Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High ConstitutionalCourt or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle
Political parties and leaders: Action, Truth, Development, and Harmonyor AFFA ; Association for the Rebirth ofMadagascar or AREMA ; Congress Party forMalagasy Independence or AKFM/Fanavaozana [Pastor RichardANDRIAMANJATO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for NationalRecovery or LEADER/Fanilo ; Fihaonana Rally orFihaonana ; Group of Reflection and Action for theDevelopment of Madagascar or GRAD/Iloafo ;Judged by Your Work or AVI ; Movement for theProgress of Madagascar or MFM ; National Unionfor Development and Democracy or UNDD; Renewal of the SocialDemocratic Party or RPSD
Political pressure groups and leaders: Federalist Movement; NationalCouncil of Christian Churches or FFKM
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Biclair Henri ANDRIANANTOANDRO chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 265-5525, 5526 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Shirley E. BARNES embassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo mailing address: B. P. 620, Antananarivo telephone: (2) 212-57, 200-89, 207-18 FAX: (2) 345-39
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side
@Madagascar:Economy
Economy - overview: Madagascar faces problems of chronic malnutrition, underfunded health and education facilities, a roughly 3% annual population growth rate, and severe loss of forest cover, accompanied by erosion. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for 34% of GDP and contributing more than 70% to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products. Growth in output in 1992-97 averaged less than the growth rate of the population. Growth has been held back by antigovernment strikes and demonstrations, a decline in world coffee demand, and the erratic commitment of the government to economic reform. Formidable obstacles stand in the way of Madagascar's realizing its considerable growth potential; the extent of government reforms, outside financial aid, and foreign investment will be key determinants. Growth should be in the 5% range in 2000-01.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.5 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $780 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 12% services: 54% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 34.9% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 7 million (1995)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $553 million expenditures: $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 750 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 33.33% hydro: 66.67% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 698 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Exports: $600 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports - commodities: coffee 45%, vanilla 20%, cloves, shellfish, sugar, petroleum products (1995 est.)
Exports - partners: France 40%, US 9%, Germany 8%, Japan 6%, UK 6% (1997)
Imports: $881 million (c.i.f., 1998 est.)
Imports - commodities: intermediate manufactures 30%, capital goods 28%, petroleum 15%, consumer goods 14%, food 13% (1995 est.)
Imports - partners: France 39%, Hong Kong 5%, Japan 5%, China,Singapore (1997)
Debt - external: $4.1 billion (1997 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $838 million (1997)
Currency: 1 Malagasy franc (FMG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Malagasy francs (FMG) per US$1 - 6,302.9 (October 1999), 5,877.81 (1999), 5,441.4 (1998), 5,090.9 (1997), 4,061.3 (1996), 4,265.6 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Madagascar:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 33,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1995)
Telephone system: system is above average for the region domestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter links international: submarine cable to Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2 (plus 8 repeater stations), FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios: 3.05 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 325,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (1999)
@Madagascar:Transportation
Railways: total: 883 km narrow gauge: 883 km 1.000-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 49,837 km paved: 5,781 km unpaved: 44,056 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: of local importance only; isolated streams and small portions of Lakandranon' Ampangalana (Canal des Pangalanes)
Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga,Toamasina, Toliara
Merchant marine: total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 24,819 GRT/34,173 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 1, petroleum tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off 2 (1999 est.)
Airports: 133 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 104 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 59 under 914 m: 42 (1999 est.)
@Madagascar:Military
Military branches: Popular Armed Forces (includes Intervention Forces,Development Forces, Aeronaval Forces - includes Navy and Air Force),Gendarmerie, Presidential Security Regiment
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,525,754 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,092,308 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 149,157 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $29 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1% (FY94)
@Madagascar:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France)
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
______________________________________________________________________
@Malawi:Introduction
Background: Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland became the independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution, which took full effect the following year.
@Malawi:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 118,480 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,400 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries: total: 2,881 km border countries: Mozambique 1,569 km, Tanzania 475 km, Zambia 837 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m highest point: Sapitwa 3,002 m
Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 39% other: 7% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 280 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked
@Malawi:People
Population: 10,385,849 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 2,335,440; female 2,324,012) 15-64 years: 52% (male 2,671,580; female 2,766,560) 65 years and over: 3% (male 117,932; female 170,325) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.61% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 38.49 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 22.44 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 122.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 37.58 years male: 37.2 years female: 37.98 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni,Ngonde, Asian, European
Religions: Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs
Languages: English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages important regionally
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58% male: 72.8% female: 43.4% (1999 est.)
@Malawi:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi former: Nyasaland
Data code: MI
Government type: multiparty democracy
Capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga(Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, NkhataBay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zombanote: there may be three new districts named Balaka, Likoma, andPhalombe
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day 6 July (1964); Republic Day 6 July (1966)
Constitution: 18 May 1995
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since 21 May 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: 28-member cabinet named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Bakili MULUZI reelected president; percent of vote - Bakili MULUZI (UDF) 51.4%, Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MCP-AFORD) 44.3%
Legislative branch: National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 June 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - UDF 48%, MCP 34%, AFORD 15%, others 3%; seats by party - UDF 93, MCP 66, AFORD 29, others 4, vacancy 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court, chief justice appointed by the president, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; magistrate's courts
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or AFORD; Malawi Congress Party or MCP [GwandaCHAKUAMBA, president, John TEMBO, vice president]; Malawi DemocraticParty or MDP ; Social Democratic Party orSDP ; United Democratic Front or UDF [BakiliMULUZI] - governing party
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW,SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Willie CHOKANI chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 797-1007
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 telephone: 783 166 FAX: 780 471
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Government - note: the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature
@Malawi: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 37% of GDP and 85% of export revenues. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to spur exports, to improve educational and health facilities, to face up to environmental problems of deforestation and erosion, and to deal with the rapidly growing problem of HIV/AIDS.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $9.4 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.2% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $940 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 37% industry: 29% services: 34% (1998 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): 45% (1999)
Labor force: 3.5 million
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 86%, wage earners 14% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $490 million expenditures: $523 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY99/00 est.)
Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 922 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2.39% hydro: 97.61% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 857 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses; cattle, goats
Exports: $510 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products
Exports - partners: South Africa 15%, US 9%, Germany 9%, Netherlands 7%, Japan (1998)
Imports: $512 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment
Imports - partners: South Africa 38%, Zimbabwe 18%, Zambia 8%, Japan 4%, US, UK, Germany (1998)
Debt - external: $2.3 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $416.5 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Malawian kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MK) per US$1 - 46.3494 (December 1999), 44.0881 (1999), 31.0727 (1998), 16.4442 (1997), 15.3085 (1996), 15.2837 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Malawi:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 34,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 382 (1995)
Telephone system: domestic: fair system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios: 2.6 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1999)
Televisions: 0 (1999)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@Malawi: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,Chilumba
Airports: 44 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 39 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 23 (1999 est.)
@Malawi:Military
Military branches: Army (includes Air Wing and Naval Detachment),Police (includes paramilitary Mobile Force Unit)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,397,385 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,229,676 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $17 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (FY96/97)
@Malawi:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary inLake Nyasa (Lake Malawi)
______________________________________________________________________
@Malaysia:Introduction
Background: Malaysia was created in 1963 through the merging of Malaya (independent in 1957) and the former British Singapore, both of which formed West Malaysia, and Sabah and Sarawak in north Borneo, which composed East Malaysia. The first three years of independence were marred by hostilities with Indonesia. Singapore seceded from the union in 1965.
@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 km land: 328,550 sq km water: 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 Malaysia 2,607 km)
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast(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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
@Malaysia:People
Population: 21,793,293 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 3,914,112; female 3,697,731) 15-64 years: 61% (male 6,655,506; female 6,642,073) 65 years and over: 4% (male 386,387; female 497,484) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.01% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 25.3 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 5.25 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.) note: does not reflect net flow of an unknown number of illegal immigrants from other countries in the region
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.83 years male: 68.22 years female: 73.63 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.29 children born/woman (2000 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 in East Malaysia
Languages: Bahasa Melayu (official), English, Chinese dialects(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu,Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - in addition, in East Malaysia severalindigenous languages are spoken, the largest of which are Iban andKadazan
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.5% male: 89.1% female: 78.1% (1995 est.)
@Malaysia: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 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 28 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 Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah (since 26 April 1999); Deputy Paramount Ruler Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah head of government: Prime Minister Dr. MAHATHIR bin Mohamad (since 16 July 1981); Deputy Prime Minister ABDULLAH bin Ahmad Badawi (since 8 January 1999) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler elections: paramount ruler and deputy paramount ruler elected by and from the hereditary rulers of nine of the states for five-year terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House of Representatives becomes prime minister election results: Sultan TUNKU SALAHUDDIN Abdul Aziz Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Hisammuddin Alam Shah elected paramount ruler; Sultan MIZAN Zainal Abidin ibni A-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah elected deputy paramount ruler
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of nonelected Senate or Dewan Negara (69 seats; 43 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointed by the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (193 seats; members elected by popular vote weighted toward the rural Malay population to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 29 November 1999 (next to be held 3 November 2004) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NF 56%, other 44%; seats by party - NF 148, PAS 27, DAP 10, NJP 5, PBS 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the paramount ruler on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders: State Reform Party or STAR [PATAVRubis]; Democratic Action Party or DAP ; Gerakan RakyatMalaysia ; Liberal Democratic Party ;Malaysian Chinese Association or MCA ; MalaysianIndian Congress or MIC ; National Front or NF [MAHATHIRbin Mohamad] (a coalition of 14 political parties, dominated by theUMNO, and including the UPKO, SAPP, and the Liberal Democratic Party);National Justice Party or NJP ; Parti Akar; Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak or PBDS [DatukLeo MOGGIE]; Parti Bersekutu ; Parti Islam SeMalaysiaor PAS ; Party Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu orPBB ; Sabah People'sProgressive Party or SAPP ; Sabah People's United Party(Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS ; SarawakNational Party or SNAP ; Sarawak UnitedPeople's Party or SUPP ; UnitedKadazan People's Organization or UPKO (formerly Parti DemokratikSabah) ; United Malays National Organization or UMNO; United Sabah Party (main opposition party) (Parti BersatuSabah) or PBSnote: subsequent to the election, the following parties were dissolved- Spirit of '46 or Semangat '46and Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Datuk Seri JosephPAIRIN Kitingan]
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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council(temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTAET,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dato' GHAZZALI Sheikh Abdul Khalid chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 328-2700 FAX: (202) 483-7661 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador B. Lynn PASCOE embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: (3) 2168-5000 FAX: (3) 242-2207
Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow fourteen-pointed star; the crescent and the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was based on the flag of the US
@Malaysia:Economy
Economy - overview: Malaysia made a quick economic recovery in 1999 from its worst recession since independence in 1957. GDP grew 5%, responding to a dynamic export sector, which grew over 10% and fiscal stimulus from higher government spending. The large export surplus has enabled the country to build up its already substantial financial reserves, to $31 billion at yearend 1999. This stable macroeconomic environment, in which both inflation and unemployment stand at 3% or less, has made possible the relaxation of most of the capital controls imposed by the government in 1998 to counter the impact of the Asian financial crisis. Government and private forecasters expect Malaysia to continue this trend in 2000, predicting GDP to grow another 5% to 6%. While Malaysia's immediate economic horizon looks bright, its long-term prospects are clouded by the lack of reforms in the corporate sector, particularly those dealing with competitiveness and high corporate debt.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $229.1 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,700 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 46% services: 42% (1998)
Population below poverty line: 6.8% (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 20.4% (1997 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (1999)
Labor force: 9.3 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: manufacturing 27%, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 16%, local trade and tourism 17%, services 15%, government 10%, construction 9% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3% (1999 est.)
Budget: revenues: $23.2 billion expenditures: $27.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
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: 8.5% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production: 57.435 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 94.78% hydro: 5.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 53.423 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 75 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 83 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, rice; Sabah - subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber, pepper; timber
Exports: $83.5 billion (1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, chemicals, palm oil, wood and wood products, rubber, textiles
Exports - partners: US 23%, Singapore 16%, Japan 11%, Hong Kong 5%,Netherlands 5%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 3% (1999 est.)
Imports: $61.5 billion (1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, food, fuel and lubricants
Imports - partners: Japan 21%, US 18%, Singapore 14%, Taiwan 5%, SouthKorea 5%, Thailand 4%, China 3% (1999 est.)
Debt - external: $43.6 billion (1999 est.)
Currency: 1 ringgit (M$) = 100 sen
Exchange rates: ringgits (M$) per US$1 - 3.8000 (January 2000), 3.8000 (1999), 3.9244 (1998), 2.8133 (1997), 2.5159 (1996), 2.5044 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Malaysia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 4.4 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.17 million (1998)
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 56, FM 31 (plus 13 repeater stations), shortwave 5 (1999)
Radios: 9.1 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 27 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions: 3.6 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 8 (1999)
@Malaysia:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,801 km narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (148 km electrified) (2000)
Highways: total: 94,500 km paved: 70,970 km (including 580 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,530 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 7,296 km (Peninsular Malaysia 3,209 km, Sabah 1,569 km,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, Port Dickson,Port Kelang, Sandakan, Sibu, Tanjung Berhala, Tanjung Kidurong, Tawau
Merchant marine: total: 361 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,000,706 GRT/7,393,915 DWT ships by type: bulk 61, cargo 119, chemical tanker 34, container 55, liquified gas 19, livestock carrier 1, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 57, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 6, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5 (1999 est.)
Airports: 115 (1999 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 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 83 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 74 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1999 est.)
@Malaysia: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: 5,662,933 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,431,602 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 183,139 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.211 billion (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY98)
@Malaysia: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; Sipadan and Ligitan 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:Introduction
Background: The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.
@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 km land: 300 sq km water: 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 toMarch); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 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 sensitive to sea level rise
Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
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 (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
@Maldives:People
Population: 301,475 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 71,273; female 67,323) 15-64 years: 51% (male 78,598; female 75,331) 65 years and over: 3% (male 4,666; female 4,284) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.06% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 38.96 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 8.32 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 65.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.2 years male: 61.05 years female: 63.4 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.62 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived fromArabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 93.3% female: 93% (1995 est.)
@Maldives:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Data code: MV
Government type: republic
Capital: Male
Administrative divisions: 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and1 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: adopted January 1998
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 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: appointed by the president; note - need not be members of Majlis elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then that nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.9%
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 42
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not banned, 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 an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
@Maldives:Economy
Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for 20% 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. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands in 1998. Fishing is a second leading 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 18% 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 - $540 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 7% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 18% services: 62% (1999 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 67,000 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues: $166 million (excluding foreign grants) expenditures: $192 million, including capital expenditures of $80 million (1999 est.)
Industries: fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (1996 est.)
Electricity - production: 85 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 79 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Exports: $98 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities: fish, clothing
Exports - partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka, Japan
Imports: $312 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports - commodities: consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products
Imports - partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Canada
Debt - external: $188 million (1998 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.770 (fixed rate since 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Maldives:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 21,000 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 300 (1999)
Telephone system: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service international: satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 35,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 10,000 (1999)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Maldives:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km; note - Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city (1988 est.)
Ports and harbors: Gan, Male
Merchant marine: total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 69,599 GRT/105,599 DWT ships by type: cargo 17, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1999 est.)
Airports: 5 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)
@Maldives:Military
Military branches: National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 68,940 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 38,402 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Maldives:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@Mali:Introduction
Background: The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with a transitional government, and in 1992 when Mali's first democratic presidential election was held. Since his reelection in 1997, President KONARE has continued to push through political and economic reforms and to fight corruption. In 1999 he indicated he would not run for a third term.
@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 km land: 1.22 million sq km water: 20,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 7,243 km border countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea 858 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 m highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, hydropower note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known 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 dry seasons; 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
@Mali:People
Population: 10,685,948 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 47% (male 2,537,586; female 2,508,782) 15-64 years: 50% (male 2,524,969; female 2,781,762) 65 years and over: 3% (male 156,447; female 176,402) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.98% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 49.23 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 19.1 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 123.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.66 years male: 45.5 years female: 47.85 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.89 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), 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 African languages
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 31% male: 39.4% female: 23.1% (1995 est.)
@Mali:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic
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 the Republic, 22September (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 (since March 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 11 May 1997 (next to be held NA May 2002); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Alpha Oumar KONARE reelected president; percent of vote - Alpha Oumar KONARE 95.9%, Mamadou DIABY 4.1%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 July and 3 August 1997 (next to be held in two rounds in 2002); note - much of the opposition boycotted the election election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADEMA 130, PARENA 8, CDS 4, UDD 3, PDP 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA; Block of Alternative for theRenewal of Africa or BARA ; Democratic and SocialConvention or CDS ; Movement for theIndependence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA [MohamedLamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress for DemocraticInitiative or CNID ; Party for Democracy andProgress or PDP ; Party for National Renewal orPARENA ;Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT ; Rally forDemocracy and Progress or RDP ; SudaneseUnion/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou Bamou TOURE,secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progress or UFDP; Union for Democracy andDevelopment or UDD
Political pressure groups and leaders: Patriotic Movement of theGhanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement and Fronts of Azawad or MFUA
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, IOM, ITU, MIPONUH,MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, 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 telephone: (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: (202) 332-6603
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RANNEBERGER embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: 22 54 70 FAX: 22 37 12
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Mali: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 should remain in the 5-6% range in 2000-01, and inflation should drop under 3%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.5 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1999 est.)