Exports:$915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton, gold, livestock
Exports - partners:Thailand 14%, China 12.1%, India 7.9%, Italy 7.5%, Bangladesh 6.1%,UK 6.1% (2003)
Imports:$927 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials,foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:France 15.4%, Senegal 7.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.1% (2003)
Debt - external:$3.3 billion (2000)
Economic aid - recipient:$596.4 million (2001)
Currency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsibleauthority is the Central Bank of the West African States
Currency code:XOF
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 581.2(2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699(1999)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Mali
Telephones - main lines in use:56,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:250,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: domestic system unreliable but improving;provides only minimal servicedomestic: network consists of microwave radio relay, open-wire, andradiotelephone communications stations; expansion of microwave radiorelay in progressinternational: country code - 223; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International (2001)
Radios:570,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:45,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ml
Internet hosts:187 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):13 (2001)
Internet users:25,000 (2002)
Transportation Mali
Railways: total: 729 km narrow gauge: 729 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)
Highways: total: 15,100 km paved: 1,827 km unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.)
Waterways:1,815 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Koulikoro
Airports:27 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 4914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
Military Mali
Military branches:Army, Air Force, National Guard
Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 2,529,147 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,450,795 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$51.1 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.3% (2003)
Transnational Issues Mali
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Malta
Introduction Malta
Background:Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. Theisland staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars andremained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. Adecade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, theisland has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, afinancial center, and a tourist destination. Malta became an EUmember in May of 2004.
Geography Malta
Location:Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily(Italy)
Geographic coordinates:35 50 N, 14 35 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 316 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 316 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo)
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 25 nmcontinental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationcontiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land
Land use: arable land: 28.13% permanent crops: 3.13% other: 68.74% (2001)
Irrigated land:20 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues: very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largestislands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) beinginhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia arediscussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelfbetween their countries, particularly for oil exploration
People Malta
Population:396,851 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18.1% (male 36,891; female 34,912)15-64 years: 68.5% (male 137,259; female 134,611)65 years and over: 13.4% (male 22,691; female 30,487) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 38 yearsmale: 36.6 yearsfemale: 39.5 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.42% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:10.09 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:7.93 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:2.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.94 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 4.45 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.68 yearsmale: 76.51 yearsfemale: 80.98 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.49 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Maltese (singular and plural)adjective: Maltese
Ethnic groups:Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, withstrong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock)
Religions:Roman Catholic 98%
Languages:Maltese (official), English (official)
Literacy:definition: age 10 and over can read and writetotal population: 92.8%male: 92%female: 93.6% (2003 est.)
Government Malta
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maltaconventional short form: Maltalocal short form: Maltalocal long form: Repubblika ta' Malta
Government type:republic
Capital:Valletta
Administrative divisions: none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders
Independence:21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution:1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 andagain in 1987
Legal system:based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsoryICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 4 April 2004)head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 23 March2004)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of theprime ministerelections: president elected by the House of Representatives for afive-year term; election last held 29 March 2004 (next to be held byApril 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of themajority party or leader of a majority coalition is usuallyappointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; thedeputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice ofthe prime ministerelection results: Eddie FENECH ADAMI elected president; percent ofHouse of Representatives vote - 33 out of 65 votes
Legislative branch:unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note -additional seats are given to the party with the largest popularvote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected bypopular vote on the basis of proportional representation to servefive-year terms)elections: last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held by April 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.7%, MLP 47.6%, AD0.7%; seats by party - PN 34, MLP 31
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts areappointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
Political parties and leaders:Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [HarryVASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Partyor PN [Lawrence GONZI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Australia Group, C, CE, EBRD, EIB, EU (new member), FAO, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (observer affiliate), WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John LOWELLconsulate(s): New YorkFAX: [1] (202) 387-5470telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires WilliamGRANTembassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana,Malta VLT 01mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR01telephone: [356] 2561 4000FAX: [356] 21 243229
Flag description:two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in theupper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross,edged in red
Economy Malta
Economy - overview:Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, anda productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its foodneeds, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energysources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing(especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta isprivatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in orderto prepare for membership in the European Union. The island remainsdivided politically, however, over the question of joining the EU.Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding backexports, tourism, and overall growth.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $7.082 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:0.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $17,700 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2003 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):23.1% of GDP (2003)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.4% (2003 est.)
Labor force:160,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 5%, industry 24%, services 71% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:7% (2003 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.086 billionexpenditures: $2.367 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Agriculture - products:potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cutflowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs
Industries:tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; foodand beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:1.768 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.644 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Current account balance:$-250 million (2003)
Exports:$2.175 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Exports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactures
Exports - partners:Singapore 17.4%, US 11.6%, UK 9.4%, Germany 8.8%, France 7.5%,China 7% (2003)
Imports:$2.761 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured andsemi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco
Imports - partners:Italy 19.3%, France 13.7%, UK 8.5%, Germany 6.6%, Singapore 6.1%,Japan 5.7%, South Korea 5.5%, US 4.1% (2003)
Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:$2.429 billion (2003)
Debt - external:$130 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:Maltese lira (MTL)
Currency code:MTL
Exchange rates:Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.3772 (2003), 0.4336 (2002), 0.4501(2001), 0.4382 (2000), 0.3989 (1999)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Malta
Telephones - main lines in use:208,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:290,000 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirementsdomestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islandsinternational: country code - 356; 2 submarine cables; satelliteearth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999)
Radios:255,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:6 (2000)
Televisions:280,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.mt
Internet hosts:7,156 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):6 (2002)
Internet users:120,000 (2002)
Transportation Malta
Highways: total: 2,254 km paved: 1,972 km unpaved: 282 km (2000)
Ports and harbors:Marsaxlokk, Valletta
Merchant marine:total: 1,176 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 25,102,401 GRT/41,176,791 DWTby type: bulk 468, cargo 251, chemical tanker 46, combination bulk8, combination ore/oil 8, container 74, liquefied gas 4, livestockcarrier 2, multi-functional large load carrier 1, passenger 7,passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 210, refrigerated cargo 40, rollon/roll off 35, short-sea/passenger 6, vehicle carrier 15registered in other countries: 18 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Australia 4, Austria 6, Bangladesh 3, Belgium 13,Bulgaria 19, Canada 8, China 14, Croatia 9, Cyprus 6, Denmark 4,Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 1, Germany 52, Greece 603, Hong Kong 3,Iceland 5, India 4, Indonesia 2, Iran 4, Israel 20, Italy 24, Japan3, South Korea 2, Latvia 25, Lebanon 6, Madagascar 1, Monaco 14,Netherlands 5, Nigeria 1, Norway 32, Pakistan 1, Poland 30, Portugal3, Romania 8, Russia 69, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Slovenia 3,Switzerland 30, Syria 4, Taiwan 1, Turkey 108, Ukraine 22, UnitedKingdom 2, United States 8
Airports:1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Malta
Military branches:Armed Forces: Land Forces (including Air Squadron and MaritimeSquadron), Revenue Security Corps
Military manpower - military age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription(2001)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 99,324 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 79,128 (2004 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$33.3 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.7% (2003)
Transnational Issues Malta
Disputes - international:none
Illicit drugs:minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to WesternEurope
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Man, Isle of
Introduction Man, Isle of
Background:Part of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13thcentury when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under theBritish crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almostextinct Manx Gaelic language.
Geography Man, Isle of
Location:Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain andIreland
Geographic coordinates:54 15 N, 4 30 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 572 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 572 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:160 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about one-thirdof the time
Terrain:hills in north and south bisected by central valley
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m highest point: Snaefell 621 m
Natural resources:none
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 0%other: 91% (permanent pastures, forests, mountain, and heathland)(2002)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:waste disposal (both household and industrial); transboundary airpollution
Geography - note:one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is abird sanctuary
People Man, Isle of
Population:74,655 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.4% (male 6,669; female 6,357)15-64 years: 65.4% (male 24,527; female 24,302)65 years and over: 17.1% (male 5,128; female 7,672) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 39.3 yearsmale: 38 yearsfemale: 40.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.53% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:11.28 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:11.35 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:5.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.05 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 7.08 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.16 yearsmale: 74.8 yearsfemale: 81.7 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.65 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Manxman (men), Manxwoman (women)adjective: Manx
Ethnic groups:Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Religions:Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Societyof Friends
Languages:English, Manx Gaelic
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Government Man, Isle of
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Isle of Man
Dependency status:British crown dependency
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Douglas
Administrative divisions:none; there are no first-order administrative divisions as definedby the US Government, but there are 24 local authorities each withits own elections
Independence:none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution:unwritten; note - The Isle of Man Constitution Act, 1961, does notembody the unwritten Manx Constitution
Legal system:English common law and Manx statute
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Ian MACFADYEN (since 26October 2002)election results: Donald GELLING elected chief minister by theTynwald; note - Richard CORKILL resigned 2 December 2004elections: the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointedby the monarch for a five-year term; the Chief Minister is electedby the Tynwald; election last held 14 December 2004 (next to be heldNA December 2010)head of government: Chief Minister Donald GELLING (since 14 December2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:bicameral Tynwald consists of the Legislative Council (an 11-memberbody composed of the President of Tynwald, the Lord Bishop of Sodorand Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by theHouse of Keys) and the House of Keys (24 seats; members are electedby popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: House of Keys - last held 22 November 2001 (next to beheld NA November 2006)election results: House of Keys - percent of vote by party - ManLabor Party 17.3%, Alliance for Progressive Government 14.6%; seatsby party - Man Labor Party 2, Alliance for Progressive Government 3,independents 19
Judicial branch:High Court of Justice (justices are appointed by the LordChancellor of England on the nomination of the lieutenant governor)
Political parties and leaders: Man Labor Party [leader NA]; Alliance for Progressive Government [leader NA]; Man Nationalist Party [leader NA] note: most members sit as independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center;the three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; inorder to have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag,a two-sided emblem is used
Economy Man, Isle of
Economy - overview:Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of theeconomy. The government's policy of offering incentives tohigh-technology companies and financial institutions to locate onthe island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities inhigh-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, oncethe mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GDP.Trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man enjoys free access toEU markets.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:13.5%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $21,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 1%industry: 13%services: 86% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.6% (March 2003 est.)
Labor force:36,610 (1998)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, manufacturing 11%,construction 10%, transport and communication 8%, wholesale andretail distribution 11%, professional and scientific services 18%,public administration 6%, banking and finance 18%, tourism 2%,entertainment and catering 3%, miscellaneous services 10%
Unemployment rate:0.7% (March 2003)
Budget:revenues: $485 millionexpenditures: $463 million, including capital expenditures of NA(FY00/01 est.)
Agriculture - products:cereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Industries:financial services, light manufacturing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:3.2% (FY96/97)
Exports:NA
Exports - commodities:tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, beef, lamb
Exports - partners:UK (2000)
Imports:NA
Imports - commodities:timber, fertilizers, fish
Imports - partners:UK (2000)
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency:British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Manx pound
Currency code:GBP
Exchange rates:Manx pounds per US dollar - 0.6125 (2003), 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944(2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999); the Manx pound is at par withthe British pound
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Man, Isle of
Telephones - main lines in use:51,000 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular:NA
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: landline, telefax, mobile cellular telephone systeminternational: fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, satelliteearth station, submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:0 (receives broadcasts from the UK and satellite) (1999)
Televisions:27,490 (1999)
Internet country code:.im
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:NA
Transportation Man, Isle of
Railways: total: 61 km (35 km electrified) (2003)
Highways: total: 800 km paved: 800 km unpaved: 0 km (1999)
Ports and harbors:Castletown, Douglas, Peel, Ramsey
Merchant marine:total: 226 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,055,436 GRT/9,972,459 DWTby type: bulk 25, cargo 40, chemical tanker 25, combination bulk 2,container 19, liquefied gas 31, multi-functional large load carrier1, petroleum tanker 59, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 17,specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 5registered in other countries: 9 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Australia 3, Cyprus 4, Denmark 30, Estonia 3, France1, Germany 57, Greece 8, Hong Kong 11, Iceland 1, Italy 6, Monaco 4,Netherlands 2, New Zealand 1, Norway 10, Singapore 2, Sweden 3,United Kingdom 80, United States 1
Airports:1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Man, Isle of
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Man, Isle of
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Marshall Islands
Introduction Marshall Islands
Background:After almost four decades under US administration as theeasternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands,the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compactof Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of USnuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. TheMarshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) ReaganMissile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defensenetwork.
Geography Marshall Islands
Location:Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean,about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates:9 00 N, 168 00 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 181.3 sq kmnote: includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro,Rongelap, and Utirikwater: 0 sq kmland: 181.3 sq km
Area - comparative:about the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:370.4 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmcontiguous zone: 24 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; wet season from May to November; islandsborder typhoon belt
Terrain:low coral limestone and sand islands
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Natural resources:coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use:arable land: 16.67%permanent crops: 38.89%other: 44.44% (2001)
Irrigated land:0 sq km
Natural hazards:infrequent typhoons
Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollutionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands;Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, thefamous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile testrange
People Marshall Islands
Population:57,738 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 38.6% (male 11,347; female 10,934)15-64 years: 58.7% (male 17,380; female 16,520)65 years and over: 2.7% (male 748; female 809) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 19.6 yearsmale: 19.6 yearsfemale: 19.6 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:2.29% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:33.88 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:4.94 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-6.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 30.5 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 26.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 69.7 yearsmale: 67.77 yearsfemale: 71.73 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:4.02 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)adjective: Marshallese
Ethnic groups:Micronesian
Religions:Christian (mostly Protestant)
Languages:English (widely spoken as a second language, both English andMarshallese are official languages), two major Marshallese dialectsfrom the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 93.7%male: 93.6%female: 93.7% (1999)
Government Marshall Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islandsconventional short form: Marshall Islandsformer: Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the PacificIslands)
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; theCompact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986 andthe Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Capital:Majuro
Administrative divisions:33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur,Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo,Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili,Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik,Wotho, Wotje
Independence:21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Constitution:1 May 1979
Legal system:based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January 2004);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 5 January2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet selected by the president from among the members ofParliamentelections: president elected by Parliament from among its ownmembers for a four-year term; election last held 17 November 2003(next to be held NA November 2007)election results: Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent ofParliament vote - 100%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected bypopular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 17 November 2003 (next to be held not laterthan November 2007)note: the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises onmatters affecting customary law and practiceelection results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders: traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO,Interpol, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Banny DE BRUM chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Honolulu FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Greta N. MORRISembassy: Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuromailing address: P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the MarshallIslands 96960-1379telephone: [692] 247-4011FAX: [692] 247-4012
Flag description:blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner -orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large raysand 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
Economy Marshall Islands
Economy - overview:US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny islandeconomy. Agricultural production is primarily subsistence and isconcentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops arecoconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited tohandicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now asmall source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of thelabor force, remains the best hope for future added income. Theislands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports.Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US hasprovided more than $1 billion in aid since 1986. Negotiations havecontinued for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought,a drop in construction, the decline in tourism and foreigninvestment due to the Asian financial difficulties, and less incomefrom the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth toan average of 1% over the past decade.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $115 million (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 14%industry: 16%services: 70% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (2001 est.)
Labor force:28,700 (1996 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 21.4%, industry 20.9%, services 57.7%
Unemployment rate:30.9% (1999 est.)
Budget:revenues: $42 millionexpenditures: $40 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1999)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Industries:copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Exports:$9 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities:copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
Exports - partners:US, Japan, Australia, China (2000)
Imports:$54 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Imports - partners:US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines (2000)
Debt - external:$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:more than $1 billion from the US, 1986-2002
Currency:US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is the legal tender
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Marshall Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:4,500 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:600 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern servicesinclude telex, cellular, internet, international calling, caller ID,and leased data circuitsdomestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular,seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected byshortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communicationssystem on Kwajalein (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0note: additionally, the US Armed Forces Radio and TelevisionServices (Central Pacific Network) operate one FM and one AM stationon Kwajalein (2002)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:2 (both are US military stations) (2002)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.mh
Internet hosts:6 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:1,400 (2003)
Transportation Marshall Islands
Highways:total: NA kmpaved: 64.5 kmunpaved: NA kmnote: paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwisestone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks (2002)
Ports and harbors:Majuro
Merchant marine:total: 420 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,954,092 GRT/28,176,762 DWTby type: barge carrier 1, bulk 81, cargo 25, chemical tanker 41,combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 7, container 77, liquefiedgas 9, multi-functional large load carrier 5, passenger 6, petroleumtanker 149, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 7, vehiclecarrier 4registered in other countries: 50 (2004 est.)foreign-owned: Australia 2, Chile 3, Croatia 2, Cyprus 10, Denmark2, Germany 119, Greece 82, Hong Kong 12, India 2, Japan 16, Monaco18, Netherlands 6, New Zealand 1, Norway 5, Poland 11, Singapore 1,Slovenia 1, Switzerland 4, Thailand 2, Turkey 8, United Kingdom 10,United States 92
Airports:15 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 41,524 to 2,437 m: 3914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 11914 to 1,523 m: 10under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Marshall Islands
Military branches:no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure:NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Marshall Islands
Disputes - international: claims US territory of Wake Island
This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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@Martinique
Introduction Martinique
Background:Colonized by France in 1635, the island has subsequently remained aFrench possession except for three brief periods of foreignoccupation.
Geography Martinique
Location:Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North AtlanticOcean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:14 40 N, 61 00 W
Map references:Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 1,100 sq kmwater: 40 sq kmland: 1,060 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:350 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October);vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years onaverage; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid
Terrain:mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land
Land use: arable land: 10.38% permanent crops: 9.43% other: 80.19% (2001)
Irrigated land:30 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of onemajor natural disaster every five years)
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 eruptedand completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000inhabitants
People Martinique
Population:429,510 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22.6% (male 49,245; female 47,845)15-64 years: 67% (male 143,893; female 143,963)65 years and over: 10.4% (male 20,043; female 24,521) (2004 est.)
Median age:total: 33.1 yearsmale: 32.5 yearsfemale: 33.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:0.81% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:14.56 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.02 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.27 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)male: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.88 yearsmale: 79.35 yearsfemale: 78.4 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Martiniquais (singular and plural)adjective: Martiniquais
Ethnic groups:African and African-white-Indian mixture 90%, white 5%, EastIndian, Chinese less than 5%
Religions:Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 10.5%, Muslim 0.5%, Hindu 0.5%,other 3.5% (1997)
Languages:French, Creole patois
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.7%male: 97.4%female: 98.1% (2003 est.)
Government Martinique
Country name:conventional long form: Department of Martiniqueconventional short form: Martiniquelocal short form: Martiniquelocal long form: Departement de la Martinique
Dependency status:overseas department of France
Government type:NA
Capital:Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions:none (overseas department of France)
Independence:none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:French legal system
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May1995); Prefect Yves DASSONVILLE (since 14 January 2004); note - tookoffice 8 February 2004elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-yearterm; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of theFrench Ministry of Interior; the presidents of the General andRegional Councils are elected by the members of those councilshead of government: President of the General Council Claude LISE(since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council AlfredMARIE-JEANNE (since NA March 1998)cabinet: NA
Legislative branch:unicameral General Council or Conseil General (45 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and aunicameral Regional Assembly or Conseil Regional (41 seats; membersare elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to beheld NA 2006); Regional Assembly - last held on 28 March 2004 (nextto be held by March 2010)election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA;seats by party - left-wing candidates 13, PPM 11, RPR 6, right-wingcandidates 5, PCM 3, UDF 3, PMS 2, independents 2; note - the PPMwon a plurality; Regional Assembly (second round) - percent of voteby party - MIM 53.8%, PPM 30.6%; seats by party - MIM 28, PPM 9,other 4note: Martinique elects 2 seats to the French Senate; elections lastheld NA September 2001 (next to be held September 2004); results -percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPM 2; Martiniquealso elects 4 seats to the French National Assembly; elections lastheld, first round - 9 June 2002, second round - 16 June 2002 (nextto be held not later than June 2007); results - percent of vote byparty - NA; seats by party - UMP-RPR 1, PS 1, MIM 1, left-wingcandidate 1 (candidacy of the left-wing candidate was found invalidby the Constitutional Council; new elections will be called)