Data code: MG
Government type: republic
National capital: Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular-aymag) and 3municipalities* (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 Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Tsahiagiyn ELBEGDORJ (since 23 April 1998) 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 18 May 1997 (next to be held summer 2001); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI elected president; percent of vote-Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 60.8%, Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDP and MSDP) 29.8%, Jambyn GOMBOJAV (MUTP) 6.6%; following a vote of no-confidence against former Prime Minister Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN, Tsahiagiyn ELBEGDORJ was elected prime minister on 23 April 1998 by a vote in the State Great Hural of 61 to 6 (nine members abstained)
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. ENKHBAYAR, general secretary; Democratic Union Coalition(DUC), Mendsaihan ENHSAIHAN, general secretary (includes MongolianNational Democratic Party or MNDP, T. ELBEGDORJ, chairman; MongolianSocial Democratic Party or MSDP, Radnaasumbereliyn GONCHIGDORJ,chairman; Green Party, NYAM; and Mongolian Democratic Party ofBelievers or MDPB, leader NA); Mongolian Conservative Party (MCP),JARGALSAIHAN; Democratic Power Coalition, D. BYAMBASUREN, chairman(includes Mongolian Democratic Renaissance Party or MDRP, BYAMBASUREN,chairman, and Mongolian People's Party or MPP, leader NA); MongolianNational Solidarity Party (MNSP), leader NA; BourgeoisParty/Capitalist Party, VARGALSAIHAN, chairman; United Heritage Party(UHP), B. JAMTSAI (includes United Party of Herdsman and Farmers,leader NA; Independence Party, leader NA; Traditional UnitedConservative Party, leader NA; and Mongolian United Private PropertyOwners 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, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, NAM(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, 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 Alphonse F. LA PORTA 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 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)
@Mongolia:Economy
Economy-overview: The 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, but disappeared almost overnight in 1990-91. The mining and processing of coal, copper, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of industrial production. The Mongolian leadership has been soliciting support from foreign donors, who pledged some $250 million in aid in October 1997. Economic growth picked up in 1997 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$5.6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3.3% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$2,200 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 32% services: 34% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 17.5% (1997 est.)
Labor force: total: 1.115 million (mid-1993 est.) by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate: 15% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularly coal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 901,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 3.15 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,303 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses
Exports: total value: $418 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals partners: Russia 21%, China 18% (1996)
Imports: total value: $443.4 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea partners: Russia 34%, China 15% (1996)
Debt-external: $500 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA $250 million (1998 est.)
Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1-812.09 (December 1997), 789.99 (1997), 548.40 (1996), 448.61 (1995), 412.72 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
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: 46,470 km paved: 3,730 km unpaved: 42,740 km (1997 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.)
@Mongolia: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: 680,345 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 443,668 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 28,112 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $22.8 million (1992)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 1% (1992)
@Mongolia: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: 12,828 (July 1998 est.) note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees who left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.23% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 14.27 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 9.86 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.91 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.6 years male: 73.83 years female: 77.4 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups: black, white
Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal,Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Languages: English
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1970 est.)
@Montserrat:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Data code: MH
Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK
Government type: NA
National capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity)
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges,Saint Peter's
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (secondSaturday of June)
Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Legal system: English common law and statute law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997) head of government: Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister; note-as a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidates
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-PPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia); one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court
Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party (NPP),Reuben T. MEADE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MNR), PercivalAustin BRAMBLE; People's Progressive Alliance (PPA), Bertrand OSBORNE;NDP
International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of theUK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross
@Montserrat:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy of this volcanic island is small and open, with economic activity centered on tourism and related services. Tourism accounts for roughly one-quarter of Montserrat's national income. The island's main export is electronic components, which are mainly shipped to the US. The agriculture sector is small; cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, and onions are grown for the domestic market; additionally, some hot peppers and live plants are exported to the US and Europe. Volcanic activity in mid-1997 led to a substantial evacuation of the southern half of the island, including the capital, Plymouth. Volcanic activity since July 1995 has resulted in the departure of an estimated 8,000 people, mainly to Antigua and Guadeloupe.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$43 million (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: -20.2% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$5,000 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 4.8% industry: 18.4% services: 76.8% (1990 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 6.2% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 4,521 (1992); note-later substantially lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity by occupation: community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity-capacity: 4,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 15 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 1,178 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Exports: total value: $12.1 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle partners: US, Ireland
Imports: total value: $29.9 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials partners: NA
Debt-external: $10.2 million (December 1994)
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1-2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 3,000
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 6,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
@Montserrat:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 203 km unpaved: 66 km (1995)
Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned)
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1997 est.)
@Montserrat:Military
Military branches: Police Force
Military-note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Montserrat:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Morocco:Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and theMediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 446,550 sq km land: 446,300 sq km water: 250 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 2,017.9 km border countries: Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km, Spain (Ceuta) 6.3 km, Spain (Melilla) 9.6 km
Coastline: 1,835 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 m highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use: arable land: 21% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 47% forests and woodland: 20% other: 11% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 12,580 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment-current issues: land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water supplies contaminated by raw sewage; siltation of reservoirs; oil pollution of coastal waters
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geography-note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
@Morocco:People
Population: 29,114,497 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36% (male 5,398,692; female 5,200,660) 15-64 years: 59% (male 8,525,344; female 8,682,277) 65 years and over: 5% (male 606,203; female 701,321) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.89% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 26.37 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.28 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.51 years male: 66.49 years female: 70.64 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 43.7% male: 56.6% female: 31% (1995 est.)
@Morocco:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib
Data code: MO
Government type: constitutional monarchy
National capital: Rabat
Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit note: three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara; decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature in March 1997 creating many new provinces/regions; specific details and scope of the reorganization not yet available
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of KingHASSAN II's accession to the throne)
Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended (to create bicameral legislature) September 1996
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961) head of government: Prime Minister Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI (since 14 March 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the king elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; prime minister appointed by the king
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors-last held 5 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2000); Chamber of Representatives-last held 14 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2002) election results: Chamber of Counselors-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party - RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, IP 21, USFP 16, MNP 15, UT 13, FFD 12, CDT 11, UTM 8, PPS 7, PSD 4, PDI 4, UGTM 3, UNMT 2, SD 1, ADP 1, SND 1, CS 1; Chamber of Representatives-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-USFP 57, UC 50, RNI 46, MP 40, MDS 32, IP 32, MNP 19, PND 10, MPCD 9, PPS 9, FFD 9, PSD 5, OADP 4, PA 2, PDI 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the king
Political parties and leaders: opposition: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI; Istiqlal Party (IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Moulay Ismail al ALAOUI; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), Mohamed Ben SAID; Democratic Socialist Party (PSD), Issa al-OUARDIGHI; Democratic Forces Front (FFD), Thami KHIARI; Popular Constitutional and Democratic Movement (MPCD), Dr. Abdelkarim al-KHATIB pro-government: Constitutional Union (UC), Noureddine ALAMI; Popular Movement (MP), Mohamed LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane EL-JADIDI; National Popular Movement (MNP), Mahjoubi AHARDANE; Social Democratic Movement (MDS), Mahmoud ARCHANE independents: National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN; Democracy and Istiqlal Party (PDI), Abdelwahed MACHE; Action Party (PA), Ahmed ABAKIL; Labor Party (UT), leader NA labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections only) : Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), Noubir AMAOUI; General Union of Moroccan Workers (UGTM), Abderrazzak AFILAL; Moroccan Union of Workers (UTM), Mahjoub BENSEDIQ; Party of Shura and Istiqlal, Abdelwaheb MAASH; Labor Union Commissions (CS), leader NA; Democratic Trade Union (SD), leader NA; Association of Popular Trade Unions (ADP), leader NA; Democratic National Trade Union (SND), leader NA; Moroccan National Workers Union (UNMT), leader NA
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pendingmember), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO,ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 through 7982 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. GABRIEL embassy: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 003, APO AE 09718 telephone: [212] (7) 76 22 65 FAX: [212] (7) 76 56 61 consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam
@Morocco:Economy
Economy-overview: Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries-restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within manageable bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions; reforms of the financial sector have been implemented; and state enterprises are slowly being privatized. Drought conditions in 1997 depressed activity in the key agricultural sector, holding down exports and contributing to a 2.2% contraction in real GDP. Favorable rainfalls in the fall of 1997 have led to forecasts of robust, 8%-9% real GDP growth in 1998. Servicing the external debt, preparing the economy for freer trade with the European Union, improving education and living standards, and finding jobs for Morocco's youthful population remain long-term challenges.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$107 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: -2.2% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$3,500 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 33% services: 53% (1997)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.)
Labor force: total: 7.4 million by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 16% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $10.4 billion expenditures: $10.75 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9 billion (1996 est.)
Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1996 est.)
Electricity-capacity: 3.788 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 10.8 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 411 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Exports: total value: $6.9 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17% (1995 est.) partners: EU 63%, Japan 7.7%, India 6.6%, US 3.4%, Libya 3.4% (1996 est.)
Imports: total value: $9.7 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: semiprocessed goods 26%, capital goods 25%, food and beverages 18%, fuel and lubricants 15%, consumer goods 12%, raw materials 4% (1995 est.) partners: EU 57%, US 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Brazil 2.8% (1996 est.)
Debt-external: $23.4 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $297 million (1993) note: $2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991)
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1-9.822 (January 1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994), 9.299 (1993)
Fiscal year: July 1-June 30
Communications
Telephones: 270,100 (1987 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 20, FM 7, shortwave 0
Radios: 5.527 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 26 (repeaters 26)
Televisions: 1.21 million (1993 est.)
@Morocco:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,907 km standard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1003 km electrified; 246 km double track) (1994)
Highways: total: 60,626 km paved: 30,556 km (including 219 km of expressways) unpaved: 30,070 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km (abandoned); natural gas 241 km
Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar,Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; alsoSpanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine: total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 205,053 GRT/259,339 DWT ships by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 6, container 2, oil tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.)
Airports: 70 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 11 (1997 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1997 est.)
@Morocco:Military
Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force)
Military manpower-military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 7,505,524 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 4,748,018 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-reaching military age annually: males: 314,329 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $1.313 billion (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 3.7% (1996)
@Morocco:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco-the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe
______________________________________________________________________
@Mozambique:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, betweenSouth Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 801,590 sq km land: 784,090 sq km water: 17,500 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 4,571 km border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline: 2,470 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical to subtropical
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 56% forests and woodland: 18% other: 22% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclones
Environment-current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Mozambique:People
Population: 18,641,469 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 4,129,779; female 4,232,091) 15-64 years: 53% (male 4,807,742; female 5,043,299) 65 years and over: 2% (male 177,895; female 250,663) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.57% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 43.52 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 17.81 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 120.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.37 years male: 44.22 years female: 46.55 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican
Ethnic groups: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 57.7% female: 23.3% (1995 est.)
@Mozambique:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mozambique conventional short form: Mozambique local long form: Republica Popular de Mocambique local short form: Mocambique
Data code: MZ
Government type: republic
National capital: Maputo
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular-provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution: 30 November 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986); note-before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by FRELIMO's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 27 October 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO elected president; percent of vote-Joaquim CHISSANO 53.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 33.3%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 27-29 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1999) election results: percent of vote by party-Frelimo 44.33%, Renamo 33.78%, DU 5.15%, other 16.74%; seats by party-Frelimo 129, Renamo 112, DU 9 note: the presidential and legislative elections took place as called for in the 1992 peace accords; Renamo participated in the elections
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president and judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique(Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim AlbertoCHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance (ResistenciaNacional Mocambicana) or Renamo [Afonso DHLAKAMA, president];Democratic Union or DU [Antonio PALANGE, general secretary]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7146 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan Dean CURRAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo telephone: [258] (1) 492797 FAX: [258] (1) 490114
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
@Mozambique:Economy
Economy-overview: Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique had been devastated by civil war and was one of the poorest countries on the globe. Prospects subsequently improved, and with its solid economic performance in 1996-97, Mozambique has begun to exploit its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and transportation resources. Foreign assistance programs help supply the foreign exchange required to support the budget and pay for imports of goods and services. The restoration of electrical transmission lines to South Africa and the completion of a new transmission line to Zimbabwe (permitting the giant Cahora Bassa hydropower plant to export large amounts of electricity), proposed construction of a natural gas pipeline to South Africa, and reform of transportation services will greatly improve foreign exchange receipts. The Mozambique and South African Governments are developing the Maputo corridor, linking the port of Maputo with Witbank, South Africa. In the past few years, more than 700 state enterprises have been privatized, including the country's largest commercial bank and a number of sizable manufacturing firms. Other pending reform measures are the reform of tax collection and the facilitation of private enterprise in the transportation, energy, and telecommunications sectors.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$14.6 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 8% (1997 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$800 (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 13% services: 52% (1996 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 5.8% (1997)
Labor force: NA by occupation: 80% engaged in agriculture note: in 1993, 47% of the wage earners were employed in industry, 28% in transportation and communication; traditionally, a large number of Mozambicans work abroad
Unemployment rate: NA
Budget: revenues: $324 million expenditures: $600 million, including capital expenditures of $310 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Electricity-capacity: 2.358 million kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 465 million kWh (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, tropical fruits; beef, poultry
Exports: total value: $226 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: shrimp 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra, citrus partners: Spain, South Africa, Japan, Portugal, US
Imports: total value: $802 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum partners: South Africa 38%, US, Japan, Portugal, France
Debt-external: $5.7 billion (December 1997)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1-11,635.0 (January 1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996), 9,024.3 (1995), 6,038.6 (1994), 3,874.2 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 59,000 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: fair system of tropospheric scatter, open-wire lines, and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations-5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 44,000 (1992 est.)
@Mozambique:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,131 km narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1996 est.) note: highway traffic impeded by land mines not removed at end of civil war
Waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes
Pipelines: crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products 289 km
Ports and harbors: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Cidade de Nacala, Pemba
Merchant marine: total: 4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,694 GRT/9,724 DWT (1997 est.)
Airports: 174 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 152 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 97 (1997 est.)
@Mozambique:Military
Military branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces,Militia
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 4,265,778 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 2,457,587 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $84 million (1994)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 5.3% (1994)
@Mozambique:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: none
Illicit drugs: Southern African transit hub for South American cocaine probably destined for the European and US markets; producer of hashish and methaqualone
______________________________________________________________________
@Namibia:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenAngola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 825,418 sq km land: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 3,824 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline: 1,572 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; KalahariDesert in east
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 22% other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought
Environment-current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification
Environment-international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Namibia:People
Population: 1,622,328 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 362,310; female 354,386) 15-64 years: 52% (male 414,281; female 426,921) 65 years and over: 4% (male 27,001; female 37,429) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 35.84 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 19.82 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 66.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.48 years male: 41.73 years female: 41.24 years (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.99 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least, otherChristian denominations 30%), native religions 10% to 20%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38% male: 45% female: 31% (1960 est.)
@Namibia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia
Data code: WA
Government type: republic
National capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas,Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana,Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote-76%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council-last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); National Assembly-last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: National Council-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1; National Assembly-percent of vote by party-SWAPO 73.89%, DTA 20.78%, UDF 2.72%, DCN 0.83%, MAG 0.82%; seats by party-SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1 note: the National Council is a purely advisory body
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organizationor SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; National Democratic Party for Justice or NDPFJ[Nbhwete NDJOBA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA[Mishake MUYONGO, president]; United Democratic Front or UDF [JustusGAROEB]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; DemocraticCoalition of Namibia or DCN [Moses K. KATJIUONGUA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM,OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Veiccoh NGHIWETE chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George F. WARD, Jr. (24 July 1996) embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792
Flag description: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
@Namibia:Economy
Economy-overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is three to six times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorest countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of the great inequality of income distribution and the large amounts going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa.
GDP: purchasing power parity-$6.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP-real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$3,700 (1996 est.)
GDP-composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 20% services: 65% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate-consumer price index: 8% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 500,000 by occupation: agriculture 49%, industry and commerce 25%, services 5%, government 18%, mining 3% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.1 billion expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $193 million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity-capacity: 0 kW (1995)
Electricity-production: 0 kWh (1995) note: imports electricity from South Africa
Electricity-consumption per capita: 584 kWh (1995)
Agriculture-products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish
Exports: total value: $1.45 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins partners: UK, South Africa, Spain, Japan (1994)
Imports: total value: $1.55 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals partners: South Africa 85%, Germany, US, Japan (1994 est.)
Debt-external: $315 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Nambian dollars (N$) per US$1-4.94193 (January 1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994), 3.26774 (1993)
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
Communications
Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire international: NA note: a fully automated digital network is to be operational by 1997
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0
Radios: 195,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.)
@Namibia:Transportation
Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Highways: total: 64,799 km paved: 7,841 km unpaved: 56,958 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 135 (1997 est.)
Airports-with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1997 est.)
Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 113 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 21 (1997 est.)
@Namibia:Military
Military branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military manpower-availability: males age 15-49: 369,826 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 221,624 (1998 est.)
Military expenditures-dollar figure: $64 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP: 2.1% (FY95/96)
@Namibia:Transnational Issues
Disputes-international: quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, andZimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabitedKasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River is presently at theICJ; at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested
______________________________________________________________________
@Nauru:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of theMarshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area-comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 30 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)