Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela Hyde SMITH embassy: 103 Alexei Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [373] (2) 23-37-72 FAX: [373] (2) 23-30-44
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 aRoman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talonscarrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in itsright talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breastis a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized oxhead, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
Economy Moldova
Economy - overview:Moldova remains a very poor country despite recent progress fromits small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and goodfarmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economydepends 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 contributedto sharp production declines after the breakup of the Soviet Unionin 1991. As part of an ambitious reform effort, Moldova introduced aconvertible currency, freed all prices, stopped issuing preferentialcredits to state enterprises, backed steady land privatization,removed export controls, and freed interest rates. The governmententered into agreements with the World Bank and the IMF to promotegrowth and reduce poverty. The economy returned to positive growth,of 2.1% in 2000, 6.1% in 2001, 7.2% in 2002, and 5.3% in 2003.Further reforms will come slowly because of strong political forcesbacking government controls. The economy remains vulnerable tohigher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism offoreign investors.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $11.51 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $2,600 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 28% industry: 23% services: 49% (2000)
Population below poverty line: 80% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 30.7% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:40.6 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):5.5% (2002 est.)
Labor force:1.7 million (1998)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 40%, industry 14%, services 46% (1998)
Unemployment rate:8% (roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad) (2002est.)
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:9% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:3.394 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 90.6% hydro: 9.4% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:3.216 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:60 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:24,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2.05 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products: vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk
Exports:$590 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners:Russia 35%, Italy 11.7%, Germany 8.8%, Ukraine 8.5%, Romania 5.7%,US 5.2%, Belarus 4.5%, Spain 4.1% (2002)
Imports:$980 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:mineral products and fuel 32%, machinery and equipment, chemicals,textiles (2000)
Imports - partners:Russia 23.9%, Ukraine 13.4%, Germany 12.6%, Italy 8.3%, Romania8.2% (2002)
Debt - external:$1.3 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$100 million (2000)
Currency:Moldovan leu (MDL)
Currency code:MDL
Exchange rates:lei per US dollar - NA (2002), 12.87 (2001), 12.43 (2000), 10.52(1999), 5.37 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Moldova
Telephones - main lines in use:627,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,200 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outsideChisinau; some effort to modernize is under waydomestic: new subscribers face long wait for service; mobilecellular telephone service being introducedinternational: service through Romania and Russia via landline;satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik
Radio broadcast stations:AM 7, FM 50, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios:3.22 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus 30 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:1.26 million (1997)
Internet country code:.md
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (1999)
Internet users:15,000 (2000)
Transportation Moldova
Railways: total: 1,300 km broad gauge: 1,300 km 1.520-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 12,657 km paved: 11,012 km unpaved: 1,645 km (1999)
Waterways:424 km (1994)
Pipelines:gas 606 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:36 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 8over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 3under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 282,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 11under 914 m: 12 (2002)
Military Moldova
Military branches:Ground Forces (includes Air and Air Defense Forces), RepublicSecurity Forces (includes paramilitary Internal Troops and BorderTroops)
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,180,874 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 936,629 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 44,084 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$6.4 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.4% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Moldova
Disputes - international:difficulties with the Transnistria region complicate bordercrossing and customs with Ukraine, facilitating smuggling, armstransfers, and other illegal activities
Illicit drugs:limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CISconsumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from SouthwestAsia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly theUS; widespread crime and underground economic activity
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Monaco
Introduction Monaco
Background:Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with arailroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then,the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gamblingfacilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreationcenter.
Geography Monaco
Location:Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea on the southerncoast of France, near the border with Italy
Geographic coordinates:43 44 N, 7 24 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 1.95 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 1.95 sq km
Area - comparative:about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, 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% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note:second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See);almost entirely urban
People Monaco
Population:32,130 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 15.5% (male 2,551; female 2,445)15-64 years: 62.1% (male 9,814; female 10,130)65 years and over: 22.4% (male 2,937; female 4,253) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 45 yearsmale: 43 yearsfemale: 47 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.44% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:9.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:12.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:7.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 6.52 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.27 yearsmale: 75.37 yearsfemale: 83.37 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.76 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Monegasque(s) or Monacan(s)adjective: Monegasque or Monacan
Ethnic groups:French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21%
Religions:Roman Catholic 90%
Languages:French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Monaco
Country name:conventional long form: Principality of Monacoconventional short form: Monacolocal short form: Monacolocal long form: Principaute de Monaco
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:Monaco
Administrative divisions:none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as definedby 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 of Grimaldi)
National holiday:National Day (Prince of Monaco Holiday), 19 November
Constitution:17 December 1962
Legal system:based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Prince RAINIER III (since 9 May 1949); HeirApparent Prince ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre, son of the monarch(born 14 March 1958)elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; minister of stateappointed by the monarch from a list of three French nationalcandidates presented by the French Governmentcabinet: Council of Government is under the authority of the monarchhead of government: Minister of State Patrick LECLERCQ (since 5January 2000)
Legislative branch:unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16members elected by list majority system, 8 by proportionalrepresentation; to serve five-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -UNAM 21, UND 3elections: last held 9 February 2003 (next to be held NA February2008)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Tribunal Supreme (judges appointed by the monarchon the basis of nominations by the National Council)
Political parties and leaders:National and Democratic Union or UND [Jean-Louis CAMPORA]; Unionfor Monaco or UPM (including National Union for the Future of Monacoor UNAM [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT, ECE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFRCS,IHO, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNITAR, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:Monaco does not have an embassy in the USconsulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Consul General inMarseille (France) is accredited to Monaco
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to theflag of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which iswhite (top) and red
Economy Monaco
Economy - overview:Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popularresort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. In2001, a major new construction project will extend the pier used bycruise ships in the main harbor. The principality has successfullysought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added,nonpolluting industries. The state has no income tax and lowbusiness taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals whohave established residence and for foreign companies that have setup businesses and offices. The state retains monopolies in a numberof sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postalservice. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those inprosperous French metropolitan areas. Monaco does not publishnational income figures; the estimates below are extremely rough.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $870 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $27,000 (1999 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% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $518 millionexpenditures: $531 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1995)
Industries:tourism, construction, small-scale industrial and consumer products
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - imports:NA kWhnote: electricity supplied by France
Agriculture - products:none
Exports:$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects andrebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU marketsystem through customs union with France
Imports:$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects andrebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU marketsystem through customs union with France
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency:euro (EUR)
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854(2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Monaco
Telephones - main lines in use:31,027 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: modern automatic telephone systemdomestic: NAinternational: no satellite earth stations; connected by cable intothe French communications system
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM NA, shortwave 8 (1998)
Radios:34,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (1998)
Televisions:25,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mc
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Monaco
Railways: total: 1.7 km standard gauge: 1.7 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 50 km paved: 50 km unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Monaco
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:none; linked to airport in Nice, France, by helicopter service(2002)
Heliports:1 (shuttle service between the international airport at Nice,France, and Monaco's heliport at Fontvieille) (2002)
Military Monaco
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Monaco
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Mongolia
Introduction Mongolia
Background:The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Genghis KHANthey conquered a huge Eurasian empire. After his death the empirewas divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these brokeapart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to theiroriginal steppe homelands and came under Chinese rule. Mongolia wonits independence in 1921 with Soviet backing. A Communist regime wasinstalled in 1924. During the early 1990s, the ex-CommunistMongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) gradually yielded itsmonopoly on power to the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC), whichdefeated the MPRP in a national election in 1996. Over the next fouryears, the DUC put forward a number of key reforms to modernize theeconomy and to democratize the political system. The formerCommunists were a strong opposition that stalled additionalrestructuring and made implementation difficult. In 2000, the MPRPwon an overwhelming victory in the legislature - with 72 of the 76seats - and completely reshuffled the government. While it continuesmany of the reform policies, the MPRP has focused on social welfareand public order priorities.
Geography Mongolia
Location:Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates:46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 1.565 million sq kmwater: 9,600 sq kmland: 1,555,400 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 8,162 km border countries: China 4,677 km, Russia 3,485 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain:vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in westand southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 mhighest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
Natural resources:oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron, phosphate
Land use: arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0% other: 99.16% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:840 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", whichis harsh winter conditions
Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policiesof former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization andindustrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; theburning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement ofenvironmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar;deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land toagricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain;desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect onthe environment
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
People Mongolia
Population:2,712,315 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30.7% (male 423,081; female 408,119)15-64 years: 65.7% (male 890,482; female 892,140)65 years and over: 3.6% (male 42,292; female 56,201) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 23.5 yearsmale: 23.2 yearsfemale: 23.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:1.42% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:21.39 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.18 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 57.16 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 53.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 60.75 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 63.81 yearsmale: 61.63 yearsfemale: 66.09 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.28 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 100 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Mongolian(s)adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups:Mongol (predominantly Khalkha) 85%, Turkic (of which Kazakh is thelargest group) 7%, Tungusic 4.6%, other (including Chinese andRussian) 3.4% (1998)
Religions:Tibetan Buddhist Lamaism 96%, Muslim (primarily in the southwest),Shamanism, and Christian 4% (1998)
Languages:Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.1%male: 99.2%female: 99% (2003 est.)
Government Mongolia
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Mongolialocal short form: Mongol Ulsformer: Outer Mongolialocal long form: none
Government type:parliamentary
Capital:Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions:21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality*(singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, DarhanUul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Govi-Altay, Govi-Sumber,Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge,Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence:11 July 1921 (from China)
National holiday:Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution:12 February 1992
Legal system:blend of Soviet, German, and US systems of law that combinesaspects of a parliamentary system with some aspects of apresidential system; constitution ambiguous on judicial review oflegislative 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 Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR (since 26 July2000)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 held20 May 2001 (next to be held NA May 2005); following legislativeelections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition isusually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural; electionlast held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)election results: Natsagiyn BAGABANDI reelected president; percentof vote - Natsagiyn BAGABANDI (MPRP) 58.13%, RadnaasumbereliynGONCHIGDORJ (DP) 36.58%, Luvsandamba DASHNYAM (CWP) 3.54%, other1.75%; Nambaryn ENKHBAYAR elected prime minister by a vote in theState Great Hural of 68 to 3
Legislative branch:unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; members elected by popularvote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 2 July 2000 (next to be held NA July 2004)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -MPRP 72, other 4
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincialcourts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges arenominated by the General Council of Courts for approval by thepresident)
Political parties and leaders:Citizens' Will Party or CWP (also called Civil Will Party or CivilCourage Party) [Sanjaasurengyn OYUN]; Democratic Party or DP [D.DORLIGJAN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [NambarynENKHBAYAR]; Mongolian New Socialist Democratic Party or MNSDP [B.ERDENEBAT]; Mongolian Republican Party or MRP [B. JARGALSAIHAN]note: the MPRP is the ruling party
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), CP (provisional),EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,MONUC, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Ravdangiyn BOLDchancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007consulate(s) general: New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 298-9227telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. Slutzembassy: Micro Region 11, Big Ring Road, C.P.O. 1021, Ulaanbaatar 13mailing address: PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002telephone: [976] (11) 329095FAX: [976] (11) 320776
Flag description:three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red;centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometricrepresentation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yangsymbol)
Economy Mongolia
Economy - overview:Economic activity traditionally has been based on agriculture andbreeding of livestock. Mongolia also has extensive mineral deposits;copper, coal, molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for alarge part of industrial production. Soviet assistance, at itsheight one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990-1991at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. Mongolia was driveninto deep recession, prolonged by the Mongolian People'sRevolutionary Party's (MPRP) reluctance to undertake seriouseconomic reform. The Democratic Coalition (DC) government embracedfree-market economics, eased price controls, liberalized domesticand international trade, and attempted to restructure the bankingsystem and the energy sector. Major domestic privatization programswere undertaken, as well as the fostering of foreign investmentthrough international tender of the oil distribution company, aleading cashmere company, and banks. Reform was held back by theex-Communist MPRP opposition and by the political instabilitybrought about through four successive governments under the DC.Economic growth picked up in 1997-1999 after stalling in 1996 due toa series of natural disasters and declines in world prices of copperand cashmere. In August and September 1999, the economy sufferedfrom a temporary Russian ban on exports of oil and oil products, andMongolia remains vulnerable in this sector. Mongolia joined theWorld Trade Organization (WTrO) in 1997. The international donorcommunity pledged over $300 million per year at the ConsultativeGroup Meeting, held in Ulaanbaatar in June 1999. The MPRPgovernment, elected in July 2000, is anxious to improve theinvestment climate; it must also deal with a heavy burden ofexternal debt. Falling prices for Mongolia's mainly primary sectorexports, widespread opposition to privatization, and adverse effectsof weather on agriculture in early 2000 and 2001 restrained real GDPgrowth in 2000-2001. Despite drought problems in 2002, GDP rose4.0%, followed by a solid 5.0% increase in 2003. The firstapplications under the land privatization law have been marked by anumber of disputes over particular sites. Russia claims Mongoliaowes it $11 billion from the old Soviet period; any settlement couldsubstantially increase Mongolia's foreign debt burden.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $5.06 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 23% services: 45% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 36% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.5% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:33.2 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:1.4 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation:primarily herding/agricultural
Unemployment rate:20% (2000)
Budget:revenues: $386 millionexpenditures: $427 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(2002 est.)
Industries:construction materials, mining (coal, copper, molybdenum,fluorspar, and gold); oil; food and beverages, processing of animalproducts
Industrial production growth rate:4.1% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:2.225 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:2.194 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:25 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:196 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:8,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses
Exports: $501 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities: copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals
Exports - partners:China 43.8%, US 33.6%, Russia 9.6% (2002)
Imports:$659 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumergoods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
Imports - partners:Russia 32%, China 19.4%, South Korea 12.1%, US 9.1%, Germany 4.7%,Japan 4.3% (2002)
Debt - external:$913 million (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$208.7 million (1999 est.)
Currency:togrog/tugrik (MNT)
Currency code:MNT
Exchange rates:togrogs/tugriks per US dollar - 1,134 (2002), 1,097.7 (2001),1,076.67 (2000), 1,021.87 (1999), 840.83 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Mongolia
Telephones - main lines in use:104,100 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:110,000 (2001)
Telephone system:general assessment: very low density: about 3.5 telephones for eachthousand personsdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (IndianOcean Region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 7, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2001)
Radios:155,900 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:4 (plus 18 provincial repeaters and many low power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:168,800 (1999)
Internet country code:.mn
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2001)
Internet users:40,000 (2002)
Transportation Mongolia
Railways: 1,815 km broad gauge: 1,815 km 1.524-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 49,250 km paved: 1,724 km unpaved: 47,526 km (2000)
Waterways:400 km (1999)
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:50 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 12 (2002)
Military Mongolia
Military branches:Mongolian Armed Forces (includes General Purpose Forces, Air andAir Defense Forces, Civil Defense Troops); note - Border Troops areunder Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs in peacetime
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 796,449 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 516,502 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 32,529 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$23.1 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.2% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Mongolia
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Montserrat
Introduction Montserrat
Background:Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of thepopulation has fled abroad due to the eruption of the SoufriereHills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995.
Geography Montserrat
Location:Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:16 45 N, 62 12 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 102 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 102 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 island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcaniccomplex) 914 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use:arable land: 20%permanent crops: 0%other: 80% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (SoufriereHills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996)
Environment - current issues:land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Geography - note:the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven activevolcanoes
People Montserrat
Population:8,995note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following theresumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned(July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23.4% (male 1,062; female 1,041)15-64 years: 65.3% (male 2,805; female 3,066)65 years and over: 11.4% (male 537; female 484) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 27.8 yearsmale: 27.7 yearsfemale: 27.9 years (2002)
Population growth rate:4.5% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:17.57 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:34.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.77 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 9.05 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.36 yearsmale: 76.24 yearsfemale: 80.59 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality: noun: Montserratian(s) adjective: Montserratian
Ethnic groups:black, white
Religions:Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-DayAdventist, other Christian denominations
Languages:English
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over has ever attended schooltotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 97% (1970 est.)
Government Montserrat
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Montserrat
Dependency status:overseas territory of the UK
Government type:NA
Capital:Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interimgovernment buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr'sBay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)
Administrative divisions:3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence:none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
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 LONGRIGG (since NA May 2001)elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by themonarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majorityparty usually becomes chief ministerhead of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, the chiefminister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and thefinance secretary
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected;members serve five-year terms)note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorneygeneral and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio memberselections: last held NA April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a singleconstituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters castballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Councilelection results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -NPLM 7, NPP 2
Judicial branch:Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge ofthe Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over theHigh Court)
Political parties and leaders:National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People'sLiberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant andthe Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of theflag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellowharp with her arm around a black cross
Economy Montserrat
Economy - overview:Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put adamper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic andsocial dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled theisland. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limitedthe number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by thelack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops.Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relationto the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UKhas launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to helpreconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remainuninhabitable for another decade.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $29 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:-1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)
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):2.6% (2002 est.)
Labor force:4,521 ; note - lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate:6% (1998 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:2.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:2.325 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:400 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Agriculture - products: cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Exports: $700,000 (2001)
Exports - commodities: electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
Exports - partners:US, Antigua and Barbuda
Imports:$17 million (2001)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufacturedgoods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Imports - partners:US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada
Debt - external:$8.9 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient:Country Policy Plan (2001) is a three-year program for spending$122.8 million in British budgetary assistance
Currency:East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Currency code:XCD
Exchange rates:East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since1976)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Montserrat
Telephones - main lines in use:4,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:70 (1994)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:7,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:3,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ms
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):17 (2000)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Montserrat
Railways:0 km
Highways:total: 227 kmpaved: NA kmunpaved: NA kmnote: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of theroad system (2003)
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing),Carr's Bay
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:none; only airport was destroyed by volcanic activity; a helicopterservice to Antigua is used (2002)
Military Montserrat
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Montserrat
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for theUS and Europe
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Morocco
Introduction Morocco
Background:Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956.The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the newcountry that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Saharaduring the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of theterritory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990sresulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 1997.
Geography Morocco
Location:Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and theMediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinates:32 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 446,550 sq 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 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain:northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas ofbordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 mhighest point: Jbel Toubkal 4,165 m
Natural resources:phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use: arable land: 20.12% permanent crops: 2.05% other: 77.83% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:12,910 sq km (1998 est.)