8.8% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:2% (1989 est.)Budget:revenues $305 million; expenditures $298 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1989)Exports:$1.5 billion (1990 est.)commodities:textiles, clothing, toyspartners:US 33%, Hong Kong 15%, FRG 12%, France 10% (1987)Imports:$1.8 billion (1990 est.)commodities:raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goodspartners:Hong Kong 39%, China 21%, Japan 10% (1987)External debt:$91 million (1985)Industrial production:NAElectricity:220,000 kW capacity; 520 million kWh produced, 1,165 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourismAgriculture:rice, vegetables; food shortages - rice, vegetables, meat; depends mostly onimports for food requirementsEconomic aid:noneCurrency:pataca (plural - patacas); 1 pataca (P) = 100 avosExchange rates:patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989), 8.044(1988), 7.993 (1987); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollarFiscal year:calendar year
:Macau Communications
Highways:42 km pavedPorts:MacauCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:none useable, 1 under construction; 1 seaplane stationTelecommunications:fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic andinternational services; 52,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM,no TV; 75,000 radio receivers (est.); international high-frequency radiocommunication facility; access to international communications carriersprovided via Hong Kong and China; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Macau Defense Forces
Manpower availability:males 15-49, 135,923; 76,414 fit for military serviceNote:defense is responsibility of Portugal
:Macedonia Header
Note:Macedonia has proclaimed independent statehood but has not been formallyrecognized as a state by the United States.
:Macedonia Geography
Total area:25,333 km2Land area:24,856 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than VermontLand boundaries:748 km; Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km, Serbia andMontenegro 221 kmCoastline:none - landlockedDisputes:Greece claims republic's name implies territorial claims against AegeanMacedoniaClimate:hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfallTerrain:territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are three large lakes,each divided by a frontier lineNatural resources:chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore,asbestos, sulphur, timberLand use:arable land 5%; permanent crops 5%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest andwoodland 30%; other 40%; includes irrigated NA%Environment:Macedonia suffers from high seismic hazard; air pollution from metallurgicalplantsNote:major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea
:Macedonia People
Population:2,174,000 (July 1992), growth rate NA% (1992)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NA migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:71 years male, 75 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman (1992)Ethnic divisions:Macedonian 67%, Albanian 20%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, other 7%Religions:Eastern Orthodox 59%, Muslim 26%, Catholic 4%, Protestant 1%, unknown 10%Languages:Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%Literacy:89.1% (male 94.2%, female 83.8%) age 10 and over can read and write (1992est.)Labor force:507,324; agriculture 8%, manufacturing and mining 40% (1990)Organized labor:NA
:Macedonia Government
Long-form name:Republic of MacedoniaType:emerging democracyCapital:SkopjeAdministrative divisions:NAIndependence:20 November 1991 from YugoslaviaConstitution:adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative actsNational holiday:NAExecutive branch:presidency, Council of Ministers, prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameral AssemblyJudicial branch:Constitutional Court, Judicial Court of the RepublicLeaders:Chief of State:President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister Nikola KLJUSEV (since March 1991), Deputy Prime MinistersJovan ANDONOV (since March 1991), Blaze RISTOVSKI (since March 1991), andBezir ZUTA (since March 1991)Political parties and leaders:Social Democratic Alliance (SDA; former Communist Party), BrankoCRVENKOVSKI, chairman; Party of Democratic Prosperity, (PDP), Nevzat HALILI,chairman; National Democratic Party, Iliaz HALIMI, chairman; Alliance ofReform Forces of Macedonia (MARF), Sojan ANDOV, chairman; Socialist Party,chairman NA; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - DemocraticParty for Macedonian National Unity (IMRO-DPMNU), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI,chairmanSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 27 January 1991 (next to be held NA); results - Kiro GLIGOREV wonAssembly:last held 11 November 1990 (next to be held NA);results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (120 total) IMRO-DPMNU 37, SDA 31, PDP 25, MARF 17, Partyof Yugoslavs 1, Socialists 5, others 4Communists:NAOther political or pressure groups:Movement for All Macedonian Action (MAAK), IMRU-Democratic Party, League forDemocracy, Albanian Democratic Union-Liberal PartyMember of:noneDiplomatic representation:has not been formerly recognized by the USFlag:NA
:Macedonia Economy
Overview:Macedonia, although the poorest among the six republics of a disintegratedYugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its ownagricultural and coal resources. As a breakaway republic, however, it willmove down toward a bare subsistence level of life unless economic ties arereforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia, Albania, Greece, andBulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gasand its modern machinery and parts. Continued political turmoil, bothinternally and in the region as a whole, prevents any swift readjustments oftrade patterns and economic rules of the game. Inflation in early 1992 wasout of control, the result of fracturing trade links, the decline ineconomic activity, and general uncertainties about the future status of thecountry; prices rose 38% in March 1992 alone. Macedonia's geographicalisolation, technological backwardness, and political instability place itfar down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. Recognitionof Macedonia by the EC and an internal commitment to economic reform wouldhelp to encourage foreign investment over the long run.GDP:$7.1 billion, per capita $3,110; real growth rate -18% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1991 est.)Exports:$578 million (1990)commodities:manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transport equipment 14%, miscellaneousmanufactured articles 23%, raw materials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals5.7%, beverages and tobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7%partners:principally Serbia and the other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Greece,AlbaniaImports:$1,112 million (1990)commodities:fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%, machinery and transportequipment 15%, food and live animals 14%, chemicals 11.4%, raw materials10%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5%partners:other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany, BulgariaExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -18% (1991 est.)Electricity:1,600,000 kw capacity; 6,300 million kWh produced, 3,103 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:low levels of technology predominate, such as, oil refining by distillationonly; produces basic fuels; mining and manufacturing processes result in theextraction and production of coal as well as metallic chromium, lead, zinc,and ferronickel; light industry produces basic textiles, wood products, andtobaccoAgriculture:provides 12% of Macedonia's GDP and meets the basic need for food; principalcrops are rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, and millet; also grown are cotton,sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus fruit, and vegetables; Macedonia is one ofthe seven legal cultivators of the opium poppy for the world pharmaceuticalindustry, including some exports to the US; agricultural production ishighly labor intensive
:Macedonia Economy
Illicit drugs:NAEconomic aid:$NACurrency:denar (plural - denars); 1 denar (NA) = 100 NAExchange rates:denar (NA) per US$1 - 240 (January 1991)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Macedonia Communications
Railroads:NAHighways:10,591 km total (1991); 5,091 km paved, 1,404 km gravel, 4,096 km earthInland waterways:NA kmPipelines:nonePorts:none - landlockedAirports:2 mainTelecommunications:125,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 2 FM, 5 (2 relays) TV;370,000 radios, 325,000 TV; satellite communications ground stations - none
:Macedonia Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air and Air Defense ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 590,613; NA fit for military service; 22,913 reach military age(18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - 7.0 billion dinars (est.), NA% of GDP (1992);note - conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the currentexchange rate could produce misleading results
:Madagascar Geography
Total area:587,040 km2Land area:581,540 km2Comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of ArizonaLand boundaries:noneCoastline:4,828 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de NovaIsland, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)Climate:tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in southTerrain:narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in centerNatural resources:graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semipreciousstones, mica, fishLand use:arable land 4%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 58%; forest andwoodland 26%; other 11%; includes irrigated 2%Environment:subject to periodic cyclones; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;desertificationNote:world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
:Madagascar People
Population:12,596,263 (July 1992), growth rate 3.2% (1992)Birth rate:46 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:14 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:93 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:51 years male, 55 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Malagasy (singular and plural); adjective - MalagasyEthnic divisions:basic split between highlanders of predominantly Malayo-Indonesian origin(Merina and related Betsileo) on the one hand and coastal tribes,collectively termed the Cotiers, with mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, andArab ancestry (Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), on the other;there are also small French, Indian, Creole, and Comoran communities; nocurrent, accurate assessment of tribal numbers is availableReligions:indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian about 41%, Muslim 7%Languages:French and Malagasy (official)Literacy:80% (male 88%, female 73%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:4,900,000; 90% nonsalaried family workers engaged in subsistenceagriculture; 175,000 wage earners - agriculture 26%, domestic service 17%,industry 15%, commerce 14%, construction 11%, services 9%, transportation6%, other 2%; 51% of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:4% of labor force
:Madagascar Government
Long-form name:Democratic Republic of MadagascarType:republicCapital:AntananarivoAdministrative divisions:6 provinces (plural - NA, singular - faritanin'); Antananarivo, Antsiranana,Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, ToliaryIndependence:26 June 1960 (from France; formerly Malagasy Republic)Constitution:21 December 1975; note - a new constitution is to be in place before 1993Legal system:based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 26 June (1960)Executive branch:president, prime minister, Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral Popular National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire); note -the National Assembly has suspended its operations during 1992 inpreparation for new legislative and presidential elections. In its place, aninterim High Authority of State and a Social and Economic Recovery Councilhave been establishedJudicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), High Constitutional Court (Haute CourConstitutionnelle)Leaders:Chief of State:President Adm. Didier RATSIRAKA (since 15 June 1975)Head of Government:Prime Minister Guy RASANAMAZY (since 8 August 1991)Political parties and leaders:some 30 political parties now exist in Madagascar, the most important ofwhich are the Advance Guard of the Malagasy Revolution (AREMA), DidierRATSIRAKA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence (AKFM),RAKOTOVAO-ANDRIATIANA; Congress Party for Malagasy Independence-Revival(AKFM-R), Pastor Richard ANDRIAMANJATO; Movement for National Unity (VONJY),Dr. Marojama RAZANABAHINY; Malagasy Christian Democratic Union (UDECMA),Norbert ANDRIAMORASATA; Militants for the Establishment of a ProletarianRegime (MFM), Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA; National Movement for the Independenceof Madagascar (MONIMA), Monja JAONA; National Union for the Defense ofDemocracy (UNDD), Albert ZAFYSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held on 12 March 1989 (next to be held NA 1992); results - DidierRATSIRAKA (AREMA) 62%, Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA (MFM/MFT) 20%, Dr. JeromeMarojama RAZANABAHINY (VONJY) 15%, Monja JAONA (MONIMA) 3%Popular National Assembly:last held on 28 May 1989 (next to be held 1992); results - AREMA 88.2%, MFM5.1%, AKFM 3.7%, VONJY 2.2%, other 0.8%; seats - (137 total) AREMA 120, MFM7, AKFM 5, VONJY 4, MONIMA 1
:Madagascar Government
Member of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO; Chancery at 2374 MassachusettsAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525 or 5526; there isa Malagasy Consulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Howard K. WALKER; Embassy at 14 and 16 Rue Rainitovo,Antsahavola, Antananarivo (mailing address is B. P. 620, Antananarivo);telephone [261] (2) 212-57, 209-56, 200-89, 207-18Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white bandof the same width on hoist side
:Madagascar Economy
Overview:Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Agriculture,including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accountingfor over 40% of GDP, employing about 80% of the labor force, andcontributing to more than 70% of total export earnings. Industry is largelyconfined to the processing of agricultural products and textilemanufacturing; in 1990 it accounted for only 16% of GDP and employed almost5% of the labor force. In 1986 the government introduced a five-yeardevelopment plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by1990, increased production for exports, and reduced energy imports. Aftermid-1991, however, output dropped sharply because of protractedantigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, per capita $200; real growth rate-3.8% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):10% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $390 million; expenditures $525 million, including capitalexpenditures of $240 million (1990 est.)Exports:$290 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:coffee 45%, vanilla 15%, cloves 11%, sugar, petroleum productspartners:France, Japan, Italy, Germany, USImports:$436 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)commodities:intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumergoods 14%, food 13%partners:France, Germany, UK, other EC, USExternal debt:$4.4 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 5.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 16% of GDPElectricity:125,000 kW capacity; 450 million kWh produced, 35 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:agricultural processing (meat canneries, soap factories, breweries,tanneries, sugar refining plants), light consumer goods industries(textiles, glassware), cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleumAgriculture:accounts for 40% of GDP; cash crops - coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves,cocoa; food crops - rice, cassava, beans, bananas, peanuts; cattle raisingwidespread; almost self-sufficient in riceIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly fordomestic consumptionEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $136 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,125 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $491 millionCurrency:Malagasy franc (plural - francs); 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
:Madagascar Economy
Exchange rates:Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 1,943.4 (March 1992), 1,835.4 (1991),1,454.6 (December 1990), 1,603.4 (1989) , 1,407.1 (1988), 1,069.2 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Madagascar Communications
Railroads:1,020 km 1.000-meter gaugeHighways:40,000 km total; 4,694 km paved, 811 km crushed stone, gravel, or stabilizedsoil, 34,495 km improved and unimproved earth (est.)Inland waterways:of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal desPangalanesPorts:Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, ToliaraMerchant marine:14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 59,255 GRT/81,509 DWT; includes 9cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1liquefied gasCivil air:8 major transport aircraftAirports:148 total, 103 usable; 30 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 34 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:above average system includes open-wire lines, coaxial cables, radio relay,and troposcatter links; submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations- 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and broadcast stations - 17 AM, 3 FM, 1 (36repeaters) TV
:Madagascar Defense Forces
Branches:Popular Armed Forces (including Intervention Forces, Development Forces,Aeronaval Forces - including Navy and Air Force), Gendarmerie, PresidentialSecurity RegimentManpower availability:males 15-49, 2,730,713; 1,625,335 fit for military service; 114,687 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 2.2% of GDP (1989 est.)
:Malawi Geography
Total area:118,480 km2Land area:94,080 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than PennsylvaniaLand boundaries:2,881 km; Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)Climate:tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)Terrain:narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountainsNatural resources:limestone; unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxiteLand use:arable land 25%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 20%; forest andwoodland 50%; other 5%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:deforestationNote:landlocked