Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (27 seats; 10 elected bypopular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and sevem appointed by the chiefexecutive; members serve four-year terms); number of legislatorswill increase to 29 from September 2005elections: last held 23 September 2001 (next to be September 2005)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by political bloc -Entertainment Industry 3, pro-democracy 2, pro-Beijing Labor Union2, pro-Beijing Neighborhood Association 2, pro-business 1
Judicial branch:The Court of Final Appeal in the Macau Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:Some civic associations operate as de facto political parties:Electoral Union; Pro-Macao and Flower of Friendship and Developmentof Macao; Associacao para a Defesa dos Interesses de Macao; CentroDemocratico de Macao; Grupo Independente de Macao; Macau EconomicPromotion Association; Progress Promotion Union; Development Union
Political pressure groups and leaders:Catholic Church [LAI Hung-sing, bishop]; Macau Society of Tourismand Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO, managing director]; Union forDemocracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong, leader]
International organization participation:IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO (correspondent),UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (special administrative region of China)
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by theUS Consulate General in Hong Kong
Flag description:light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and waterin white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one largein center of arc and four smaller
Economy Macau
Economy - overview:Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open in theworld since its reversion to China in 1999. The territory's netexports of goods and services account for roughly 41% of GDP withtourism and apparel exports as the mainstays. Although the territorywas hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the globaldownturn in 2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002. A rapid rise in thenumber of mainland visitors because of China's easing ofrestrictions on travel drove the recovery. The budget also returnedto surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and ahike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% ofgovernment revenue. The liberalization of Macao's gambling monopolycontributes to GDP growth, as the three companies awarded gamblinglicenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory. Muchof Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as theMulti-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to relymore on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. Thegovernment estimated GDP growth at 4% in 2003 with the drop in largemeasure due to concerns over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS), but private sector analysts think the figure may have beenhigher because of the continuing boom in tourism.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $9.1 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 1%industry: 12%services: 87% (2002 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-2.6% (2003 est.)
Labor force:214,000 (2002)
Labor force - by occupation:manufacturing 20%, construction 7%, transport and communications6%, wholesale and retail trade 15%, restaurants and hotels 12%,gambling 7%, public sector 8%, other services and agriculture 25%(2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:6.3% (2003)
Budget:revenues: $1.9 billionexpenditures: $1.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $194million (2002)
Agriculture - products:vegetables, livestock
Industries:tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:1.611 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - consumption:1.688 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:193 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:11,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Exports:$2.356 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:clothing, textiles, footwear, cement, machines, and parts
Exports - partners:US 49.4%, China 14.1%, Germany 8.1%, Hong Kong 6.7%, UK 4.5% (2003)
Imports:$2.53 billion c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:clothing, textiles, yarn, foodstuffs, fuel, automobiles, capitalgoods
Imports - partners:China 43%, Hong Kong 12.7%, Japan 8.7%, Taiwan 5.6% (2003)
Debt - external:$121 million (2001 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA (1997)
Currency:pataca (MOP)
Currency code:MOP
Exchange rates:patacas per US dollar - 8.0212 (2003), 8.0334 (2002), 8.0335(2001), 8.0259 (2000), 7.9919 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Macau
Telephones - main lines in use:174,600 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:364,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: fairly modern communication facilitiesmaintained for domestic and international servicesdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 853; HF radiotelephone communicationfacility; access to international communications carriers providedvia Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat(Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:160,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (2003)
Televisions:49,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mo
Internet hosts:89 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:120,000 (2003)
Transportation Macau
Highways: total: 271 km paved: 271 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Ports and harbors:Macau
Merchant marine:none
Airports:1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Macau
Military branches:responsibility for defense reverted to China on 20 December 1999;there are local police forces
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 125,060 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 68,913 (2004 est.)
Transnational Issues Macau
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Macedonia
Introduction Macedonia
Background:International recognition of Macedonia's independence fromYugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the newstate's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols.Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995 and the twocountries agreed to normalize relations, although differences overMacedonia's name remain. The undetermined status of neighboringKosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement - which ended the2001 ethnic Albanian armed insurgency - and a weak economy continueto be challenges for Macedonia.
Geography Macedonia
Location:Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates:41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 25,333 sq kmwater: 477 sq kmland: 24,856 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:total: 766 kmborder countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km,Serbia and Montenegro 221 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters withheavy snowfall
Terrain:mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; threelarge lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected bythe Vardar River
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Vardar River 50 mhighest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
Natural resources:low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese,nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use: arable land: 22.26% permanent crops: 1.81% other: 75.93% (2001)
Irrigated land:550 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:high seismic risks
Environment - current issues:air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and CentralEurope to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People Macedonia
Population:2,071,210 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 21.5% (male 231,078; female 213,906)15-64 years: 67.8% (male 707,298; female 696,830)65 years and over: 10.7% (male 97,437; female 124,661) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 32.8 yearsmale: 31.7 yearsfemale: 33.9 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.39% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:13.14 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.83 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 11.74 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 10.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 74.73 yearsmale: 72.45 yearsfemale: 77.2 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.74 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 200 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Macedonian(s)adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups:Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.8%, Roma 2.7%, Serb1.8%, other 2.3% (2002)
Religions:Macedonian Orthodox 70%, Muslim 29%, other 1%
Languages:Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other2%
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Government Macedonia
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Macedoniaconventional short form: Macedonia; note - the provisionaldesignation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republicof Macedonia (FYROM)local long form: Republika Makedonijaformer: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic ofMacedonialocal short form: Makedonija
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Skopje
Administrative divisions:123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac,Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila,Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska,Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo,Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo,Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste,Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor,Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo,Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste,Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis,Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, MakedonskaKamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila,Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Polosko, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo,Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica,Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman,Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnica, Srbinovo,Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica,Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo,Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica,Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas,Zelenikovo, Zeleno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovcinote: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parenthesescollectively constitute "greater Skopje"; new information suggeststhat the 123 municipalities have been consolidated into 84municipalities
Independence:8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsingindependence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah'sDay and Ilinden
Constitution:adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991note: in November of 2001, the Macedonian Assembly approved a seriesof new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights
Legal system:based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Vlado BUCKOVSKI (since 17December 2004)elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to beheld April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly; electionlast held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president onsecond-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%,Sasko KEDEV 37.3%; Vlado BUCKOVSKI elected prime minister by theAssemblycabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of allthe deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by thegovernment coalition parties SDSM, LDP, and BDI
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - members elected bypopular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overallvote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; all servefour-year terms)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Together for Macedonia coalition 60 (SDSM 43, LDP 12, others 5),VMRO-DPMNE 33 (VMRO 28 and LDT 5), Democratic Union for Integration16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court - the Assembly appoints the judges; ConstitutionalCourt - the Assembly appoints the judges; Republican JudicialCouncil - the Assembly appoints the judges
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Alternative or DA[Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic League of the Bosniaks[Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH/DPA [ArbenXHAFERI, president]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC];Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic RepublicanUnion of Macedonia or DRUM [Dosta DIMOVSKA]; Democratic Union ofVlachs for Macedonia [leader NA]; Democratic Union for Integrationor BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization-Agrarian Party or VMRO-Agrarian Party [Marjan GJORCEV];Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party forMacedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE (including VMRO and LDT)[Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization-True Macedonian Option or VMRO-Vistinska [BorisZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian RevolutionaryOrganization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Internal MacedonianRevolutionary Organization-People's Party or VMRO-Narodna [VesnaJANEVSKA]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; LiberalDemocratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV];National Democratic Party or PDK [Basri HALITI]; National Farmers'Party [VejljoTANTAROV]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP[Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia orSDSM [Vlado BUCKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia orSP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition(including the SDSM and LDP) [Vlado BUCKOVSI]; United Party forEmancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Civic Movement of Macedonia [Gordana SILJANOVSKA]; Movement forMacedonia's Euro-Atlantic Integration [Dosta DIMOVSKA]
International organization participation:ACCT, BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),ISO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: Southfield, Michigan FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Edward BUTLER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103
Flag description:a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges ofthe red field
Economy Macedonia
Economy - overview:At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the leastdeveloped of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of thetotal federal output of goods and services. The collapse ofYugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminatedadvantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absenceof infrastructure, UN sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its largestmarkets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about thecountry's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growthuntil 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However,the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, andregional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanianinsurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.5% because of decreasedtrade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending onsecurity needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in2002 to 0.9%, then rose to 2.8% in 2003. Unemployment at one-thirdof the workforce remains the most critical economic problem. Thegray economy is estimated at around 40% of GDP. Politically, thecountry is more stable than in 2002.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $13.81 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.3% industry: 32.1% services: 56.6% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):16.3% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:30.2% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.2% (2003 est.)
Labor force:860,000 (2003 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:36.7% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.582 billionexpenditures: $1.661 billion, including capital expenditures of $80million NA (2003 est.)
Public debt:30.2% of GDP (2003)
Agriculture - products:rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberryleaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton
Industries:coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, woodproducts, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel
Industrial production growth rate:4.5% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:6.465 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:6.112 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:100 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-278 million (2003)
Exports:$1.346 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel
Exports - partners:Serbia and Montenegro 37.8%, Germany 27%, Italy 14.7%, Greece 9.7%,Croatia 6.9%, US 6.1%, Netherlands 4.8% (2003)
Imports:$2.184 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products
Imports - partners:Greece 17.3%, Germany 12.6%, Serbia and Montenegro 9.2%, Slovenia7.9%, Bulgaria 7.4%, Italy 6.2%, Turkey 6% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$935.1 million (2003)
Debt - external:$1.929 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$250 million (2003 est.)
Currency:Macedonian denar (MKD)
Currency code:MKD
Exchange rates:Macedonian denars per US dollar - NA (2003), 64.3498 (2002),68.0371 (2001), 65.9039 (2000), 56.9018 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Macedonia
Telephones - main lines in use:560,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:365,300 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 389
Radio broadcast stations:AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:410,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:510,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mk
Internet hosts:3,738 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2000)
Internet users:100,000 (2002)
Transportation Macedonia
Railways: total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2003)
Highways:total: 8,684 kmpaved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways)unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.)
Pipelines:gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:none
Airports:17 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 102,438 to 3,047 m: 2under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 7914 to 1,523 m: 3under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)
Military Macedonia
Military branches:Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; including Air and AirDefense Command)
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service, tour of conscriptduty is 6 months; 17 years of age for voluntary service (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 555,611 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 448,095 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 17,595 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$200 million (FY01/02 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:6% (FY01/02 est.)
Transnational Issues Macedonia
Disputes - international:the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights ofethnic Albanians in Macedonia while continuing to seek regionalcooperation; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo resist demarcation of asmall section of the Macedonia-Kosovo boundary in accordance withthe 2000 delimitation treaty, which transferred a small amount ofland to Macedonia; dispute with Greece over country's name persists
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 2,678 (ethnic conflict in 2001; most IDPs have returned)(2004)
Illicit drugs:major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish;minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe;although most criminal activity is thought to be domestic and not afinancial center, money laundering is a problem due to a mostlycash-based economy and weak enforcement (no arrests or prosecutionsfor money laundering to date)
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Madagascar
Introduction Madagascar
Background:Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colonyin 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, freepresidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidentialrace, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, wasreturned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election wascontested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and MarcRAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. InApril 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA thewinner.
Geography Madagascar
Location:Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:20 00 S, 47 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 587,040 sq kmwater: 5,500 sq kmland: 581,540 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Arizona
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:4,828 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobathexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
Terrain:narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Natural resources:graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands,semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 5.07% permanent crops: 1.03% other: 93.91% (2001)
Irrigated land:10,900 sq km (2000 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation
Environment - current issues: soil erosion results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are endangered
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along MozambiqueChannel
People Madagascar
Population:17,501,871 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44.9% (male 3,935,523; female 3,922,077)15-64 years: 52% (male 4,509,877; female 4,596,662)65 years and over: 3.1% (male 245,168; female 292,564) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 17.4 yearsmale: 17.2 yearsfemale: 17.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:3.03% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:41.91 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:11.62 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 78.52 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 69.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 86.84 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 56.54 yearsmale: 54.19 yearsfemale: 58.96 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.7 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.7% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:140,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:7,500 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Malagasy (singular and plural)adjective: Malagasy
Ethnic groups:Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixedAfrican, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka,Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran
Religions:indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages:French (official), Malagasy (official)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 68.9%male: 75.5%female: 62.5% (2003 est.)
Government Madagascar
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Madagascarconventional short form: Madagascarlocal short form: Madagascarformer: Malagasy Republiclocal long form: Republique de Madagascar
Government type:republic
Capital:Antananarivo
Administrative divisions:6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa,Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Independence:26 June 1960 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 26 June (1960)
Constitution:19 August 1992 by national referendum
Legal system:based on French civil law system and traditional Malagasy law; hasnot accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Marc RAVALOMANANA (since 6 May 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Jacques SYLLA (27 May 2002)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA November2006); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: percent of vote - Didier RATSIRAKA (AREMA) 37.7%,Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 50.5%
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (160 seats;members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-yearterms); Senate (100 seats; two-thirds of the seats filled byregional assemblies whose members will be elected by popular vote;the remaining one-third of the seats appointed by the president; allmembers will serve four-year terms)elections: National Assembly - last held 15 December 2002 (next tobe held NA 2006)election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - TIM 103, FP 22, AREMA 3, LEADER/Fanilo 2, RPSD 5,others 3, independents 22
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Constitutional Court or HauteCour Constitutionnelle
Political parties and leaders:Association for the Rebirth of Madagascar or AREMA [PierrotRAJAONARIVO]; Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for NationalRecovery or LEADER/Fanilo [Herizo RAZAFIMAHALEO]; Fihaonana Party orFP [Guy-Willy RAZANAMASY]; I Love Madagascar or TIM [MarcRAVALOMANANA]; Renewal of the Social Democratic Party or RPSD[Evariste MARSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Committee for the Defense of Truth and Justice or KMMR; Committeefor National Reconciliation or CRN [Albert Zafy]; National Councilof Christian Churches or FFKM
International organization participation:ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt(signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Rajaonarivony NARISOAconsulate(s) general: New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 483-7603telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525, 5526chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Wanda L. NESBITTembassy: 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo 101mailing address: B. P. 620, Antsahavola, Antananarivotelephone: [261] (20) 22-212-57, 22-212-73, 22-209-56FAX: [261] (20) 22-345-39
Flag description:two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a verticalwhite band of the same width on hoist side
Economy Madagascar
Economy - overview:Having discarded past socialist economic policies, Madagascar hassince the mid 1990s followed a World Bank and IMF led policy ofprivatization and liberalization. This strategy has placed thecountry on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely lowlevel. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay ofthe economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP andemploying four-fifths of the population. Exports of apparel haveboomed in recent years primarily due to duty-free access to theUnited States. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by the use offirewood as the primary source of fuel are serious concerns.President RAVALOMANANA has worked aggressively to revive the economyfollowing the 2002 political crisis, which triggered a 12% drop inGDP that year. Poverty reduction and combating corruption will bethe centerpieces of economic policy for the next few years.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $13.02 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34.5% industry: 7.8% services: 57.7% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):14.8% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:71% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 3%highest 10%: 29% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:38.1 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):8% (2003 est.)
Labor force:7.3 million (2000)
Unemployment rate:5.9% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $739.6 millionexpenditures: $1.071 billion, including capital expenditures of $331million (2003)
Agriculture - products:coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca),beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products
Industries:meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles,glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum,tourism
Industrial production growth rate:3% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production:830.2 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:772.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:0 bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - proved reserves:0 cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$-398 million (2003)
Exports:$700 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar; cotton cloth, chromite,petroleum products
Exports - partners:France 37.4%, US 29.2%, Germany 5.5%, Mauritius 5.2% (2003)
Imports:$920 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food
Imports - partners:China 14.2%, France 13.2%, South Africa 6.4%, Iran 6.2% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$423 million (2003)
Debt - external:$4.6 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient:$354 million (2001)
Currency:Malagasy franc (MGF)
Currency code:MGF
Exchange rates:Malagasy francs per US dollar - 6,210 (2003), 6,831.96 (2002),6,588.49 (2001), 6,767.48 (2000), 6,283.77 (1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Madagascar
Telephones - main lines in use:59,600 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:279,500 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: system is above average for the regiondomestic: open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay,and tropospheric scatter links connect regionsinternational: country code - 261; submarine cable to Bahrain;satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001)
Radios:3.05 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:325,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mg
Internet hosts:773 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:70,500 (2003)
Transportation Madagascar
Railways: total: 732 km narrow gauge: 732 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)
Highways: total: 49,827 km paved: 5,780 km unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:600 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara
Merchant marine:total: 11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 14,865 GRT/17,936 DWTregistered in other countries: 2 (2004 est.)by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 2
Airports:116 (2003 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 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 87 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 42 under 914 m: 43 (2004 est.)
Military Madagascar
Military branches:People's Armed Forces: comprising Intervention Force, DevelopmentForce, and Aeronaval - Navy and Air - Force; National Gendarmerie
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 18 months(2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 4,004,242 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,373,342 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 169,186 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$69.8 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.2% (2003)
Transnational Issues Madagascar
Disputes - international:claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juande Nova Island (all administered by France)
Illicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) usedmostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for heroin
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Malawi
Introduction Malawi
Background:Established in 1891, the British protectorate of Nyasaland becamethe independent nation of Malawi in 1964. After three decades ofone-party rule under President Hastings Kamuzu BANDA the countryheld multiparty elections in 1994, under a provisional constitution,which came into full effect the following year. Current PresidentBingu wa MUTHARIKA, elected in May 2004 after the previous presidentwas unable to amend the constitution to permit another term, hasstruggled to assert his authority against his predecessor, who stillleads their shared political party. MATHARIKA's anti-corruptionefforts have led to several high-level arrests but no convictions.Increasing corruption, population growth, increasing pressure onagricultural lands, and HIV/AIDS pose major problems for the country.
Geography Malawi
Location:Southern Africa, east of Zambia
Geographic coordinates:13 30 S, 34 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 118,480 sq kmwater: 24,400 sq kmland: 94,080 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 toNovember)
Terrain:narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, somemountains
Elevation extremes:lowest point: junction of the Shire River and internationalboundary with Mozambique 37 mhighest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits ofuranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use: arable land: 23.38% permanent crops: 1.49% other: 75.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:280 sq km (1998 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's mostprominent physical feature
People Malawi
Population:11,906,855note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 46.8% (male 2,811,751; female 2,759,515)15-64 years: 50.5% (male 2,978,406; female 3,029,735)65 years and over: 2.8% (male 130,600; female 196,848) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 16.4 yearsmale: 16.1 yearsfemale: 16.7 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.14% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:44.35 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:23.01 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 104.23 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 99.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 108.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 37.48 yearsmale: 37.08 yearsfemale: 37.88 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.04 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:14.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:900,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:84,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:typhoid fever, malaria, plague, schistosomiasisoverall degree of risk: very high (2004)
Nationality:noun: Malawian(s)adjective: Malawian
Ethnic groups:Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuka, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde,Asian, European
Religions:Protestant 55%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs3%, other 2%
Languages:English (official), Chichewa (official), other languages importantregionally
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 62.7%male: 76.1%female: 49.8% (2003 est.)
Government Malawi
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Malawiconventional short form: Malawiformer: British Central African Protectorate, NyasalandProtectorate, Nyasaland
Government type:multiparty democracy
Capital:Lilongwe
Administrative divisions:27 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa,Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga (Kasupe),Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay,Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence:6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
Constitution:18 May 1994
Legal system:based on English common law and customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (since 24 May2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: 46-member Cabinet named by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held NA May 2009)election results: Bingu wa MUTHARIKA elected president; percent ofvote - Bingu wa MUTHARIKA (UDF) 35.9%, John TEMBO (MCP) 27.1%,Gwandaguluwe CHAKUAMBA (MC) 25.7%, Brown MPINGANJIRA (NDA) 8.7%,Justin MALEWEZI (independent) 2.5%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members elected by popularvote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 20 May 2004 (next to be held NA May 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -MCP 56, UDF 49, Mgwirizano Coalition (MC) 25, independents 39,others 24
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of Appeal; High Court (chief justice appointed by thepresident, puisne judges appointed on the advice of the JudicialService Commission); magistrate's courts
Political parties and leaders:Alliance for Democracy or AFORD [Chakufwa CHIHANA]; Malawi CongressParty or MCP [John TEMBO]; Malawi Democratic Party or MDP [KampeloKALUA]; Malawi Forum for Unity and Development or MAFUNDE [GeorgeMNESA]; Mgwirizano Coalition or MC (coalition of MAFUNDE, MDP,MGODE, NUP, PETRA, PPM, RP) [Gwandaguluwe Chakuamba]; Movement forGenuine Democratic Change or MGODE [Sam Kandodo BANDA]; NationalDemocratic Alliance or NDA [Brown MPINGANJIRA]; National Unity Partyor NUP [Harry CHIUME]; New Congress for Democracy or NCD [HetherwickNTABA]; People's Progressive Movement or PPM [Aleke BANDA]; People'sTransformation Movement or PETRA [Kamuzu CHIBAMBO]; Republican Partyor RP [Gwandaguluwe Chakuamba]; United Democratic Front or UDF[Bingu wa MUTHARIKA] - governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent),ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, ONUB, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMIK, UNMIL, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Paul Tony Steven KANDIEROFAX: [1] (202) 265-0976telephone: [1] (202) 797-1007chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen BROWNING embassy: Area 40, Plot 24, Kenyatta Road mailing address: P. O. Box 30016, Lilongwe 3, Malawi telephone: [265] (1) 773 166 FAX: [265] (1) 770 471
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with aradiant, rising, red sun centered in the black band
Government - note:the executive exerts considerable influence over the legislature
Economy Malawi
Economy - overview:Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developedcountries. The economy is predominately agricultural, with about 90%of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounted fornearly 40% of GDP and 88% of export revenues in 2001. The economydepends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF,the World Bank, and individual donor nations. In late 2000, Malawiwas approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries(HIPC) program. In November 2002 the World Bank approved a $50million drought recovery package, which is to be used for faminerelief. The government faces strong challenges, e.g., to fullydevelop a market economy, to improve educational facilities, to faceup to environmental problems, to deal with the rapidly growingproblem of HIV/AIDS, and to satisfy foreign donors that fiscaldiscipline is being tightened. The performance of the tobacco sectoris key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for over 50% ofexports.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $6.845 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.7% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $600 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 51% industry: 21.8% services: 27.2% (2003 est.)