Age structure:0-14 years: 16.1% (male 297,271/female 282,269)15-64 years: 68.7% (male 1,206,731/female 1,264,359)65 years and over: 15.2% (male 186,979/female 359,008) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 37.83 yearsmale: 35.25 yearsfemale: 40.46 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.3% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:8.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:10.92 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 8.25 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.97 yearsmale: 68.94 yearsfemale: 79.28 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.19 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,300 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Lithuanian(s)adjective: Lithuanian
Ethnic groups:Lithuanian 83.4%, Polish 6.7%, Russian 6.3%, other or unspecified3.6% (2001 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 79%, Russian Orthodox 4.1%, Protestant (includingLutheran and Evangelical Christian Baptist) 1.9%, other orunspecified 5.5%, none 9.5% (2001 census)
Languages:Lithuanian (official) 82%, Russian 8%, Polish 5.6%, other andunspecified 4.4% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99.6%male: 99.7%female: 99.6% (2003 est.)
Government Lithuania
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Lithuaniaconventional short form: Lithuanialocal long form: Lietuvos Respublikalocal short form: Lietuvaformer: Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Vilnius
Administrative divisions:10 counties (apskritys, singular - apskritis); Alytaus, Kauno,Klaipedos, Marijampoles, Panevezio, Siauliu, Taurages, Telsiu,Utenos, Vilniaus
Independence:11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence)
National holiday:Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note - 16 February 1918 isthe date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia andestablished its statehood; 11 March 1990 is the date it declared itsindependence from the Soviet Union
Constitution:adopted 25 October 1992
Legal system:based on civil law system; legislative acts can be appealed to theconstitutional court
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Valdas ADAMKUS (since 12 July 2004)head of government: Premier Algirdas Mykolas BRAZAUSKAS (since 3July 2001)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on thenomination of the premierelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 13 June 2004 and 27 June 2004 (next to be heldJune 2009); premier appointed by the president on the approval ofthe Parliamentelection results: Valdas ADAMKUS elected president; percent of vote- Valdas ADAMKUS 52.2%, Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE 47.8%
Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats, 71 members are directlyelected by popular vote, 70 are elected by proportionalrepresentation; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 10 and 24 October 2004 (next to be held October2008)election results: percent of vote by party - Labor 28.6%, Workingfor Lithuania (Social Democrats and Social Liberals) 20.7%, HomelandUnion (Conservatives) 14.6%, For Order and Justice (LiberalDemocrats and Lithuanian People's Union) 11.4%, Liberal and CenterUnion 9.1%, Union of Farmers and New Democracy 6.6%; seats byfaction - Labor 39, Homeland Union 25, Social Democrats 20, Liberaland Center Union 18, Social Liberals 11, Union of Farmers and NewDemocracy Parties 10, Liberal Democrats 10, Electoral Action 2,independents 6
Judicial branch:Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judges forall courts appointed by the President
Political parties and leaders:Electoral Action of Lithuanian Poles [Valdemar TOMASZEVSKI,chairman]; Homeland Union/Conservative Party or TS [AndriusKUBILIUS, chairman]; Labor Party [Viktor USPASKICH, chairman];Liberal and Center Union [Arturas ZUOKAS, chairman]; LiberalDemocratic Party [Valentinas MAZURONIS, chairman]; LithuanianChristian Democrats or LKD [Valentinas STUNDYS, chairman];Lithuanian People's Union for a Fair Lithuania; Lithuanian SocialDemocratic Coalition [Algirdas BRAZAUSKAS, chairman] consists of theLithuanian Democratic Labor Party or LDDP and the Lithuanian SocialDemocratic Party or LSDP; New Democracy and Farmer's Union or VNDPS[Kazimiera PRUNSKIENE, chairman]; Social Liberals (New Union)[Arturas PAULAUSKAS, chairman]; Social Union of ChristianConservatives [Gediminas VAGNORIUS, chairman]; Young Lithuania andNew Nationalists
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB,EU (new member), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU,MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (member affiliate), WHO, WIPO, WMO,WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vygaudas USACKAS chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen D. MULLembassy: 2600 Akmenu 6, Vilniusmailing address: American Embassy, Vilnius, PSC 78, Box V, APO AE09723telephone: [370] (5) 266 5500FAX: [370] (5) 266 5510
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), green, and red
Economy Lithuania
Economy - overview:Lithuania, the Baltic state that has conducted the most trade withRussia, has slowly rebounded from the 1998 Russian financial crisis.Unemployment dropped from 11% in 2003 to 8% in 2004. Growingdomestic consumption and increased investment have furtheredrecovery. Trade has been increasingly oriented toward the West.Lithuania has gained membership in the World Trade Organization andjoined the EU in May 2004. Privatization of the large, state-ownedutilities, particularly in the energy sector, is nearing completion.Overall, more than 80% of enterprises have been privatized. Foreigngovernment and business support have helped in the transition fromthe old command economy to a market economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$45.23 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.6% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6.1% industry: 33.4% services: 60.5% (2004 est.)
Labor force:1.63 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 20%, industry 30%, services 50% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:8% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:34 (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.1% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.9% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $6.542 billionexpenditures: $7.121 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:25.2% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:grain, potatoes, sugar beets, flax, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs;fish
Industries:metal-cutting machine tools, electric motors, television sets,refrigerators and freezers, petroleum refining, shipbuilding (smallships), furniture making, textiles, food processing, fertilizers,agricultural machinery, optical equipment, electronic components,computers, amber
Industrial production growth rate:12% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:17.93 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 16.5% hydro: 5.7% nuclear: 77.7% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:10.17 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:6.8 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:300 million kWh (2002)
Oil - production:4,594 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:72,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Current account balance:$-1.6 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$8.88 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:mineral products 23%, textiles and clothing 16%, machinery andequipment 11%, chemicals 6%, wood and wood products 5%, foodstuffs5% (2001)
Exports - partners:Germany 10.2%, Latvia 10.2%, Russia 9.3%, France 6.3%, UK 5.3%,Sweden 5.1%, Estonia 5%, Poland 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8%, Denmark4.8%, US 4.7%, Switzerland 4.6% (2004)
Imports:$11.02 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:mineral products 21%, machinery and equipment 17%, transportequipment 11%, chemicals 9%, textiles and clothing 9%, metals 5%(2001)
Imports - partners:Russia 23.1%, Germany 16.7%, Poland 7.7%, Netherlands 4% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$4.61 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$10.01 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$228.5 million (1995)
Currency (code):litas (LTL)
Currency code:LTL
Exchange rates:litai per US dollar - 2.7806 (2004), 3.0609 (2003), 3.677 (2002), 4(2001), 4 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Lithuania
Telephones - main lines in use:824,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:2,169,900 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to providean improved international capability and better residential accessdomestic: a national, fiber-optic cable, interurban, trunk system isnearing completion; rural exchanges are being improved and expanded;mobile cellular systems are being installed; access to the Internetis available; still many unsatisfied telephone subscriberapplicationsinternational: country code - 370; landline connections to Latviaand Poland; major international connections to Denmark, Sweden, andNorway by submarine cable for further transmission by satellite
Radio broadcast stations:AM 29, FM 142, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios:1.9 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:27note: Lithuania has approximately 27 broadcasting stations, but mayhave as many as 100 transmitters, including repeater stations (2001)
Televisions:1.7 million (1997)
Internet country code:.lt
Internet hosts:67,769 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):32 (2001)
Internet users:695,700 (2003)
Transportation Lithuania
Railways:total: 1,998 kmbroad gauge: 1,807 km 1.524-m gauge (122 km electrified)standard gauge: 22 km 1.435-m gaugenarrow gauge: 169 km 0.750-m gauge (2004)
Highways:total: 77,148 kmpaved: 69,202 km (including 417 km of expressways)unpaved: 7,946 km (2002)
Waterways:600 km (2004)
Pipelines:gas 1,696 km; oil 331 km; refined products 109 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Klaipeda
Merchant marine:total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 296,856 GRT/317,731 DWTby type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 24, chemical tanker 1,passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 13, rollon/roll off 1foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 12)registered in other countries: 16 (2005)
Airports:102 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 28 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 14 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 74 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 68 (2004 est.)
Military Lithuania
Military branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, National Defense Volunteer Forces(SKAT)
Military service age and obligation:19-45 years of age for compulsory military service, conscriptservice obligation - 12 months; 18 years of age for volunteers (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 19-49: 830,368 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 19-49: 590,606 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 29,689 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$230.8 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.9% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Lithuania
Disputes - international:in 2003, the Lithuania-Russia land and maritime boundary treaty wasratified and a transit regime established through Lithuania linkingRussia and its Kaliningrad coastal exclave, leaving onlyimprovements to the border demarcation in 2005; by 2004, a third ofthe Belarus-Lithuania boundary had been demarcated; the Latvianparliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty withLithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil; as a member statethat forms part of the EU's external border, Lithuania mustimplement the strict Schengen border rules
Illicit drugs:transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs fromSouthwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western Europeand Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and ecstasy;susceptible to money laundering despite changes to bankinglegislation
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Luxembourg
Introduction Luxembourg
Background:Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and anindependent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half ofits territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure ofautonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germanyin both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it enteredinto the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the followingyear. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countriesof the European Economic Community (later the European Union), andin 1999 it joined the euro currency area.
Geography Luxembourg
Location:Western Europe, between France and Germany
Geographic coordinates:49 45 N, 6 10 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 2,586 sq kmland: 2,586 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries: total: 359 km border countries: Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 138 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
Terrain:mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplandsto slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselleflood plain in the southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Moselle River 133 m highest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m
Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land
Land use: arable land: 23.28% permanent crops: 0.4% other: 76.32% (includes Belgium) (2001)
Irrigated land:40 sq km (includes Belgium) (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
People Luxembourg
Population:468,571 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18.9% (male 45,768/female 42,980)15-64 years: 66.5% (male 157,453/female 153,927)65 years and over: 14.6% (male 27,573/female 40,870) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 38.51 yearsmale: 37.56 yearsfemale: 39.48 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:1.25% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:12.06 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:8.41 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:8.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.74 yearsmale: 75.45 yearsfemale: 82.24 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.2% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 500 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Luxembourger(s)adjective: Luxembourg
Ethnic groups:Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian,Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo) and European (guest andresident workers)
Religions:87% Roman Catholic, 13% Protestants, Jews, and Muslims (2000)
Languages:Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrativelanguage), French (administrative language)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100% (2000 est.)
Government Luxembourg
Country name:conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourgconventional short form: Luxembourglocal long form: Grand Duche de Luxembourglocal short form: Luxembourg
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:Luxembourg
Administrative divisions:3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Independence:1839 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday:National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June
Constitution:17 October 1868; occasional revisions
Legal system:based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); HeirApparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981)head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jean ASSELBORN (since 31 July2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister andappointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following popularelections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majorityparty or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointedprime minister by the monarch; the deputy prime minister isappointed by the monarch; they are responsible to the Chamber ofDeputiesnote: government coalition - CSV and LSAP
Legislative branch:unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats;members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 13 June 2004 (next to be held by June 2009)election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 36.1%, LSAP 23.4%,DP 16.1%, Green Party 11.6%, ADR 10%; seats by party - CSV 24, LSAP14, DP 10, Green Party 7, ADR 5note: there is also a Council of State that serves as an advisorybody to the Chamber of Deputies; the Council of State has 21 membersappointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister
Judicial branch:judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 districtcourts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts andtribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts andtribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts areappointed for life by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Gast GIBERYEN];Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as ChristianSocial Party or PCS) [Francois BILTGEN]; Democratic Party or DP[Claude MEISCH]; Green Party [Francois BAUSCH]; Luxembourg SocialistWorkers' Party or LSAP [Alex BODRY]; Marxist and Reformed CommunistParty dei Lenk/la Gauche (the Left) [no formal leadership]; otherminor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union);Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP(professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civilservice); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre desMetiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists);LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union)
International organization participation:ACCT, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, EU,FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA,NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS-PACCOURDchancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270consulate(s) general: New York and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TERPELUK, Jr. embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail) telephone: [352] 46 01 23 FAX: [352] 46 14 01
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue;similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue andis shorter; design was based on the flag of France
Economy Luxembourg
Economy - overview:This stable, high-income economy - in between France, Belgium, andGermany - features solid growth, low inflation, and lowunemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel,has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber,and other products. Growth in the financial sector, which nowaccounts for about 22% of GDP, has more than compensated for thedecline in steel. Most banks are foreign-owned and have extensiveforeign dealings. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms.The economy depends on foreign and cross-border workers for morethan 30% of its labor force. Although Luxembourg, like all EUmembers, has suffered from the global economic slump, the countryenjoys an extraordinarily high standard of living.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$27.27 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $58,900 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 0.5%industry: 16.3%services: 83.1% (2004 est.)
Labor force:293,700 (of whom 105,000 are foreign cross-border workers commutingprimarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate:4.5% (December, 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.4% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $13.74 billionexpenditures: $14.49 billion, including capital expenditures of $760million (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestockproducts
Industries:banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metalproducts, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum, informationtechnology, tourism and banking
Industrial production growth rate:2.9% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:2.511 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 57.3% hydro: 25.2% nuclear: 0% other: 17.5% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:5.735 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:2.9 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:6.3 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:50,650 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:634 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:50,700 bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:865 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:867 million cu m (2001 est.)
Exports:$13.4 billion f.o.b. (2003)
Exports - commodities:machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubberproducts, glass
Exports - partners:Germany 22.1%, France 20.1%, Belgium 10.2%, UK 8.4%, Italy 7.3%,Spain 5.9%, Netherlands 4.3% (2004)
Imports:$16.3 billion c.i.f. (2003)
Imports - commodities:minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods
Imports - partners:Belgium 29.8%, Germany 22.6%, China 12.6%, France 12%, Netherlands4.2% (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $147 million (2002)
Currency (code):euro (EUR)note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced theeuro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions ofmember countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the solecurrency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Currency code:EUR
Exchange rates:euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002),1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Luxembourg
Telephones - main lines in use:355,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:473,000 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: highly developed, completely automated andefficient system, mainly buried cablesdomestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cableinternational: country code - 352; 3 channels leased on TAT-6coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios:285,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:5 (1999)
Televisions:285,000 (1998 est.)
Internet country code:.lu
Internet hosts:28,214 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):8 (2000)
Internet users:165,000 (2002)
Transportation Luxembourg
Railways: total: 274 km standard gauge: 274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified) (2004)
Highways:total: 5,210 kmpaved: 5,210 km (including 126 km of expressways)unpaved: 0 km (2002)
Waterways:37 km (on Moselle River) (2003)
Pipelines:gas 155 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Mertert
Merchant marine:total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 652,454 GRT/805,101 DWTby type: chemical tanker 16, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger3, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle carrier 1foreign-owned: 40 (Belgium 12, Finland 3, France 8, Germany 10,Netherlands 4, United States 3) (2005)
Airports:2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Heliports:1 (2004 est.)
Military Luxembourg
Military branches:Army
Military service age and obligation: a 1967 law made the Army an all-volunteer force; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers under 18 are not deployed into combat or with peacekeeping missions (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 17-49: 110,867 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 17-49: 90,279 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 2,775 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$231.6 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.9% (2003)
Transnational Issues Luxembourg
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Macau
Introduction Macau
Background:Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was thefirst European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreementsigned by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became theMacau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems"formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced inMacau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in allmatters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years.
Geography Macau
Location:Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates:22 10 N, 113 33 E
Map references:Southeast Asia
Area:total: 25.4 sq kmland: 25.4 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0.34 km regional border: China 0.34 km
Coastline:41 km
Maritime claims:not specified
Climate:subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
Terrain:generally flat
Elevation extremes:lowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m
Natural resources:NEGL
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:typhoons
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the twoislands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland
People Macau
Population:449,198 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17% (male 39,564/female 36,947)15-64 years: 75.1% (male 160,957/female 176,386)65 years and over: 7.9% (male 14,713/female 20,631) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 35.2 yearsmale: 34.9 yearsfemale: 35.4 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.87% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:8.04 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:4.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.07 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 82.12 yearsmale: 79.29 yearsfemale: 85.09 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:0.93 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Chineseadjective: Chinese
Ethnic groups:Chinese 95.7%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) 1%,other 3.3% (2001 census)
Religions:Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.)
Languages:Cantonese 87.9%, Hokkien 4.4%, Mandarin 1.6%, other Chinesedialects 3.1%, other 3% (2001 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 94.5%male: 97.2%female: 92% (2003 est.)
Government Macau
Country name:conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Regionconventional short form: Macaulocal long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); RegiaoAdministrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
Dependency status:special administrative region of China
Government type:limited democracy
Administrative divisions:none (special administrative region of China)
Independence:none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday:National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republicof China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebratedas Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution:Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People'sCongress, is Macau's "mini-constitution"
Legal system:based on Portuguese civil law system
Suffrage:direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residentsliving in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limitedto organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currentlyregistered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broadregional groupings, municipal organizations, and central governmentbodies
Executive branch:chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20December 1999)cabinet: Executive Council consists of one government secretary,four legislators, four businessmen, and one pro-Beijing unionistelections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member Election Committeefor up to two five-year termselection results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected on 29 August 2004;received 296 votes in Election Committee out of 300 possible; 3members submitted blank ballots; 1 member was absent
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (29 seats; 12 elected bypopular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and seven appointed by the chiefexecutive; members serve four-year terms)elections: last held 26 September 2005 (next in September 2009)election results: percent of vote - Development Union 12.8%, MacauDevelopment Alliance 9%, Macau United Citizens' Association 16%, NewDemocratic Macau Association 18.2%, others na; seats by politicalgroup - Development Union 2, Macau Development Alliance 1, MacauUnited Citizens' Association 2, New Democratic Macau Association 2,New Hope 1, Union Forces 2, others 2; 10 seats filled byprofessional and business groups; seven members appointed by chiefexecutive
Judicial branch:Court of Final Appeal in Macau Special Administrative Region
Political parties and leaders:Civil Service Union [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO]; DevelopmentUnion [KWAN Tsui-hang]; Macau Development Alliance [Angela LEONGOn-kei]; Macau United Citizens' Association [CHAN Meng-kam]; NewDemocratic Macau Association [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong]; United Forces[leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
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. Apparel exports andtourism are mainstays of the economy. Although the territory was hithard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002 and 15.6% in 2003. During thefirst three quarters of 2004, Macau registered year-on-year GDPincreases of more than 20 percent. A rapid rise in the number ofmainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions ontravel, increased public works expenditures, and significantinvestment inflows associated with the liberalization of Macau'sgaming industry drove the recovery. The budget also returned tosurplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and ahike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% ofgovernment revenue. The three companies awarded gambling licenseshave pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory, which willboost GDP growth. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to themainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territorymay have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services togenerate growth. Two new casinos were opened by new foreign gamblinglicensees in 2004; development of new infrastructure and facilitiesin preparation for Macau's hosting of the 2005 East Asian Games willbolster the construction sector. The Closer Economic PartnershipAgreement (CEPA) between Macau and mainland China that came intoeffect on 1 January 2004 offers many Macau-made products tariff-freeaccess to the mainland, and the range of products covered by CEPAwas to be expanded on 1 January 2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$9.1 billion (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:15.6% (2003)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2003)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 0.1% industry: 7.2% services: 92.7% (2002 est.)
Labor force:231,500 (3rd Quarter, 2004)
Labor force - by occupation:manufacturing 18.3%, construction 8%, transport and communications7%, wholesale and retail trade 16.2%, restaurants and hotels 10.9%,gambling 11.6%, public sector 8.8%, other services and agriculture19.2% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:4.7% (3rd Quarter, 2004)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (3rd quarter, 2004)
Budget:revenues: $1.84 billionexpenditures: $1.57 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2003)
Agriculture - products:only 2% of land area is cultivated, mainly by vegetable growers;fishing, mostly for crustaceans, is important, some of catch isexported to Hong Kong; most food requirements are met by imports,primarily from China
Industries:tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:1.719 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:1.772 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:1 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:179.7 million kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:11,190 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$2.58 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2003)
Exports - commodities:clothing, textiles, footwear, toys, electronics, machinery and parts
Exports - partners:US 48.7%, China 13.9%, Germany 8.3%, Hong Kong 7.6%, UK 4.4% (2004)
Imports:$2.76 billion c.i.f. (2003)
Imports - commodities:raw materials and semi-manufactured goods, consumer goods(foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco), capital goods, mineral fuels andoils
Imports - partners:China 44.4%, Hong Kong 10.6%, Japan 9.6%, Taiwan 4.9%, Singapore4.1%, US 4.1% (2004)
Debt - external:$2.7 billion (2003)
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency (code):pataca (MOP)
Currency code:MOP
Exchange rates:patacas per US dollar - 8.022 (2004), 8.021 (2003), 8.033 (2002),8.034 (2001), 8.026 (2000)
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: 341 km paved: 341 km unpaved: 0 km (2002)
Ports and harbors:Macau
Airports:1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Macau
Military branches:China's People's Revolutionary Army (PLA) constitutes the onlyarmed force in Macau; several police forces constitute the SecurityForces of Macau (SFM) that are subordinate to the GeneralSecretariat of Security, a body comparable to a ministry of interior(2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 112,744 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 91,299 (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Macau
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 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 kmland: 24,856 sq kmwater: 477 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, ClimateChange-Kyoto Protocol, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law ofthe 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:2,045,262 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 20.5% (male 217,057/female 202,465)15-64 years: 68.7% (male 707,489/female 697,150)65 years and over: 10.8% (male 97,117/female 123,984) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 32.8 yearsmale: 31.7 yearsfemale: 33.9 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.26% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:8.73 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 10.09 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 9.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.73 yearsmale: 71.28 yearsfemale: 76.37 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.57 children born/woman (2005 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 3.9%, Roma 2.7%, Serb1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions:Macedonian Orthodox 32.4%, other Christian 0.2%, Muslim 16.9%,other and unspecified 50.5% (2002 census)
Languages:Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 96.1%male: 98.2%female: 94.1% (2002 est.)
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 Makedonijalocal short form: Makedonijaformer: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic ofMacedonia
Government type:parliamentary democracy
Capital:Skopje
Administrative divisions:85 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje),Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica,Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa,Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Debartsa, Delcevo, Demir Hisar,Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje),Gevgelija, Gjorce Petrov (Skopje), Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden,Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda(Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani,Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, MakedonskiBrod, Mavrovo i Rastusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid,Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Skopje, Sopiste, StaroNagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari(Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles,Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino,Zrnovcinote: the ten municipalities followed by Skopje in parenthesescollectively constitute "greater Skopje"