Military branches: Army, National Gendarmerie
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 107,842 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 88,733 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 2,337 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $142 million (1995)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (1995)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
(overseas territory of Portugal)
@Macau: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 : 16 sq km land: 16 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km border countries: China 0.34 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: not specified
Climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain: generally flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Coloane Alto 174 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other : 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Ozone Layer Protection (extended from Portugal) signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands to the peninsula on mainland
@Macau:People
Population: 502,325 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 60,270; female 56,803) 15-64 years: 68% (male 169,850; female 171,551) 65 years and over: 9% (male 18,208; female 25,643) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.05% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 13.78 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 4.41 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 80.05 years male: 77.57 years female : 82.65 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.53 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macanese (singular and plural) adjective: Macau
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, Portuguese 3%, other 2%
Religions: Buddhist 45%, Roman Catholic 7%, Protestant 1%, none 45.8%, other 1.2% (1981)
Languages: Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese)
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90% male: 93% female: 86% (1981 est.)
@Macau:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Macau local long form: none local short form : Ilha de Macau
Data code: MC
Dependency status: overseas territory of Portugal; note - scheduled to revert to China on 20 December 1999
Government type: NA
National 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 Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) head of government: Governor General Vasco Joachim Rocha VIERA (since 20 March 1991) cabinet: Consultative Council consists of a total of 15 members - five appointed by the governor, two nominated by the governor, five elected for a four-year term (two represent administrative bodies, one represents moral, cultural, and welfare interests, and two represent economic interests), and three statutory members elections: none; governor general appointed by the president of Portugal after consultation with the Legislative Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (23 seats; 8 elected by popular vote, 8 by indirect vote, and 7 appointed by the governor; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 22 September 1996 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, consisting of five magistrates including the president; lower court judges appointed for three-year terms by the governor
Political parties and leaders: Association to Defend the Interests ofMacau, leader NA; Macau Democratic Center, leader NA; Group to Studythe Development of Macau, leader NA; Macau Independent Group, leaderNA
Political pressure groups and leaders: 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), WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (Chinese territory underPortuguese administration)
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US has no offices in Macau, and US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag description: the flag of Portugal is used
Economy
Economy - 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 - $6.8 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $13,600 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.5% (first half 1996)
Labor force: total : 180,000 (1986) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 2% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $305 million expenditures: $298 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)
Industries: clothing, textiles, toys, plastic products, furniture, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 260,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 1.2 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,750 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, vegetables
Exports: total value: $1.99 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: textiles, clothing, toys partners: US 42%, Hong Kong 10%, Germany 9.9%, China 9.6%, France 8%, UK 7.2% (1995)
Imports: total value : $1.99 billion (c.i.f.,1996 est.) commodities: raw materials, foodstuffs, capital goods partners: Hong Kong 33%, China 20%, Japan 18% (1992 est.)
Debt - external: $0 (1996)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 pataca (P) = 100 avos
Exchange rates: patacas (P) per US$1 - 7.962 (1996), 8.034 (1993-95), 7.973 (1992); note - linked to the Hong Kong dollar at the rate of 1.03 patacas per Hong Kong dollar
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Macau:Communications
Telephones: 170,021 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services domestic: NA international: HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; 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.)
@Macau:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 97 km paved : 97 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Macau
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: NA
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 144,117 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 79,819 (1997 est.)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Portugal
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
MACEDONIA,Yugoslav Republic of]
@Macedonia,:Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates: 41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total : 25,333 sq km land: 24,856 sq km water: 477 sq km
Area - comparative: 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)
Climate: hot, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with 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
Elevation extremes: 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: 24% permanent crops : 2% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 39% other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 830 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: high seismic risks
Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment - international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified : none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked; major transportation corridor fromWestern and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe toWestern Europe
@Macedonia,:People
Population: 1,995,859 (July 1997 est.) note: the Macedonian government census of July 1994 put the population at 1.94 million, but ethnic allocations were likely undercounted
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24% (male 245,923; female 231,621) 15-64 years: 67% (male 670,535; female 665,556) 65 years and over : 9% (male 82,285; female 99,939) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.68% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 15.88 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 8.13 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 72.48 years male: 70.41 years female: 74.71 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups: 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
@Macedonia,:Government
Country name: conventional long form : The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija abbreviation: FYROM
Data code: MK
Government type: emerging democracy
National 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-Kisela Voda, Skopje-Gazi Baba, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Sveti Nikole, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Valandovo, Vinica note: in September 1996, the Macedonian Parliament passed legislation changing the territorial division of the country; names of the 123 new municipalities are not yet available
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) head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 4 September 1992) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - after the withdrawal of the Liberal Party (LP) from the ruling coalition in early 1996, the Council of Ministers was reorganized without LP participation elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: Kiro GLIGOROV elected president; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 and 30 October 1994 (next to be held NA November 1998) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SDSM 58, LP 29, SP 8, PDP 10, NDP 4, independents 7, other 4; note - since October 1994 elections, some members of the Assembly have changed their party affiliation; the seating as of January 1997 is as follows: SDSM 61, LP 27, SP 6, PDP 11, NDP 2, PDPA 5, independents 3, other 5
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are elected by the Judicial Council; Judicial Court of the Republic, judges are elected by the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedoniaor SDSM (former Communist Party) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president];Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP [Abdurahman ALITI, president];National Democratic Party or NDP [Ilijas HALIMI, president]; LiberalParty or LP [Stojan ANDOV, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia orSP [Ljubislav IVANOV-ZINGO, president]; Internal MacedonianRevolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian NationalUnity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljupco GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Democratic Partyor DP [Petar GOSEV, president]; Party for Democratic Prosperity ofAlbanians or PDPA [Arben XHAFFERI, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Movement for All MacedonianAction or 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, ISO, ITU, NACC, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ljubica Z. ACEVSKA chancery: 3050 K Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337 3063 FAX: [1] (202) 337 3093
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher Robert HILL (18 July 1996) embassy: Ilindenska BB, 9100 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone : [389] (91) 116-180 FAX: [389] (91) 117-103
Flag description: a rising yellow sun with 8 rays extending to the edges of the red field
Economy
Economy - 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. The economy slowly rebounded in 1996 after years of recession. Continued recovery depends on Macedonia's ability to redevelop trade ties with Greece and Serbia and Montenegro; as well as on Skopje's continued commitment to economic liberalization. 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.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.1% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $960 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 44% services : 32%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 591,773 (June 1994) by occupation: manufacturing and mining 40% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 38% (1996 est.); note - many employed workers are, in fact, furloughees
Budget: revenues : $1.06 billion expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Industries: coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 1.38 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 5.22 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,408 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Exports: total value: $900 million (1996 est.) commodities: food, beverage, tobacco 17.0%, machinery and transport equipment 13.3%, other manufactured goods 58% partners : Bulgaria, other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Italy
Imports: total value: $1.4 billion (1996 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment 19%, chemicals 14%, fuels 12% partners: other former Yugoslav republics, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, Austria
Debt - external: $1.2 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: US, $10 million (for humanitarian and technical assistance); in December 1995, the EU agreed to provide a credit line of ECU 21.7 million for investment projects
Currency: 1 Macedonian denar (MKD) = 100 deni
Exchange rates: denar per US$1 - 40.5 (September 1996), 38.8 (December 1995), 39 (November 1994), 865 (October 1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Macedonia,: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.)
@Macedonia,:Transportation
Railways: total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (232 km electrified) (1995)
Highways: total: 8,532 km paved: 5,401 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,131 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: none, lake transport only
Pipelines: 0 km
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 16 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 12 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, PoliceForce
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 532,578 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 429,419 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 16,468 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: 7 billion denars (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: dispute with Greece over name; in September 1995, Skopje and Athens signed an interim accord resolving their dispute over symbols and certain constitutional provisions; Athens also lifted its economic embargo on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Albanians in Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs and representation in government
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine ______________________________________________________________________
@Madagascar:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMozambique
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 587,040 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,500 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 4,828 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures : 41% forests and woodland: 40% other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,870 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel
@Madagascar:People
Population: 14,061,627 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 3,188,839; female 3,114,958) 15-64 years : 52% (male 3,608,508; female 3,680,574) 65 years and over: 3% (male 228,230; female 240,518) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.82% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 42.26 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 14.1 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 92 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.53 years male : 51.4 years female: 53.7 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.83 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic groups: 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: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80% male: 88% female : 73% (1990 est.)
@Madagascar:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar local short form: Madagascar former: Malagasy Republic
Data code: MA
Government type: republic
National 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 Didier RATSIRAKA; (since 10 February 1997) note - President Albert ZAFY impeached by the High Constitutional Court on 5 September 1996; Prime Minister Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY served as interim president until the election of President RATSIRAKA and then retired from the office of prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Pascal RAKOTOMAVO (since 21 February 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed by the president from a list of candidates nominated by the National Assembly election results: percent of the popular vote for president - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 50.7%, Albert ZAFY (UNDD) 49.3%; percent of the National Assembly vote for prime minister - NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate or 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; members serve four-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (138 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 16 June 1993 (next to be held 3 August 1997) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CFV coalition 76, PMDM/MFM 16, CSCD 11, Famima 10, RPSD 7, various pro-Ratsiraka groups 10, others 8 note: the Senate has never been established because the regional assemblies have not been formed and are not expected to be formed before late in 1997, following a national referendum on a new constitution
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme); High ConstitutionalCourt (Haute Cour Constitutionnelle)
Political parties and leaders: Committee of Living Forces or CFV, an alliance of National Union for Development and Democracy or UNDD [Emmanuel RAKOTOVAHINY, president], Support Committee for Democracy and Development in Madagascar or CSDDM [Francisque RAVONY, president], Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar or GRAD, Congress Party for Madagascar Independence-Renewal or AKFM-Fanavaozana [Richard ANDRIAMANJATO, president], and some 12 other parties, trade unions, and religious groups; Association of United Malagasys or Famima [Didier RATSIRAKA, leader]; Confederation of Civil Societies for Development or CSCD [Guy Willy RAZANAMASY]; Militant Party for the Development of Madagascar or PMDM/MFM, formerly the Movement for Proletarian Power [Manandafy RAKOTONIRINA]; Rally for Social Democracy or RPSD [Evariste MARSON, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Council of ChristianChurches or 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 the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pierrot Jocelyn RAJAONARIVELO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
Economy
Economy - overview: Madagascar suffers 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 33% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features the processing of agricultural products and textile manufacturing. Growth in output in 1992-95 averaged only 1.4%, less than half the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee demand, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. Formidable obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential; the extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $880 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 33% industry: 15% services: 52% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 47% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 4.9 million by occupation : agriculture 45,500, domestic service 29,750, industry 26,250, commerce 24,500, construction 19,250, service 15,750, transportation 10,500, other 3,500 (1985 est.) note: 175,000 workers (3.6% of the total work force) earn money wages; 4,725,000 workers receive no monetary wage (of these, 91% are engaged in subsistence agriculture)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $250 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $180 million (1991 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (1993 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 208,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 450 million kWh (1991)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 36 kWh (1992)
Agriculture - products: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Exports: total value: $493 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products (1995 est.) partners : France 41%, US, Japan, Italy (1995)
Imports: total value: $612 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities : intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% (1995 est.) partners: France 40%, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, US (1995)
Debt - external: $4.4 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $454 million (1992-96)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 3,950 (November 1996), 3,974.9 (August 1996), 4,265.6 (1995), 3,067.3 (1994), 1,913.8 (1993), 1,864.0 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Madagascar: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.)
@Madagascar:Transportation
Railways: total : 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 49,837 km paved: 5,731 km unpaved : 44,106 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Canal des Pangalanes
Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga,Toamasina, Toliara
Merchant marine: total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,624 GRT/28,621 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1996 est.)
Airports: 105 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 58 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 31 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 47 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 45 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces,Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force),Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,204,200 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,903,268 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 136,216 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $29 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin ______________________________________________________________________
@Malawi:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 118,480 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,400 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May toNovember)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Mount Mlanje Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 20% forests and woodland: 39% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked
@Malawi:People
Population: 9,609,081 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years : 46% (male 2,210,871; female 2,190,564) 15-64 years: 51% (male 2,430,178; female 2,520,608) 65 years and over: 3% (male 109,010; female 147,850) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 40.79 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 25.08 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: the return of refugees to Mozambique is apparently complete
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 138.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 35.26 years male: 34.86 years female: 35.68 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.77 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups: 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), other languages important regionally
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 56.4% male: 71.9% female: 41.8% (1995 est.)
@Malawi:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland
Data code: MI
Government type: multiparty democracy
National capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga(Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, NkhataBay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6 July (1966)
Constitution: 18 May 1995
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: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet named by the president elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held by May 1999) election results: Bakili MULUZI elected president; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (177 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held by May 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDF 84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5; note - because of defections and byelections, the seats in the National Assembly were held at the end of the year as follows: UDF 84, MCP 47, AFORD 34, independents 8, and vacant 4 note : the constitution of 18 May 1995, in addition to reducing the age at which universal suffrage is conferred from 21 to 18 years, provided for a bicameral legislature; by 1999, in addition to the existing 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 or UDF [Bakili MULUZI]opposition groups: Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA];Congress for the Second Republic or CSR [Kanyama CHIUME]; MalawiCongress Party or MCP [Hastings KAMURU BANDA, president/GwandaCHAKAUMBA, vice president]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [KampeloKALUA, president]; People Democratic Party or PDP [Rolf PATEL]; SocialDemocratic Party or SDP [Eston KAKHOME, 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,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007
Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy
Economy - 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 45% 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.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $800 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 45% industry: 30% services: 25% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 83.3% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 3.5 million by occupation : agriculture 86%, wage earners 14% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $530 million expenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129 million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 190,000 kW (1993)
Electricity - production: 782 million kWh (1993)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 67 kWh (1993)
Agriculture - products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: total value : $431 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports: total value: $348 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment partners : South Africa, Zimbabwe, Japan, US, UK, Germany
Debt - external: $2.2 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: donor pledges, $332 million (1996)
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwacha (MK) per US$1 - 15.3118 (September 1996), 15.2837 (1995), 8.7364 (1994), 4.4028 (1993), 3.6033 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Malawi:Communications
Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: domestic : fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.011 million (1995)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)
Televisions: NA
@Malawi:Transportation
Railways: total: 789 km narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 49,837 km paved : 5,731 km unpaved: 44,106 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km
Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota
Airports: 41 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 4 under 914 m: 20 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 14 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment),Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,163,056 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,106,487 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $10.4 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) ______________________________________________________________________
@Malaysia:Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 329,750 sq km land : 328,550 sq km water: 1,200 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast(October to February) monsoons
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 12% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 68% other : 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,400 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification
Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
@Malaysia:People
Population: 20,491,303 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 3,776,400; female 3,587,445) 15-64 years: 60% (male 6,153,173; female 6,171,287) 65 years and over: 4% (male 350,523; female 452,475) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.15% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 26.94 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 5.43 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population : 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 23.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population : 70.06 years male: 67.08 years female: 73.22 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 26%, Indian 7%, others 9%
Religions: Peninsular Malaysia - Muslim (Malays), Buddhist (Chinese),Hindu (Indians); Sabah - Muslim 38%, Christian 17%, other 45%; Sarawak- tribal religion 35%, Buddhist and Confucianist 24%, Muslim 20%,Christian 16%, other 5%
Languages: Peninsular Malaysia - Malay (official), English, Chinesedialects, Tamil; Sabah - English, Malay, numerous tribal dialects,Chinese (Mandarin and Hakka dialects predominate); Sarawak - English,Malay, Mandarin, numerous tribal languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 89.1% female : 78.1% (1995 est.)
@Malaysia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former : Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Government type: constitutional monarchy note: Federation of Malaysia formed 9 July 1963; nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament; Peninsular Malaysian states - hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, where governors are appointed by Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; Sabah - self-governing state, holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak - self-governing state, holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government
National capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, 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)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1994) head of government : Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ANWAR bin Ibrahim (since 1 December 1993) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the paramount ruler from among the members of Parliament elections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 4 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister appointed by the paramount ruler election results: TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman elected paramount ruler; percent of vote - NA; Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected deputy paramount ruler; percent of vote - NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 elected by the state legislatures; elected members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (192 seats; members elected by popular vote directly weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) elections : Senate - last held NA April 1995 (next to be held by 2000); House of Representatives - last held 24-25 April 1995 (next to be held by 2000) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - National Front 63%, other 37%; seats by party - National Front 162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Spirit of '46 6
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount ruler
Political parties and leaders:Peninsular Malaysia: National Front, a confederation of 14 politicalparties dominated by United Malays National Organization Baru (UMNOBaru), MAHATHIR bin Mohamad; Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), LINGLiong Sik; Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, LIM Keng Yaik; Malaysian IndianCongress (MIC), S. Samy VELLU; major opposition parties are PartiIslam SeMalaysia (PAS), Ustaz Fadzil Mohamed NOOR and the DemocraticAction Party (DAP), CHEN Man HinSabah : National Front, dominated by the UMNO; Sabah Progressive Party(SAPP), Datuk YONG Teck Lee; Parti Democratic Sabah (PDS), BernardDOMPOK; Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Datuk Joseph KURUPSarawak: National Front, composed of the Party Pesaka BumiputraBersatu (PBB), Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud; Sarawak UnitedPeople's Party (SUPP), Datuk Amar Stephen YONG Kuat Tze; SarawakNational Party (SNAP), Datuk Amar James WONG; Parti Bansa DayakSarawak (PBDS), Datuk Leo MOGGIE; major opposition party is DemocraticAction Party (DAP), LIM Kit Siangnote: subsequent to the election, the following parties were dissolved- Spirit of '46 (Semangat '46), Tengku Tan Sri RAZALEIGH, president,and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS), Datuk Seri JosephPAIRIN Kitingan
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC,CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM III,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador DALI Mahmud Hashim chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2700 FAX : [1] (202) 483-7661 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador John R. MALOTT embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur or American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 248-9011 FAX : [60] (3) 242-2207
Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Economy
Economy - overview: The Malaysian economy, a mixture of private enterprise and public management, has posted a remarkable record of 9% average annual growth in 1988-96. This growth has resulted in a substantial reduction in poverty and a marked rise in real wages. In 1996 manufactured goods exports expanded less rapidly than in previous years because of the global slump in electronics; nonetheless, foreign investors continue to commit large sums in the economy. The government is aware of the inflationary potential of this rapid development and is closely monitoring fiscal and monetary policies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $214.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 8.2% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,750 (1996 est.)