Imports: total value : $88.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities: metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts partners : US 74.8%, Japan 5.1%, Germany 3.65%, Canada 1.4%, France 1.1% (1996 est.)
Debt - external: $170 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $85 million (1993) note : US commitments, (Emergency Stabilization Fund), $13.5 billion; IMF, $13 billion (1995-96)
Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 7.8270 (January 1997), 7.6009 (1996), 6.4194 (1995), 3.3751 (1994), 3.1156 (1993), 3,094.9 (1992) note: the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new peso = 1,000 old pesos
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Mexico:Communications
Telephones: 11,890,868 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed system with extensive microwave radio relay links; privatized in December 1990 domestic: adequate telephone service for business and government, but the population is poorly served; domestic satellite system with 120 earth stations; extensive microwave radio relay network international : satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean); launched Solidaridad I satellite in November 1993 and Solidaridad II in October 1994, giving Mexico improved access to South America, Central America and much of the US as well as enhancing domestic communications; linked to Central American Microwave System of trunk connections
Radio broadcast stations: AM 679, FM 0, shortwave 22
Radios: 22.5 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 238
Televisions: 13.1 million (1992 est.)
@Mexico:Transportation
Railways: total: 20,567 km standard gauge: 20,477 km 1.435-m gauge (246 km electrified) narrow gauge : 90 km 0.914-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total : 249,520 km paved: 93,071 km (including 5,920 km of expressways) unpaved: 156,449 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals
Pipelines: crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254 km; petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports and harbors: Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada,Guaymas, La Paz, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Progreso,Salina Cruz, Tampico, Topolobampo, Tuxpan, Veracruz
Merchant marine: total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 899,032 GRT/1,297,346 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 1, container 4, liquefied gas tanker 7, oil tanker 29, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 3 (1996 est.)
Airports: 1,415 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1,003 over 3,047 m : 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 92 914 to 1,523 m: 71 under 914 m : 805 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 412 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 362 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Defense (includes Army and Air Force),Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 24,518,142 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 17,857,361 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 1,062,640 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.56 billion (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (1997 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of increased government eradication; major supplier of heroin and marijuana to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America; increasingly involved in the production and distribution of methamphetamines ______________________________________________________________________
MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OFStates of]
@Micronesia, Federated States of:Geography
Location: Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 702 sq km land : 702 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae
Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 6,112 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Terrain: islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Totolom 791 m
Natural resources: forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use: arable land : NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: four major island groups totaling 607 islands
@Micronesia, Federated States of:People
Population: 127,616 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : 35% (est.) 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.33% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years : NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 35.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.18 years male: 66.21 years female: 70.18 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic groups: nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other and none 3%
Languages: English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian,Yapese, Kosrean
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male : 91% female: 88% (1980 est.)
@Micronesia, Federated States of:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none former: Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) abbreviation: FSM
Data code: FM
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986
National capital: Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei) note: a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir valley
Administrative divisions: 4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap
Independence: 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UNTrusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution: 10 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 Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. SALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term head of government: President Jacob NENA (acting president since NA July 1996, president since 9 May 1997); Vice President Leo A. SALCAM (since 9 May 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Vice President Jacob NENA became acting president in July 1996 after President Bailey OLTER suffered a stroke; OLTER was declared incapacitated in November 1996; as provided for by the constitution, 180 days later, with OLTER still unable to resume his duties, NENA was sworn in as the new president; he will serve for the remaining two years of OLTER's term cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators-at-large for four-year terms; election last held 11 May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1999); note - because of the vacancy to the post of vice president created after NENA left to become acting president, a new election to fill the position for the remaining two years of the term was held on 9 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 1999) election results: Bailey OLTER reelected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Leo A. SALCAM elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress (14 seats; members elected by popular vote; four - one elected from each of state - to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population - to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 7 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: no formal parties
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, G-77, IBRD,ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Intelsat, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU chancery : 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Cheryl MARTIN embassy: address NA, Kolonia mailing address : P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186
Flag description: light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern
Economy
Economy - overview: Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in the islands in the 1990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $205 million (1994 est.) note: GDP is supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,700 (1994 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 4% (1994 est.)
Labor force: NA by occupation: two-thirds are government employees
Unemployment rate: 27% (1989)
Budget: revenues: $45 million expenditures: $31 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 38,500 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens
Exports: total value: $29.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities : fish, garments, bananas, black pepper partners: Japan, US, Guam
Imports: total value: $141.1 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.) commodities: food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages partners: US, Japan, Australia
Debt - external: $129 million
Economic aid: recipient: under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Micronesia, Federated States of:Communications
Telephones: 960
Telephone system: domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 1
Radios: 17,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 1,290 (1993 est.)
@Micronesia, Federated States of:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 235 km paved: 41 km unpaved: 194 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Colonia (Yap), Kolonia (Pohnpei), Lele, Moen
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 5 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m : 4 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
(territory of the US)
@Midway Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo
Geographic coordinates: 28 13 N, 177 22 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 5.2 sq km land : 5.2 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Eastern Island and Sand Island
Area - comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds
Terrain: low, nearly level
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 4 m
Natural resources: fish, wildlife
Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - note: a coral atoll; closed to the public
@Midway Islands:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are 453 US military personnel (July 1995 est.)
@Midway Islands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands
Data code: MQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently undergoing transfer of accountability and responsibility to the US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy - overview: The economy is based on providing support services for remaining activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity - capacity: NA kW note: electricity supplied by the US military
Electricity - production: NA kWh note : electricity supplied by the US military
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
@Midway Islands:Communications
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
@Midway Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 32 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: 7.8 km
Ports and harbors: Sand Island
Airports: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Moldova:Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area: total: 33,700 sq km land : 33,700 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii
Land boundaries: total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Nistru River 2 m highest point: Mount Balaneshty 430 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use: arable land: 53% permanent crops: 14% permanent pastures: 13% forests and woodland: 13% other : 7% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,110 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked
@Moldova:People
Population: 4,457,206 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 580,839; female 560,784) 15-64 years: 65% (male 1,384,380; female 1,503,831) 65 years and over: 9% (male 158,886; female 268,486) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.02% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 14.32 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 12.33 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.15 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: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.25 years male : 59.46 years female: 69.29 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%,Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 figures)note : internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in theNistru region and Gagauz Turks in the south
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991) note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldavian
Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 99% female: 94% (1989 est.)
@Moldova:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form : none former: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Data code: MD
Government type: republic
National capital: Chisinau
Administrative divisions: previously divided into 40 rayons; new districts possible under new constitution of 1994
Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution: new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces oldSoviet constitution of 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and OSCE documents
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state : President Petru LUCINSCHI (since 15 January 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Ion CIUBUC (since 15 January 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Ion GUTU (since NA April 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 1996; runoff election 1 December 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament election results: Petru LUCINSCHI ran against Mircea SNEGUR and was elected president; percent of vote - LUCINSCHI 54%, SNEGUR 46%; Prime Minister Ion CIUBU was appointed by the president 15 January 1997 and was elected by a parliamentary vote of 75-15 on 24 January 1997
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (104 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : last held 27 February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDAM 56, Socialist/Yedinstvo Bloc 28, Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc 11, FPCDM 9; note - seats as of June-July 1995 were as follows: PDAM 45, PSM/UN 28, Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc 11, PRCM 11, FPCDM 9 note : the comparative breakdown of seats by faction is approximate
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Popular Front or FPCDM (formerly Moldovan Popular Front) [Iurie ROSCA, chairman]; Socialist Unity Faction or US of the Socialist Party of Moldova or PSM; Social Democratic Party of Moldova or PSDM [Anatol TARAN, chairman]; Agrarian Democratic Party of Moldova or PDAM [Dumitru MOTPAN, chairman]; Peasants and Intellectuals Bloc [Lidia ISTRATI, chairwoman]; Liberal Party of Modova or PLM [Mircea RUSU, chairman]; Socialist Party of Moldova or PSM [Valeriu SENIC and Victor MOREV, cochairmen]; Party of Rivival and Conciliation of Moldova or PRCM [Mircea SNEGUR, chairman]; Moldovan Party of Democratic Forces or PFDM [Valeriu MATEI, chairman]; Party for Social Progress or PPSM [Eugen SOBOR, chairman]; Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; Civic Unity [Vladimir SOLONARI]
Political pressure groups and leaders: The Ecology Movement of Moldovaor EMM [Alecu RENITSA, chairman]; The Christian Democratic League ofWomen of Moldova or CDLWM [Lidia ISTRATI, chairwoman]; NationalChristian Party of Moldova or NCPM [V. NIKU, leader]; The PeoplesMovement Gagauz Khalky or GKh [S. GULGAR, leader]; The DemocraticParty of Gagauzia or DPG [G. SAVOSTIN, chairman]; The Alliance ofWorking People of Moldova or AWPM [G. POLOGOV, president]; LiberalConvention of Moldova (now the Liberal Party); Association of Victimsof Repression [Alexander USATIUC]; Christian Democratic YouthOrganization [Valeriu BARBA]; National Youth League [ValeriuSTRELETS]; Union of Youth of Moldova [Petru GAVTON]
International organization participation: BIS, BSEC, CCC, CE, CEI, CIS, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae TAU chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Todd STEWART embassy : Strada Alexei Mateevicie #103, Chisinau 277014 mailing address: use embassy street address; pouch address - American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7080 telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72, RNX (plus extension) FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44
Flag description: same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy
Economy - overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Moldovan Government has recently been making progress on an ambitious economic reform agenda, and the IMF has called Moldova a model for the region. As part of its reform efforts, Moldova introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed their steady privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. With the election of President LUCINSCHI in December 1996, it is unclear how rapidly the reforms will be pushed.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.8 billion (1996 estimate extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,400 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 48% industry: 28% services: 24% (1994)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 15% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.03 million (January 1994) by occupation: agriculture 39.5%, industry 12.0%, other 48.5% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 1.4% (includes only officially registered unemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (January 1996)
Budget: revenues: $570 million expenditures: $645 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 3.222 million kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 1.4 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 324 kWh (1996 est.)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; meat, milk
Exports: total value: $775 million (1996) commodities: foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery partners : Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Romania, Germany
Imports: total value: $1.048 billion (1996) commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other consumer durables partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany
Debt - external: $950.7 million (of which $240 million to Russia) (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: commitments, $1,335 million ($500 million disbursements), 1992-95
Currency: the Moldovan leu (MLD) (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993
Exchange rates: lei (MLD) per US$1 (end of period) - 4.6870 (January 1997), 4.6743 (1996), 4.4990 (1995), 4.2700 (1994), 3.6400 (1993), 0.4145 (1992); period average - 4.6121 (August 1996), 4.4958 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Moldova:Communications
Telephones: 600,000 (1996 est.)
Telephone system: telecommunication system not well developed; 215,000 unsatisfied requests for telephone service (1991 est.); in early 1997, Chisinau was considering privatizing its state-owned telephone company domestic: NA international: international connections to other former Soviet republics by landline and microwave radio relay through Ukraine and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; satellite earth stations - 1 Eutelsat and 1 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5, shortwave NA (1994)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 2 (one national and one private) (1995)
Televisions: NA
@Moldova:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,328 km broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways: total: 12,259 km paved: 10,690 km unpaved: 1,569 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 424 km (1994)
Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 26 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m : 3 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 5 under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, RepublicSecurity Forces (internal and border troops)
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,134,619 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 894,337 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 37,689 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: 203 million lei (1995); 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: certain territory of Moldova and Ukraine - including Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina - are considered by Bucharest as historically a part of Romania; this territory was incorporated into the former Soviet Union following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1940
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and Russia ______________________________________________________________________
@Monaco:Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total : 1.9 sq km land: 1.9 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about three times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea : 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (urban area)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: second smallest independent state in world (afterHoly See); almost entirely urban
@Monaco:People
Population: 31,892 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17% (male 2,731; female 2,671) 15-64 years : 63% (male 9,856; female 10,392) 65 years and over: 20% (male 2,288; female 3,954) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.49% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 10.66 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 12.01 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth : 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.24 years male: 74.59 years female: 82.07 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy: NA
@Monaco:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Principality of Monaco conventional short form: Monaco local long form: Principaute de Monaco local short form : Monaco
Data code: MN
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Monaco
Administrative divisions: 4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier);Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence: 1419 (rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday: National Day, 19 November
Constitution: 17 December 1962
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir Apparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958) head of government: Minister of State Michel LEVEQUE (since 3 February 1997) cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the prince elections: none; the prince is a hereditary monarch; minister of state appointed by the prince from a list of three French national candidates presented by the French Government
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 24 and 31 January 1993 (next to be held NA January 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - National and Democratic Union 15, other 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme
Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union or UND[Jean-Louis CAMPORA]
International organization participation: ACCT, ECE, IAEA, ICAO, ICRM,IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Monaco does not have an embassy in the US consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) honorary consulate(s): Dallas, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France) is accredited to Monaco
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white (top) and red
Economy
Economy - overview: Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. About 55% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: total: 30,540 (1 January 1994)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1994)
Budget: revenues: $570.4 million expenditures: $570.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 10,000 kW standby note: electricity imported from France
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: none
Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4169(January 1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Monaco:Communications
Telephones: 53,180 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: automatic telephone system domestic : NA international: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable into the French communications system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 30,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 22,000 (1992 est.)
@Monaco:Transportation
Railways: total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways: total : 43 km paved: 43 km unpaved : 0 km (1995 est.)
Ports and harbors: Monaco
Merchant marine: none
Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
@Mongolia:Geography
Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total : 1.565 million sq km land: 1.565 million sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 8,114 km border countries: China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Tavan Bogd Uul 4,374 m
Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use: arable land : 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 80% forests and woodland: 9% other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: dust storms can occur in the spring; grassland fires
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; policies of the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization and industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal and the concentration of factories in Ulaanbaatar have severely polluted the air; deforestation, overgrazing, the converting of virgin land to agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China andRussia
@Mongolia:People
Population: 2,538,211 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38% (male 485,760; female 471,005) 15-64 years: 58% (male 743,194; female 743,529) 65 years and over : 4% (male 40,621; female 54,102) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.62% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 24.57 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 8.41 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 : 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 68 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.1 years male: 59.1 years female : 63.2 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups: Mongol 90%, Kazak 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4% note: previously limited religious activity because of communist regime
Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.9% male : 88.6% female: 77.2% (1988 est.)
@Mongolia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Mongolia local long form: none local short form : Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia
Data code: MG
Government type: republic
National capital: Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor,Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan,Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay,Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China)
National holiday: National Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution: 12 February 1992
Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state : President Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 3 September 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN (since 18 July 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural elections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held 19 May 1997); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural election results: Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDP and MSDP) reelected president; percent of vote - Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT 57.8%, Lodongiyn TUDEV (MPRP) NA%; Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN elected prime minister; percent of State Great Hural vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - DUC 66%, MPRP 33%, MCP 1%; seats by party - DUC 50 (MNDP 34, MSDP 13, independents 3), MPRP 25, MCP 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts, but to date rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts, judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by the Great Hural
Political parties and leaders: Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), N. ENHBAYAR, general secretary; Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN, general secretary (includes Mongolian National Democratic Party or MNDP, M. ENHSAIHAN, chairman; Mongolian Social Democratic Party or MSDP, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJI, chairman; Green Party, leader NA; and Mongolian Democratic Party of Believers or MDPB, leader NA); Mongolian Conservative Party (MCP), leader NA; Democratic Power Coalition, D. BYAMBASUREN, chairman (includes Mongolian Democratic Renaissance Party or MDRP, BYAMBASUREN, chairman, and Mongolian People's Party or MPP, leader NA); Mongolian National Solidarity Party (MNSP), leader NA; Bourgeois Party/Capitalist Party, VARGALSAIHAN, chairman; United Heritage Party (UHP), B. JAMTSAI (includes United Party of Herdsman and Farmers, leader NA; Independence Party, leader NA; Traditional United Conservative Party, leader NA; and Mongolian United Private Property Owners Party, leader NA); Workers' Party, leader NA
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM (observer),UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jalbuugiyn CHOINHOR chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX : [1] (202) 298-9227 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Llewellyn HEDGBETH embassy: inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the Selbe Gol, Ulaanbaatar mailing address: c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002 telephone : [976] (1) 329095, 329606 FAX: [976] (1) 320776
Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red, centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)
Economy
Economy - overview: The new government has embraced free-market economics, freezing spending, easing price controls, liberalizing domestic and international trade. Mongolia's severe climate, scattered population, and wide expanses of unproductive land, however, have constrained economic development. Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and the breeding of livestock. In past years extensive mineral resources had been developed with Soviet support; total Soviet assistance at its height amounted to 30% of GDP. The mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. The dramatic drop in the price of copper which accounts for half of the country's export earnings, has held back economic growth. The Mongolian leadership also has been soliciting support from international financial agencies and foreign investors. The economy, however, has still not recovered from the loss of Soviet aid. The country continues to suffer substantial economic hardships, with one-fourth of the population below the poverty line.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,060 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 35% services: 37% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 53% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 1.115 million (mid-1993 est.) by occupation : primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures : $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularly coal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 900,000 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 3.07 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,215 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses
Exports: total value: $400 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities : copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals partners: former CMEA countries 30%, China 15%, EU 9% (1995)
Imports: total value: $473 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities : machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea partners: former CMEA countries 56%, China 9%, EU 8% (1995)
Debt - external: $500 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA; US, $9.5 million (1995 est.)
Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 709.54 (January 1997), 548.40 (1996), 448.61 (1995), 412.72 (1994), 42.56 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Mongolia:Communications
Telephones: 89,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian OceanRegion)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 220,000
Television broadcast stations: 1 (provincial repeaters 18)
Televisions: 120,000 (1993 est.)
@Mongolia:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,928 km broad gauge: 1,928 km 1.524-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total : 49,200 km paved: 1,120 km unpaved: 48,080 km (1995 est.) note: much of the unpaved rural road system consists of rough cross-country tracks
Waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 34 (1994 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 under 914 m : 1 (1994 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m : 5 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal SecurityForces and Frontier Guards), Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 659,173 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 430,482 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 27,723 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $22.8 million (1992)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (1992)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
(dependent territory of the UK)
@Montserrat:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of PuertoRico
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total : 100 sq km land: 100 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Elevation extremes: lowest point : Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Chances Peak 914 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land : 20% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 10% forests and woodland: 40% other: 30% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996)
Environment - current issues: land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA
@Montserrat:People
Population: 12,800 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.23% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 14.47 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 9.85 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years : NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.62 years male: 73.85 years female : 77.42 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups: black, white