:Martinique Communications
Highways:1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earthPorts:Fort-de-FranceCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:2 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runway2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways less than 2,439 mTelecommunications:domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland radio relaylinks to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Martinique Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces, GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49, 95,235; NA fit for military serviceNote:defense is the responsibility of France
:Mauritania Geography
Total area:1,030,700 km2Land area:1,030,400 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than three times the size of New MexicoLand boundaries:5,074 km; Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara1,561 kmCoastline:754 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:boundary with SenegalClimate:desert; constantly hot, dry, dustyTerrain:mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hillsNatural resources:iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphateLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 38%; forest andwoodland 5%; other 56%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April;desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal
:Mauritania People
Population:2,059,187 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:48 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:17 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:89 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:44 years male, 50 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:7.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Mauritanian(s); adjective - MauritanianEthnic divisions:mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%Religions:Muslim, nearly 100%Languages:Hasaniya Arabic (official); Hasaniya Arabic, Pular, Soninke, Wolof(official)Literacy:34% (male 47%, female 21%) age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); agriculture 47%, services29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%; 53% of population of workingage (1985)Organized labor:30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian Workers' Union
:Mauritania Government
Long-form name:Islamic Republic of MauritaniaType:republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978; apalace coup that took place on 12 December 1984 brought President Taya topower; he was elected in 1992Capital:NouakchottAdministrative divisions:12 regions(regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, DakhletNouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri,Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza; note - there may be a new capital district ofNouakchottIndependence:28 November 1960 (from France)Constitution:currently 12 July 1991; 20 May 1961 Constitution abrogated after coup of 10July 1978; provisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandonedin 1981; constitutional charter published 27 February 1985 after Taya cameto power; latest constitution approved after general referendum 12 July 1991Legal system:based on Islamic lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 28 November (1960)Executive branch:presidentLegislative branch:National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) and SenateJudicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid`Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)Political parties and leaders:legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991; emerging parties includeDemocratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. MaaouyaOuld Sid`Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), coalition of sevenopposition factions, three leaders: Mohameden Ould BABAH, Diop MamadouAMADOU, and Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR; Assembly for Democracy (RDU), MohamedOuld SIDI BABA; Rally for Democracy and Unity (RDUN), Mohamed Ould SidiBABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH;Progressive Popular Alliance (APP), Taleb Ould Jiddou Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF;Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Moulaye El Hassan Ould JEYID; NationalAvant-Garde Party (PAN or PAGN), Khattry Ould Taleb JIDDOU; MauritanianParty of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI; Union forPlanning and Construction (UPC), Mohamed Ould EYAHA; Democratic JusticeParty (PJD), Mohamed Abdallahi Ould EL BANE; Party for Liberty, Equality,and Justice (PLEJ), Ba Mamadou ALASSANE; Labor and National Unity Party(PTUN), Ali Bouna Ould OUENINASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held January 1992 (next to be held NA)results:President Col. Maabuya Ould Sid`Ahmed TAYA electedSenate:last held 3 and 10 April 1992 (next to be held April 1998)
:Mauritania Government
National Assembly:last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA 1997)Member of:ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, CEAO,ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Mohamed Fall OULD AININA; Chancery at 2129 Leroy Place NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 232-5700US:Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN; Embassy at address NA, Nouakchott (mailingaddress is B. P. 222, Nouakchott); telephone [222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63; FAX[222] (2) 515-92Flag: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 greenare traditional symbols of Islam
:Mauritania Economy
Overview:A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock fora livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmerswere forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s.Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50%of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has ledto cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richestfishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatensthis key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened nearNouakchott in 1986. In recent years, the droughts, the endemic conflict withSenegal, rising energy costs, and economic mismanagement have resulted in asubstantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the secondstage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, theIMF, and major donor countries. But the reform process suffered a majorsetback following the Gulf war of early 1991. Because of Mauritania'ssupport of Saddam Husayn, bilateral aid from its two top donors, SaudiArabia and Kuwait, was suspended, and multilateral aid was reduced.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, per capita $535; real growth rate3% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.5% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $280 million; expenditures $346 million, including capitalexpenditures of $61 million (1989 est.)Exports:$436 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:iron ore, processed fish, small amounts of gum arabic and gypsum; unrecordedbut numerically significant cattle exports to Senegalpartners:EC 43%, Japan 27%, USSR 11%, Ivory Coast 3%Imports:$389 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goodspartners:EC 60%, Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%External debt:$1.9 billion (1990)Industrial production:growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 20% of GDPElectricity:190,000 kW capacity; 135 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:fishing, fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsumAgriculture:accounts for 29% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence farming andnomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops -dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; largefood deficit in years of droughtEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3 billion; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $277million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20 million
:Mauritania Economy
Currency:ouguiya (plural - ouguiya); 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoumsExchange rates:ouguiya (UM) per US$1 - 79.300 (January 1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990),83.051 (1989), 75.261 (1988), 73.878 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Mauritania Communications
Railroads:690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated bygovernment mining companyHighways:7,525 km total; 1,685 km paved; 1,040 km gravel, crushed stone, or otherwiseimproved; 4,800 km unimproved roads, trails, tracksInland waterways:mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal RiverPorts:Nouadhibou, NouakchottMerchant marine:1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWTCivil air:3 major transport aircraftAirports:28 total, 28 usable; 9 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 5 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor radio relay links, and radiocommunications stations (improvements being made); broadcast stations - 2AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2ARABSAT, with six planned
:Mauritania Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, NationalPolice, Presidential GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, 436,897; 213,307 fit for military service; conscription law notimplementedDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989)
:Mauritius Geography
Total area:1,860 km2Land area:1,850 km2; includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (SaintBrandon), and RodriguesComparative area:slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:177 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island ofDiego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claimsFrench-administered Tromelin IslandClimate:tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May toNovember); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)Terrain:small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling centralplateauNatural resources:arable land, fishLand use:arable land 54%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest andwoodland 31%; other 7%; includes irrigated 9%Environment:subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded byreefsNote:located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean
:Mauritius People
Population:1,092,130 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992)Birth rate:19 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-4 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:22 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 73 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Mauritian(s); adjective - MauritianEthnic divisions:Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%Religions:Hindu 52%, Christian (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%) 28.3%, Muslim16.6%, other 3.1%Languages:English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, BojpooriLiteracy:82.8 % (male 88.7%, female 77.1%) age 13 and over can read and write (1985UNESCO estimate)Labor force:335,000; government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing22%, other 22%; 43% of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:35% of labor force in more than 270 unions
:Mauritius Government
Long-form name:noneType:parliamentary democracyCapital:Port LouisAdministrative divisions:9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, CargadosCarajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, PortLouis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, SavanneIndependence:12 March 1968 (from UK)Constitution:12 March 1968Legal system:based on French civil law system with elements of English common law incertain areasNational holiday:Independence Day, 12 March (1968)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralSir Veerasamy RINGADOO (since 17 January 1986)Head of Government:Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy PrimeMinister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990)Political parties and leaders:government coalition:Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant Movement(MMM), Paul BERENGER; Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), LouisSerge CLAIR; Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOOopposition:Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; Socialist Workers Front,Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), G. DUVALElections:Legislative Assembly:last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15 September 1996);results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (70 total, 62 elected) MSM/MMMalliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2); MLP/PMSD 3Communists:may be 2,000 sympathizersOther political or pressure groups:various labor unionsMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING; Chancery at Suite 134, 4301 ConnecticutAvenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-1491 or 1492
:Mauritius Government
US:Ambassador Penne Percy KORTH; Embassy at 4th Floor, Rogers House, JohnKennedy Street, Port Louis; telephone [230] 208-9763 through 208-9767; FAX[230] 208-9534Flag:four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
:Mauritius Economy
Overview:The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and tourism.Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for40% of export earnings. The government's development strategy is centered onindustrialization (with a view to exports), agricultural diversification,and tourism. Economic performance in FY91 was impressive, with 6% realgrowth and low unemployment.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $2.5 billion, per capita $2,300; real growth rate6.1% (FY91 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):13.2% (FY91 est.)Unemployment rate:2.4% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $557 million; expenditures $607 million, including capitalexpenditures of $111 million (FY90)Exports:$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10%partners:EC and US have preferential treatment, EC 77%, US 15%Imports:$1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleumproducts 8%, chemicals 7%partners:EC, US, South Africa, JapanExternal debt:$869 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 12.9% (FY87); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:235,000 kW capacity; 425 million kWh produced, 395 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel,chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery,tourismAgriculture:accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane; otherproducts - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats, fish; netfood importer, especially rice and fishIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug tradeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western (non-US)countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $54millionCurrency:Mauritian rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 centsExchange rates:Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 15.198 (January 1992), 15.652 (1991),14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989), 13.438 (1988), 12.878 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Mauritius Communications
Highways:1,800 km total; 1,640 km paved, 160 km earthPorts:Port LouisMerchant marine:9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 94,710 GRT/150,345 DWT; includes 1passenger-cargo, 3 cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 1 liquefied gas, 3 bulkCivil air:7 major transport aircraftAirports:5 total, 4 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; none with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:small system with good service utilizing primarily radio relay; newmicrowave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to several countries;over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV; 1 IndianOcean INTELSAT earth station
:Mauritius Defense Forces
Branches:paramilitary Special Mobile Force, Special Support Unit, National PoliceForce, National Coast GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, 307,237; 157,246 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89)
:Mayotte Geography
Total area:375 km2Land area:375 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:185.2 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claimed by ComorosClimate:tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon(November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)Terrain:generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravinesNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%Environment:subject to cyclones during rainy seasonNote:part of Comoro Archipelago; located in the Mozambique Channel about halfwaybetween Africa and Madagascar
:Mayotte People
Population:86,628 (July 1992), growth rate 3.8% (1992)Birth rate:50 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:84 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:55 years male, 59 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Mahorais (singular and plural); adjective - MahoranReligions:Muslim 99%; remainder Christian, mostly Roman CatholicLanguages:Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), FrenchLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:NA
:Mayotte Government
Long-form name:Territorial Collectivity of MayotteType:territorial collectivity of FranceCapital:MamoutzouAdministrative divisions:none (territorial collectivity of France)Independence:none (territorial collectivity of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:French lawNational holiday:Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Executive branch:government commissionerLegislative branch:unicameral General Council (Conseil General)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)Leaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:Commissioner, Representative of the French Government Jean-Paul COSTE (sinceNA 1991); President of the General Council Youssouf BAMANA (since NA 1976)Political parties and leaders:Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the MahoranDemocratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for the Republic(RMPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union of the Center (UDC)Suffrage:universal at age 18Elections:General Council:last held June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (17 total) MPM 9, RPR 6, other 2French Senate:last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MPM 1French National Assembly:last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) UDC 1Member of:FZDiplomatic representation:as a territorial collectivity of France, Mahoran interests are representedin the US by FranceFlag:the flag of France is used
:Mayotte Economy
Overview:Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, includingfishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and mustimport a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. Theeconomy and future development of the island is heavily dependent on Frenchfinancial assistance.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $37.3 million, including capital expenditures of$NA (1985)Exports:$4.0 million (f.o.b., 1984)commodities:ylang-ylang, vanillapartners:France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9%Imports:$21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984)commodities:building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flourpartners:France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capitaIndustries:newly created lobster and shrimp industryAgriculture:most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops - vanilla,ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needsEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$402 millionCurrency:French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453(1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Mayotte Communications
Highways:42 km total; 18 km bituminousPorts:DzaoudziCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:small system administered by French Department of Posts andTelecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radiocommunications for links to Comoros and international communications; 450telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
:Mayotte Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
:Mexico Geography
Total area:1,972,550 km2Land area:1,923,040 km2Comparative area:slightly less than three times the size of TexasLand boundaries:4,538 km; Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 kmCoastline:9,330 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:natural prolongation of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:claims Clipperton Island (French possession)Climate:varies from tropical to desertTerrain:high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desertNatural resources:crude oil, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timberLand use:arable land 12%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 39%; forest andwoodland 24%; other 24%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast and destructive earthquakes inthe center and south; natural water resources scarce and polluted in north,inaccessible and poor quality in center and extreme southeast;deforestation; erosion widespread; desertification; serious air pollution inMexico City and urban centers along US-Mexico borderNote:strategic location on southern border of US
:Mexico People
Population:92,380,721 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992)Birth rate:29 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:30 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:69 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Mexican(s); adjective - MexicanEthnic divisions:mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 30%,Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1%Religions:nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%Languages:Spanish; various Mayan dialectsLiteracy:87% (male 90%, female 85%) age 15 and over can read and write (1985 est.)Labor force:26,100,000 (1988); services 31.4%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, andfishing 26%, commerce 13.9%, manufacturing 12.8%, construction 9.5%,transportation 4.8%, mining and quarrying 1.3%, electricity 0.3% (1986)Organized labor:35% of labor force
:Mexico Government
Long-form name:United Mexican StatesType:federal republic operating under a centralized governmentCapital:MexicoAdministrative divisions:31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distritofederal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche,Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango,Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit,Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi,Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, ZacatecasIndependence:16 September 1810 (from Spain)Constitution:5 February 1917Legal system:mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial review oflegislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 16 September (1810)Executive branch:president, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union) consists of an upperchamber or Senate (Camara de Senadores) and a lower chamber or Chamber ofDeputies (Camara de Diputados)Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988)Political parties and leaders:(recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Genaro BORREGOEstrada; National Action Party (PAN), Luis ALVAREZ; Popular Socialist Party(PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD),Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano; Cardenist Front for the NationalReconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes; Authentic Party ofthe Mexican Revolution (PARM), Carlos Enrique CANTU RosasSuffrage:universal and compulsory (but not enforced) at age 18Elections:President:last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results - CarlosSALINAS de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano (FDN) 31.06%,Manuel CLOUTHIER (PAN) 16.81%; other 1.39%; note - several of the smallerparties ran a common candidate under a coalition called the NationalDemocratic Front (FDN)Senate:last held on 18 August 1988 (next to be held midyear 1994); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate - (64 total) number ofseats by party; PRI 61, PRD 2, PAN 1Chamber of Deputies:last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held midyear 1994); results - PRI53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS (now part of PRD) 4%; seats -(500 total) PRI 320, PAN 89, PRD 41, PFCRN 23, PARM 15, PPS 12
:Mexico Government
Other political or pressure groups:Roman Catholic Church, Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM), Confederationof Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), Confederation of National Chambers ofCommerce (CONCANACO), National Peasant Confederation (CNC), UNE (noexpansion), Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT), Mexican Democratic Party(PDM), Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC), RegionalConfederation of Mexican Workers (CROM), Confederation of Employers of theMexican Republic (COPARMEX), National Chamber of Transformation Industries(CANACINTRA), Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations (COECE)Member of:AG (observer), CARICOM (observer) CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC, FAO, G-3, G-6,G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Gustavo PETRICIOLI Iturbide; Chancery at 1911 Pennsylvania AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 728-1600; there are MexicanConsulates General in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, LosAngeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Antonio, San Diego, andConsulates in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas),Calexico (California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Douglas(Arizona), Eagle Pass (Texas), Fresno (California), Kansas City (Missouri),Laredo, McAllen (Texas), Miami, Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California),Philadelphia, Phoenix, Presidio (Texas), Sacramento, St. Louis, St. Paul(Minneapolis), Salt Lake City, San Bernardino, San Jose, San Juan (PuertoRico), and SeattleUS:Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE, Jr.; Embassy at Paseo de la Reforma 305,06500 Mexico, D.F. (mailing address is P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX78044-3087); telephone [52] (5) 211-0042; FAX [52] (5) 511-9980, 208-3373;there are US Consulates General in Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey,and Tijuana, and Consulates in Hermosillo, Matamoros, Mazatlan, Merida, andNuevo LaredoFlag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the coatof arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak) is centeredin the white band
:Mexico Economy
Overview:Mexico's economy is a mixture of state-owned industrial plants (notablyoil), private manufacturing and services, and both large-scale andtraditional agriculture. In the 1980s, Mexico experienced severe economicdifficulties: the nation accumulated large external debts as world petroleumprices fell; rapid population growth outstripped the domestic food supply;and inflation, unemployment, and pressures to emigrate became more acute.Growth in national output, however, is recovering, rising from 1.4% in 1988to 4% in 1990 and again in 1991. The US is Mexico's major trading partner,accounting for two-thirds of its exports and imports. After petroleum,border assembly plants and tourism are the largest earners of foreignexchange. The government, in consultation with international economicagencies, is implementing programs to stabilize the economy and fostergrowth. In 1991 the government began negotiations with the US and Canada ona free trade agreement.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $289 billion, per capita $3,200; real growth rate4% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):18.8% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:14-17% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $41.0 billion; expenditures $47.9 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $6.3 billion (1990)Exports:$27.4 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:crude oil, oil products, coffee, shrimp, engines, motor vehicles, cotton,consumer electronicspartners:US 68%, EC 14%, Japan 6% (1990 est.)Imports:$36.7 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:grain, metal manufactures, agricultural machinery, electrical equipmentpartners:US 69%, EC 13%, Japan 6% (1990)External debt:$98.4 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 5.5% (1991 est.); accounts for 28% of GDPElectricity:26,150,000 kW capacity; 114,277 million kWh produced, 1,270 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining,textiles, clothing, transportation equipment, tourismAgriculture:accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of smallfarms at subsistence level; major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, beans;cash crops - cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes; fish catch of 1.4 millionmetric tons among top 20 nations (1987)Illicit drugs:illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of activegovernment eradication program; major supplier to the US market; continuesas the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America
:Mexico Economy
Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $110 millionCurrency:Mexican peso (plural - pesos); 1 Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 3,068.5 (January 1992),3,018.4 (1991) 2,940.9 (January 1991), 2,812.6 (1990), 2,461.3 (1989),2,273.1 (1988), 1,378.2 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Mexico Communications
Railroads:24,500 km total; breakdown NAHighways:212,000 km total; 65,000 km paved, 30,000 km semipaved or cobblestone,62,000 km rural roads (improved earth) or roads under construction, 55,000km unimproved earth roadsInland waterways:2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canalsPipelines:crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km;petrochemical 1,400 kmPorts:Acapulco, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso,Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, VeracruzMerchant marine:58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 875,239 GRT/1,301,355 DWT; includes 4short-sea passenger, 3 cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 30petroleum tanker, 4 chemical tanker, 7 liquefied gas, 1 bulk, 1 combinationbulk, 4 containerCivil air:186 major transport aircraftAirports:1,815 total, 1,505 usable; 200 with permanent-surface runways; 3 withrunways over 3,659 m; 33 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 284 with runways1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:highly developed system with extensive radio relay links; privatized inDecember 1990; connected into Central America Microwave System; 6,410,000telephones; broadcast stations - 679 AM, no FM, 238 TV, 22 shortwave; 120domestic satellite terminals; earth stations - 4 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
:Mexico Defense Forces
Branches:National Defense (including Army and Air Force), Navy (including Marines)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 23,023,871; 16,852,513 fit for military service; 1,138,455reach military age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, less than 1% of GDP (1982 budget)
:Micronesia, Federated States of Geography
Total area:702 km2Land area:702 km2; includes Pohnpei, Truk, Yap, and KosraeComparative area:slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:6,112 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands;located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional severe damageTerrain:islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coralatolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and TrukNatural resources:forests, marine products, deep-seabed mineralsLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%Environment:subject to typhoons from June to December; four major island groups totaling607 islandsNote:located 5,150 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean,about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia
:Micronesia, Federated States of People
Population:114,694 (July 1992), growth rate 3.4% (1992)Birth rate:29 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:12 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:39 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 69 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Micronesian(s); adjective - Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s),Trukese (singular and plural), Yapese (singular and plural)Ethnic divisions:nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groupsReligions:predominantly Christian, divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant;other churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-DayAdventist, Latter-Day Saints, and the Baha'i FaithLanguages:English is the official and common language; most indigenous languages fallwithin the Austronesian language family, the exceptions are the Polynesianlanguages; major indigenous languages are Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, andKosreanLiteracy:90% (male 90%, female 85%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)Labor force:NA; two-thirds are government employees; 45,000 people are between the agesof 15 and 65Organized labor:NA
:Micronesia, Federated States of Government
Long-form name:Federated States of Micronesia (no short-form name)Type:constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact ofFree Association entered into force 3 November 1986Capital:Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei); note - a new capital is being builtabout 10 km southwest in the Palikir valleyAdministrative divisions:4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, YapIndependence:3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship; formerly theKosrae, Pohnpei, Truk, and Yap districts of the Trust Territory of thePacific Islands)Constitution:10 May 1979Legal system:based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,common, and customary lawsNational holiday:Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral CongressJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA (since21 May 1991)Political parties and leaders:no formal partiesSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held ll May 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - PresidentBailey OLTER elected president; Vice-President Jacob NENACongress:last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent ofvote NA; seats - (14 total)Member of:ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTADDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU; Embassy at 1725 N St., NW, Washington, DC20036; telephone (202) 223-4383US:Ambassador Aurelia BRAZEAL; Embassy at address NA, Kolonia (mailing addressis P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941); telephone691-320-2187; FAX 691-320-2186Flag:light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars arearranged in a diamond pattern
:Micronesia, Federated States of Economy
Overview:Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. Theislands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-gradephosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remotenessof the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development.Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with theUS pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the l990s. Geographicalisolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments tolong-term growth.GNP:purchasing power equivalent - $150 million, per capita $1,500; real growthrate NA% (1989 est.); note - GNP numbers reflect US spendingInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NABudget:revenues $165 million; expenditures $115 million, including capitalexpenditures of $20 million (1988)Exports:$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:coprapartners:NAImports:$67.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:NApartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:18,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, 380 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, andpearlsAgriculture:mainly a subsistence economy; copra, black pepper; tropical fruits andvegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickensEconomic aid:under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001Currency:US currency is usedExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
:Micronesia, Federated States of Communications
Highways:39 km of paved roads on major islands; also 187 km stone-, coral-, orlaterite-surfaced roadsPorts:Colonia (Yap), Truk (Kosrae), Okat (Kosrae)Airports:6 total, 5 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over2,439 m; 4 with runways 1,220-2,439Telecommunications:telephone network - 960 telephone lines total at Kolonia and Truk; islandsinterconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government purposes);16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987); broadcast stations - 5AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:Micronesia, Federated States of Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
:Midway Islands Geography
Total area:5.2 km2Land area:5.2 km2; includes Eastern Island and Sand IslandComparative area:about nine times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:15 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly windsTerrain:low, nearly levelNatural resources:fish and wildlifeLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:coral atollNote:located 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu at the western end of HawaiianIslands group, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo; closedto the public
:Midway Islands People
Population: 453 US military personnel (1992)
:Midway Islands Government
Long-form name:noneType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, undercommand of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Hawaii and managedcooperatively by the US Navy and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the USDepartment of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System;legislation before Congress in 1990 proposed inclusion of territory withinthe State of HawaiiCapital:none; administered from Washington, DCDiplomatic representation:none (territory of the US)Flag:the US flag is used
:Midway Islands Economy
Overview:The economy is based on providing support services for US naval operationslocated on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.Electricity:supplied by US Military
:Midway Islands Communications
Highways:32 km totalPipelines:7.8 kmPorts:Sand IslandAirports:3 total; 2 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
:Midway Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
:Moldova Geography
Total area:33,700 km2Land area:33,700 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of HawaiiLand boundaries:1,389 km; Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:potential dispute with Ukraine over former southern Bessarabian areas;northern Bukovina ceded to Ukraine upon Moldova's incorporation into USSR;internal with ethnic Russians in the Trans-Dnestr and Gagauz Muslims in theSouthClimate:mild winters, warm summersTerrain:rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black SeaNatural resources:lignite, phosphorites, gypsumLand use:NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forestand woodland; NA% other; includes NA% irrigatedEnvironment:NA
:Moldova People
Population:4,458,435 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992)Birth rate:19 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:35 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:64 years male, 71 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Moldovan(s); adjective - MoldovanEthnic divisions:Moldavian (Moldovan) 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13.0%, Gagauz 3.5%,Jews 1.5%, Bulgarian 2.0%, other 1.0% (1989 figures)Religions:Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist only about 1,000 members, other1.0%; note - almost all churchgoers are ethnic Moldovan; the Slavicpopulation are not churchgoers (1991 figures)Languages:Romanian; (Moldovan official), RussianLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and writeLabor force:2,095,000; agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985 figures)Organized labor:NA
:Moldova Government
Long-form name:Republic of MoldovaType:republicCapital:Chisinau (Kishinev)Administrative divisions:previously divided into 40 rayons; now to be divided into 7-9 largerdistricts at some future pointIndependence:27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union; formerly Soviet Socialist Republic ofMoldova)Constitution:formulating a new constitution; old constitution is still in effect but hasbeen heavily amended during the past few yearsLegal system:based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts; does notaccept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and CSCE documentsNational holiday:Independence Day, 27 August 1991Executive branch:president, prime minister, Cabinet of MinistersLegislative branch:Moldovan Supreme SovietJudicial branch:Supreme Court (highest civil court in Moldova)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Prime Minister Valeriy MURAVSKY (since 28 May 1991), 1st Deputy PrimeMinister Constantin OBOROC (since June 1990); 1st Deputy Prime MinisterConstantin TAMPIZA (since June 1990); 1st Deputy Prime Minister AndreiSANGHELI (since June 1990)Chief of State:President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990)Head of Legislature:Chairman of the Supreme Soviet (Premier) Valeriy MURAVSKIY (since May 1991);1st Deputy Prime Minister Ian HADIRCA (since 11 May 1990); Deputy PrimeMinister Victor PUSCASU, 21 November 1989; Deputy Prime Minister MihialPLASICHUK, NAPolitical parties and leaders:Moldovan Popular Front, Yuriy ROSHKA, chairman (since summer 1990);Unitatea-Yedinstvo Intermovement, V. YAKOVLEV, chairman; Bulgarian RebirthSociety, Ivan ZABUNOV, chairman; Democratic Group, five cochairmenSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:President:last held 8 December 1991; results - Mircea SNEGUR won 98.17% of voteMoldovan Supreme Soviet:last held 25 February 1990; results - Moldovan Popular Front 33%,Intermovement 34%, Communist Party 32%; seats - (366 total) Popular FrontClub 35; Sovereignty Club 35; Club of Independent Deputies 25; Agrarian Club110; Club Bujak 15; Reality Club 25; Soviet Moldova 80; remaining 41 seatsprobably belong to Onestr region deputies who usually boycott Moldovanlegislative proceedings
:Moldova Government
Other political or pressure groups:United Council of Labor Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman; SocialDemocratic Party of Moldova (SDPM), V. CHIOBATARU, leader; The EcologyMovement of Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian DemocraticLeague of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National ChristianParty of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU, leaders; The PeoplesMovement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR, leader; The Democratic Party ofGagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN, chairman; The Alliance of Working People ofMoldova (AWPM), G. POLOGOV, presidentMember of:CSCE, UNDiplomatic representation:Ambassador vacantUS:Charge Howard Steers; Interim Chancery at #103 Strada Alexei Mateevich,Kishinev (mailing address is APO AE 09862); telephone 8-011-7-0422-23-28-94at Hotel Seabeco in KishinevFlag:same color scheme as Romania - 3 equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle carrying across in its beak and an olive branch in its claws
:Moldova Economy
Overview:Moldova, the next-to-smallest of the former Soviet republics in area, is themost densely inhabited. Moldova has a little more than 1% of the population,labor force, capital stock, and output of the former Soviet Union. Livingstandards have been below average for the European USSR. The country enjoysa favorable climate, and economic development has been primarily based onagriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Industryaccounts for 20% of the labor force, whereas agriculture employs more thanone-third. Moldova has no major mineral resources and has depended on theformer Soviet republics for coal, oil, gas, steel, most electronicequipment, machine tools, and major consumer durables such as automobiles.Its industrial and agricultural products, in turn, have been exported to theother former Soviet republics. Moldova has freed prices on most goods andhas legalized private ownership of property, including agricultural land.Moldova's economic prospects are dimmed by the difficulties of moving towarda market economy and the political problems of redefining ties to the otherformer Soviet republics and Romania.GDP:NA; per capita NA; real growth rate -12% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):97% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA million; expenditures $NA million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA million (1992)Exports:$400 million rubles (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery, chemicals(1991)partners:NAImports:$1.9 billion rubles (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:oil, gas, coal, steel machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumerdurablespartners:NAExternal debt:$650 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -7% (1991)Electricity:3,000,000 kW capacity; 13,000 million kWh produced, 2,806 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:key products (with share of total former Soviet output in parentheses whereknown): agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators andfreezers (2.7%), washing machines (5.0%), hosiery (2.0%), refined sugar(3.1%), vegetable oil (3.7%), canned food (8.6%), shoes, textilesAgriculture:Moldova's principal economic activity; products (shown in share of totaloutput of the former Soviet republics): Grain (1.6%), sugar beets (2.6%),sunflower seed (4.4%), vegetables (4.4%), fruits and berries (9.7%), grapes(20.1%), meat (1.7%), milk (1.4%), and eggs (1.4%)Illicit drugs:transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
:Moldova Economy
Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (1991), $NA, Western (non-US) countries, ODAand OOF bilateral commitments (1991), $NA millionCurrency:as of May 1992, retaining ruble as currencyFiscal year:calendar year
:Moldova Communications
Railroads:1,150 km (includes NA km electrified) (1990); does not include industriallinesHighways:20,000 km total (1990); 13,900 km hard-surfaced, 6,100 km earthInland waterways:NA km perennially navigablePipelines:NAPorts:none - landlockedMerchant marine:NACivil air:NA major transport aircraftAirports:NATelecommunications:poorly supplied with telephones; 215,000 unsatisfied applications fortelephone installations (31 January 1990); connected to Ukraine by landlineand countries beyond the former USSR through the switching center in Moscow
:Moldova Defense Forces
Branches:Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops); Russian Forces(Ground, Navy, Air, and Air Defense)Manpower availability:NADefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
:Monaco Geography
Total area:1.9 km2Land area:1.9 km2Comparative area:about three times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:4.4 km; France 4.4 kmCoastline:4.1 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summersTerrain:hilly, rugged, rockyNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:almost entirely urbanNote:second-smallest independent state in world (after Vatican City)
:Monaco People
Population:29,965 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992)Birth rate:7 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:9 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s); adjective - Monacan or MonegasqueEthnic divisions:French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%Languages:French (official), English, Italian, MonegasqueLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:4,000 members in 35 unions
:Monaco Government
Long-form name:Principality of MonacoType:constitutional monarchyCapital:MonacoAdministrative divisions:4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine,Monaco-Ville, Monte-CarloIndependence:1419, rule by the House of GrimaldiConstitution:17 December 1962Legal system:based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 19 NovemberExecutive branch:prince, minister of state, Council of Government (cabinet)Legislative branch:National Council (Conseil National)Judicial branch:Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State:Prince RAINIER III (since November 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERTAlexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958)Head of Government:Minister of State Jean AUSSEIL (since 16 September 1985)Political parties and leaders:National and Democratic Union (UND), Democratic Union Movement (MUD), MonacoAction, Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM)Suffrage:universal adult at age 25Elections:National Council:last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held 24 January 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) UND 18Member of:ACCT, CSCE, IAEA, ICAO, IMF (observer), IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPODiplomatic representation:Monaco maintains honorary consulates general in Boston, Chicago, LosAngeles, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco, and honorary consulatesin Dallas, Honolulu, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and WashingtonUS:no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille, France, isaccredited to Monaco; Consul General R. Susan WOOD; Consulate General at 12Boulevard Paul Peytral, 13286 Marseille Cedex (mailing address APO AE09777); telephone [33] (91) 549-200Flag:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag ofIndonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) andred
:Monaco Economy
Overview:Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort,attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality hassuccessfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added,nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxesand thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have establishedresidence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices.About 50% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels,banks, and the industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism.Living standards are high, that is, roughly comparable to those inprosperous French metropolitan suburbs.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $475 million, per capita $16,000; real growthrate NA% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:full employment (1989)Budget:revenues $424 million; expenditures $376 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1991)Exports:$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebatesMonacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customsunion with FranceImports:$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebatesMonacan trade duties; also participates in EC market system through customsunion with FranceExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:10,000 kW standby capacity (1991); power supplied by France IndusAgriculture:NAEconomic aid:NACurrency:French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453(1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Monaco Communications
Railroads:1.6 km 1.435-meter gaugeHighways:none; city streetsPorts:MonacoMerchant marine:1 petroleum tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT/4,959 DWTCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runwaysTelecommunications:served by cable into the French communications system; automatic telephonesystem; 38,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, 5 TV; nocommunication satellite earth stations
:Monaco Defense Forces