*Malaysia, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Malaysiaformer:Malayan UnionDigraph:MYType:constitutional monarchynote:Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramountruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states -hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed byMalaysian Pulau Pinang Government; powers of state governments are limitedby federal Constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats inHouse of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security,and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governingstate within Malaysia, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, withforeign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated tofederal governmentCapital: Kuala LumpurAdministrative divisions:13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories*, (wilayah-wilayahpersekutuan, singular - wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah,Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau, Pinang, Sabah,Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan*, Independence:31 August 1957 (from UK)Constitution:31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963Legal system:based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in theSupreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 31 August (1957)Political parties and leaders:Peninsular Malaysia:National Front, a confederation of 13 political parties dominated by UnitedMalays National Organization Baru (UMNO Baru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad;Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LING Liong Sik; Gerakan RakyatMalaysia, Datuk LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Datuk S.Samy VELLUSabah:Berjaya Party, Datuk Haji Mohammed NOOR Mansor; Bersatu Sabah (PBS), JosephPairin KITINGAN; United Sabah National Organizaton (USNO), leader NASarawak:coalition Sarawak National Front composed of the Party Pesaka BumiputraBersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Amar Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak UnitedPeople's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar James WONG Soon Kai; Sarawak NationalParty (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), DatukLeo MOGGIE; major opposition parties are Democratic Action Party (DAP), LIMKit Siang and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), Fadzil NOORSuffrage:21 years of age; universal
*Malaysia, Government
Elections:House of Representatives:last held 21 October 1990 (next to be held by August 1995); results -National Front 52%, other 48%; seats - (180 total) National Front 127, DAP20, PAS 7, independents 4, other 22; note - within the National Front, UMNOgot 71 seats and MCA 18 seatsExecutive branch:paramount ruler, deputy paramount ruler, prime minister, deputy primeminister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Parlimen) consists of an upper house or Senate (DewanNegara) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State: Paramount Ruler AZLAN Muhibbuddin Shah ibni Sultan Yusof Izzudin (since 26April 1989); Deputy Paramount Ruler JA'AFAR ibni Abdul Rahman (since 26April 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy PrimeMinister Abdul GHAFAR Bin Baba (since 7 May 1986)Member of:APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMOZ, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Abdul MAJID Mohamedchancery:2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 328-2700consulates general:Los Angeles and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador John S. WOLFembassy:376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpurmailing address:P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpurtelephone:[60] (3) 248-9011FAX:[60] (3) 242-2207Flag:fourteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white(bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing ayellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and thestar are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag ofthe US
*Malaysia, Economy
Overview:The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and a soundly managedpublic sector, has posted a remarkable record of 8%-9% average growth in1987-92. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty anda marked rise in real wages. Despite sluggish growth in the major worldeconomies in 1992, demand for Malaysian goods remained strong and foreigninvestors continued to commit large sums in the economy. The government isaware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closelymonitoring fiscal and monetary policies.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $54.5 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:8% (1992 est.)National product per capita: $2,960 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.7% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:4.1% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $15.6 billion; expenditures $18.0 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $4.5 billion (1992 est.)Exports:$39.8 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:electronic equipment, palm oil, petroleum and petroleum products, wood andwood products, rubber, textilespartners:Singapore 23%, US 18.6%, Japan 13.2%, UK 4%, Germany 4%Imports:$39.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:food, consumer goods, petroleum products, chemicals, capital equipmentpartners:Japan 26%, US 15.8%, Singapore 15.7%, Taiwan 5.6%, Germany 4.2%External debt:$25.7 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 13% (1992); accounts for NA% of GDPElectricity:8,000,000 kW capacity; 30,000 million kWh produced, 1,610 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:Peninsular Malaysia:rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturingindustry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processingtimberSabah:logging, petroleum productionSarawak:agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, loggingAgriculture:accounts for 20% of GDPPeninsular Malaysia:natural rubber, palm oil, riceSabah:mainly subsistence, but also rubber, timber, coconut, rice
*Malaysia, Economy
Sarawak:rubber, timber, pepper; deficit of rice in all areas; fish catch of 608,000metric tons in 1987Illicit drugs:transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe,and the Third WorldEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-84), $170 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.7 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $42 millionCurrency:1 ringgit (M$) = 100 senExchange rates:ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.6238 (January 1993), 2.5475 (1992), 2.7501(1991), 1.7048 (1990), 2.7088 (1989), 2.6188 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Malaysia, Communications
Railroads:Peninsular Malaysia:1,665 km 1.04-meter gauge; 13 km double track, government ownedSabah:136 km 1.000-meter gaugeSarawak:noneHighways:Peninsular Malaysia:23,600 km; 19,352 km hard surfaced, mostly bituminous surface treatment, and4,248 km unpavedSabah:3,782 kmSarawak:1,644 kmInland waterways:Peninsular Malaysia:3,209 kmSabah:1,569 kmSarawak:2,518 kmPipelines:crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 kmPorts:Tanjong Kidurong, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Kelang,Sandakan, TawauMerchant marine:184 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,869,817 GRT/2,786,765 DWT; includes1 passenger-cargo, 2 short-sea passenger, 71 cargo, 28 container, 2 vehiclecarrier, 2 roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 38 oil tanker, 6 chemicaltanker, 6 liquefied gas, 27 bulkAirports:total:111usable:102with permanent-surface runways:32with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 7with runways 1,220-2,439 m:18Telecommunications:good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwaveradio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabahand Sarawak via Brunei; international service good; good coverage by radioand television broadcasts; 994,860 telephones (1984); broadcast stations -28 AM, 3 FM, 33 TV; submarine cables extend to India and Sarawak; SEACOMsubmarine cable links to Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations -1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 2 domestic
*Malaysia, Defense Forces
Branches:Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, RoyalMalaysian Police Force, Marine Police, Sarawak Border ScoutsManpower availability:males age 15-49 4,837,256; fit for military service 2,941,577; reachmilitary age (21) annually 181,435 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, about 5% of GDP (1992)
*Maldives, Geography
Location:South Asia, in the Indian Ocean off the southwest coast of IndiaMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:300 km2land area:300 km2comparative area:slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:644 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincideswith maritime boundary with Indiaterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy,southwest monsoon (June to August)Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 metersNatural resources:fishLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:3%forest and woodland:3%other:84%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atollsNote:archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes inIndian Ocean
*Maldives, People
Population:243,094 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.64% (1993 est.)Birth rate:44.34 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:57.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:63.86 yearsmale:62.5 yearsfemale:65.28 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.36 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Maldivian(s)adjective:MaldivianEthnic divisions:Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, AfricanReligions:Sunni MuslimLanguages:Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic), English spoken bymost government officialsLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1985)total population:92%male:92%female:92%Labor force:66,000 (est.)by occupation:fishing industry 25%
*Maldives, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Maldivesconventional short form:MaldivesDigraph:MVType:republicCapital:MaleAdministrative divisions:19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu,Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa,Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, WaavuIndependence:26 July 1965 (from UK)Constitution:4 June 1964Legal system:based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily incommercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day, 26 July (1965)Political parties and leaders:no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for thepast eight centuriesSuffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1993); results -President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelectedCitizens' Council:last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results -percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected)Executive branch:president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis)Judicial branch:High CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978)Member of:AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF,IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN missionin New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodicvisits thereconsular agency:Midhath Hilmy, Male
*Maldives, Government
telephone:2581Flag:red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical whitecrescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
*Maldives, Economy
Overview:The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture islimited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10%of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of thework force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an importantsource of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism became one of themost important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1988 industryaccounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to haveincreased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-90.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $140 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:4.7% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$620 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):11.5% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NEGL%Budget:revenues $52 million (excluding foreign transfers); expenditures $83million, including capital expenditures of $39 million (1991 est.)Exports:$53.7 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:fish, clothingpartners:US, UK, Sri LankaImports:$150.9 million (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum productspartners:Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, IndiaExternal debt:$90 million (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 24.0% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDPElectricity:5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconutprocessing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicraftsAgriculture:accounts for almost 25% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more importantthan farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; moststaple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000 tons (1990 est.)Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $14 millionCurrency:1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laarisExchange rates:rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 10.506 (January 1993), 10.569 (1992), 10.253 (1991),9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989), 8.7846 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Maldives, Communications
Highways:Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the cityPorts:Male, GanMerchant marine:14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,848 GRT/58,496 DWT; includes 12cargo, 1 container, 1 oil tankerAirports:total:2useable:2 with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones; broadcaststations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Maldives, Defense Forces
Branches:National Security Service (paramilitary police force)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 53,730; fit for military service 30,014 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Mali, Geography
Location:Western Africa, between Mauritania and NigerMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1.24 million km2land area:1.22 million km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Coted'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was submittedto the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983 and the ICJissued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides agreed to accept;Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including thetripoint with NigerClimate:subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mildJune to November; cool and dry November to FebruaryTerrain:mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south,rugged hills in northeastNatural resources:gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore,manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploitedLand use:arable land:2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:25%forest and woodland:7%other:66%Irrigated land:50 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:hot, dust-laden harmattan; haze common during dry seasons; desertificationNote:landlocked
*Mali, People
Population:8,868,617 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.66% (1993 est.)Birth rate:51.73 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:20.81 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:108 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:45.45 yearsmale:43.89 yearsfemale:47.06 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:7.33 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Malian(s)adjective:MalianEthnic divisions:Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%,Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%Languages:French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languagesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:32%male:41%female:24%Labor force:2.666 million (1986 est.)by occupation:agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981)note:50% of population of working age (1985)
*Mali, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Maliconventional short form:Malilocal long form:Republique de Malilocal short form:Maliformer:French SudanDigraph:MLType:republicCapital:BamakoAdministrative divisions:8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti,Segou, Sikasso, TombouctouIndependence:22 September 1960 (from France)Constitution:new constitution adopted in constitutional referendum in January 1992Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts in Constitutional Section of Court of State; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Anniverary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)Political parties and leaders:Alliance for Democracy (Adema), Alpha Oumar KONARE; National Committee forDemocratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese Union/AfricanDemocratic Rally (US/RAD), Baba Hakib HAIDARA and Treoule Mamadon KONATE;Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa; Rallyfor Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for Democracy andDevelopment (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for Democracy and Labor(RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress (UFDP), Col. Youssouf TRAORE;Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa TRAORE; Malian Union forDemocracy and Development (UMDD)Suffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:President:last held in April 1992; Alpha KONARE was elected in runoff race againstMontaga TALLNational Assembly:last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (total 116) Adema 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movementfor the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3,UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1Executive branch:Transition Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP) composed of 25members, predominantly civilianLegislative branch:unicameral National AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
*Mali, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Younoussi TOURE (since 8 June 1992)Member of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Siragatou Ibrahim CISSEchancery:2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 332-2249 or 939-8950US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Herbert Donald GELBERembassy:Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamakomailing address:B. P. 34, Bamakotelephone:[223] 225470FAX:[233] 228059Flag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses thepopular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
*Mali, Economy
Overview:Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 70% of its landarea desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to theriverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population live asnomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture andfishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities.In consultation with international lending agencies, the government hasadopted a structural adjustment program for 1992-95, aiming at GDP annualgrowth of 4.6%, inflation of no more than 2.5% on average, and a substantialreduction in the external current account deficit.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.3 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:-0.2% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$265 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.4% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $329 million; expenditures $519 million, including capitalexpenditures of $178 (1989 est.)Exports:$320 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:livestock, peanuts, dried fish, cotton, skinspartners:mostly franc zone and Western EuropeImports:$390 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:textiles, vehicles, petroleum products, machinery, sugar, cerealspartners:mostly franc zone and Western EuropeExternal debt:$2.6 billion (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 15.0% (1990 est.); accounts for 10.0% of GDPElectricity:260,000 kW capacity; 750 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate, gold,fishingAgriculture:accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence farms;cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports; other crops -millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock - cattle, sheep, goatsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,020 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $190millionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85(1988)
*Mali, Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
*Mali, Communications
Railroads:642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through KayesHighways:about 15,700 km total; 1,670 km paved, 3,670 km gravel and improved earth,10,360 km unimproved earthInland waterways:1,815 km navigableAirports:total:34usable:27with permanent-surface runways:8with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:5with runways 1,220-2,439 m:10Telecommunications:domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with radiorelay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of radio relay inprogress; 11,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV;satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT
*Mali, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police (SureteNationale)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 1,749,662; fit for military service 995,554 (1993 est.); noconscriptionDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)
*Malta, Geography
Location:in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of Sicily (Italy), 290 kmnorth of LibyaMap references:Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:320 km2land area:320 km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:140 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone:25 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summersTerrain:mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffsNatural resources:limestone, saltLand use:arable land:38%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:59%Irrigated land: 10 km2 (1989)Environment:numerous bays provide good harbors; fresh water very scarce; increasingreliance on desalinationNote:the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands(Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited
*Malta, People
Population:363,791 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.84% (1993 est.)Birth rate:13.9 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.52 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:1.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.52 yearsmale:74.32 yearsfemale:78.9 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.97 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Maltese (singular and plural)adjective:MalteseEthnic divisions:Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, EnglishReligions:Roman Catholic 98%Languages:Maltese (official), English (official)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1985)total population:84%male:86%female:82%Labor force:127,200by occupation:government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%,training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990)
*Malta, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Maltaconventional short form:MaltaDigraph:MTType:parliamentary democracyCapital:VallettaAdministrative divisions:none (administration directly from Valletta)Independence:21 September 1964 (from UK)Constitution:26 April 1974, effective 2 June 1974Legal system:based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 21 SeptemberPolitical parties and leaders:Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP), AlfredSANTSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:House of Representatives:last held on 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February 1997); results -NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP 36, NP 29; note -additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote toensure a legislative majority; current total 69 (MLP 33, NP 36 afteradjustment)Executive branch:president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:Constitutional Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:President Vincent (Censu) TABONE (since 4 April 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987); DeputyPrime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987)Member of:C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGETchancery:2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 462-3611 or 3612FAX:(202) 387-5470
*Malta, Government
consulate:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)embassy:2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Vallettamailing address:P. O. Box 535, Vallettatelephone:[356] 240424, 240425, 243216, 243217, 243653, 223654FAX:same as telephone numbersFlag:two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upperhoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
*Malta, Economy
Overview:Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and aproductive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, haslimited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources.Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on foreign trade and services.Manufacturing and tourism are the largest contributors to the economy.Manufacturing accounts for about 27% of GDP, with the electronics andtextile industries major contributors and the state-owned Malta drydocksemploying about 4,300 people. In 1991, about 900,000 tourists visited theisland. Per capita GDP at $7,600 places Malta in the middle-income range ofthe world's nations.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.7 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:5.9% (1991)National product per capita:$7,600 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (1991)Unemployment rate:3.6% (1992)Budget:revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.1 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $161 million (1992 est.)Exports:$l.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:clothing, textiles, footwear, shipspartners:Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11%Imports:$2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goodspartners:Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4%External debt:$127 million (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 19.0% (1990); accounts for 27% of GDPElectricity:328,000 kW capacity; 1,110 million kWh produced, 3,000 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food manufacturing,textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobaccoAgriculture:accounts for 3% of GDP and 2.5% of the work force (1992); overall, 20%self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat,barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry, eggs;generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork products;seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder, fruits, other basicfoodstuffsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $48millionCurrency:1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
*Malta, Economy
Exchange rates:Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3687 (January 1993), 0.3178 (1992), 0.3226(1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989), 0.3306 (1988)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
*Malta, Communications
Highways:1,291 km total; 1,179 km paved (asphalt), 77 km crushed stone or gravel, 35km improved and unimproved earthPorts:Valletta, MarsaxlokkMerchant marine:789 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,059,874 GRT/18,758,969 DWT;includes 6 passenger, 17 short-sea passenger, 272 cargo, 26 container, 2passenger-cargo, 20 roll-on/roll-off, 2 vehicle carrier, 3 barge carrier, 17refrigerated cargo, 19 chemical tanker, 15 combination ore/oil, 3specialized tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 131 oil tanker, 223 bulk, 26combination bulk, 3 multifunction large load carrier, 1 railcar carrier;note - a flag of convenience registry; China owns 2 ships, Russia owns 52ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Croatia owns 37, Romania owns 3Airports:total:1useable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones;excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV; submarinecable and microwave radio relay between islands; international service by 1submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
*Malta, Defense Forces
Branches:Armed Forces, Maltese Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 97,446; fit for military service 77,481 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)
*Man, Isle of, Header
Affiliation:(British crown dependency)
*Man, Isle of, Geography
Location:in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great BritainMap references:EuropeArea:total area:588 km2land area:588 km2comparative area:nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:113 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the timeTerrain:hills in north and south bisected by central valleyNatural resources:lead, iron oreLand use:arable land:NA%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:NA%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA% (extensive arable land and forests)Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:strong westerly winds prevailNote:one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a birdsanctuary
*Man, Isle of, People
Population:71,263 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.07% (1993 est.)Birth rate:13.57 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:12.87 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate: 9.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.98 yearsmale:73.25 yearsfemale:78.92 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Manxman, Manxwomanadjective:ManxEthnic divisions:Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), BritonReligions:Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society ofFriendsLanguages:English, Manx GaelicLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:25,864 (1981)by occupation:NA
*Man, Isle of, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Isle of ManDigraph:IMType:British crown dependencyCapital:DouglasAdministrative divisions:none (British crown dependency)Independence:none (British crown dependency)Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution ActLegal system:English law and local statuteNational holiday:Tynwald Day, 5 JulyPolitical parties and leaders:there is no party system and members sit as independentsSuffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:House of Keys:last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA;no party system; seats - (24 total) independents 24Executive branch:British monarch, lieutenant governor, president, prime minister, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)Legislative branch:bicameral Tynwald consists of an upper house or Legislative Council and alower house or House of KeysJudicial branch:Court of TynwaldLeaders:Chief of State:Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented byLieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990)Head of Government:President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990)Member of:noneDiplomatic representation in US:none (British crown dependency)US diplomatic representation:none (British crown dependency)Flag:red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the threelegs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toespointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
*Man, Isle of, Economy
Overview:Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy.The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companiesand financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expandingemployment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agricultureand fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in theirshares of GNP. Banking now contributes over 20% to GNP and manufacturingabout 15%. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free accessto European Community markets.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $490 million (1988)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita: $7,500 (1988)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:1% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $130.4 million; expenditures $114.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of $18.1 million (FY85 est.)Exports:$NAcommodities:tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meatpartners:UKImports:$NAcommodities:timber, fertilizers, fishpartners:UKExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:61,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced, 2,965 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:an important offshore financial center; financial services, lightmanufacturing, tourismAgriculture:cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultryEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 penceExchange rates:Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652(1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); the Manx pound is atpar with the British poundFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
*Man, Isle of, Communications
Railroads:60 km; 36 km electric track, 24 km steam trackHighways:640 km motorable roadsPorts:Douglas, Ramsey, PeelMerchant marine:59 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,363,502 GRT/2,363,502 DWT; includes10 cargo, 6 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off, 14 oil tanker, 4 chemical tanker,4 liquefied gas, 12 bulk; note - a captive register of the United Kingdom,although not all ships on the register are British ownedAirports:total:1useable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:24,435 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV
*Man, Isle of, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
*Marshall Islands, Geography
Location:Oceania, in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way betweenHawaii and Papua New GuineaMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:181.3 km2land area:181.3 km2comparative area:slightly larger than Washington, DCnote:includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetok, and KwajaleinLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:370.4 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:claims US territory of Wake IslandClimate: wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon beltTerrain:low coral limestone and sand islandsNatural resources:phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed mineralsLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:60%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:40%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:occasionally subject to typhoons; two archipelagic island chains of 30atolls and 1,152 islandsNote:Bikini and Eniwetok are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famousWorld War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
*Marshall Islands, People
Population:51,982 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.87% (1993 est.)Birth rate:46.65 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:7.91 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:50.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:62.79 yearsmale:61.27 yearsfemale:64.38 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.99 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Marshallese (singular and plural)adjective:MarshalleseEthnic divisions: MicronesianReligions:Christian (mostly Protestant)Languages:English (universally spoken and is the official language), two majorMarshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, JapaneseLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:93%male:100%female:88%Labor force:4,800 (1986)by occupation:NA
*Marshall Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of the Marshall Islandsconventional short form:Marshall Islandsformer:Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)Digraph:RMType:constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact ofFree Association entered into force 21 October 1986Capital:MajuroAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)Constitution:1 May 1979Legal system:based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal,common, and customary lawsNational holiday:Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)Political parties and leaders:no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional)leaderSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held 6 January 1992 (next to be held NA; results - President AmataKABUA was reelectedParliament:last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995); results -percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total)Executive branch:president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral Nitijela (parliament)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Amata KABUA (since 1979)Member of:AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IFC, IMF, INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALLchancery:2433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 234-5414US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador David C. FIELDS
*Marshall Islands, Government
embassy:NA address, Majuromailing address:P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379telephone:(011) 692-4011FAX:(011) 692-4012Flag:blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange(top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 smallrays on the hoist side above the two stripes
*Marshall Islands, Economy
Overview:Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agriculturalproduction is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercialcrops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few cattle ranchessupply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry is limited tohandicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primarysource of foreign exchange and employs about 10% of the labor force. Theislands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. In 1987the US Government provided grants of $40 million out of the Marshallesebudget of $55 million.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $63 million (1989 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$1,500 (1989 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $55 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of$NA (1987 est.)Exports:$2.5 million (f.o.b., 1985)commodities:copra, copra oil, agricultural products, handicraftspartners:NAImports:$29.2 million (c.i.f., 1985)commodities:foodstuffs, beverages, building materialspartners:NAExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:42,000 kW capacity; 80 million kWh produced, 1,840 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls; offshorebanking (embryonic)Agriculture:coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickensEconomic aid:under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provideapproximately $40 million in aid annuallyCurrency:US currency is usedExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
*Marshall Islands, Communications
Highways:paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-,or laterite-surfaced roads and tracksPorts: MajuroMerchant marine:29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,786,070 GRT/3,498,895 DWT; includes2 cargo, 1 container, 9 oil tanker, 15 bulk carrier, 2 combination ore/oil;note - a flag of convenience registryAirports:total:16usable:16with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:8Telecommunications:telephone network - 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex services;islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for governmentpurposes); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 2 PacificOcean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government satellite communications systemon Kwajalein
*Marshall Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
*Martinique, Header
Affiliation: (overseas department of France)
*Martinique, Geography
Location:in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of VenezuelaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South AmericaArea:total area:1,100 km2land area:1,060 km2comparative area:slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:290 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October)Terrain:mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcanoNatural resources:coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable landLand use:arable land:10%permanent crops:8%meadows and pastures:30%forest and woodland:26%other:26%Irrigated land:60 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in anaverage of one major natural disaster every five years
*Martinique, People
Population:387,656 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.21% (1993 est.)Birth rate:18.07 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.82 yearsmale:74.68 yearsfemale:81.01 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Martiniquais (singular and plural)adjective:MartiniquaisEthnic divisions:African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East Indian,Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%Languages:French, Creole patoisLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1982)total population:93%male:92%female:93%Labor force:100,000by occupation:service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%, agriculture13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3%
*Martinique, Government
Names:conventional long form:Department of Martiniqueconventional short form:Martiniquelocal long form:Departement de la Martiniquelocal short form:MartiniqueDigraph:MBType:overseas department of FranceCapital:Fort-de-FranceAdministrative divisions:none (overseas department of France)Independence:none (overseas department of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:French legal systemNational holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Political parties and leaders:Rally for the Republic (RPR); Union for a Martinique of Progress (UMP);Martinique Progressive Party (PPM); Socialist Federation of Martinique(FSM); Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM); Union forFrench Democracy (UDF)Other political or pressure groups:Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist RevolutionGroup (GRS); Martinique Independence Movement (MIM); Caribbean RevolutionaryAlliance (ARC); Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR;Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and PeasantsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:French Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1French National Assembly:last held on 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PPM 1, FSM 1, RPR 1, UDF 1General Council:last held in 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held by NA);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total) number of seats byparty NA; note - a leftist coalition obtained a one-seat marginRegional Assembly:last held on NA March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) UMP 16Executive branch:government commissionerLegislative branch:unicameral General CouncilJudicial branch:Supreme Court
*Martinique, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:Government Commissioner Jean Claude ROURE (since 5 May 1989); President ofthe General Council Emile MAURICE (since NA 1988)Member of:FZ, WCLDiplomatic representation in US:as an overseas department of France, Martiniquais interests are representedin the US by FranceUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Consul General Raymond G. ROBINSONembassy:Consulate General at 14 Rue Blenac, Fort-de-Francemailing address:B. P. 561, Fort-de-France 97206telephone: [596] 63-13-03Flag:the flag of France is used
*Martinique, Economy
Overview:The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry.Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small industrial sectorfor 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now usedfor the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly toFrance. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must beimported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annualtransfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important thanagricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of thework force is employed in the service sector and in administration. Bananaworkers launched protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices andfears of greater competition in the European market from other producers.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2 billion (1988)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$6,000 (1988)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.9% (1990)Unemployment rate:32.1% (1990)Budget:revenues $268 million; expenditures $268 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1989 est.)Exports:$196 million (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapplespartners:France 65%, Guadeloupe 24%, Germany (1987)Imports:$1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles,clothing and other consumer goodspartners:France 65%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1987)External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:113,100 kW capacity; 588 million kWh produced, 1,580 kWh per capita (1992)Industries:construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourismAgriculture:including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 12% of GDP; principalcrops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane forrum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and vegetablesEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$10.1 billionCurrency:1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421(1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988)
*Martinique, Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
*Martinique, Communications
Highways:1,680 km total; 1,300 km paved, 380 km gravel and earthPorts:Fort-de-FranceAirports:total:2useable:2with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland microwaveradio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia; broadcaststations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
*Martinique, Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces, GendarmerieNote:defense is the responsibility of France
*Mauritania, Geography
Location:Northern Africa, along the North Atlantic Ocean, between Western Sahara andSenegalMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1,030,700 km2land area:1,030,400 km2comparative area:slightly larger than three times the size of New MexicoLand boundaries:total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, WesternSahara 1,561 kmCoastline:754 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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:0%meadows and pastures:38%forest and woodland:5%other:56%Irrigated land:120 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April;desertification; only perennial river is the Senegal
*Mauritania, People
Population:2,124,792 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.14% (1993 est.)Birth rate:47.97 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:16.54 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:87 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:47.59 yearsmale:44.81 yearsfemale:50.48 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:7.05 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Mauritanian(s)adjective:MauritanianEthnic divisions:mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%Religions:Muslim 100%Languages:Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official)Literacy:age 10 and over can read and write (1990)total population:34%male:47%female:21%Labor force:465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980)by occupation:agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%note:53% of population of working age (1985)
*Mauritania, Government
Names:conventional long form:Islamic Republic of Mauritaniaconventional short form:Mauritania local long form:Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyahlocal short form:MuritaniyahDigraph:MRType:republicCapital:NouakchottAdministrative divisions:12 regions(regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, DakhletNouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri,Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarzanote:there may be a new capital district of NouakchottIndependence:28 November 1960 (from France)Constitution:12 July 1991Legal system:three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state securitycourts (in the process of being eliminated)National holiday:Independence Day, 28 November (1960)Political parties and leaders:legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics continue tobe tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social RepublicanParty (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union ofDemocratic Forces - New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assemblyfor Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social andDemocratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party forRenewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), KhattryOuld JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba OuldSIDI BADIOther political or pressure groups:Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)Suffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998); results - PresidentCol. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA electedSenate:last held 3 and 10 April 1992 (one-third of the seats up for re-election in1994)National Assembly:last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997)Executive branch:presidentLegislative branch:bicameral legislature consists of an upper house or Senate (Majlisal-Shuyukh) and a lower house or National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani)
*Mauritania, Government
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)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 in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Mohamed Fall OULD AININAchancery:2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 232-5700US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Gordon S. BROWNembassy:address NA, Nouakchottmailing address:B. P. 222, Nouakchotttelephone:[222] (2) 526-60 or 526-63FAX:[222] (2) 525-89Flag: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.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:3% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$555 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.2% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $280 million; expenditures $346 million, including capitalexpenditures of $61 million (1989 est.)Exports:$447 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%, Cote d'Ivoire 3%Imports:$385 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 33% of GDPElectricity:190,000 kW capacity; 135 million kWh produced, 70 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsumAgriculture:accounts for 50% 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 drought