Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 2,002 km broad gauge: 2,002 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified) (1994)
Highways:total: 55,603 kmpaved: 42,209 km (including 382 km of expressways)unpaved: 13,394 km (1994)
Waterways: 600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil, 105 km; natural gas 760 km (1992)
Ports: Kaunas, Klaipeda
Merchant marine:total: 43 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 264,639 GRT/303,649 DWTships by type: cargo 26, combination bulk 11, oil tanker 2, railcarcarrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (1995est.)
Airports:total: 96with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 14with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6with unpaved runways under 914 m: 63 (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 900,000
Telephone system: telecommunications system ranks among the mostmodern of the former Soviet republicsdomestic: an NMT-450 analog cellular telephone network operates inVilnius and other cities; landlines and microwave radio relayconnect switching centersinternational: international connections no longer depend on theMoscow international gateway switch, but are established bysatellite through Oslo from Vilnius and through Copenhagen fromKaunas; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat(Atlantic Ocean); cellular network linked internationally throughCopenhagen by Eutelsat; international electronic mail is available;landlines or microwave radio relay to former Soviet republics
Radio broadcast stations: AM 13, FM 26, shortwave 1, longwave 1
Radios: 1.42 million (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 1.77 million (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force, SecurityForces (internal and border troops), National Guard (Skat)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 903,437 males fit for military service: 712,875 males reach military age (18) annually: 26,162 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $31.7 million, 1% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Luxembourg —————
Map —-
Location: 49 45 N, 6 10 E — Western Europe, between France andGermany
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Geography ————-
Location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 2,586 sq kmland area: 2,586 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain: mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle floodplain in the southeast lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Burgplatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited)
Land use:arable land: 24%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 20%forest and woodland: 21%other: 34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation; air and water pollution in urban areasnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear TestBan, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83;signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94,Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 415,870 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 39,199; female 37,239)15-64 years: 68% (male 142,394; female 138,349)65 years and over: 14% (male 23,118; female 35,571) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.14 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 10.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.09 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.26 years male: 75.24 years female: 81.56 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Luxembourger(s) adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic divisions: Celtic base (with French and German blend),Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant and Jewish 3%
Languages: Luxembourgisch, German, French, English
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourgconventional short form: Luxembourglocal long form: Grand-Duche de Luxembourglocal short form: Luxembourg
Data code: LU
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Luxembourg
Administrative divisions: 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, ======================================================================
@Macau ——-
(overseas territory of Portugal)
Map —-
Location: 22 10 N, 113 33 E — Eastern Asia, bordering the SouthChina Sea and China
Flag ——
Description: the flag of Portugal is used
Geography ————-
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total area: 16 sq kmland area: 16 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km border country: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Ozone Layer Protection(extended from Portugal)
Geographic note: essentially urban; one causeway and one bridgeconnect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
People ———
Population: 496,837 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 60,709; female 57,004)15-64 years: 68% (male 167,466; female 169,486)65 years and over: 8% (male 17,569; female 24,603) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 14.16 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.95 years male: 77.49 years female: 82.54 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Macanese (singular and plural)adjective: Macau
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none45.8%, other 1.2% (1981)
Languages: Portuguese (official) 4%, Chinese (Cantonese) is thelanguage of commerce
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)total population: 90%male: 93%female: 86%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Macau local long form: none local short form: Ilha de Macau
Data code: MC
Type of government: overseas territory of Portugal scheduled to revert to China in 1999
Capital: Macau
Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular - concelho); Ilhas, Macau
Independence: none (territory of Portugal; Portugal signed an agreement with China on 13 April 1987 to return Macau to China on 20 December 1999; in the joint declaration, China promises to respect Macau's existing social and economic systems and lifestyle for 50 years after transition)
National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)
Constitution: 17 February 1976, Organic Law of Macau; basic law drafted primarily by Beijing promulgated 31 March 1993
Legal system: Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of Portugal) Mario Alberto SOARES (since9 March 1986)head of government: Governor Gen. Vasco Joachim Rocha VIEIRA (since20 March 1991) was appointed by the President of Portugal afterconsultation with the Legislative Assemblycabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members -five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, fiveelected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies,one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and tworepresent economic interests), and three statutory members
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held 10 March 1991 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total, 8 elected by direct vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the governor) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistratesincluding the president; lower court judges appointed for threeyears by governor
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interestsof Macau; Macau Democratic Center; Group to Study the Development ofMacau; Macau Independent Group
Other political or pressure groups: wealthy Macanese and Chinese representing local interests, wealthy procommunist merchants representing China's interests; in January 1967 the Macau Government acceded to Chinese demands that gave China veto power over administration
International organization participation: CCC, ESCAP (associate),IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), UNESCO (associate), WToO(associate), WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (Chinese territory underPortuguese administration)
US diplomatic representation: the US has no offices in Macau, andUS interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag: the flag of Portugal is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is based largely on tourism (including gambling) and textile and fireworks manufacturing. Efforts to diversify have spawned other small industries - toys, artificial flowers, and electronics. The tourist sector has accounted for roughly 25% of GDP, and the clothing industry has provided about two-thirds of export earnings; the gambling industry probably represents over 40% of GDP. Macau depends on China for most of its food, fresh water, and energy imports. Japan and Hong Kong are the main suppliers of raw materials and capital goods.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 180,000 (1986) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $305 millionexpenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1989 est.)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture,tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 258,000 kW production: 950 million kWh consumption per capita: 2,093 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, vegetables
Exports: $1.9 billion (1995 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys partners: US 35%, Hong Kong 12.5%, Germany 12%, China 9.9%, France 8% (1992 est.)
Imports: $2 billion (1992 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)
External debt: $0 (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 8.034 (1991-95), 8.024 (1990), 8.030 (1989); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 90 km paved: 42 km unpaved: 48 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: new international airport completed in 1995; 1 seaplanestation
Communications ———————
Telephones: 170,021 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern communication facilitiesmaintained for domestic and international servicesdomestic: NAinternational: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access tointernational communications carriers provided via Hong Kong andChina; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 135,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 note: TV programs received from Hong Kong
Televisions: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: NA
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 142,704 males fit for military service: 79,225 (1996 est.)
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Portugal
======================================================================
@Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of —————————————————————
Map —-
Location: 41 50 N, 22 00 E — Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Flag ——
Description: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to theedges of the red field
Geography ————-
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 25,333 sq kmland area: 24,856 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:total: 748 kmborder countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 228 km,Serbia and Montenegro 221 km (all with Serbia)
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Greece over name; inSeptember 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolvingtheir dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions;Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia
Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winterswith heavy snowfall
Terrain: mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; there are three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Korab 2,753 m
Natural resources: chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten,nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber
Land use:arable land: 5%permanent crops: 5%meadows and pastures: 20%forest and woodland: 30%other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plantsnatural hazards: high seismic risksinternational agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection
Geographic note: landlocked; major transportation corridor fromWestern and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe toWestern Europe
People ———
Population: 2,104,035 (July 1996 est.)note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put thepopulation at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likelyundercounted
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 242,593; female 228,563)15-64 years: 68% (male 728,969; female 703,665)65 years and over: 10% (male 90,363; female 109,882) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.46% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 13.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.47 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.94 years male: 69.86 years female: 74.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic divisions: Macedonian 65%, Albanian 22%, Turkish 4%, Serb 2%, Gypsies 3%, other 4%
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%
Languages: Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%,Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaconventional short form: nonelocal long form: Republika Makedonijalocal short form: Makedonijaabbreviation: FYROM
Data code: MK
Type of government: emerging democracy
Capital: Skopje
Administrative divisions: 34 counties (opstinas, singular -opstina) Berovo, Bitola, Brod, Debar, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Gostivar,Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krusevo,Kumanovo, Murgasevo, Negotino, Ohrid, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,Resen, Skopje-Centar, Skopje-Cair, Skopje-Karpos, Skopje-KiselaVoda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole,Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica
Independence: 17 September 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: 8 September
Constitution: adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Legal system: based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Kiro GLIGOROV (since 27 January 1991) waselected by the Assembly in 1991 and reelected by popular vote in1994; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1997);results - percent of vote NA; note - following a failedassassination attempt on the president in October 1995, thenParliamentary Speaker Stojan ANDOV was acting president; GLIGOROVresumed his duties in early 1996head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4September 1992) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers were elected by the majority vote ofall the deputies in the Assembly; note - after the withdrawal of theLiberal Party from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Councilof Ministers was reorganized without LP participation
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly (Sobranje): elections last held 16 and 30 October 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) SDSM 58, LP 29, SPM 8, PDP 10, NDP 4, independents 7, other 4
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by theJudicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are electedby the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance ofMacedonia (SDSM; former Communist Party), Branko CRVENKOVSKI,president; Party for Democratic Prosperity (PDP), Abdurahman HALITI,president; National Democratic Party (NDP), Ilijas HALINI,president; Alliance of Reform Forces of Macedonia - Liberal Party(SRSM-LP), Stojan ANDOV, president; Socialist Party of Macedonia(SPM), Kiro POPOVSKI, president; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity(VMRO-DPMNE), Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president; Party of Yugoslavs inMacedonia (SJM), Milan DURCINOV, president; Democratic Party (DP),Petar GOSEV, president; Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians(PDPA), Arben XHAFFERI, president
Other political or pressure groups: Movement for All MacedonianAction (MAAK); Democratic Party of Serbs; Democratic Party of Turks;Party for Democratic Action (Slavic Muslim)
International organization participation: CCC, CE, CEI, EBRD, ECE,FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica ACEVSKA chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063 FAX: [1] (202) 337 3093
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Christopher HILL; Charge d'Affaires Victor D. COMRAS embassy: ul. 27 Mart No. 5, 9100 Skopje mailing address: United States Liaison Office Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] (91) 116-180 FAX: [389] (91) 117-103 note: the US agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in September 1995, and to upgrade the Liaison Office to an Embassy
Flag: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the edges ofthe red field
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, although the poorest republic in the former Yugoslav federation, can meet basic food and energy needs through its own agricultural and coal resources. Its economic decline will continue unless ties are reforged or enlarged with its neighbors Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The economy depends on outside sources for all of its oil and gas and most of its modern machinery and parts. An important supplement of GDP is the remittances from thousands of Macedonians working in Germany and other West European nations. The end of sanctions on Serbia and the lifting of the Greek embargo on Macedonia have reopened its natural trade corridors, but the country has been slow to capitalize on these opportunities. Moreover, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's geographical isolation, technological underdevelopment, and potential political instability place it far down the list of countries of interest to Western investors. An internal commitment to economic reform would encourage foreign investment over the long run.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4%
GDP per capita: $880 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 44% services: 32%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 591,773 (June 1994) by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 37% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: -14% (1993)
Electricity: capacity: 1,600,000 kW production: 6.046 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,941 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame,mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Illicit drugs: limited illicit opium cultivation; transshipmentpoint for Southwest Asian heroin
Exports: $916.2 million (1995)commodities: manufactured goods 40%, machinery and transportequipment 14%, miscellaneous manufactured articles 23%, rawmaterials 7.6%, food (rice) and live animals 5.7%, beverages andtobacco 4.5%, chemicals 4.7% (1990)partners: principally Serbia and Montenegro and the other formerYugoslav republics, Germany, Greece, Albania
Imports: $199 million (1995)commodities: fuels and lubricants 19%, manufactured goods 18%,machinery and transport equipment 15%, food and live animals 14%,chemicals 11.4%, raw materials 10%, miscellaneous manufacturedarticles 8.0%, beverages and tobacco 3.5% (1990)partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Greece, Albania, Germany,Bulgaria
External debt: $737.1 million (1994)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: US, $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance);in December 1995, the EU agreed to provide a credit line of ECU 21.7million for investment projects
Currency: the denar, which was adopted by the Macedonianlegislature 26 April 1992, was initially issued in the form of acoupon pegged to the German mark; subsequently repegged to a basketof seven currencies
Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 38.8 (December 1995), 39(November 1994), 865 (October 1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1995)
Highways: total: 10,591 km paved: 5,091 km unpaved: 5,500 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: none
Ports: none
Airports:total: 16with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways under 914 m: 12with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 125,000
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 369,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (relays 2)
Televisions: 327,011 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 571,927 males fit for military service: 458,231 males reach military age (19) annually: 16,698 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: 7 billion denars, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
======================================================================
@Madagascar —————
Map —-
Location: 20 00 S, 47 00 E — Southern Africa, island in theIndian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Flag ——
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and greenwith a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 587,040 sq kmland area: 581,540 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobathexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island,Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (alladministered by France)
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt,quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 58%forest and woodland: 26%other: 11%
Irrigated land: 9,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation andovergrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with rawsewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and faunaunique to the island are endangerednatural hazards: periodic cyclonesinternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine LifeConservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic locationalong Mozambique Channel
People ———
Population: 13,670,507 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 3,105,958; female 3,034,279)15-64 years: 52% (male 3,499,021; female 3,573,052)65 years and over: 3% (male 224,710; female 233,487) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.83% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 42.63 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 14.38 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.19 years male: 51.11 years female: 53.3 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic divisions: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo),Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry -Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian,Creole, Comoran
Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages: French (official), Malagasy (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 80%male: 88%female: 73%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Madagascarconventional short form: Madagascarlocal long form: Republique de Madagascarlocal short form: Madagascarformer: Malagasy Republic
Data code: MA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Antananarivo
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo,Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliary
Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution: 19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system: based on French civil law system and traditionalMalagasy law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Albert ZAFY (since 9 March 1993) waselected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 10February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - Albert ZAFY(UNDD) 67%; Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 33%head of government: Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY (since 30October 1995) was elected by the National Assemblycabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate (Senat): two-thirds of upper house seats are to be filled from popularly elected regional assemblies; the remaining third is to be filled by presidential appointment; decentralization and formation of regional assemblies is not expected before 1997 National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 16 June 1993 (next to be held NA June 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (138 total) CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High ConstitutionalCourt (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces (CFV),an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy (UNDD),Support Group for Democracy and Development in Madagascar (CSDDM),Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar(GRAD), Congress Party for Madagascar Independence - Renewal(AKFM-Fanavaozana), and some 12 other parties, trade unions, andreligious groups; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar(PMDM/MFM), formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power, ManandafyRAKOTONIRINA; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development(CSCD), Guy Willy RAZANAMASY; Association of United Malagasys(Famima); Rally for Social Democracy (RPSD), Pierre TSIRANANA
Other political or pressure groups: National Council of ChristianChurches (FFKM); Federalist Movement
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELOchancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki J. HUDDLESTON embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: [261] (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18 FAX: [261] (2) 234-539
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with avertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 35% of GDP and contributing more than 70% of export earnings. Industry is largely confined to the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing; it accounts for 15% of GDP. In 1986, the government introduced a five-year development plan that stressed self-sufficiency in food (mainly rice) by 1990, increased production for export, and reduced energy imports. Subsequently, growth in output has been held back because of protracted antigovernment strikes and demonstrations for political reform. Since 1993, corruption and political instability have caused the economy and infrastructure to decay further. Since April 1994, the government commitment to economic reforms has been erratic. Enormous obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $820 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 15% services: 50% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 35% (1994 est.)
Labor force:total workers: 4.9 millionworkers not receiving money wages: 4.7 million (96% of total laborforce); note - 4.3 million workers are in subsistence agriculturewage earners: 175,400 (3.6% of total work force)wage earners by occupation: agriculture 45,500, domestic service29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250,service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $250 millionexpenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180million (1991 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 220,000 kW production: 560 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
Exports: $240 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves 11%, shellfish, sugar,petroleum productspartners: France, US, Germany, Japan, Russia
Imports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%,petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13%partners: France, Germany, Japan, UK, Italy, Netherlands
External debt: $4.3 billion (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $318 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 4,239.5 (November 1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992), 1,835.4 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 34,750 km paved: 5,352 km unpaved: 29,398 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and smallportions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina,Toliaria
Merchant marine:total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,132 GRT/31,261 DWTships by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1,oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 105with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21with paved runways under 914 m: 31with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 45 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 96,000 (1988 est.)
Telephone system: system is above average for Africa domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 17, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 36)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces,Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force),Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 3,103,022 males fit for military service: 1,843,732 males reach military age (20) annually: 132,146 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.0% of GDP (1994)
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@Malawi ———
Map —-
Location: 13 30 S, 34 00 E — Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, andgreen with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 118,480 sq kmland area: 94,080 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary inLake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (Mayto November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, roundedhills, some mountainslowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundarywith Mozambique 37 mhighest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium,coal, and bauxite
Land use:arable land: 25%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 20%forest and woodland: 50%other: 5%
Irrigated land: 200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollutionfrom agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation ofspawning grounds endangers fish populationsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 9,452,844 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46% (male 2,189,223; female 2,168,317)15-64 years: 51% (male 2,371,518; female 2,472,245)65 years and over: 3% (male 107,701; female 143,840) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.71% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 41.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 24.48 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is apparently complete
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 139.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 36.16 years male: 35.87 years female: 36.46 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.91 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Ethnic divisions: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga,Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%,traditional indigenous beliefs
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), otherlanguages important regionally
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 56.4%male: 71.9%female: 41.8%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland
Data code: MI
Type of government: multiparty democracy
Capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe,Machinga (Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba,Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima,Thyolo, Zomba
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6July (1966)
Constitution: 18 May 1995; most recent revision
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Bakili MULUZI(since 21 May 1994), leader of the UDF, was elected for a five-yearterm by universal suffragecabinet: Cabinet was named by the president
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly: elections last held 17 May 1994 (next to be heldNA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (177 total)UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5; note - because of defections anda bi-election of 18 December 1995, the seats in the NationalAssembly were held at the end of the year as follows: UDF 87, MCP55, AFORD 35note: the constitution of 18 May 1995, in addition to reducing theage at which universal suffrage is conferred from 21 to 18 years,provided for a bicameral legislature; by 1999, in addition to theexisting National Assembly, a Senate of 80 seats is to be elected
Judicial branch: High Court; Supreme Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: ruling party: United Democratic Front (UDF), Bakili MULUZI opposition groups: Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Green MUNLO, secretary general (top party position); Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), Chakufwa CHIHANA; Christian Democratic Party (CDP), Eston KAKHOME, president; Malawi Democratic Party (MDP), Kampelo KALUA, president
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU,SADC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter R. CHAVEAS embassy: address NA, in new capital city development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] 783 166 FAX: [265] 780 471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and greenwith a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 31% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion. Drought hurt the 1994 economy, with GDP down by 12.4%. Good weather and a strong tobacco crop resulted in an upturn in 1995. In December 1995, donors pledged $332 million in aid for 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 9.9% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 14% services: 55% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 428,000 wage earners by occupation: agriculture 43%, manufacturing 16%, personal services 15%, commerce 9%, construction 7%, miscellaneous services 4%, other permanently employed 6% (1986)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $530 millionexpenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement,consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 190,000 kW production: 905 million kWh (1993) consumption per capita: 92 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: $365 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan (1994)
Imports: $240 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners: South Africa, Japan, US, UK, Zimbabwe
External debt: $1.95 billion (December 1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: in December 1995, donors pledged for 1996, $332 million
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 16.3516 (November 1995), 8.7364 (1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992), 2.8033 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March