People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Midway Islands
Data code: MQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; formerly administered from Washington, DC, by the US Navy, under Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division; this facility has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993; on 31 October 1996, through a presidential executive order, the jurisdiction and control of the atoll was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy is based on providing support services for the national wildlife refuge activities located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Transportation
Highways: total: 32 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Pipelines: 7.8 km
Ports and harbors: Sand Island
Airports: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Moldova ———-
Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total: 33,843 sq kmland: 33,371 sq kmwater: 472 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 1,389 km border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Nistru River 2 m highest point: Mount Balaneshty 430 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:arable land: 53%permanent crops: 14%permanent pastures: 13%forests and woodland: 13%other: 7% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,110 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: landslides (57 cases in 1998)
Environment—current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 4,460,838 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 24% (male 555,096; female 535,625)15-64 years: 66% (male 1,408,334; female 1,529,542)65 years and over: 10% (male 160,317; female 271,924) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.1% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 14.43 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.5 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.92 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: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 43.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.39 years male: 59.76 years female: 69.24 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups: Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 est.) note: internal disputes with ethnic Russians in the Transdniester region
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000 members) (1991) note: the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldovans
Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanianlanguage), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 96%male: 99%female: 94% (1989 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Moldovaconventional short form: Moldovalocal long form: Republica Moldovalocal short form: noneformer: Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Data code: MD
Government type: republic
Capital: Chisinau
Administrative divisions: 40 raions (singular—raion) and 4 municipalities*; Anenii Noi, Balti*, Basarabeasca, Bender*, Briceni, Cahul, Cainari, Calarasi, Camenca, Cantemir, Causeni, Ceadir-Lunga, Chisinau*, Cimislia, Comrat, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Grigoriopol, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Ribnita, Riscani, Singerei, Slobozia, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Tiraspol*, Ungheni, Vulcanesti note: in accordance with the Law on Territorial Administrative Reform, the 40 raions have been reorganized into 9 counties (judets), one municipality*, and 2 territorial units**: Baltsi, Cahul, Chisinau, Chisinau*, Dubossary district (Transnistria)**, Edinets, Gagauzia**, Lapushna, Orhei, Soroca, Tighina, Ungheni; the status of the Dubossary district is still under negotiation
Independence: 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution: new constitution adopted 28 July 1994; replaces oldSoviet constitution of 1979
Legal system: based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; it is unclear if Moldova accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Petru LUCINSCHI (since 15 January 1997)head of government: Prime Minister Ion CIUBUC (since 15 January1997) and four deputy prime ministerscabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;election last held 17 November 1996; runoff election 1 December 1996(next to be held NA November 2000); following legislative elections,the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalitionis usually elected prime minister by Parliament; names of deputyprime ministers are submitted by the prime minister for acceptanceby the presidentelection results: Petru LUCINSCHI ran against Mircea SNEGUR and waselected president; percent of vote—LUCINSCHI 54%, SNEGUR 46%; PrimeMinister Ion CIUBUC was appointed by the president 15 January 1997and was elected by a parliamentary vote of 75-15 on 24 January 1997
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 22 March 1998 (next to be held spring 2002)election results: percent of vote by party—PCM 30%, CDM 19%, PMDP18%, PFD 9%; seats by party—PCM 40, CDM 26, PMDP 24, PFD 11note: the comparative breakdown of seats by faction is approximate
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Communist Party or PCM [Vladimir VORONIN, first chairman]; The Democratic Convention or CDM (includes the Christian Democratic Popular Front or FPCD and the Party of chairman]; Bloc for a Democratic and Prosperous Moldova or PMDP
Political pressure groups and leaders: The Ecology Movement ofpresident]; Liberal Convention of Moldova (now the Liberal Party);
International organization participation: ACCT, BIS, BSEC, CCC,CE, CEI, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC,IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ceslav CIOBANU chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rudolf Villem PERINA embassy: Strada Alexei Mateevicie, #103, Chisinau 2009 mailing address: use embassy street address; pouch address—American Embassy Chisinau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7080
Flag description: same color scheme as Romania—three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy
Economy—overview: Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Energy shortages contributed to sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Moldovan Government has recently been making progress on an ambitious economic reform agenda. As part of its reform efforts, Moldova introduced a stable convertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferential credits to state enterprises and backed steady land privatization, removed export controls, and freed interest rates. In 1998, the economic troubles of Russia, with whom Moldova conducts 55% of its trade, was a major cause of the 8.6% drop in GDP. In 1999, the IMF resumed payment on Moldova's Extended Fund Facility, which had been suspended since 1997. The IMF intends to grant $135 million in 1999.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$10 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -8.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,200 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 30% industry: 29% services: 41% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 25.8% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 18.3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million (1998)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 40.2%, industry 14.3%,other 45.5% (1998)
Unemployment rate: 2% (includes only officially registeredunemployed; large numbers of underemployed workers) (September 1998)
Budget:revenues: $536 millionexpenditures: $594 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1998 est.)
Industries: food processing, agricultural machinery, foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery, sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1998 est.)
Electricity—production: 8.325 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 96.1% hydro: 3.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 6.825 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 3.1 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 1.6 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk
Exports: $633 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles andfootwear, machinery
Exports—partners: Russia 58%, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus,Romania, US, Germany, Italy (1997)
Imports: $1.02 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: oil, gas, coal, steel, machinery, chemical products, metals, metal products, foodstuffs, automobiles, other consumer durables
Imports—partners: Russia 26%, Ukraine 20%, Belarus, Romania,Germany, Italy (1997)
Debt—external: more than $1.2 billion (February 1999)
Economic aid—recipient: $100.8 million (1995); note?$547 millionfrom the IMF and World Bank (1992-99)
Currency: the Moldovan leu (MLD) (plural lei) was introduced inlate 1993
Exchange rates: lei (MLD) per US$1 (end of period)—8.3226 (December 1998), 8.3395 (1998), 4.6605 (1997), 4.6500 (1996), 4.4990 (1995), 4.2700 (1994); period average—4.6758 (January 1998), 4.6236 (1997), 4.6045 (1996), 4.4958 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 600,000 (1998 est.)
Telephone system: the Ministry of Information, Computers, andTelecommunications controls telecommunications; the carrier isModtelecomdomestic: local—Chisinau has a fiber-optic loop and one cellular GSMprovider; the waiting list for telephones is long; local serviceoutside Chisinau is poor; intercity—Moldova's two fiber-opticsegments form a synchronous digital hierarchy ring through Romania'ssystem; an analog backbone system runs from south to north in Moldovainternational: two fiber-optic segments provide connectivity toRomania; worldwide service can be available to Moldova through thisinfrastructure; additional analog lines are to Russia; Intelsat,Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 8, shortwave NA (1999)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 national station, 3 private stations, 15 small local stations outside Chisinau (1998)
Televisions: 93 televisions/100 people (1996)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1,328 km broad gauge: 1,328 km 1.520-m gauge (1992)
Highways: total: 12,300 km paved: 10,738 km unpaved: 1,562 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 424 km (1994)
Pipelines: natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 26 (1994 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 8over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 2under 914 m: 3 (1994 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 182,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 5under 914 m: 8 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces,Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,151,674 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 908,347 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 38,666 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $6.3 million (FY99)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1% (1999)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: separatist Transdniester region, comprising the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine, has its own de facto government, dominated by Moldovan Slavs
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe and possibly the United States
======================================================================
@Monaco ———
Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, on the southern coast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total: 1.95 sq kmland: 1.95 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about three times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 4.4 km border countries: France 4.4 km
Coastline: 4.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain: hilly, rugged, rocky
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Natural resources: none
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 0%forests and woodland: 0%other: 100% (urban area)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography—note: second smallest independent state in world (afterHoly See); almost entirely urban
People
Population: 32,149 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 2,723; female 2,645)15-64 years: 64% (male 10,014; female 10,530)65 years and over: 19% (male 2,302; female 3,935) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.31% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 10.7 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 11.79 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.88 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.58 years male: 75 years female: 82.35 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s) adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%
Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Monacoconventional short form: Monacolocal long form: Principaute de Monacolocal short form: Monaco
Data code: MN
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Monaco
Administrative divisions: none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four quarters (quartiers, singular—quartier); Fontvieille, La Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence: 1419 (beginning of the rule by the House ofGrimaldi)
National holiday: National Day, 19 November
Constitution: 17 December 1962
Legal system: based on French law; has not accepted compulsoryICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); Heir ApparentPrince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch (born 14March 1958)head of government: Minister of State Michel LEVEQUE (since 3February 1997)cabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; minister of stateappointed by the monarch from a list of three French nationalcandidates presented by the French Government
Legislative branch: unicameral National Council or ConseilNational (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 1 and 8 February 1998 (next to be held NAJanuary 2003)election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—National and Democratic Union 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme, judges namedby the monarch on the basis of nominations by the National Council
Political parties and leaders: National and Democratic Union or
International organization participation: ACCT, ECE, IAEA, ICAO,ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Monaco does not have anembassy in the USconsulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France) isaccredited to Monaco
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) andwhite; similar to the flag of Indonesia which is longer and the flagof Poland which is white (top) and red
Economy
Economy—overview: Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. About 55% of Monaco's annual revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the industrial sector. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$800 million (1996 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$25,000 (1996 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Labor force: 30,540 (January 1994)
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $518 millionexpenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: NA kWh
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: NA kWh
Electricity—exports: NA kWh
Electricity—imports: NA kWh
Agriculture—products: none
Exports: $NA; full customs integration with France, whichcollects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates inEU market system through customs union with France
Imports: $NA; full customs integration with France, whichcollects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates inEU market system through customs union with France
Debt—external: $NA
Economic aid—recipient: $NA
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: 53,180 (1994 est.)
Telephone system: automatic telephone systemdomestic: NAinternational: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable intothe French communications system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 33,000 (1994 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 5 (1997)
Televisions: 24,000 (1994 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Monaco
Merchant marine: none
Airports: linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
======================================================================
@Mongolia ————
Geography
Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total: 1.565 million sq kmland: 1.565 million sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 8,114 km border countries: China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonaltemperature ranges)
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west andsouthwest; Gobi Desert in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 m highest point: Tavan Bogd Uul 4,374 m
Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten,phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 80%forests and woodland: 9%other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: dust storms can occur in the spring; grassland fires
Environment—current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; policies of the former communist regime promoting rapid urbanization and industrial growth have raised concerns about their negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal and the concentration of factories in Ulaanbaatar have severely polluted the air; deforestation, overgrazing, the converting of virgin land to agricultural production have increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification; mining activities have also had a deleterious effect on the environment
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: landlocked; strategic location between China andRussia
People
Population: 2,617,379 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36% (male 480,087; female 464,609)15-64 years: 60% (male 787,222; female 787,405)65 years and over: 4% (male 42,219; female 55,837) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.45% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 22.51 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.97 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: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 64.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.81 years male: 59.71 years female: 64.02 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups: Mongol 90%, Kazakh 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2%
Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4% note: previously limited religious activity because of communist regime
Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 82.9%male: 88.6%female: 77.2% (1988 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Mongolialocal long form: nonelocal short form: Mongol Ulsformer: Outer Mongolia
Data code: MG
Government type: republic
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions: 18 provinces (aymguud, singular—aymag)and 3 municipalities* (hotuud, singular—hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor,Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan,Erdenet*, Govi-Altay, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay,Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence: 13 March 1921 (from China)
National holiday: National Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution: 12 February 1992
Legal system: blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (since 20 June 1997)head of government: Prime Minister Janlavyn NARANTSATSRALT (since 9December 1998)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the State Great Hural in consultationwith the presidentelections: president nominated by parties in the State Great Huraland elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held18 May 1997 (next to be held summer 2001); following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition isusually elected prime minister by the State Great Huralelection results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI elected president; percent ofvote—Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 60.8%, Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDPand MSDP) 29.8%, Jambyn GOMBOJAV (MUTP) 6.6%; following five monthsof political deadlock which left Mongolia without a workinggovernment, Janlavyn NARANTSATSRALT was elected prime minister on 9December 1998 by a vote in the State Great Hural of 36 to 21, withnine abstentions and 10 absentees
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 State Great Hural
Political parties and leaders: Mongolian People's Revolutionarychairman], Mongolian Social Democratic Party or MSDP
International organization participation: AsDB, ASEAN (observer),CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, OPCW,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Jalbuugiyn CHOINHORchancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Alphonse F. LA PORTAembassy: inner north side of the Big Ring, just west of the SelbeGol, Ulaanbaatarmailing address: c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region 11, BigRing Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP96521-0002
Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo"—a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol)
Economy
Economy—overview: The 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 and economic growth picked up in 1997 and 1998 after stalling in 1996 due to a series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copper and cashmere. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization in 1997.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$5.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 3.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,250 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 35% services: 34% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 36.3% (1995 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.5% (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (1998)
Labor force: 1.115 million (mid-1993 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $260 million (1998)expenditures: $330 million (1998)
Industries: copper, construction materials, mining (particularlycoal); food and beverage, processing of animal products
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 2.3 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 2.681 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 381 million kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses
Exports: $316.8 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: copper, livestock, animal products,cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
Exports—partners: China 30.1%, Switzerland 21.5%, Russia 12.1%,South Korea 9.7%, US 8.1% (1998)
Imports: $472.4 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
Imports—partners: Russia 30.6%, China 13.3%, Japan 11.7%, SouthKorea 7.5%, US 6.9% (1998)
Debt—external: $500 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $250 million (1998 est.)
Currency: 1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates: tughriks (Tug) per US$1—902 (January 1999), 840.83 (1998), 789.99 (1997), 548.40 (1996), 448.61 (1995), 412.72 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 93,600 (1998)
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 (in addition, there are 18 provincial repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 120,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 1,928 km broad gauge: 1,928 km 1.524-m gauge (1994)
Highways:total: 46,470 kmpaved: 3,730 kmunpaved: 42,740 km (1997 est.)note: much of the unpaved rural road system consists of roughcross-country tracks
Waterways: 397 km of principal routes (1988)
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 34 (1994 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)
Military
Military branches: Mongolian People's Army (includes InternalSecurity Forces and Frontier Guards), Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 702,141 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 457,270 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 28,613 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $20.3 million (1997)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Montserrat —————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast ofPuerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 100 sq kmland: 100 sq kmwater: 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 1996-97)
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
People
Population: 12,853 (July 1999 est.)note: demographic figures include an estimated 8,000 refugees wholeft the island following the resumption of volcanic activity inJuly 1995
Age structure:0-14 years: NA15-64 years: NA65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.21% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 13.87 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 9.88 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.56 years male: 73.79 years female: 77.37 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1999 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 schooltotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 97% (1970 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Data code: MH
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Government type: NA
Capital: Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity;interim government buildings have been built at Brades, in theCarr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)
Administrative divisions: 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, SaintGeorges, Saint Peter's
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen(second Saturday of June)
Constitution: present constitution came into force 19 December1989
Legal system: English common law and statutory law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997)head of government: Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August1997)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chiefminister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and thefinance secretaryelections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty usually becomes chief minister; note—as a result of the lastelection, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one ofthe 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 or NPP
International organization participation: Caricom, CDB, ECLAC(associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory ofthe UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territoryof 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
Economy
Economy—overview: Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, put a damper on this small, open economy throughout 1996-98. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the air and sea ports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Construction was the dominant activity in 1997 and 1998. GDP probably declined again in 1998. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK has committed about $100 million in 1996-98 to help reconstruct the economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$36 million (1997 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -18.5% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 5.4% industry: 13.6% services: 81% (1996 est.)
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: 4,521 (1992); note—later substantially lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity
Labor force—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: 20% (1996 est.)
Budget:revenues: $31.4 millionexpenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4million (1997 est.)
Industries: tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 15 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Exports: $8.2 million (1997)
Exports—commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
Exports—partners: US, Ireland
Imports: $26.1 million (1997)
Imports—commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Imports—partners: NA
Debt—external: $8.9 million (1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $9.8 million (1995); note?about $100 million (1996-98) in reconstruction aid from the UK
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 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 (1997)
Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 203 km unpaved: 66 km (1995)
Ports and harbors: Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Police Force
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Morocco ———-
Geography
Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 446,550 sq kmland: 446,300 sq kmwater: 250 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:total: 2,017.9 kmborder 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 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain: northern coast and interior are mountainous with largeareas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastalplains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 mhighest 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