GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 45% services: 41% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3.5% (1996)
Labor force: total: 8.398 million (1996 est.) by occupation: manufacturing 25%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 21%, local trade and tourism 17%, services 12%, government 11%, construction 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $22.6 billion expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.3 billion (1996 est.)
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging, petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (1994)
Electricity - capacity: 7.83 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 37.85 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,983 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: Peninsular Malaysia - natural rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconut, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber
Exports: total value: $84.6 billion (1996) commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles partners : US 21%, Singapore 20%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 5%, UK 4%, Thailand 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Imports: total value: $83.2 billion (1996) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food partners: Japan 27%, US 16%, Singapore 12%, Taiwan 5%, Germany 4%, South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt - external: $27.5 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $45 million (1993)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 2.4914 (January 1997), 2.5158 (1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994), 2.5741 (1993), 2.5474 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Malaysia:Communications
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 33
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
@Malaysia:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,806 km (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km; Sabah 134 km; Sarawak 0 km) narrow gauge: 1,806 km 1.000-m gauge (Peninsular Malaysia 1,672 km; Sabah 134 km)
Highways: total: 93,975 km paved: 70,481 km (including 575 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,494 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km,Sarawak 2,518 km)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports and harbors: Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching, Kudat, Labuan,Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, Port Dickson, PortKelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjong Berhala, Tanjong Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine: total: 299 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,904,915 GRT/5,860,095 DWT ships by type: bulk 51, cargo 103, chemical tanker 16, combination bulk 3, container 35, liquefied gas tanker 16, oil tanker 62, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 6 (1996 est.)
Airports: 106 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 99 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m : 6 under 914 m: 73 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 2 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, RoyalMalaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police,Sarawak Border Scouts
Military manpower - military age: 21 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,280,741 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 3,201,235 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 184,351 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.5 billion (1997)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; State of Sabah claimed by the Philippines; Brunei may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides Brunei into two parts; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to Western markets despite severe penalties for drug trafficking ______________________________________________________________________
@Maldives:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone : 35-310 nm as defined by geographic coordinates; segment of zone coincides with maritime boundary with India territorial sea : 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November toMarch); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point : unnamed location on Wilingili 24 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland : 3% other: 84% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
@Maldives:People
Population: 280,391 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 67,967; female 64,643) 15-64 years : 50% (male 71,316; female 67,993) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,534; female 3,938) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.47% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 40.98 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.86 years male: 65.23 years female: 68.58 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.95 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived fromArabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 93.3% female: 93% (1995 est.)
@Maldives:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form : Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
National capital: Male (Maale)
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu,Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu,Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani,Thaa, Vaavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majilis elections : president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held NA October 1998) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of Majlis vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48 seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results : percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by Ahmed ZAKI
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
Economy
Economy - overview: During the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of the economy. In 1994, tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounted for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. The Maldivian Government initiated an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. In 1994, industry which consisted mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted for about 15% of GDP.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $423 million (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.8% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,620 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21.5% industry: 15.3% services: 63.2% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 56,435 (1990 est.) by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%, services 21%, manufacturing and construction 21%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 16%, transportation and communication 10%, other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 18,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 40 million kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 163 kWh (1994 est.)
Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fishing
Exports: total value: $50 million (f.o.b., 199) commodities: fish, clothing partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: total value : $268 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products partners : Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand
Debt - external: $137.5 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (January 1997), 11.770 (1996), 11.770 (1995), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Maldives:Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: inter-atoll communication primarily through HF transceivers and VHF/UHF telephones international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
@Maldives:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine: total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,079 GRT/108,455 DWT ships by type: cargo 17, oil tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 0
Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 61,408 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 34,245 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Mali:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total : 1.24 million sq km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total : 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Senegal River 23 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 25% forests and woodland: 6% other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Nuclear Test Ban
Geography - note: landlocked
@Mali:People
Population: 9,788,904 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 2,329,669; female 2,307,248) 15-64 years: 50% (male 2,287,769; female 2,546,981) 65 years and over : 3% (male 150,732; female 166,505) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.18% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 50.26 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 19.52 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 124 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.56 years male: 45.25 years female : 47.9 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.09 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%,Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31% male: 39.4% female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
@Mali:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Government type: republic
National capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao,Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since NA March 1994) cabinet : Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of vote - Alpha Oumar KONARE 85.15%, Mamadou DIABY 4.09%, other 10.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (116 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 March 1992 (next to be held in two rounds on 20 July and 3 August 1997) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADEMA 76, CNID 9, US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA[Ibrahim N'DIAYE]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID[Mountaga TALL]; Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA[Mamadou Madeira KEITA]; Popular Movement for the Development of theRepublic of West Africa; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP[Almamy SYLLA]; Union for Democracy and Development or UDD [MoussaBalla COULIBALY]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT; Union ofDemocratic Forces for Progress or UFDP [Dembo DIALLO]; Party forDemocracy and Progress or PDP [Idrissa TRAORE]; Malian Union forDemocracy and Development or UMDD; Movement for the Independence,Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [Mohammed LamineTRAORE]
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Fronts ofAzawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Kaye or MPGK
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH chancery : 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] 22 54 70 FAX : [223] 22 37 12
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy - overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. Nonetheless the government has successfully implemented an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African Franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996 and the government projects that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.2% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 17% services: 34% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 12.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.666 million (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues : $730 million expenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1994)
Electricity - capacity: 84,100 kW (1990)
Electricity - production: 235 million kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 28 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: total value: $320 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: cotton, livestock, gold partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports: total value : $422 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials, petroleum, textiles partners: mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Debt - external: $2.8 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Mali:Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service domestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, and radiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radio relay in progress international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
@Mali:Transportation
Railways: total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes) narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 14,776 km paved : 1,773 km unpaved: 13,003 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 24 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m : 7 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard,National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,976,414 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,129,765 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $66 million (1994)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.2% (1994)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Malta:Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south ofSicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total : 320 sq km land: 320 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone : 25 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Dingli Cliffs 245 m
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland : NA% other: 59% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified : Biodiversity, Desertification
Geography - note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
@Malta:People
Population: 377,177 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years : 21% (male 41,207; female 39,041) 15-64 years: 67% (male 127,553; female 126,355) 65 years and over: 12% (male 18,202; female 24,819) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.68% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 12.47 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.44 years male: 75.16 years female: 79.87 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 88% male: 88% female: 88% (1985)
@Malta:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994) head of government : Prime Minister Dr. Alfred SANT (since 28 October 1996); Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dr. George VELLA (since 29 October 1996) cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1994 (next to be held by NA April 1999); following House of Representatives elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term election results: Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total: 69 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections : last held 26 October 1996 (next to be held by October 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - MLP 50.7%, NP 46.5%; seats by party - NP 34, MLP 31 (MLP 35, NP 34 after adjustment)
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party or NP [Edward FENECHADAMI]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC (observer), NAM, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Albert Borg Olivier DE PUGET chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612 FAX : [1] (202) 387-5470 consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles N. PATTERSON, Jr. embassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta telephone : [356] 235960 FAX: [356] 223322
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red
Economy
Economy - overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, industry (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1995, over 1.1 million tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of $12,600 places Malta in the range of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $12,600 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 34% services : 61% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3% (1996)
Labor force: total : 148,085 (September 1996) by occupation: public services 37%, other services 28%, manufacturing and construction 25%, agriculture 2% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.7% (September 1996)
Budget: revenues : $1.66 billion expenditures: $1.69 billion, including capital expenditures of $633 million (1996 est.)
Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 405,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 1.41 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Exports: total value: $1.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed matter partners: Italy 32%, Germany 16%, UK 8%
Imports: total value: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods partners: Italy 27%, Germany 14%, UK 13%, US 9%
Debt - external: $134 million (1996)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3677 (January 1997), 0.3604 (1996), 0.3529 (1995), 0.3776 (1994), 0.3821 (1993), 0.3178 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Malta:Communications
Telephones: 191,876 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international : 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 189,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1996 est.)
Televisions: 300,000 (1996 est.)
@Malta:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total : 1,582 km paved: 1,471 km unpaved: 111 km (1993 est.)
Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine: total : 1,128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,806,358 GRT/31,554,713 DWT ships by type: bulk 314, cargo 353, chemical tanker 32, combination bulk 27, combination ore/oil 13, container 43, liquefied gas tanker 2, livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oil tanker 224, passenger 7, passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 31, roll-on/roll-off cargo 37, short-sea passenger 22, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 12 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 46 countries among which are Greece 478, Croatia 52, Switzerland 48, Russia 46, Italy 44, Norway 37, Turkey 28, Germany 23, UK 22, and Ukraine 20 (1996 est.)
Airports: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m : 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 99,032 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 78,710 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $65.5 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________
(British crown dependency)
@Man, Isle of:Geography
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between GreatBritain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total : 588 sq km land: 588 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 620 m
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
@Man, Isle of:People
Population: 74,504 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 6,681; female 6,427) 15-64 years: 65% (male 24,225; female 24,102) 65 years and over : 17% (male 5,198; female 7,871) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.86% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 12.48 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 11.89 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.36 years male: 73.79 years female : 81.09 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian,Society of Friends
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: NA
@Man, Isle of:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man
Data code: IM
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: NA
National capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system: English law and local statute
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir Timothy DAUNT (since NA 1995) head of government: President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990) cabinet : Council of Ministers elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; lieutenant governor appointed by the queen for a five-year term; president of the Legislative Council elected by the Tynwald for a NA-year term; election last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: Sir Charles KERRUISH elected president of the Legislative Council; percent of legislative vote - NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Keys - last held NA November 1991 (next to be held NA 1996) election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 24
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice, justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system; members sit as independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crown dependency)
Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Economy
Economy - overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking now contributes about 45% to GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $780 million (1994 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,800 (1994 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7% (1992 est.)
Labor force: total: 33,189 (1991) by occupation: manufacturing 11%, construction 11%, transport and communication 6%, retail distribution 9%, professional and scientific services 17%, public administration 7%, banking and finance 8%
Unemployment rate: 1% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $333.7 million expenditures: $333.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: NA kW
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports: $NA commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb partners : UK
Imports: $NA commodities : timber, fertilizers, fish partners: UK
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Manx pound (£M) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (£M) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Man, Isle of:Communications
Telephones: 41,000 (1995)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: NA
@Man, Isle of:Transportation
Railways: total : 52 km (27 km electrified)
Highways: total: 640 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 320 km
Ports and harbors: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine: total: 106 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,679,710 GRT/4,450,358 DWT ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, combination bulk 1, container 14, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 22, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 16, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 3 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 11 ships, Switzerland 2, South Africa 1, Denmark 1, and Netherlands 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Marshall Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North PacificOcean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 181.3 sq km land: 181.3 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein
Area - comparative: about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 12 nm
Climate: wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: 60% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
@Marshall Islands:People
Population: 60,652 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 15,550; female 14,926) 15-64 years : 48% (male 14,732; female 14,032) 65 years and over: 2% (male 662; female 750) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.85% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 45.54 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 7.07 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 45.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.14 years male: 62.57 years female: 65.79 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.78 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups: Micronesian
Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 93% male: 100% female: 88% (1980 est.)
@Marshall Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form : Marshall Islands former: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Data code: RM
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
National capital: Majuro
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the MarshallIslands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution: 1 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 14 January 1997 (next to be held NA January 2000); note - Imata KABUA elected to succeed and complete the term of the late President Amata KABUA election results : Imata KABUA elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 63%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : last held 14 January 1997 (next to be held NA 2000; note - new elections will be held upon the completion of the term of the late President Amata KABUA) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA note : the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Our Islands Party, leader NA, and Ralik/Ratak Democratic Party (RRDP), Ramsey REIMERS
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 consulate(s) general : Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED embassy: Oceanside, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379; Majuro, 20521-4380 (pouch) telephone : [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Economy
Economy - overview: Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry is the primary source of foreign exchange, employs about 10% of the labor force, and remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. The government is drafting economic reforms designed to increase revenue and compensate for reductions in US Government grants - in 1994, the US Government provided grants of $50 million, equal to 55% of the Marshall Islands' GDP. About 25% of the government's FY95/96 budget was devoted to debt repayment. In 1996, efforts to stabilize the economy included a 27% reduction in the government's work force and a 10% cut in the budget.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $94 million (1995 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,680 (1995 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 14% services : 70% (1994)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total : 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.)
Budget: revenues : $67.2 million expenditures: $79.6 million, including capital expenditures of $21.6 million (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 16,000 kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 57 million kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Exports: total value: $21.3 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: fish, coconut oil, live animals, trochus shells partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports: total value: $69.9 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco partners: US, Japan, Australia
Debt - external: $170 million (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $40 million in aid annually