Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists of the Senate or DewanNegara (70 seats; 44 appointed by the paramount ruler, 26 appointedby the state legislatures) and the House of Representatives or DewanRakyat (219 seats; members elected by popular vote to servefive-year terms)elections: House of Representatives - last held 21 March 2004 (nextmust be held by 2009)election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - BN 91%, DAP 5%, PAS 3%, other 1%; seats by party - BN 199,DAP 12, PAS 6, PKR 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:Federal Court (judges appointed by the paramount ruler on theadvice of the prime minister)
Political parties and leaders:ruling-coalition National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN,consisting of the following parties: Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Partyor PGRM [LIM Keng Yaik]; Liberal Democratic Party (Parti LiberalDemokratik - Sabah) or LDP [CHONG Kah Kiat]; Malaysian ChineseAssociation (Persatuan China Malaysia) or MCA [ONG Ka Ting];Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongresi India Malaysia) or MIC [S. SamyVELLU]; Parti Bersatu Pakyat Sabah or PBRS [Joseph KURUP]; PartiBersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]; Parti PesakaBumiputra Bersatu or PBB [Patinggi Haji Abdul TAIB Mahmud]; PartiRakyat Sarawak or PRS [James MASING]; Sabah Progressive Party (PartiProgresif Sabah) or SAPP [YONG Teck Lee]; Sarawak United People'sParty (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [George CHAN Hong Nam];United Malays National Organization or UMNO [ABDULLAH bin AhmadBadawi]; United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization(Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [BernardDOMPOK]; People's Progressive Party (Parti Progresif PendudukMalaysia) or PPP [M.Keyveas]; Sarawak Progressive Democratic Partyor SPDP [William MAWANI]; opposition parties: Democratic ActionParty (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [KARPAL Singh]; IslamicParty of Malaysia (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADIAwang]; People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [WANAZIZAH Wan Ismael]; Sarawak National Party or SNAP [Edwin DANDUNG];opposition coalition Alternative Front (Barisan Alternatif) or BAconsists of PAS and PKR
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ABEDA, APEC, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-77,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,OIC, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador GHAZZALI bin Sheikh Abdul Khalidchancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAFLEUR embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: P. O. Box No. 10035, 50700 Kuala Lumpur; American Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP 96535-8152 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207
Flag description:14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white(bottom); there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side cornerbearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the crescentand the star are traditional symbols of Islam; the design was basedon the flag of the US
Economy Malaysia
Economy - overview:Malaysia, a middle-income country, transformed itself from 1971through the late 1990's from a producer of raw materials into anemerging multi-sector economy. Growth was almost exclusively drivenby exports - particularly of electronics. As a result, Malaysia washard hit by the global economic downturn and the slump in theinformation technology (IT) sector in 2001 and 2002. GDP in 2001grew only 0.5% due to an estimated 11% contraction in exports, but asubstantial fiscal stimulus package equal to US $1.9 billionmitigated the worst of the recession and the economy rebounded in2002 with a 4.1% increase. The economy grew 4.9% in 2003,notwithstanding a difficult first half, when external pressures fromSARS and the Iraq War led to caution in the business community.Growth topped 7% in 2004. Healthy foreign exchange reserves, lowinflation, and a small external debt are all strengths that make itunlikely that Malaysia will experience a financial crisis similar tothe one in 1997. The economy remains dependent on continued growthin the US, China, and Japan, top export destinations and key sourcesof foreign investment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$229.3 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:7.1% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $9,700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.2% industry: 33.6% services: 59.1% (2004 est.)
Labor force:10.49 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 14.5%, industry 36%, services 49.5% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate:3% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:8% (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 39.2% (2003 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:49.2 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):21.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $25.33 billionexpenditures: $29.33 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:45.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:Peninsular Malaysia - rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice; Sabah -subsistence crops, rubber, timber, coconuts, rice; Sarawak - rubber,pepper, timber
Industries:Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing andmanufacturing, light manufacturing industry, electronics, tin miningand smelting, logging and processing timber; Sabah - logging,petroleum production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleumproduction and refining, logging
Industrial production growth rate:10.2% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:75.33 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 89.5% hydro: 10.5% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:68.4 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:70 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:785,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:460,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:230,200 bbl/day (2003)
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:3.2 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:53.66 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:31.25 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:22.41 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:2.23 trillion cu m (2004)
Current account balance:$11.81 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$123.5 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:electronic equipment, petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood andwood products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 18.8%, Singapore 15%, Japan 10.1%, China 6.7%, Hong Kong 6%,Thailand 4.8% (2004)
Imports:$99.3 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics, vehicles,iron and steel products, chemicals
Imports - partners:Japan 16.1%, US 14.6%, Singapore 11.2%, China 9.9%, Thailand 5.6%,Taiwan 5.5%, South Korea 5%, Germany 4.5%, Indonesia 4% (2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$55.27 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$53.36 billion (2004 est.)
Currency (code):ringgit (MYR)
Currency code:MYR
Exchange rates:ringgits per US dollar - 3.8 (2004), 3.8 (2003), 3.8 (2002), 3.8(2001), 3.8 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Malaysia
Telephones - main lines in use:4,571,600 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular:11,124,100 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system; international service excellentdomestic: good intercity service provided on Peninsular Malaysiamainly by microwave radio relay; adequate intercity microwave radiorelay network between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei; domesticsatellite system with 2 earth stationsinternational: country code - 60; submarine cables to India, HongKong, and Singapore; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 IndianOcean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 35, FM 391, shortwave 15 (2001)
Radios:10.9 million (1999)
Television broadcast stations:1 (plus 15 high-power repeaters) (2001)
Televisions:10.8 million (1999)
Internet country code:.my
Internet hosts:107,971 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):7 (2000)
Internet users:8,692,100 (2003)
Transportation Malaysia
Railways:total: 1,890 km (207 km electrified)standard gauge: 57 km 1.435-m gauge (57 km electrified)narrow gauge: 1,833 km 1.000-m gauge (150 km electrified) (2004)
Highways:total: 65,877 kmpaved: 51,318 kmunpaved: 14,559 km (2001)
Waterways:7,200 kmnote: Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km, Sabah 1,500 km, Sarawak 2,500 km(2004)
Pipelines:condensate 279 km; gas 5,047 km; oil 1,841 km; refined products 114km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Bintulu, Johor, Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lumut, Miri, George Town(Penang), Port Kelang, Tanjung Pelepas
Merchant marine:total: 346 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,389,397 GRT/7,539,178 DWTby type: bulk carrier 45, cargo 109, chemical tanker 38, container47, liquefied gas 26, livestock carrier 1, passenger 1,passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 62, roll on/roll off 6, vehiclecarrier 5foreign-owned: 77 (China 1, Hong Kong 12, Japan 3, Singapore 61)registered in other countries: 59 (2005)
Airports:117 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 72 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Malaysia
Military branches:Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy(Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force(Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM) (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2005)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 5,584,231 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,574,854 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 244,418 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$1.69 billion (FY00 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:2.03% (FY00)
Transnational Issues Malaysia
Disputes - international:Malaysia has asserted sovereignty over the Spratly Islands togetherwith China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; whilethe 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South ChinaSea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not thelegally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysiawas not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oilcompanies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conductingmarine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; disputes continueover deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's landreclamation, bridge construction, maritime boundaries, and PedraBranca Island/Pulau Batu Putih - but parties agree to ICJarbitration on island dispute within three years; ICJ awardedLigitan and Sipadan islands, also claimed by Indonesia andPhilippines, to Malaysia but left maritime boundary in thehydrocarbon-rich Celebes Sea in dispute, culminating in hostileconfrontations in March 2005 over concessions to the Ambalat oilblock; separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslimsouthern provinces prompts measures to close and monitor border withMalaysia to stem terrorist activities; Philippines retains a nowdormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo; in 2003,Brunei and Malaysia ceased gas and oil exploration in their disputedoffshore and deepwater seabeds and negotiations have stalematedprompting consideration of international adjudication; Malaysia'sland boundary with Brunei around Limbang is in dispute; piracyremains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:transit point for some illicit drugs; drug trafficking prosecutedvigorously and carries severe penalties
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Maldives
Introduction Maldives
Background:The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then underBritish protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years afterindependence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currentlyin his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' politicalscene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, thepresident and his government have pledged to embark upon democraticreforms, including a more representative political system andexpanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developedon the archipelago.
Geography Maldives
Location:Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwestof India
Geographic coordinates:3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references:Asia
Area:total: 300 sq kmland: 300 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:644 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March);rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain:flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the AdduAtoll 2.4 m
Natural resources:fish
Land use:arable land: 13.33%permanent crops: 16.67%other: 70% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands,plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategiclocation astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
People Maldives
Population:349,106 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 43.9% (male 78,794/female 74,505)15-64 years: 53% (male 94,488/female 90,624)65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,339/female 5,356) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 17.69 yearsmale: 17.58 yearsfemale: 17.8 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.82% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:35.43 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 56.52 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 55.63 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 57.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 64.06 yearsmale: 62.76 yearsfemale: 65.42 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.02 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Maldivian(s)adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups:South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religions:Sunni Muslim
Languages:Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic),English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97.2%male: 97.1%female: 97.3% (2003 est.)
Government Maldives
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maldivesconventional short form: Maldiveslocal long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaalocal short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Government type:republic
Capital:Male
Administrative divisions:19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-orderadministrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu,Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu,Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence:26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:adopted 1 January 1998
Legal system:based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common lawprimarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state andhead of governmentcabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nominationmust be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approvalmargin is required); president elected for a five-year term;election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008)election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected inreferendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - MaumoonAbdul GAYOOM 90.3%
Legislative branch:unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected bypopular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-yearterms)elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50
Judicial branch:High Court
Political parties and leaders:although political parties are not banned, none exist
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Mohamed LATHEEFchancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
Diplomatic representation from the US:the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador toSri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description:red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a verticalwhite crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist sideof the flag
Economy Maldives
Economy - overview:Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 20% of GDP andmore than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90%of government tax revenue comes from import duties andtourism-related taxes. Fishing is a second leading sector. TheMaldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to theprivate sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations toallow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturingcontinue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by thelimited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domesticlabor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consistsmainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts,accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian authorities worry about theimpact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lyingcountry; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level. Inlate December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$1.25 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:2.3% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 18% services: 62% (2000 est.)
Labor force:88,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995)
Unemployment rate:NEGL% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $224 million (excluding foreign grants)expenditures: $282 million, including capital expenditures of $80million (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconutprocessing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sandmining
Industrial production growth rate:4.4% (1996 est.)
Electricity - production:124.4 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:115.7 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:3,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:fish, clothing
Exports - partners:US 26.5%, Thailand 23.5%, Sri Lanka 12.3%, Japan 11.7%, UK 9.8%,Germany 4.9% (2004)
Imports:$392 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing,intermediate and capital goods
Imports - partners:Singapore 24.9%, Sri Lanka 10.6%, UAE 10.3%, India 10.2%, Malaysia7.6%, Bahrain 5.4% (2004)
Debt - external:$281 million (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:NA (1995)
Currency (code):rufiyaa (MVR)
Currency code:MVR
Exchange rates:rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002),12.24 (2001), 11.77 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Maldives
Telephones - main lines in use:28,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:41,900 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilitiesdomestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; allinhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax serviceinternational: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:35,000 (1999)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:10,000 (1999)
Internet country code:.mv
Internet hosts:532 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:15,000 (2002)
Transportation Maldives
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors:Male
Merchant marine:total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 57,118 GRT/72,831 DWTby type: cargo 12, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2,refrigerated cargo 1registered in other countries: 1 (2005)
Airports:5 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 2over 3,047 m: 12,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 3914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Military Maldives
Military branches:National Security Service includes Security Branch (ground forces),Air Element, Coast Guard
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 71,774 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 56,687 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$41.1 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:5.5% (2004)
Transnational Issues Maldives
Disputes - international:none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:IDPs: 12,000 (26 December 2004 tsunami victims) (2005)
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Mali
Introduction Mali
Background:The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a fewmonths, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamedMali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 with atransitional government and in 1992 when Mali's first democraticpresidential election was held. After his reelection in 1997,President Alpha KONARE continued to push through political andeconomic reforms and to fight corruption. In keeping with Mali'stwo-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and wassucceeded by Amadou TOURE.
Geography Mali
Location:Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Geographic coordinates:17 00 N, 4 00 W
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 1.24 million sq kmland: 1.22 million sq kmwater: 20,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 7,243 kmborder countries: Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina Faso 1,000 km, Guinea858 km, Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km,Senegal 419 km
Coastline:0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:none (landlocked)
Climate:subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid,and mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain:mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna insouth, rugged hills in northeast
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Senegal River 23 mhighest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Natural resources:gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum,granite, hydropowernote: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits areknown but not exploited
Land use: arable land: 3.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 96.15% (2001)
Irrigated land:1,380 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurringdroughts; occasional Niger River flooding
Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate suppliesof potable water; poaching
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern,cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and thenorthern, arid Saharan
People Mali
Population:12,291,529 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 47.1% (male 2,910,944/female 2,876,010)15-64 years: 50% (male 2,955,496/female 3,185,666)65 years and over: 3% (male 165,867/female 197,546) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 16.35 yearsmale: 15.79 yearsfemale: 16.92 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.74% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:46.77 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:19.05 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 116.79 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 123.32 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 110.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 48.64 yearsmale: 46.68 yearsfemale: 50.66 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:6.5 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:1.9% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:140,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:12,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)
Nationality:noun: Malian(s)adjective: Malian
Ethnic groups:Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Soninke), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%,Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5%
Religions:Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%
Languages:French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 46.4%male: 53.5%female: 39.6% (2003 est.)
Government Mali
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Maliconventional short form: Malilocal long form: Republique de Malilocal short form: Maliformer: French Sudan and Sudanese Republic
Government type:republic
Capital:Bamako
Administrative divisions:8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal,Koulikoro, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence:22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday:Independence Day, 22 September (1960)
Constitution:adopted 12 January 1992
Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial reviewof legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formallyestablished on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Amadou Toumani TOURE (since 8 June 2002)head of government: Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi MAIGA (since 30April 2004)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime ministerelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term(two-term limit); election last held 12 May 2002 (next to be heldMay 2007); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Amadou Toumani TOURE elected president; percent ofvote - Amadou Toumani TOURE 64.4%, Soumaila CISSE 35.6%
Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats;members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 14 July and 28 July 2002 (next to be held July2007)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -Hope 2002 coalition 66, ADEMA 51, other 30
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Political parties and leaders:Alliance for Democracy or ADEMA [Diounconda TRAORE, partychairman]; Block of Alternative for the Renewal of Africa or BARA[Yoro DIAKITE]; Democratic and Social Convention or CDS [MamadouBakary SANGARE, chairman]; Hope 2002 [leader NA]; Movement for theIndependence, Renaissance and Integration of Africa or MIRIA[Mohamed Lamine TRAORE, Mouhamedou DICKO]; National Congress forDemocratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL, chairman]; Party forDemocracy and Progress or PDP [Me Idrissa TRAORE]; Party forNational Renewal or PARENA [Yoro DIAKITE, chairman; Tiebile DRAME,secretary general]; Rally for Democracy and Labor or RDT [AliGNANGADO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Almamy SYLLA,chairman]; Rally for Mali or RPM [Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, chairman];Sudanese Union/African Democratic Rally or US/RDA [Mamadou BamouTOURE, secretary general]; Union of Democratic Forces for Progressor UFDP [Youssouf TOURE, secretary general]; Union for Democracy andDevelopment or UDD [Moussa Balla COULIBALY]; Union for Republic andDemocracy or URD [Soumaila CISSE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Patriotic Movement of the Ghanda Koye or MPGK; United Movement andFronts of Azawad or MFUA
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC,IOM, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdoulaye DIOP chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249, 939-8950 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Vicki HUDDLESTONE embassy: Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V, Bamako mailing address: B. P. 34, Bamako telephone: [223] (2) 223-833 FAX: [223] (2) 223-712
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red;uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
Economy Mali
Economy - overview:Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with 65% of itsland area desert or semidesert and with a highly unequaldistribution of income. Economic activity is largely confined to theriverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the population isnomadic and some 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming andfishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farmcommodities. Mali is heavily dependent on foreign aid and vulnerableto fluctuations in world prices for cotton, its main export, alongwith gold. The government has continued its successfulimplementation of an IMF-recommended structural adjustment programthat is helping the economy grow, diversify, and attract foreigninvestment. Mali's adherence to economic reform and the 50%devaluation of the African franc in January 1994 have pushed upeconomic growth to a sturdy 5% average in 1996-2004. Workerremittances and external trade routes have been jeopardized bycontinued unrest in neighboring Cote d'Ivoire.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$11 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $900 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 45% industry: 17% services: 38% (2001 est.)
Labor force:3.93 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture and fishing 80% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:14.6% urban areas; 5.3% rural areas (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:64% average; 30% of the total population living in urban areas; 70%of the total population living in rural areas) (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 1.8%highest 10%: 40.4% (1994)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.5 (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.5% (2002 est.)
Budget:revenues: $764 millionexpenditures: $828 million, including capital expenditures of NA(2002 est.)
Agriculture - products: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Industrial production growth rate:NA (FY96/97)
Electricity - production:700 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 41.7% hydro: 58.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption: 651 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh; note - recent hydropower developments may be providing electricity to Senegal and Mauritania (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA
Oil - imports:NA
Exports:$915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:cotton, gold, livestock
Exports - partners:China 31.6%, Pakistan 10%, Italy 6.9%, Thailand 5.8%, Germany 5.1%,India 4.8%, Bangladesh 4.5%, Taiwan 4% (2004)
Imports:$927 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials,foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:France 14.5%, Senegal 9.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.6% (2004)
Debt - external:$3.3 billion (2000)
Economic aid - recipient:$596.4 million (2001)
Currency (code):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 - 528.29(2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)
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 (2004)
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:28 (2004 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 service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,206,728 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,231,930 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$22.4 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.4% (2004)
Transnational Issues Mali
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 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 kmland: 316 sq kmwater: 0 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 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 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:398,534 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.6% (male 36,056/female 34,097)15-64 years: 68.8% (male 138,537/female 135,666)65 years and over: 13.6% (male 23,184/female 30,994) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 38.36 yearsmale: 36.91 yearsfemale: 39.84 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.42% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:10.17 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 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: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.86 yearsmale: 76.7 yearsfemale: 81.15 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.5 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: 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 long form: Repubblika ta' Maltalocal short form: 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; amended many times
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 LOWELLchancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470consulate(s): New York
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. Continuedsluggishness in the European economy is holding back exports,tourism, and overall growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$7.223 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $18,200 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2003 est.)