Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amelia Ellen SHIPPY embassy: address NA, in new development area in Lilongwe mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Economy
Economy—overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for 45% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The new government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, and to deal with environmental problems of deforestation and erosion.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8.9 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.2% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$940 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 30% services: 25% (1995 est.)
Population below poverty line: 54% (1990-91 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 83.4% (1995)
Labor force: 3.5 million
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 86%, wage earners 14% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $530 millionexpenditures: $674 million, including capital expenditures of $129million (1993)
Industries: tea, tobacco, sugar, sawmill products, cement,consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995)
Electricity—production: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 2.5% hydro: 97.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 800 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: $405 million (f.o.b., 1995)
Exports—commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts, wood products
Exports—partners: US, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports: $475 million (f.o.b., 1995)
Imports—commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports—partners: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Japan, US, UK, Germany
Debt—external: $2.3 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $416.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MK) per US$1—43.5426 (January 1999), 31.0727 (1998), 16.4442 (1997), 15.3085 (1996), 15.2837 (1995), 8.7364 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 43,000 (1985 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relaylinks, and radiotelephone communications stationsinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Oceanand 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 1.011 million (1995)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997 est.)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: total: 789 km narrow gauge: 789 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 28,400 km paved: 5,254 km unpaved: 23,146 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Shire River, 144 km
Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota
Airports: 45 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 5over 3,047 m: 11,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 401,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 16under 914 m: 23 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment),Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,314,509 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,186,341 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $17 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
======================================================================
@Malaysia ————
Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:total: 329,750 sq kmland: 328,550 sq kmwater: 1,200 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 2,669 km border countries: Brunei 381 km, Indonesia 1,782 km, Thailand 506 km
Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia2,607 km)
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;specified boundary in the South China Seaexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) andnortheast (October to February) monsoons
Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m
Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore,natural gas, bauxite
Land use:arable land: 3%permanent crops: 12%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 68%other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,941 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: flooding, landslides
Environment—current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
People
Population: 21,376,066 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35% (male 3,879,012; female 3,680,895)15-64 years: 61% (male 6,478,910; female 6,482,909)65 years and over: 4% (male 369,639; female 484,701) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.08% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.05 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)note: does not include illegal immigrants—large numbers fromIndonesia and smaller numbers from the Philippines, Bangladesh,Burma, China, and India
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.67 years male: 67.62 years female: 73.9 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.35 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian
Ethnic groups: Malay and other indigenous 58%, Chinese 26%,Indian 7%, others 9%
Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity,Sikhism; note—in addition, Shamanism is practiced on East Malaysia
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil,Telugu, Malalalam, Panjabi, Thai; note—in addition, in East Malaysiaseveral indigenous languages are spoken, the largest of which areIban and Kadazan
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 83.5%male: 89.1%female: 78.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia former: Malayan Union
Data code: MY
Government type: constitutional monarchy note: Malaya (what is now Peninsular Malaysia) formed 31 August 1957; Federation of Malaysia (Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore) formed 9 July 1963 (Singapore left the federation on 9 August 1965); nominally headed by the paramount ruler (king) and a bicameral Parliament consisting of a nonelected upper house and an elected lower house; Peninsular Malaysian states—hereditary rulers in all but Melaka, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak, where governors are appointed by the Malaysian Government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., the right to maintain their own immigration controls); Sabah—holds 20 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government; Sarawak—holds 27 seats in House of Representatives, with foreign affairs, defense, internal security, and other powers delegated to federal government
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular—negeri) and 2 federal territories* (wilayah-wilayah persekutuan, singular—wilayah persekutuan); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Labuan*, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu, Wilayah Persekutuan* note: the city of Kuala Lumpur is located within the federal territory of Wilayah Persekutuan; the terms therefore are not interchangeable
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 31 August (1957)
Constitution: 31 August 1957, amended 16 September 1963
Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court at request of supreme head of the federation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Paramount Ruler TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum TuankuAbdul Rahman (since 26 April 1994) and Deputy Paramount Ruler SultanTUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan HisammuddinAlam Shah (since 26 April 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi(since 8 January 1999)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among themembers of Parliament with consent of the paramount rulerelections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by andfrom the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-yearterms; election last held 4 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999);prime minister designated from among the members of the House ofRepresentatives; following legislative elections, the leader of theparty that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representativesbecomes prime ministerelection results: TUANKU JA'AFAR ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Abdul Rahmanelected paramount ruler; Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shahibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected deputy paramountruler
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists ofnonelected Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by theparamount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) and theHouse of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (192 seats; members electedby popular vote directly weighted toward the rural Malay populationto serve five-year terms)elections: House of Representatives—last held 24-25 April 1995 (nextto be held by April 2000)election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote byparty—National Front 63%, other 37%; seats by party—National Front162, DAP 9, PBS 8, PAS 7, Spirit of '46 6; note—subsequent to theelection there was a change in the distribution of seats, thecurrent distribution is—National Front 168, DAP 8, PAS 8, PBS 5,independents 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramountruler on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders:Peninsular Malaysia: National Front (a confederation of 13 politicalparties dominated by United Malays National Organization or UMNOSarawak: National Front, composed of the Party Pesaka Bumiputranote: subsequent to the election, the following parties werepresident] and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C,CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNOMIL, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dato' GHAZZALI Sheikh Abdul Khalid chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOEembassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpurmailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; AmericanEmbassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152
Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top)alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in theupper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellowfourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditionalsymbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
Economy
Economy—overview: After a decade of 8% average GDP growth, the Malaysian economy—severely hit by the regional financial crisis—declined 7% in 1998. Malaysia will likely remain in recession for the first half of 1999; official statistics continue to show anemic exports, and some private financial analysts forecast a further drop in GDP of 1% in 1999. Prime Minister MAHATHIR has imposed capital controls to protect the local currency while cutting interest rates to stimulate the economy. Kuala Lumpur also announced an expansionary budget for 1999 to combat rising unemployment. Malaysia continues to seek funding from domestic and international sources to help finance its budget deficit and recapitalize its weakened banking sector.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$215.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -7% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,300 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 46% services: 41% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 15.5% (1989 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 37.9% (1989)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (1998)
Labor force: 8.398 million (1996 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: manufacturing 25%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 21%, local trade and tourism 17%, services 12%, government 11%, construction 8% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $22.6 billionexpenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.3billion (1996 est.)
Industries: Peninsular Malaysia—rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin mining and smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah—logging, petroleum production; Sarawak—agriculture processing, petroleum production and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate: 14.4% (1995)
Electricity—production: 48 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 83.33% hydro: 16.67% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 47.977 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 174 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 151 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: Peninsular Malaysia?rubber, palm oil, rice;Sabah—subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice;Sarawak—rubber, pepper; timber
Exports: $74.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles
Exports—partners: US 21%, Singapore 20%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 5%,UK 4%, Thailand 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Imports: $59.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food
Imports—partners: Japan 27%, US 16%, Singapore 12%, Taiwan 5%,Germany 4%, South Korea 4% (1995)
Debt—external: $39.8 billion (1998)
Economic aid—recipient: $125 million (1995)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1—3.8000 (January 1999), 3.9244 (1998), 2.8133 (1997), 2.5159 (1996), 2.5044 (1995), 2.6243 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 2,550,957 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: international service good domestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysia mainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radio relay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations international: submarine cables to India, Hong Kong and Singapore; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 28, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 8.08 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 27 (of which 26 are government-owned and one is independent and has 15 high-power repeater stations to relay its programs) (1997)
Televisions: 2 million (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1,798 km narrow gauge: 1,798 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified) (1998 est.)
Highways:total: 94,500 kmpaved: 70,970 km (including 580 km of expressways)unpaved: 23,530 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569km, Sarawak 2,518 km)
Pipelines: crude oil 1,307 km; natural gas 379 km
Ports and harbors: Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuching,Kudat, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, Pasir Gudang, Penang, PortDickson, Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, TanjungKidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine:total: 378 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,059,272GRT/7,428,623 DWTships by type: bulk 62, cargo 128, chemical tanker 30, container 58,liquefied gas tanker 19, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 61,passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6,specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 7 (1998 est.)
Airports: 115 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 32 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 6 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 83 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 74 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, RoyalMalaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police Force, Marine Police,Sarawak Border Scouts
Military manpower—military age: 21 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 5,526,555 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 3,349,066 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 183,928 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $2.1 billion (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.1% (1998)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Philippines have not fully revoked claim to Sabah State; two islands in dispute with Singapore; two islands in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for some illicit drugs going to Western markets; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties
======================================================================
@Maldives ————
Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total: 300 sq kmland: 300 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the AdduAtoll 2.4 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:arable land: 10%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 3%forests and woodland: 3%other: 84% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: low level of islands makes them very sensitiveto sea level rise
Environment—current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifersthreatens water supplies
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography—note: 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
People
Population: 300,220 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47% (male 72,414; female 68,764)15-64 years: 50% (male 76,446; female 73,275)65 years and over: 3% (male 4,944; female 4,377) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.37% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 39.3 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.63 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 38.14 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.29 years male: 66.53 years female: 70.15 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.73 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derivedfrom Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.2%male: 93.3%female: 93% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maldivesconventional short form: Maldiveslocal long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaalocal short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular andplural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu,Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu,Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa,Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November1978); note—the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11November 1978); note—the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note—neednot be members of Majliselections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for afive-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be heldNA October 1998)election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percentof Majlis vote—Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president;members serve five-year terms)elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December1999)election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are notbanned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP,ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have anembassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN inNew York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited toMaldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the centerbearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescentis on the hoist side of the flag
Economy
Economy—overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. About 350,000 tourists visited the islands in 1997. Fishing is a second leading growth sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 15% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$500 million (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 5.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,840 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 22% industry: 15% services: 63% (1994 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.3% (1996)
Labor force: 56,435 (1990 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: fishing industry and agriculture 25%, services 21%, manufacturing and construction 21%, trade, restaurants, and hotels 16%, transportation and communication 10%, other 7%
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget:revenues: $88 million (excluding foreign grants)expenditures: $141 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1994 est.)
Electricity—production: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 60 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Exports: $59 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Exports—commodities: fish, clothing
Exports—partners: Sri Lanka, US, Germany, Singapore, UK
Imports: $302 million (f.o.b., 1996)
Imports—commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capitalgoods, petroleum products
Imports—partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan,Thailand
Debt—external: $179 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1—11.770 (1995-January 1999), 11.586 (1994), 10.957 (1993)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 8,523 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: inter-atoll communication primarily through HF transceivers and VHF/UHF telephones international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 28,284 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 7,309 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA km; note—Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within thecity (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine:total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 75,585 GRT/115,590 DWTships by type: cargo 18, container 1, oil tanker 1, short-seapassenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary policeforce)
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 66,554 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 37,086 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Mali ——
Geography
Location: Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 1.24 million sq kmland: 1.22 million sq kmwater: 20,000 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 7,243 kmborder countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,Senegal 419 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Senegal River 23 mhighest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone,uranium, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits areknown but not exploited
Land use:arable land: 2%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 25%forests and woodland: 6%other: 67% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 780 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dryseasons; recurring droughts
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion;desertification; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 10,429,124 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47% (male 2,482,301; female 2,460,894)15-64 years: 49% (male 2,447,712; female 2,708,978)65 years and over: 4% (male 155,178; female 174,061) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.01% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 49.5 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 18.56 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 119.44 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.5 years male: 46.09 years female: 48.96 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.96 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%,Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous Africanlanguages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 31%male: 39.4%female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maliconventional short form: Malilocal long form: Republique de Malilocal short form: Maliformer: French Sudan
Data code: ML
Government type: republic
Capital: Bamako
Administrative divisions: 8 regions (regions, singular—region);Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Proclamation of theRepublic, 22 September (1960)
Constitution: adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992)head of government: Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (sinceMarch 1994)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held May 2002); primeminister appointed by the presidentelection results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent ofvote—Alpha Oumar KONARE 85.15%, Mamadou DIABY 4.09%, other 10.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or AssembleeNationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held intwo rounds in 2002); note—much of the opposition boycotted theelectionelection results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—ADEMA130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMATRAORE]; National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNIDMovement for the Independence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa
Political pressure groups and leaders: United Movement and Frontsof Azawad or MFUA; Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA,MIPONUH, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNOMSIL, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cheick Oumar DIARRAH chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David P. RAWSON embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy
Economy—overview: Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population is nomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export. In 1997, the government continued its successful implementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment program that is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreign investment. Mali's adherence to economic reform, and the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994, has pushed up economic growth. Several multinational corporations increased gold mining operations in 1996-98, and the government anticipates that Mali will become a major Sub-Saharan gold exporter in the next few years. Annual growth thus may fall in the 5% range in 1999-2000, and inflation held to 5% or less.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$790 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 49% industry: 17% services: 34% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture and fishing 80% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $730 millionexpenditures: $770 million, including capital expenditures of $320million (1997 est.)
Industries: minor local consumer goods production and foodprocessing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.6% (1995 est.)
Electricity—production: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 21.88% hydro: 78.12% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 288 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: $590 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: cotton 50%, gold, livestock (1998 est.)
Exports—partners: Thailand 20%, Italy 20%, China 9%, Brazil, franc zone (1997)
Imports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, constructionmaterials, petroleum, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports—partners: Cote d'Ivoire 19%, France 17%, other franc zoneand EU countries (1997)
Debt—external: $3.1 billion (1998)
Economic aid—recipient: $596.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—567.81 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1982 est.)
Telephone system: domestic system poor but improving; providesonly minimal servicedomestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open wire, andradiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radiorelay in progressinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Oceanand 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: 430,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (in addition, there are two repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 11,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 641 km; (linked to Senegal's rail system through Kayes)narrow gauge: 641 km 1.000-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,815 km navigable
Ports and harbors: Koulikoro
Airports: 28 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, RepublicanGuard, National Guard, National Police (Surete Nationale)
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,128,375 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,218,732 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $49 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Malta ——-
Geography
Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 320 sq kmland: 320 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 140 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone: 25 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, drysummers
Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; manycoastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: limestone, salt
Land use:arable land: 38%permanent crops: 3%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 59% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors
People
Population: 381,603 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20% (male 40,058; female 37,810)15-64 years: 68% (male 130,282; female 128,390)65 years and over: 12% (male 18,996; female 26,067) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.49% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 11.02 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.37 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 7.42 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.76 years male: 75.43 years female: 80.23 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Maltese (singular and plural)adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians andPhoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterraneanstock)
Religions: Roman Catholic 98%
Languages: Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 88%male: 88%female: 88% (1985)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maltaconventional short form: Maltalocal long form: Repubblika ta' Maltalocal short form: Malta
Data code: MT
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly fromValletta)
Independence: 21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution: 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13December 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and Roman civil law;has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994)head of government: Prime Minister Eddie Fenech ADAMI (since 6September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Guido de MARCO (since 8September 1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of theprime ministerelections: president elected by the House of Representatives for afive-year term; election last held NA April 1994 (next to be held byNA April 1999); following House of Representatives elections, theleader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition isusually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-yearterm; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on theadvice of the prime ministerelection results: Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI elected president; percent ofHouse of Representatives vote—NA
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (usually65 seats; note—additional seats are given to the party with thelargest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; currenttotal: 69 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis ofproportional representation to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September2003)election results: percent of vote by party—PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD1.2%; seats by party—PN 35, MLP 30
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: Nationalist Party or PN [Edward
International organization participation: C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE,EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires AnthonyDARMANINchancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Kathryn Haycock PROFFITTembassy: 2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,Maltamailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta
Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side)and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of theGeorge Cross, edged in red
Economy