Economy—overview: Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1998, almost 1 million tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of roughly $13,000 places Malta in the ranks of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$5 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 26% services: 71% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1997 est.)
Labor force: 148,085 (September 1996)
Labor force—by occupation: public services 34%, other services 32%, manufacturing and construction 22%, agriculture 2% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 5% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $1.32 billionexpenditures: $1.76 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1998 est.)
Industries: tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 1.425 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1.425 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: potatoes, cauliflowers, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment,manufactures (1996)
Exports—partners: France 18%, US 15%, Germany 15%, UK 8%, Italy6% (1997)
Imports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment,manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco
Imports—partners: Italy 20%, France 16%, UK 15%, Germany 10%, US8% (1997)
Debt—external: $130 million (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Maltese liri (LM) per US$1—0.3797 (January 1999), 0.3884 (1998), 0.3857 (1997), 0.3604 (1996), 0.3529 (1995), 0.3776 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 191,876 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: automatic system satisfies normal requirements domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 189,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
Televisions: 300,000 (1996 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,582 km paved: 1,471 km unpaved: 111 km (1993 est.)
Ports and harbors: Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine:total: 1,361 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,436,956GRT/40,706,665 DWTships by type: bulk 370, cargo 400, chemical tanker 49, combinationbulk 18, combination ore/oil 17, container 56, liquefied gas tanker2, livestock carrier 3, multifunction large-load carrier 3, oiltanker 302, passenger 7, refrigerated cargo 46, roll-on/roll-offcargo 47, short-sea passenger 19, specialized tanker 4, vehiclecarrier 18note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 49countries among which includes Greece 445, Russia 51, Switzerland45, Italy 44, Norway 40, Croatia 26, Turkey 35, Germany 32, Georgia23, and Monaco 24 (1998 est.)
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Armed Forces (including an air squadron, a maritime squadron, and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 99,067 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 78,855 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $65.5 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.7% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration
Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from NorthAfrica to Western Europe
======================================================================
@Man, Isle of ——————
Geography
Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between GreatBritain and Ireland
Geographic coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 588 sq kmland: 588 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than three times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 113 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 620 m
Natural resources: lead, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 12%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 56%forests and woodland: 32%other: 0%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary
People
Population: 75,686 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 6,906; female 6,597)15-64 years: 65% (male 24,655; female 24,604)65 years and over: 17% (male 5,156; female 7,768) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.71% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 12.43 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 11.52 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.17 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 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 2.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.79 years male: 74.28 years female: 81.47 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.67 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist,Presbyterian, Society of Friends
Languages: English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man
Data code: IM
Dependency status: British crown dependency
Government type: NA
Capital: Douglas
Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency)
Independence: none (British crown dependency)
National holiday: Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution: 1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system: English law and local statute
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor His Excellency Sir TimothyDAUNT (since NA 1995)head of government: President of the Tynwald and the LegislativeCouncil Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA 1990)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch for a five-year term; president of theTwnwald and theLegislative Council elected by the Tynwald for a five-year term;election last held NA (next to be held NA)election results: Sir Charles KERRUISH elected president of theLegislative Council; percent of legislative vote—NA
Legislative branch: bicameral Tynwald consists of the LegislativeCouncil (a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor andMan, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the Houseof Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are elected bypopular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Keys—last held 21 November 1996 (next to be heldNA 2001)election results: House of Keys—percent of vote by party—NA; seatsby party—independents 24
Judicial branch: High Court of Justice, justices are appointed by the Lord Chancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor
Political parties and leaders: there is no party system; members sit as independents
International organization participation: none
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (British crowndependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (British crowndependency)
Flag description: red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a two-sided emblem is used
Economy
Economy—overview: Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP. Banking and other services now contribute more than four fifths of GDP. Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access to EU markets.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$985 million (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$13,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 16% services: 82% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 33,577 (1996)
Labor force—by occupation: manufacturing 11%, construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, retail distribution 9%, professional and scientific services 18%, public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%
Unemployment rate: 1% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $437.7 millionexpenditures: $432.5 million, including capital expenditures of$102.2 million (FY98/99 est.)
Industries: financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Exports: $NA
Exports—commodities: tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
Exports—partners: UK
Imports: $NA
Imports—commodities: timber, fertilizers, fish
Imports—partners: UK
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Manx pound (LM) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Manx pounds (LM) per US$1—0.6057 (January 1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6106 (1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994)); the Manx pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 46,000 (1996)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 0 (receives broadcasts from theUK) (1997)
Televisions: 24,450 (1996)
Transportation
Railways: total: 52 km (27 km electrified)
Highways: total: 640 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 320 km
Ports and harbors: Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine:total: 148 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,161,154GRT/6,880,170 DWTships by type: bulk 28, cargo 7, chemical tanker 14, combinationbulk 3, container 20, liquefied gas tanker 14, oil tanker 43,refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 14, vehicle carrier 2note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 8 ships, Denmark 1,Sweden 1, Belgium 1, and Netherlands 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Marshall Islands ————————
Geography
Location: Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North PacificOcean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 181.3 sq kmland: 181.3 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein
Area—comparative: about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 370.4 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deepseabed minerals
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: 60%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 40%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Environment—current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertication, Law of theSea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites;Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a USmissile test range
People
Population: 65,507 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 50% (male 16,622; female 15,957)15-64 years: 48% (male 16,106; female 15,386)65 years and over: 2% (male 677; female 759) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.86% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 45.31 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.73 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.81 years male: 63.21 years female: 66.5 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.67 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups: Micronesian
Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93%male: 100%female: 88% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islandsconventional short form: Marshall Islandsformer: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the PacificIslands)
Data code: RM
Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
Capital: Majuro
Administrative divisions: 33 municipalities; Ailinginae,Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon,Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib,Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap,Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UNtrusteeship)
National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the MarshallIslands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution: 1 May 1979
Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Imata KABUA (since 14 January 1997);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament from among its ownmembers for a four-year term; election last held 14 January 1997(next to be held NA November 1999); note—Imata KABUA elected tosucceed and complete the term of the late President Amata KABUAelection results: Imata KABUA elected president; percent ofParliament vote—63%
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats;members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 20 November 1995 (next to be held NA November1999)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—NAnote: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises onmatters affecting customary law and practice
Judicial branch: Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent
International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatoryuser), Interpol, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUMchancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Honolulu
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED embassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro mailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
Flag description: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner—orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Economy
Economy—overview: US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provides roughly $65 million in annual aid, equal to about 70% of GDP. Negotiations will get underway in 1999 for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, and the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties have caused GDP to fall in 1996-98.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$91 million (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,450 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 15% industry: 13% services: 72% (1995)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1997)
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 16% (1991 est.)
Budget:revenues: $80.1 millionexpenditures: $77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5million (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood,and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 57 million kWh (1994)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: 57 million kWh (1994)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1994)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1994)
Agriculture—products: coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Exports: $17.5 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
Exports—commodities: fish, coconut oil, fish, trochus shells
Exports—partners: US, Japan, Australia
Imports: $71.8 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Imports—partners: US, Japan, Australia, NZ
Debt—external: $125 million (FY96/97 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?approximately $65 million annually from the US
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October—30 September
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1997 est.)
Telephone system: telex services domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3 (of which one is an independent station and two are US military stations) (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA kmnote: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwisestone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports and harbors: Majuro
Merchant marine:total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,572,915GRT/11,208,214 DWTships by type: bulk 56, cargo 5, chemical tanker 3, container 20,liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 42, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2,vehicle carrier 1note: a flag of convenience registry; includes the ships of Canada1, China 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, and US 7 (1998 est.)
Airports: 16 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 12914 to 1,523 m: 7under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: no regular military forces (a coast guard may be established); Police Force
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claims US territory of Wake Atoll
======================================================================
@Martinique —————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north ofTrinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 61 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,100 sq kmland: 1,060 sq kmwater: 40 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than six times the size ofWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 350 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (Juneto October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) everyeight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use:arable land: 8%permanent crops: 8%permanent pastures: 17%forests and woodland: 44%other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years)
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
People
Population: 411,539 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (male 47,933; female 46,957)15-64 years: 67% (male 136,058; female 138,935)65 years and over: 10% (male 17,530; female 24,126) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.03% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 16.3 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.27 years male: 76.47 years female: 82.13 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic groups: African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%,white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages: French, Creole patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93%male: 92%female: 93% (1982 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Department of Martiniqueconventional short form: Martiniquelocal long form: Departement de la Martiniquelocal short form: Martinique
Data code: MB
Dependency status: overseas department of France
Government type: NA
Capital: Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French legal system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995); Prefect Dominique BELLION (since NA October 1998)head of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council AlfredMARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)cabinet: NAelections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative branch: unicameral General Council or Conseil General(45 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-yearterms) and a unicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: General Council—last held NA March 1994 (next to be heldNA 2000); Regional Assembly—last held on NA March 1998 (next to beheld by March 2004)election results: General Council—percent of vote by party—NA; seatsby party—NA; note—the PPM won a plurality; Regional Assembly—percentof vote by party—NA; seats by party—NAnote: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections lastheld 24 September 1995 (next to be held September 1998);results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PS 2; Martiniquealso elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections lastheld 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results—percent of voteby party—NA; seats by party—RPR 2, PS 1, independent 1
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic or RPR
Political pressure groups and leaders: Proletarian Action GroupCaribbean Revolutionary Alliance or ARC; Central Union forLeague of Workers and Peasants; Association for the Protection of
International organization participation: FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas department ofFrance)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas departmentof France)
Flag description: a light blue background is divided into four quadrants by a white cross; in the center of each rectangle is a white snake; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light industry. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Sugar production has declined, with most of the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$4.24 billion (1996 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,700 (1996 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 11% services: 83% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1990)
Labor force: 160,000
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 10%, industry 17%, services 73% (1997)
Unemployment rate: 24% (1997)
Budget:revenues: $775 millionexpenditures: $2.15 billion, including capital expenditures of $118million (1996)
Industries: construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar,tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 855 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 855 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables, sugarcane
Exports: $200 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
Exports—partners: France 57%, Guadeloupe 31%, French Guiana (1991)
Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials, vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
Imports—partners: France 62%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US (1991)
Debt—external: $180 million (1994)
Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?substantial annual aid fromFrance
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1—5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 209,672 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: domestic facilities are adequatedomestic: NAinternational: microwave radio relay to Guadeloupe, Dominica, andSaint Lucia; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 74,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 11 (in addition, there are nine repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 2,724 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1994)
Ports and harbors: Fort-de-France, La Trinite
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 1over 3,047 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: French forces (Army, Navy, Air Force),Gendarmerie
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
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@Mauritania —————
Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 1,030,700 sq kmland: 1,030,400 sq kmwater: 300 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than three times the size ofNew Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 5,074 kmborder countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km,Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claims:contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 38%forests and woodland: 4%other: 58% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 490 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Environment—current issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
People
Population: 2,581,738 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47% (male 600,901; female 600,225)15-64 years: 51% (male 641,481; female 678,951)65 years and over: 2% (male 25,156; female 35,024) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.99% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 44.1 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 14.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 76.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.48 years male: 47.39 years female: 53.65 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof(official), French
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 37.7%male: 49.6%female: 26.3% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritaniaconventional short form: Mauritanialocal long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyahlocal short form: Muritaniyah
Data code: MR
Government type: republic
Capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular—region)and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou,Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri,Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and modern law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12December 1984)head of government: Prime Minister Cheikel Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA(since 16 November 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministerselections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December2003); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYAreelected with 90% of the vote
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senateor Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years;members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) andthe National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members electedby popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 17 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2000);National Assembly—last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be heldNA 2001)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—NA; National Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Judicial branch: three-tier system: lower, appeals, and SupremeCourt (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: legalized by constitution passed12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based;emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party or
Political pressure groups and leaders: Mauritanian Workers UnionMOHAMED, secretary general]
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed Ould Khalifa OULD JIDDOU chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Timberlake FOSTERembassy: Rue Abdallahi Ould Oubeid, Nouakchottmailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott
Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above ayellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent isdown; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols ofIslam
Economy
Economy—overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are uncertain because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$4.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.2% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,890 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 26% industry: 31% services: 43% (1996)
Population below poverty line: 57% (1990 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 30.4% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.7% (1996)
Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%
Unemployment rate: 23% (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $329 millionexpenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $75million (1996 est.)
Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Industrial production growth rate: 7.2% (1994)
Electricity—production: 150 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 80% hydro: 20% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 150 million kWh (1996
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep; fish products
Exports: $562 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: fish and fish products, iron ore, gold
Exports—partners: Japan 22%, Italy 16%, France 14%
Imports: $552 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleumproducts, capital goods
Imports—partners: France 30%, Algeria 10%, Spain 7%, China 6%, US3%
Debt—external: $2.5 billion (1995)
Economic aid—recipient: $227.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates: ouguiyas (UM) per US$1—204.600 (January 1999), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996), 129.768 (1995), 123.575 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 17,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minormicrowave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communicationsstations (improvements being made)domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completeddomestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott withregional capitalsinternational: satellite earth stations—1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)and 2 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998 est.)
Radios: 1 million (1998 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 50,000 (1995 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 704 km (single track); note—owned and operated by governmentmining companystandard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways:total: 7,660 kmpaved: 866 kmunpaved: 6,794 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 26 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 82,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 571,521 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 277,620 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $30 million (1996)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.5% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Mauritius ————-
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east ofMadagascar
Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references: World