Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 24,450 licenses (1996)
@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: 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,481,925 GRT/7,663,593 DWT ships by type: bulk 28, cargo 8, chemical tanker 8, combination bulk 3, container 14, liquefied gas tanker 9, oil tanker 46, passenger 2, railroad carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2 note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 11 ships, Switzerland 2, South Africa 1, Denmark 1, Sweden 1, Belgium 1, and Netherlands 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Man, Isle of:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Man, Isle of: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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
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: 63,031 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 50% (male 16,073; female 15,432) 15-64 years: 48% (male 15,408; female 14,695) 65 years and over: 2% (male 669; female 754) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.85% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 45.39 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 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: 0.89 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.48 years male: 62.89 years female: 66.14 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.72 children born/woman (1998 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 20 November 1995 (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, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379 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
@Marshall Islands:Economy
Economy-overview: US Government assistance is the mainstay of the economy, constituting an important supplement to GDP. 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, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, 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 FY95/96, the US Government provided grants of $68 million, equal to roughly 70% of the country's GDP. More than 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-$98 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 2% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,680 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 13% services: 72% (1995)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4% (FY95/96)
Labor force: total: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.)
Budget: revenues: $80.1 million expenditures: $77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (FY95/96 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: $17.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: fish, coconut oil, fish, trochus shells partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports: total value: $71.8 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco partners: US, Japan, Australia, NZ
Debt-external: $128 million (FY95/96)
Economic aid: recipient: under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to provide approximately $68 million in aid annually
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system: telex services domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: NA
@Marshall Islands:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports and harbors: Majuro
Merchant marine: total: 128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,274,057 GRT/10,641,686 DWT ships by type: bulk 57, cargo 5, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 1, container 25, oil tanker 36, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, vehicle carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes the ships of Canada 1, China 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, and US 7 (1997 est.)
Airports: 16 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.)
@Marshall Islands:Military
Military branches: no regular military forces (a coast guard may be established); Police Force
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Marshall Islands:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims US territory of Wake Island
______________________________________________________________________
(overseas department of France)
@Martinique:Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 1,100 sq km land: 1,060 sq km water: 40 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than six times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 8% permanent pastures: 17% forests and woodland: 44% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
@Martinique:People
Population: 407,284 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 47,431; female 46,457) 15-64 years: 67% (male 134,738; female 137,818) 65 years and over: 10% (male 17,216; female 23,624) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.05% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.13 years male: 76.34 years female: 81.98 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural) adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic groups: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%,East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages: French, Creole patois
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93% male: 92% female: 93% (1982 est.)
@Martinique:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Department of Martinique conventional short form: Martinique local long form: Departement de la Martinique local short form: Martinique
Data code: MB
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
National capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995); Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA) head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council Alfred MARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998) cabinet: NA elections: prefect appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: General Council-last held NA March 1994 (next to be held NA 2000); Regional Assembly-last held on NA March 1998 (next to be held by March 2004) election results: General Council-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA; note-the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-NA note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be held September 1998); results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PS 2; Martinique also elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-RPR 2, PS 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic or RPR [AndreLESUEUR]; Martinique Forces [Maurice LAOUCHEZ]; Martinique SocialistParty or PPM [Ernest WAN-AJOUHU]; Socialist Federation of Martiniqueor FSM [Jean CRUSOL]; Martinique Communist Party or PCM [GeorgeERICHOT]; Martinique Patriots or PM; Union for French Democracy or UDF[Miguel LAVENTURE]; Martinique Independence Movement or MIM [AlfredMARIE-JEANNE]; Republican Party or PR [Jean BAILLY]; National Councilof Popular Committees [Robert SAE]; Rally for Democratic Martinique[Felix HILAIRE-FORTUNE]; Movement for a Liberated Martinique [PhilippePETIT]; Union for the Renewal of Ste. Marie [Guy LORDINOT]; CombatWorker [Gerard BEAUJOUR]
Political pressure groups and leaders: Proletarian Action Group or GAP; Socialist Revolution Group or GRS [Philippe PIERRE-CHARLES]; Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union for Martinique Workers or CSTM [Marc PULVAR]; Frantz Fanon Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Association for the Protection of Martinique's Heritage (ecologist) [Garcin MALSA]
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Flag description: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions
@Martinique:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$3.95 billion (1995 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,000 (1995 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3.9% (1990)
Labor force: total: 160,000 by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 23.5% (1994)
Budget: revenues: $658 million expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $164 million (1994)
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 115,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 900 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 2,280 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane for rum
Exports: total value: $220 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)
Imports: total value: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)
Debt-external: $180 million (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: substantial annual French aid
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 209,672 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities are adequatedomestic: NAinternational: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, andSaint Lucia; satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 74,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
@Martinique:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,724 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1994)
Ports and harbors: Fort-de-France, La Trinite
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Martinique:Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Martinique:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
@Mauritania:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenSenegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,400 sq km water: 300 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than three times the size of NewMexico
Land boundaries:total: 5,074 kmborder countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 38% forests and woodland: 4% other: 58% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
@Mauritania:People
Population: 2,511,473 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 584,303; female 583,526) 15-64 years: 51% (male 624,144; female 660,478) 65 years and over: 3% (male 24,813; female 34,209) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.52% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 44.46 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 14.59 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 78.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.99 years male: 46.95 years female: 53.11 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.41 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.7% male: 49.6% female: 26.3% (1995 est.)
@Mauritania:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah
Data code: MR
Government type: republic
National capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular-region);Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh echChargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarzanote: there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, and state security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Lamine Ould GUIG (since 7 December 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90% of the vote
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate-last held 12 April 1996 (next to be held NA 1998); National Assembly-last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1; National Assembly-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed 12July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based; emergingparties include Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led byPresident Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of DemocraticForces-New Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly forDemocracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social andDemocratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Partyfor Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party(PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center(PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI; Action for Change (AC), Messoud OuldBOULKHEIR
Political pressure groups and leaders: Mauritanian Workers Union(UTM), Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general; GeneralConfederation of Mauritanian Workers (CGTM), Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED,secretary general
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member),ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed OULD SID'AHMED chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Timberlake FOSTER embassy: Rue Abdallahi Ould Oubeid, Nouakchott mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63 FAX: [222] (2) 515-92
Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
@Mauritania:Economy
Economy-overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are poor because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$4.1 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$1,750 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 31% services: 43% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 4.7% (1996)
Labor force: total: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%
Unemployment rate: 23% (1995 est.)
Budget: revenues: $329 million expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Industrial production growth rate: 7.2% (1994)
Electricity-capacity: 105,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 143 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 63 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep; fish products
Exports: total value: $494 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: fish and fish products, iron ore, gold partners: Japan 22%, Italy 16%, France 14%
Imports: total value: $457 million (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods partners: France 30%, Algeria 10%, Spain 7%, China 6%, US 3%
Debt-external: $2.5 billion (1995)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1-169.880 (January 1998), 148.916 (1997), 137.222 (1996), 129.768 (1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 17,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: satellite earth stations-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 300,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
Televisions: 50,000 (1992 est.)
@Mauritania:Transportation
Railways: total: 704 km (single track); note-owned and operated by government mining company standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 7,660 km paved: 866 km unpaved: 6,794 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 26 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Mauritania:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 555,492 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 269,884 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $33 million (1995)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.5% (1995)
@Mauritania:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Mauritius:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references: World
Area: total: 1,860 sq km land: 1,850 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area-comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 177 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter(May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire 828 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use: arable land: 49% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 22% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 170 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Environment-current issues: water pollution
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Mauritius:People
Population: 1,168,256 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 155,917; female 152,563) 15-64 years: 68% (male 393,330; female 397,285) 65 years and over: 6% (male 28,092; female 41,069) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.2% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 18.64 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.9 years male: 67.05 years female: 74.74 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian
Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%,Franco-Mauritian 2%
Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka,Bojpoori
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 82.9% male: 87.1% female: 78.8% (1995 est.)
@Mauritius:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius
Data code: MP
Government type: parliamentary democracy
National capital: Port Louis
Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; AgalegaIslands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka,Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart,Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution: 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system with elements ofEnglish common law in certain areas
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992) and Vice President Rabindranath GHURBURRUN (since 1 July 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 27 December 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 28 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president and are responsible to the National Assembly election results: Cassam UTEEM elected president and Rabindranath GHURBURRUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly-NA
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (66 seats-62 popularly elected, 4 appointed; members serve five-year terms); note-the election commission appoints four members from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities elections: last held on 20 December 1995 (next to be held by December 2000) election results: percent of vote by party-MLP/MMM 65%, MSM/MMR 20%, other 15%; seats by party-MLP 35, MMM 25, allies of MLP and MMM on Rodrigues Island 2; appointed were Rodrigues Movement 2, PMSD 1, Hizbullah 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: government party: Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] opposition parties: Hizbullah [Imam Mustapha BEEHARRY]; MSM/MMR alliance consisting of the Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH] and the Mauritian Militant Renaissance or MMR [Dr. Paramhansa NABABSING]; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER]; Organization of the People of Rodrigues or OPR [Louis Serge CLAIR]; Rodrigues Movement [Nicholas Von MALLY, leader]
Political pressure groups and leaders: various labor unions
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC,ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM,OAU, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Chitmansing JESSERAMSING chancery: Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Harold Walter GEISEL (8 July 1996) embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis mailing address: International Mail: P.O. Box 544, Port Louis; US Mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 208-2347, 208-2354, 208-9763 through 9767 FAX: [230] 208-9534
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
@Mauritius:Economy
Economy-overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low income, agriculturally based economy to a middle income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial services, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been of the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to modernization and to exports), agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in 1991-97 continued strong with solid growth and low unemployment.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$11.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 5.4% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$10,300 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 29% services: 63% (1996)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.5% (1996)
Labor force: total: 514,000 (1995) by occupation: construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $822 million (FY 94/95) expenditures: $1 billion, including capital expenditures of $198 million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (1992)
Electricity-capacity: 361,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 960 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 852 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish
Exports: total value: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: clothing and textiles 55%, sugar 24% (1995) partners: UK 34%, France 21%, US 15%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (1995)
Imports: total value: $2.2 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: manufactured goods 37%, capital equipment 19%, foodstuffs 13%, petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7% (1995) partners: France 20%, India 8%, Hong Kong 7%, UK 6%, Germany 5% (1995)
Debt-external: $1.2 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1-22.220 (January 1998), 20.561 (1997), 17.948 (1996), 17.386 (1995), 17.960 (1994), 17.648 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June
Communications
Telephones: 65,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system: small system with good service domestic: primarily microwave radio relay international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 395,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.) note: two new subscription channels began operation in 1995
Televisions: 151,096 (1991 est.)
@Mauritius:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,860 km paved: 1,732 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 128 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Port Louis
Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 241,799 GRT/336,316 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, combination bulk 2, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3 note: a flag of convenience registry; India owns 1 ship (1997 est.)
Airports: 5 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)
@Mauritius:Military
Military branches: National Police Force (includes the paramilitarySpecial Mobile Force or SMF, Special Support Units or SSU, andNational Coast Guard)
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 336,655 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 170,695 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $13.9 million (FY94/95)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 0.1% (FY94/95)
@Mauritius:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims the island of Diego Garcia inUK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory; claimsFrench-administered Tromelin Island
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; heroin consumption and transshipment are growing problems
______________________________________________________________________
(territorial collectivity of France)
@Mayotte:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from northern Madagascar to northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates: 12 50 S, 45 10 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 375 sq km land: 375 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 185.2 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November)
Terrain: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Benara 660 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones during rainy season
Environment-current issues: NA
Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography-note: part of Comoro Archipelago
@Mayotte:People
Population: 141,944 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 33,067; female 33,016) 15-64 years: 52% (male 40,009; female 33,380) 65 years and over: 2% (male 1,214; female 1,258) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 5.16% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 46.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.22 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 13.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 71.13 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.58 years male: 57.21 years female: 62.02 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.48 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran
Ethnic groups: NA
Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic)
Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French
Literacy: NA
@Mayotte:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte conventional short form: Mayotte
Data code: MF
Dependency status: territorial collectivity of France
Government type: NA
National capital: Mamoutzou
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President of France Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Philippe BOISADAM (since NA) head of government: President of the General Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1977) cabinet: NA elections: prefect appointed by the president of France on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; president of the General Council elected by the members of the General Council for a six-year term
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held NA March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2000) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; note-only nine of the 19 seats were subjected to voting in March 1997; after the election, seats by party were as follows: MPM 8, RPR 5, independent candidates 5, local PS 1 note: Mayotte elects 1 member of the French Senate; elections last held 24 September 1995 (next to be held 24 September 2001); results-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-MPM 1; Mayotte also elects 1 member to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May and 1 June 1997 (next to be held as a special election on NA May 2002); results-percent of vote by party-UDF/FD 51.7%, RPR 48.3%; seats by party-UDF/FD 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders: Mahoran Popular Movement or MPM[Younoussa BAMANA]; Mahoran Rally for the Republic or RPR [MansourKAMARDINE]; Democratic Front or FD [Youssouf MOUSSA]; Association forFrench Mayotte or Association Pour Mayotte Francaise [Didier BEOUTIS];Socialist Party or PS (local branch of French Parti Socialiste); Unionfor French Democracy or UDF [Henri JEAN-BAPTISTE]
International organization participation: FZ
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territorial collectivity ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
@Mayotte:Economy
Economy-overview: Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector, including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance, an important supplement to GDP. Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of tourism.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$63 million (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: NA%
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$600 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate-consumer price index: NA%
Labor force: NA
Unemployment rate: 38% (1991 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $73 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Industries: newly created lobster and shrimp industry
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: NA kW
Electricity-production: NA kWh
Electricity-consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture-products: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coffee, copra
Exports: total value: $3.64 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: ylang-ylang (perfume essence), vanilla, copra partners: France 80%, Comoros 15%, Reunion
Imports: total value: $131.5 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: building materials, machinery and transportation equipment, metals, chemicals, rice, clothing, flour partners: France 66%, Africa 14%, Southeast Asia 20%
Debt-external: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: extensive French financial assistance
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1-6.0836 (January 1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 450
Telephone system: small system administered by French Department of Posts and Telecommunications domestic: NA international: microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communications to Comoros and other international connections
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 30,000 (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: 3,500 (1994 est.)
@Mayotte:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 93 km paved: 72 km unpaved: 21 km
Ports and harbors: Dzaoudzi
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Mayotte:Military
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of France; small contingent of French forces stationed on the island
@Mayotte:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claimed by Comoros
______________________________________________________________________
@Mexico:Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf ofMexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North PacificOcean, between Guatemala and the US
Geographic coordinates: 23 00 N, 102 00 W
Map references: North America
Area: total: 1,972,550 sq km land: 1,923,040 sq km water: 49,510 sq km